New Years Eve 2012

As a year comes to a close you reflect on the events of the year past. This year for me started with my boyfriend of 5 years proposing to me last New Years eve, and ended with the most important person in my life passing away. I hope that 2013 is kind to me, This year being the last in my 20's (...eek!) and a point where its time to make some huge changes. I am looking forward to starting fresh and having a life make over. Here is a snap shot from last New Years and of my amazing engagement ring. Cheers to the New Year and please stay safe. Welcome 2013!

Christmas 2012

{beautiful salad} 

I hope everyone had an amazing holiday with their families. This year was extremely hard for my family, Christmas day marked 3 weeks since my grandfather has passed away. We decided we all needed something different this year in order to start fresh again next year with new family traditions. On Christmas eve, my mother, sister, fiancé and I took a trip to New York City to visit my uncle. We had a wonderful dinner party with great food and amazing company. The next morning, brunch on the roof top of The Kimberly Hotel, such a beautiful place to stay. Here are a few of my favorite snap shots of my holiday. 

{amazing food from ready-to-eat nyc}

{wrapping paper} 

{ my fiancé & I} 

{my family} 

 { st. patricks, nyc}

{ at the famous tree}

{the door at saks}

{grand central- nyc}

Honda Holiday Party 2012

My Fiancé works at a Honda dealership and last night was their holiday party. It's great seeing everyone all together, all dressed up. The party was held at Powelton Club, in Newburgh NY. Just wanted to share a few photos.

I will always remember M. George Habeeb...

{ My Grandfather George & Grandmother Virgenie on their wedding day May 25th}

The lack of updating is due to the fact that I was traveling back and forth from New York to New Jersey to visit my sick grandfather. Unfortunately his health took a turn for the worst on Thanksgiving, he was admitted to Hackensack Medical. After 12 days of fighting, he peacefully passed on December 4th. He had the most amazing life anyone could ask for, he was an amazing son, a loving and adoring husband to my grandmother, a wonderful father to my mother and uncle, and the absolute best grandfather that anyone could ask for. He was truly my best friend and to say that I heart broken and devastated is a complete understatement. He was the core of my world and my family. I was lucky enough to have him in my life for 28 years, I just wish I had 28 more. My grandmother passed away 6 years ago and ever since then I would go down to visit him at least once a week to have our famous lunch dates. He lived in a senior community which is like a college campus its amazing and they knew him as the mayor. If you needed something done you went to George. Hackensack Medical and their Critical Care Unit were fantastic, they took amazing care of him. He had a team of doctors and nurses that would watch over him and they were the best of the best. when we would leave at night I didn't have to go home and worry that they were not going to take care of him. They treated and cared for  him like he was their own.  You can't find a better staff in the area, their hearts are in the right place. I cant thank them enough.

We have asked that friends donate to Hackensack Medical University Hospital CCU Heart department, where he had spent his final days. They were so amazing we wanted to make sure we gave back to them so that they are able to do the same for other families. To make a donation in M.George Habeeb's name please send it to  Critical Care fund- Dr. Berkowitz's Heart Failure Program.

Hackensack UMC Foundation

c/o Heart Failure Program

360 Essex Street Suite 301

Hackensack, NJ 07601

      * Please write on your donation: In Memory of M. George Habeeb.

** They will send you a receipt of your donation for tax purposes 

{ St. Patricks Day 2012 - Lunch Date}

{M. George Habeeb}

{ One of our many trips to Atlantic City}

{ The day after my grandfather passed, my uncle saw these 2 white doves on a very small ledge on the 23rd fl of his high rise apartment in NYC. There is never a thing let alone a bird there. My grandfather and grandmother are together again.}

Election 2012

The time has come to get your butt to the polls and have your voice heard. Please do not forget to vote, its so important!

Lawrence Farms Orchards, Newburgh NY

If you live in New York you are lucky enough to get all four seasons. Fall happens to be my favorite, the crisp air, the fall foliage and the smell of hot apple cider. When October comes around you know it's time to go apple & pumpkin picking. We recently visited Lawrence Farm Orchards in Newburgh, NY.  As soon as you pull in you can smell the hot apple cider and warm apple cider donuts. Since it was an early spring, the apple trees bloomed early which caused and early crop so we could not pick the apples off the trees this year. Over all we all had a great time.

Lake George, NY

After weeks of thinking about a small mini vacation to go on on without using all of my vacation time at work, my fiancé and I decided on Lake George, NY. I remember growing up, my grandparents would take me every summer, and at that age the 3 hour drive seemed like 6. I loved being in such a small town, staying in a hotel with an indoor pool, and morning visits to the pancake house for the best breakfast.  When you think Lake George you think the Minne Ha Ha. Lake George Steamboat Company has been a staple there for as long as I can remember, you cannot visit and not take a ride on one of the 3 famous steamboats. One of my best breakfast places ever is The Silo Restaurant and Country Store. Anything you can think of they have, I chose the Belgium waffles with maple syrup. We had the most amazing waitress that made us feel like family. She asked us if we knew where we were eating dinner tonight, being that she was a local we asked for her recommendation, she said Georges the best steak house in the area.  We took her up on her offer and went to the early bird special of prime rib and it was out of this world, it is a must visit. After dinner we wanted ice cream and I remember seeing a neon sign for ice cream with a rooster on top, you really could not miss it. Martha's Dandee Creme, had an amazing list of flavors, it has also been a Lake George landmark for more then 5o years! It was an amazing trip that I can not wait to do again!

{Minne Ha Ha}

{The Silo Restaurant & Country Store}

{ Yummy breakfast @ The Silo}

{ Martha's Dandee Creme- the best ice cream}

Cheers & love

Gigi's Birthday, The Big 23!

 

 

{ The Birthday Girl Gigi & her boyfriend Corey }

Gigi turns 23 !!! Anyone who knows Gina knows she's always wanted a surprise party, and  it's almost impossible to surprise her. But her great boyfriend pulled one over on her and planed an intimate dinner of friends and family to celebrate. Gina, Kaitlyn & I all work together, so it was extremely hard not to slip and tell her. If anyone deserves to have this party it's Gina, she is an amazing friend who would drop anything to be by your side, and always is there when you need to vent. I feel so honored to have such a great person in my life.  Love you G!

{ Kaitlyn & Gigi}

{ Rick, Gigi, Nicole & Kaitlyn @ the surprise birthday dinner}

{ famous homemade pickles on the table}

Hudson Valley Rib Fest 2012

The hudson valley is packed full of festivals over the summer, and Rib fest is a must. This is the largest barbecue food event in the region. Each year it gets better and better, more contestants  for the best ribs, brisket, and chicken. It is so hard to just choose one. If you choose to attend Rib Fest next year, come hungry, there are so many choices and you can sample a little from each.