Hi friends, welcome back! April was everything I’d hoped it would be and I’m loving spring in NYC. The weather has been great and I’ve been enjoying viewing all the spring blooms. We had a less busy month and enjoyed the conclusion of March Madness, the Master’s, a visit from the Easter bunny, a brunch boat cruise, a friend’s birthday party, a taping of Kelly and Mark that airs this Friday (post to come), and of course some delicious food.
On to my post 🙂 I’ve been linking up with the first blogger I ever read, Shay Shull, for my What’s Up posts. Each month I’m answering the following questions:
What I’m eating: I’ll be sharing my NYC Foodie Friday next week, so today I’ll share some home cooking. Jon recreated the Don Angie lasagna for Easter and it was delicious! His conclusion is that between the cost of ingredients and time to make it, he’s happy paying $68 to have it at the restaurant. My contribution was some cookies and I made these saltine toffee crackers for my friend’s birthday.
What I’m reminiscing about: this time last year I was about to head to Utah for a hiking trip with my mom and sisters. It’s hard to believe that was already a year ago! We visited Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park and the landscape was stunning.
What I’m loving: this spring has been amazing! There’s been no surprise snow and all the spring colors are just beautiful! I’ve even been opening the windows to let in some fresh air. Luckily we live high enough so the air always smells good.
Favorite post of the month: I loved my Lower Manhattan History Tour series, but I’m going to pick my Central Park Spring Tour part one. It was just the perfect day!
What I’m Up to: trying to find some clothes to wear in Italy. Let’s just say there’s a reason I’m not a fashion blogger…
What I’m working on: making sure everything is in order for Italy!
What I’m excited about: ITALY! We are going in two weeks and it feels surreal. We’ve been talking about this trip since 2019 and now it’s almost here. I am so excited to eat all the gelato, pizza, and pasta! We’re starting in Florence and then heading to Rome and the Amalfi.
What I’m watching/reading: we are hooked on Succession, we’re on season 3 right now catching up and it’s been very difficult trying to avoid spoilers. A lot of it was filmed near our apartment so we enjoy seeing the familiar sights. We also enjoy watching Barry and Firefly Lane, two polar opposite shows.
Books I read this month:
- It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
- The Family Game by Catherine Steadman
What I’m doing this weekend: we have a brunch and I’m getting all my ducks in a row before our trip.
What I’m looking forward to next month: celebrating our two-year wedding anniversary in Italy!
What are you looking forward to in May?
I’m looking forward to it getting warmer. Our spring season the last few years up here have been longer and cooler. Makes up for the warmer winters.
Hope you get some great weather soon!
It never occurred to me about fresher air the higher you live in a city – good point! And nice coincidence with the mention of Colleen Hoover because I’m reading “Verity” right now. It’s an intriguing plot (esp. because it’s about a writer). The book is not “unputdownable” (and can I just say I hate made-up words in user reviews?) but I’m a third of the way through and still reading.
That claim is not science based haha, but it smells a lot fresher in my apartment when the breeze comes in. Verity was a page turner! Very twisted but so hard to put down. It seems a lot of the Colleen Hoover books are very quick to get through which I like.
What a busy month Lyssy. So envious of your upcoming trip to Italy. After staying away from 35 years, our 2019 visit was one of the best trips we have ever been on. Being with another couple made it even better and like you, we celebrated an anniversary (#42) in Italy with good Italian food and wine. Stay well and Happy #2 when it happens. Allan
We are very excited, but now that it’s so soon I’m getting nervous I missed something planning. If so, I guess we’ll just have to go back! That sounds like the perfect trip! You have a lot of anniversaries under your belt, and many great adventures throughout the years. Thank you, May 22nd 🙂
Have fun in Italy, can’t wait to read about it. 😊 Maggie
Thank you! We are very excited 🙂
Lovely time to head to Italy, you’ll have a wonderful time. I’m assuming it’s all mapped out on your spreadsheet?
The weather looks like it’ll be nice, no sweltering heat. I’m got my spreadsheet and itinerary about 90% finalized 🙂
Good to hear!
Happy anniversary ❤️ succession obsessed forever this side 🌝 also, i loved their Norway locations they chose to shoot
Thank you!! Succession is so good! I’ll be sad when it ends. I’m looking forward to seeing those scenes 🙂
Enjoy spring in Italy Lyssy, I’m sure you’ll both have a brilliant time. Love your wedding photo!
Thank you!! We are so excited to finally be taking this trip.
Enjoy your trip! I am looking forward to my daughter graduating high school on May 27th, there’s so much to do!! 🙂
Thank you! How exciting for you! That is a busy time trying to get the grad party ready and going to all the other grad parties. Enjoy 🙂
Oh wow; that trip is coming up fast! I bet it will be just wonderful.
Way too fast!!
You will enjoy the Amalfi coast so much as well as Rome. What I liked about Rome is how walkable it is. I’m sure you’ve done a lot of research and know exactly where you want to go on the coast and in Rome (I never made it to Florence). With that said, I wrote about our (my daughter and I) trip to Amalfi and Rome on my WordPress. Godere….suo bellissima ~ Cathy
I am looking forward to roaming all the beautiful streets! Oh that sounds like such an amazing trip for you two! I will definitely check out your posts thanks for letting me know 🙂
I don’t know if you’ll be in Italy during your anniversary day but Ravello is absolutely beautiful…..the views are incredible at Villa Cimbrone and since you’re going in the spring I imagine the flowers will be just as stunning. When we visited Ravello, a couple was getting engaged! I also wrote about that as well, titled: Villa Cimbrone and the Terrace of Infinity. Thanks so much for reading my “Stepping Stones to Positano.” Rome (if that is where you’ll be on your anniversary day) has just as many “romantic” places. The Trevi Fountain area is the posh section. Go EARLY for photos.
You are always so busy, Lyssy. I don’t know how you do it all. Would you be willing to share your recipe for the saltine toffee crackers? Cannot wait to see your posts from Italy!!
I used this recipe but I forgot to add in the vanilla. Everyone at the party raved about them! https://andianne.com/cracker-candy/
Thanks so much, Lyssy! I can’t wait to make these.
They are delicious! I put a bag of them in the freezer and they’re the perfect treat 🙂
Good to know you can freeze them! Thanks again.
Italy, with your expert preparation is going to be a cocktail of beautiful things. I look forward to seeing your selections.
Thank you! We are very excited 🙂
Oh, now I just want to go to Central Park in the spring when everything is in bloom. Those pictures are gorgeous!
Thank you! Central Park is so beautiful I the spring, I wish it stayed like that longer.
Sounds like an awesome month, and with lots to look forward to! Would you mind sharing that toffee saltine recipe? They look delicious!
They are delicious! I used the recipe but forgot to include the vanilla and they still were a hit. I kept the extras in the freezer, otherwise the chocolate was melting a little and getting a bit messy. https://andianne.com/cracker-candy/
Thank you!
Follow 4 follow 😀
Thanks for sharing this idea. Central Psrk is amazing with so many varieties of flowers.. Anita
It is such an amazing park to have, a piece of heaven in the middle of the busy city!
We must have a similar wedding anniversary as we are always away the last couple of weeks in May to celebrate ourselves. 10 years this year for us – eeek!
We are the 22nd 🙂 Wow 10 years is a big one! I’m sure you have something fun planned to celebrate!
Ahh we are the 19th so very close 😊
This sounds like it was a good month, and I am looking forward to reading about your Italy adventures!
Thank you!
An action-packed month, Lyssy. Like you we often look back on what we were doing 1, 2, 5 and even 10 years ago. Time flies, which is a bit scary. But it’s also important to remember and celebrate the stuff we’ve done and reflect on how much we’ve been through and what’s changed in the meantime. I’m sure you’re going to have an amazing time in Italy. What a region in which to celebrate your anniversary. I have never been to these parts of Italy, but Sladja has and tells me great things.
You’re right, it’s crazy how fast time flies! I wish I could pause it sometimes. It is important to remember, celebrate, and reflect. I often live in the future, I love to plan everything. Hopefully my future Italy posts help you pull the trigger to visiting these parts of Italy 🙂
We had a lot of April showers last month, but the blossoms have been lovely and everything looks so lush. Safe travels to Italy. I’d say celebrating your wedding anniversary is a great reason to take a trip!
Hopefully the snow is behind you! Thank you! It is a great reason to book a trip 🙂