May 30, 2006
We left New York, cold and damp, to arrive in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, May 24th. The weather in Florida was hot and damp - clouds and rain for most of the five days we were there. But no matter, we were there to celebrate the 69th anniversary of my mother's sister, Bea and her husband, Walter. And what a great time we had!
These two are the model of a long and succesful marriage. Sweet, loving and respectful to each other - there's still a strong spark of romance as well. Bea will turn 91 and Walter 92, this August.
An added bonus this year was cousin Peter's presence. He flew down from Detroit with son Sloan. Staying with Sloan's mom, Riki, in Miami, they drove up to us in Deerfield Beach for a nice visit on Thursday. Sloan, the good grandson, even got up on a ladder to clean out the roof gutters. The house was in good shape but last year's hurricanes left their mark -- trees that used to provide shade and beauty were down and gone and the house stood a bit naked as we drove up.
On Friday night, Peter, Stacey and I took Bea and Walter out to the Sage restaurant in Fort Lauderdale for an anniversary dinner and we had a great time. Afterwards, we drove Peter back to Miami and then returned the long drive home to Deefield with a very tired uncle, aunt and nephew and niece.
Saturday night, Bea made dinner for all of us again. Added guests were Mardi and her boyfriend, Joel. Mardi, a registered nurse and sister of Lori Press (Peter's wife), had performed above and beyond the call of duty during the hurricane, delivering water and checking on Bea and Walter who were without power for 7 days during the storm. Appetizers and cocktails were served and we sat around and chatted. Bea made her signature spareribs and dinner was a wonderful affair.
We spent Sunday, our last day and the one day with beautiful sun and sky, at the pool. But first, Stacey and I ran over to Costco and Circuit City. We were on a buying spree for Bea and Walter. It seems that a lightining strike on Friday had blown out all three televisions. We picked up two new TV's and surge protectors (to prevent a reoccurence), shlepped them back to their house and installed them (a not-too-easy process). That left us a few hours at the pool and then a leisurely (and early) dinner. Then off to the airport and a smooth and quick ride back to LaGuardia and home.
We both felt that this had been a remarkable visit. My uncle's memory has been deteriorating in recent years. But he is as pleasant and sweet a man as you're likely to ever meet. Bea is quite amazing - at 91 she is physically and mentally fit. We spent a lot of time in interesting conversation. We never felt like we were guests - just family members dropping by for a visit and a chat. We're looking forward to next year's big 70th anniversary celebration. My aunt, in her modesty, thinks it's "nothing special to celebrate." We don't agree and look forward to many more visits to this very special couple.
My Aunt and Uncle - Bea and Walter Schaffer.
Stacey, Bea and Walter looking at old family photos -- a pastime that Walter really enjoys.
Beautiful Stacey catches a Florida sunset.
The four of us in front of the Schaffer house in Deerfield Beach. We've taken many of these family shots over the years.
Bea with two of her favorite men! This was taken at the Sage Cafe in Ft. Lauderdale where we celebrate Bea and Walters's 69th Anniversary.
Peter and Stacey at Sage Cafe.
An anniversary cake - courtesy of the Sage Cafe!
The 69th anniversary kiss! Not bad, ay?
Apr 23, 2006
By now, most of you know that my daughter is pregnant. Dani and Erik will have a new baby come November! We're gonna play catchup with Alexis and Lee who are now grandparents four times over. This will make the score four to one (we've got a way to go). Dani will give birth just in time for Thanksgiving and we can't wait!
My beautiful daughter, Dani, is expecting a baby in November.
Meanwhile, on the west coast, our niece Lizzy Press (Stacey's brother Peter's daughter)is pregnant also but a bit futher along. Yesterday, Lizzy's mom, Janie, threw a fabulous baby shower for her. It was espeically nice because we got to see friends and family members who we hadn't seen for many years. So, in a sense, new life helps reinvigorate the old - by bringing us all together. And that's just grand!
Lizzy and Shawn - expecting a litte one at the end of June.
Old friends - good times!
My sweet niece, Lizzy. I remember when....
Shawn and Lizzy open gifts. A proud mama, Janie, looks on.
To see all my photos from Lizzy's baby shower click below:
To browse the photos click here.
For a slide show click here.
Apr 21, 2006
There's another addition to the Weinstein family line. This time it came as a little baby boy, Benjamin Mosher, born to Jessie and Eddie Mosher just 10 days or so ago. Stacey and I drove out to the sweet town of Babylon out on the "island" (Long Island, that is) to greet the new one who was named for his great-grandpa, Ben Weinstein. We found a strapping baby boy (7 lbs 8 ozs) with a powerful set of lungs - he was sleeping when we arrived but soon awoke and let us know it.
Ben Mosher - welcome to the world. He was sleeping when we arrived.
Marlo came to visit -- Alexis and two of her daughters had a little laugh.
Jessica talks - everyone listens.
This baby demands attention ... and now!
The baby's up! Stacey looks on as Mom attends to his needs.
Now that's a sweet boy.
Presenting Benjamin Mosher. What do you think?
(Click any photo for a larger view)
It was fun to meet the new Benjamin. But there was an older sister present, Jordan, who we were having a good time with as well. A pretty and sweet little girl, she's having a good time with her new brother.
"Put that baby down, Mom, and read me a story."
Jordan is shy for my camera.
After our visit we drove the short distance to Marlo's house in Islip to spend a few minutes with her family. Luke and Olivia were ready for bed when we arrived - freshly showered and pajama-ed. We had fun hanging with them and father, Malte. But soon it was time for bed (for us, not them) and we headed for dinner at a local restaurant with Alexis and Lee and then took the ride home to Brooklyn. A nice day spent with family. That's what it's all about it, isn't it?
Kids are rapt watching a new video from their vacation in the Caymans. (Luke, Oliva, Stacey and Malte).
Now that was funny, wasn't it?
Luke and Olivia - beautiful (grand) nephew and niece.
Sweet dreams Olivia.
Love is blind - or maybe it just can't read.Newkirk Avenue station - Q train.March 1, 2006.
... this label on a package of salted black beans that we bought in a Chinese grocery in Manhattan today. 
In other words --• Store in a cool location.• Avoid breathing the powder.• Cook thoroughly before eating.and yes, take a memo to the packaging department:Hire a translator. The web translation page doesn't quite cut it.
Friday, Feb 17, 2006
Before I get to the answer, some background.Peter and Lori went to Buenos Aires last year for their honeymoon and fell in love with that very European capitol of Argentina. So for Peter's birthday this year, Lori, an extraordinary event organizer, planned a small surprise party at a restaurant in New York -- Industria Argentina, in Tribeca on Greenwich Street. The dinner would bring back memories of their wonderful voyage to Latin America a year ago. Located in of those dramatic New York City "spaces," the restaurant specializes in grilled meats which are the foundations of that national cuisine. The menu is rounded out with appetizers: some interesting salads but most of us ordered empanadas (little turnovers with flaky crusts and stuffed with spicy meat or cheese).
We arrived at 7:15 to find Peter's life-long friend, Murray, seated at the bar. Shortly after, Lori's friend, Bobbi, arrived. The four of us ordered drinks and awaited the arrival of Lori and Peter who were at a movie.
Sightings of a 65 year old man -- the paparazzi were there to record the momentous event.
Speak no evil. See no evil.
A few more of those Argentinian drinks and Murray slipped under the table.
We passed the time and asked the maitre d' to guide the victim of our surprise to a different table than ours. The restaurant was dark so we figured Peter would not pick us out. As he began to sit down he glanced our way and a look of surprise filled his face. This quickly turned into a classic Peter Press smile which says - "OK you got me. But I might have a few tricks for you."
Surprised? Who's surprised? I hate surprises! I'm not surprised. You can't surprise me. No one can put a surprise over on me. OK! I'm surprised.
Dinner was great. Between the fabulous skirt steak, lamb chops, Chilean Sea Bass (from Argentina?), a delicious bottle of Malbec wine, wonderful desserts and great conversation the evening went fast.
Before the food came though, Peter opened some of his birthday gifts. But Lori had left the best for last. She had designed a series of sophisticated, but cute, packages and "mini-gifts" that had hidden meanings and that were building up to the greatest gift of all. First a little box of "tip money," filled with some Argentinian bills and coins (left over from the last trip, I supposed.) Next, a Lori-designed gift certificate to a Buenos Aires restaurant that had been a favorite haunt of theirs last year. And then, the greatest gift of all - a multi-paged itinerary that she had designed and printed of their impending trip (to be taken the very next week) to Buenos Aires. Well, you could have knocked the guy over with a feather.
Look what I got for you Pete.
I got Pete a monkey ... with very long legs.
We were having a grand old time, weren't we?
Lori and Peter like to surround themslves with the "beautiful people."
Bobbi and Murray - jambon-ing it up.
Here's to you my love.
No, no, no. I am not worthy.
Umm, er, what's the meaning of this?
Guess where we're going!
Two good old friends. It is just friendship, right guys?
It was a great evening. And Peter certainly looks very, very happy. Come to think of it,so does Lori. Buen viaje a Buenos Aires!
