the ubiquitous they

"Don't leave the keys in the golf cart," my mother advices. Just last week they tried to steal Grace's golf cart." "Where would they go with it?" Jack astutely asks. My mother has no answer.

"I always lock my car here. They could steal it if you don't," my mother warns.

"Recently they've been ringing door bells around 10 or 11 at night then running away. I'm glad I don't have a doorbell," adds my mom.

They seem to be causing a lot of mischief.

Yesterday at the beach Abbey goes to retrieve his ancient black flip-flops. They are gone, and in their place is another, similarly sized pair of male black flip-flops.

They must have taken them. I post Abbey's lost pair on the Wild Harbor Website; we are hopeful they will return them.

Today is another gorgeous beach day. Perfect in every way. Val and Abbey's friends come to visit. My family has known Nancy and Michael for years. It's a lazy, comfortable day on the beach. Everyone is in such a relaxed mood that I'm even allowed to take a few pictures.

Abbey, Valerie, Nancy and Michael

with Valerie and my mom

Alexander

Before leaving, we check the pile of shoes that people deposit when they come on the beach. Abbey's flip-flops have not been returned.

I guess they liked Abbey's better than their own.

the art of beaching

Being on the beach is easy, getting on the beach is not.

First comes the food decision.  There are nine of us. Me, Alexander, Valerie, Abbey, Jean, Jim, Jack, possibly Sally and my mom. That's nine sandwiches.

I play waitress and take the orders. I call Dean's to pre-order and avoid the long lines and associated long wait. No one answers. Abbey and Jack volunteer for the pick up.

We load up two big coolers with cold drinks, chips, fruit and bottles of water. "Where are all the ice packs?"  My mom has no idea. We use what we have, not many.

Next come the chairs. Six chairs won't fit in one golf cart. We are short two. (Sally has called and won't be coming down; she has to work). A neighbor offers us two of her chairs. Even brings them to the beach for us. It's a very friendly neighborhood here at Wild Harbor.

Do we need floats? Sure, why not. Jean refills the floats with air, and Jack volunteers to hold them off the side of the golf cart while Alexander drives. The "boys" have been sent on the set-up mission. 

"Is the tide coming in?" We need to know to determine how far away from the water to place the chairs. We want to be close, but we also don't want to be moving the chairs all day. Someone looks it up and determines that high tide isn't until late afternoon. That's good news; more beach.

The boys are given explicit instructions as to where the chairs go. 

"Not too far down the beach."
"Close to the waterline."
"Avoid any seaweed."
"Be sure to put the towel on the floats so they don't fly away." 
"Cover the cooler to keep the food cold for longer."
" Put the chairs in a semi circle, not to tight."

The boys leave on their mission. 

Everyone checks their own individual essentials.

Hat. 
Sunscreen of varying strengths. 
Book, Kindle, and/or magazine. 
Phone.  
New York Times.
Cover-up in case it gets cold. 

The boys return. Set-up complete.  

"How is it down there?" my mom asks. I'm not sure what answer she's expecting but the boys give a simple one, "Fine."

My mom and I are on the beach by eleven; the rest of the group comes about 12:30.

It's a gorgeous day. 

It's nice to all be together, something that happens only a few times a year. 

Everyone is relaxed. Probably resting up; we still need to get off the beach.

"remember the time..."

My mom is never late. Never ever.

She always adds at least 20 minutes to every trip. "Mom, I timed it, it's only 7 miles and takes exactly 10 minutes to get there." 

"Believe me! It doesn't take 10 minutes. You should give yourself at least 30. There could be.... " (fill-in-the-blank, an accident, traffic, road construction, something).

Last time I visited she drove me to the bus stop for my ride home. We waited in the car 45 minutes for the bus to arrive.

My sister and her husband are going to the Vineyard for the day. This involves driving their car to a lot in Falmouth, than being bussed to the ferry. From my mom's house, it's about a ten minute ride to the parking lot and another 15 to the ferry.  "When do you think we should leave?" Valerie poses at dinner.  Everyone chimes in. The ferry leaves at 9:30 a.m. and the consensus is that they should leave about 8:30. Everyone, that is, except for my mother. She suggests leaving at 8.

Her suggestion leads to additional comments by others.

"I think maybe you should leave at 6 a.m.  You can never trust the Cape traffic."

"It could be bumpah-ta-bumpah all the way."

"You know, I would leave now, just to be safe." (Now being around 9pm, as dinner is winding down).

My mother is a good sport about our teasing.

This morning Val and Abbey leave for the ferry. I think they listened to my mom and left around 8, mostly to appease her. They get to the parking lot and it's full. They then have to call my mom, drive back to her house, and have her drive them to Woods Hole. They make the ferry no problem.

This worked out perfectly for my mother. Now, whenever she insists on leaving extra early for something, she can always fall back on the Ferry Experience.  

Next time we need to be anywhere my mom will be adding an extra hour.  Because — I can hear it now — "Remember the time..."

EXST

Alexander and I are flying up to the Cape today. I bought us tickets online a few weeks ago. Jet Blue. $57 round trip. A ridiculously low price.

We take the subway/airtrain to JFK. We leave at 8:30 for an 11:22 flight; that'll give us plenty of time.

All previous times I've flown to the Cape this summer I have miraculously been randomly chosen for one of those expedited check-ins.  

Alexander and I see the long snaking check-in line, but we are directed to the line with no one in it. The line where you don't have to remove your shoes or take out your laptop. The line that everyone wants to be in. The line that takes you through security in about three minutes. It's our lucky day.

We show our tickets. "I'm sorry, but sir, you'll need to go back to that line (pointing to the mess of a line with hundreds in it).  You weren't randomly chosen for the quick check-in." Even though it's supposed to be random, I think the computer somehow knows I'm an older white woman and Alexander is not.  I tell Alexander I'll meet him at the gate. We still have plenty of time.

Alexander then waits in the very long line for about a half hour. He gets to the front and the ticket agent asks, "Is Exst your name?" 

"Huh?  No, my name is Alexander."  

"I'm sorry sir, you'll have to go to that machine over there and print out your ticket."

Alexander does that, and I can only imagine how frustrated he is. He puts in all the right information only to discover that no one with his name is listed on the flight.  He calls me and he's not happy.  He raises his voice. "Sweetheart, an airport is not the place to throw a fit," I remind him.  He calms down.

Alexander goes back to the ticket agent and tells him his name is not showing up and explains that his mother bought these tickets online.

"Sir, does your mother own a cello?"

"No," Alexander answers having no idea why he's been asked about a cello.

"Is your mother a large woman?"

"No."

"Well sir, that is usually why someone will purchase an Extra Seat." Or why the ticket reads EXST and not Alexander.

They sort it out. My son just makes the flight. Next time I'll pay more attention to the name on the ticket.

central park in summer

It's hot. Alexander is doing whatever it is he does, and he'd prefer me out of the house.

I go to Central Park to read and take some photos.  I have this idea.  Soon I'll have my apartment painted, a service my building provides (by law)  every three years. The last time I had it done was over 8 years ago — it's a traumatizing experience, moving all the furniture away from the walls and removing anything on them. 

I've been thinking about what art work I'll take down, sell, or give away. And what I might want instead, that won't cost much money.

I decide on a seasonal montage of photos from Central Park. Well, not quite a  montage. One picture from each season. So this past winter I visited the park on a snowy day.  I returned on a nice spring day. And today I go again to try and capture summer. 

Just fall remains, and I'm counting the days. Not so much for the picture, but rather the weather, clothes, and screenings.

summer

spring

winter

an interview

I board an Express bus down Fifth Avenue to Saks.

"Do you stop at 50th?" I ask the sullen driver.

"Nope," he responds.

"Well, what's the closest stop?"

"51st."

I mean really. He couldn't have exerted the effort and answered 51st "just one block away" when I asked the first time?  

Anyway, I get to my interview and meet Afton. She's lovely. We have spoken on the phone a few times; she is looking for a sales associate in men's clothing. But since cross-selling is required, I'd be able to sell in any department.

I think she found me on LinkedIn and liked my J.Hilburn experience.

My biggest— maybe only — reservation is that it would be another all-commission job. 

On the plus side, 

• Saks is one of my favorite stores. 
• I know the brand well. 
• I know its competition. 
• I know many many people who shop at Saks; if they agree (and there's no reason why they shouldn't), I can add them to my client list.
• I'm available to work on nights and weekends.
• I think I'm over the gee, I used to be...
• And, I have ample shopping experience.

Still, it's another commissioned job. There's no steady income. I'm not sure I'd be able to continue with Real Estate and J. Hilburn. And its another job that requires hustling for every dollar.

I'll be on the Cape next week, and along with sea-floating and eating seafood, I'll be doing a lot of thinking.

first haircut in 4 months

After walking out of Super Cuts on Sunday, I schedule to see Mark today.

I met Mark last February through a Groupon.  He is immensely talented. And though I needn't like the person who cuts my hair, it is better when I do. And Mark is someone I immediately liked. He's in his 30's, from Russia originally, and just had the most gorgeous baby boy. Typically when I get my hair cut, I sit and read. But with Mark, I don't. He's interesting and ambitious and surprisingly, we have much to talk about.

My hair is always safe with Mark.  I need to say little as I trust his instincts. He will never cut too short, and he won't create layers that are less than six inches long. We are in perfect sync regarding my hair. 

When he's done, we start talking about another business Mark is developing. We end up speaking for about ten minutes. I provide some ideas he likes.

I go to pay and Mark has reduced my bill by 30%. How nice is that? A hairdresser I like. A hairdresser with talent. And a hairdresser with class.  A perfect combination.

I should know better than to ask my son a question about my hair. "I'm your son, not your boyfriend," is his usual response to these kind of inquiries.  But I don't learn.

"What do you think of my hair?" I ask. "It looks respectable," he tells me. I'll assume that means incredible.

bad dinner

In March I'm at Costco with a friend.  

She picks up a frozen box and says, "You should try this. It's great."

Tonight I decide to make it.

Around 7, Alexander asks, "So what's for dinner?"

I try to avoid answering as I am not expecting an enthusiastic endorsement when I tell him.  But my son insists so I show him the box.  "Ooooooh nooooooo, that looks horrible. I don't like stews. That looks disgusting. Why would you even buy it? You said we were having steak. This isn't what I was expecting." And on and on and on.

I defend my choice.

As instructed, I put the inner pouch in the microwave for 10 minutes — the upper range of the "8 to 10 minutes" instructions. I don't love the way it looks either but pretend otherwise.

I place the finished product in a nice-looking serving bowl, as if this will make it taste better. We set up to watch Madrigal, the second episode of Breaking Bad, Season Five.  Alexander takes a forkful. "Okay, this isn't that bad." I taste it and disagree. It's horrid. The steak is tasteless and the texture is questionable. I bite into a small roasted potato that is cold in the center.  I can eat most things, but I can't eat this.

Alexander is almost half done by the time I have taken a single bite. I admit, "Okay, you're right. This is awful." 

We leave the house and pick up pizza. At least BB doesn't disappoint; it never does.

a non-hair cut

It's in the 90's, too hot for any outdoor activity.

I am staying out of stores.

Museums...sure, there are lots of good exhibits around, but don't feel like going.

I'm sick of looking at my computer.

I want to take a break from my book, The Fixer by Joseph Finder.  Readable, but not recommendable.

So I decide to get my hair cut at Super Cuts for $23. I feel adventurous.

My last hair cut was on April 20, almost four months ago.  But for at least six weeks after the cut I was miserable, hair-wise. The top layers were so short I looked like I was wearing a cap around my head.  It was really bad.  But on the plus side, it has grown out nicely.

My hair needs to be cut, and I don't want to spend $90. My request will be simple: About an inch off the bottom, and keep the layers long. Should be easy.

I get to Super Cuts early. There is only one cutter and she does not inspire confidence. She has platinum hair, a micro-mini atop chubby legs, and a big tat on her right upper arm. The one customer in her chair is a scruffy looking male; two similar looking guys are waiting. I watch her cut, and don't love what I see. And then I wonder if she'll be using the same scissors and combs on my hair. Then I think that another bad cut would make me miserable again. I don't need more stress in my life. I sit there with my Kindle looking at the cutter, looking at the clientele, looking at the just-used cutting tools, and I leave.

I get home just as Alexander is waking. I say, "What do you think of my hair; I just got it cut." It's stringy, unwashed, and hanging limply. "I like it; it looks good."  "Really?" I ask. "What's different about it?"  "It looks shorter." 

I make an appointment with my usual stylist, Mark. I'm a risk taker about some things; my hair is not one of them.

my roommate

Alexander's friend comes over.  While he's on his way, Alexander has to run to the store. His instructions to me before leaving? "If Gideon comes when I'm out, just open the door quickly and run away."

Or, said another way, don't talk to my friend.  And in  fact, it'll probably be best if you can just disappear quickly.

Alexander is seeing another friend tonight, and it's possible he might come back here with his friend later. Tonight's instructions are more emphatic, "Play dead," he tells me.  Translated: since you don't have to open the door, you can act as if you're not here at all.

Earlier today I respond to a question on a topic Alexander brings up. He doesn't like my response and says, most calmly, "I don't like you." He apologizes later. "You know I of course love you, but sometimes you just bug me."  I mean really. He asks for my advice; I give it; he doesn't like it; and so he correspondingly doesn't like me.

"I'm not like this with other people, only you," he tells me. I believe him.

Why are our grown children so much more tolerant of others than they are of their mothers? Am I the same with my mom?  I like to think not, but I probably am.

Though I highly doubt I've ever asked her to play dead.

motherly tasks

I've been home a day.

Alexander has enjoyed my absence. He had a nice apartment in a great NYC location.  No one to wake him if he's not up by ten, tell him what to do, or worry if he's out too late. And, the rent is free. 

But he's adjusted to my being home.

"What are you making me for breakfast?"

"Can you go to Costco and get some lox and more of those frozen Japanese noodle things?"

"I need your computer for the day.  I have to run a program that only works on Windows. (My Mac also runs Windows; his doesn't). I might need it for the next three months."

"You need to help me with the application for health insurance; mine runs out on the 16th."

"The remote in the living room isn't working. You need to get it fixed."

"Where's a black magic marker?"

"Why do you care what my room looks like?"

"I want to eat dinner by seven 'cuz I might go out later. What are you making?"

"You need to take  a picture of me today in a suit for my LinkedIn account; I want to look professional.  C'mon, I know you like doing that." (more than the other tasks, for sure.)

too smirky

too green

too sad, borderline angry

too smiley

about right

ride home, two days early

I'm restless. 

I miss Alexander, though when I tell him I'm coming home two days ahead of schedule, his response is less than enthusiastic.

I miss watching Breaking Bad.

I miss my bed.

And my mother and I both miss are own routines and schedules.

And besides, it's a rainy day. Just like the one forecast for tomorrow.

So I forgo my Jet Blue flight for Thursday, and book a local bus from Bourne to Boston, and the Bolt Bus from Boston to New York.

The Bolt Bus driver, a woman, is friendlier than most. Even her passenger announcement sounds genuine.

"Hi everyone.  Just a few words. First, be kind to your neighbor. That's the most important thing I'll say today. ... Our bathroom, located in the back, is very clean. And men, if you use it, please aim carefully. ... So relax, enjoy the trip, and who knows, maybe the person next to you will become your best friend."

I have never heard a welcome-aboard speech that includes mention of men's toilet etiquette and the possibility of new friendships.

The guy behind me, while polite, receives or makes at least six calls throughout the trip. And his voice is loud and carries.  When I ask him to speak softer, he does — until he forgets. At one point he says to me, "I'm trying really hard to speak in a quieter voice.  How's this?" "Good" I say.  "But look around. It would be even better if you weren't on the phone at all. See, no one else is." No budding friendship is evolving here.

The nice guy next to me, an American,  lives in Cameroon in West Africa. He comes home for a month each year. We won't be best friends either. The distance would make it difficult . Plus, I ask him to turn down his earbuds;  I don't like the annoying garbled noise I can hear from them.

The woman in front of me is playing a game on her iPad with the accompanying music on. I ask her to please mute it and she replies, "It is." Then I realize the music is coming from Pandora that is playing off my phone, buried deep in my tote. 

We get to NY on time, except the bus driver doesn't know Manhattan well and asks for help.  I direct her down Second from 125th, though advise her that next time she should take the midtown tunnel. "That'll bring you much closer to our drop-off at First and 38th," I tell her. "And it'll cut out the extra extra half hour it takes to go down Second."  "Oh, I don't think I'd like to go that way. Tunnels scare me."  

Then she says, "You live here?" I tell her I do, and she asks with genuine curiosity,  "Can you give me one reason why you like living here?"  She can't imagine even one.

But she's a good driver, and we all arrive safely.

phyllis and gin

My mom likes cards, always has.  And she's good.  She can remember every card played, and even reference them in future games.  "Boy, I could have used that card last game." Once my hand is down, I've forgotten every card in it.  

Bridge twice a week and canasta once. My mom plays three times a week (except for summer), and there is no overlap among her three different friend groups. 

But I know her for her gin skills. 

 with Eddie (left),  July 1982

teaching Ari and Jason, August 1987

inspiring other family members: Jean, Valerie,Jason and my dad, Thanksgiving 2009

My dad, though competitive, was never as good as my mom.  And while he's generally not a sore loser, the combination of my mom's smart playing combined with her good luck was too much for him. My mom famously tells a story of a gin fight she and my dad had, where they didn't speak for an entire weekend. I have no doubt that whatever happened my mom did no wrong. She's a great loser and a good sport. I wouldn't be surprised if this were the scenario. My mom teasingly says, "Oh, I could use a card right here." And then my dad throws a card and my mom—  with much glee I'm sure —responds, "I can't believe it . That's it. Gin." 

Today is not a beach day.

But it's a good day for cards. So the three of us sit around the sun room. (Ellie insists on being as close to my mother as possible; she is not concerned with my mom's comfort).

Perhaps that explains the unusual score.

a nice routine

The beach makes up for the lack of excitement on the Cape.

Since arriving on Tuesday, the weather has been perfect. High 70's-low 80's. Sunny. Slight breeze. 

Every day is relatively the same.

• Pack a lunch:  A half sandwich from Dean's (they're large, so a half is big enough), Diet Snapple, fat-free Pringles, and a cut up plum.
• Get in bathing suit, and lather on sunscreen.
• Make sure the golf cart includes the necessary chairs, towels, and float.
• Get to the beach between 11:15 and 11:45.
• Lug all the stuff onto the beach.
• Determine if tide is going in or out.
• Find suitable place near water to set-up. 
• Tan, talk, eat, read and float.
• Leave beach around 3 to 3:30.

The only variable this week has been the people on the beach. M was here for a few days so that was nice. My sister Jean came down on Thursday. My mom has been a great constant. My friend Barb and her husband Rich are around most days, along with the many people my mom knows. That list is too long to mention.

It's a simple life, but an enjoyable one. 

a sleepover

As a kid, I loved sleepovers.

Having a friend spend the night felt like a real adventure.  But even better, was sleeping at a friend's house.

I remember being invited to Arlene Franklin's ultra-modern, exquisite home.  She had a real blender where we could create restaurant-worthy chocolate milk shakes. And, even more impressive, Arlene's family owned a color TV.

I can still vaguely recall my first time seeing the NBC Peacock spread its wings, with a voiceover announcing, "The following program is brought to you in living color." It was a beautiful sight, though I still have no idea what "living color" means.  

Last night, after dinner, I come home to three missed calls from M. She is renting a house for two weeks near my mother's, but we didn't get together when I arrived yesterday as she had family visiting. Then I see her text. "Want to sleep over?" 

M's guests have left, her husband can't make it down, her boys are not free, and she is left alone in this big, gorgeous house at the end of a long, dark private road. I wouldn't want to sleep alone there either. I'm too used to living in a doorman building.

So M picks me up; my mom's house is only a couple of miles away. The house she is renting is spectacular. Big. New. Soft, peaceful colors.Tons of windows in every room, all overlooking the ocean.

M and I open a bottle of sparkling wine. Get slightly drunk. Talk and talk. Go to bed late. 

I awake at seven, with sun in my eyes, and this peaceful view.

Much better than a color TV.

what's wrong with this picture?

$57 plane ticket from JFK to Hyannis. 38 minute flight.  Everything exactly as it should be.

My mom picks me up at the airport.  We make a stop at Mashpee Commons for yogurt. I doubt there is a more liberal state than Massachusetts. Okay, it has a republican governor, but the state's politics have always leaned left. 

According to Wikipedia, places around Boston, including the Cape (I'm sure), are among the most liberal of cities and towns in an already very liberal state.

So what's with this car I see openly parked in Mashpee Common doing here? With Massachusetts plates, no less. This feels as out of place as someone prancing around in a Yankees hat!

what to buy where

A few weeks ago at Book Club, Whole Foods came up.

"I love their yogurt-covered pretzels," I said. Sometimes I make a trip there just to buy them and nothing else."

Someone else added, "Have you tried their Grandma's Chicken Soup?  Really excellent."

So I think, Gee, wouldn't it be great to have a list of people's favorites at various common shopping stores?  Everyone agrees and I offer to coordinate the list.

Six weeks later, and with 21 contributors, I now have a list. Some items I would never have thought of buying, but now I will.

So in case you are looking to try some new foods, here's the list; I asterisked my favorites. I recognize that many (though not all) are NY-based establishments, but it seems most of my audience is as well. 

Kirkland Solid White Albacore Tuna (packed in water)*

Nature’s path granola with pumpkin seeds

Nuts, especially pine nuts and salted cashews

Prime strip steak (lyn)*

Leg of lamb and lamb chops

Large slab of salmon I then cut into individual portions and freeze for a quick dinner

Kirkland frozen stir fry vegetables

Frozen Shrimp Scampi*

Frozen spanakopita

Frozen Kirkland meatballs

Big bags of frozen strawberries or mixed berries for smoothies

Frozen precooked bacon (microwave at 80% for # of minutes to match # of slices)

Ling-ling potstickers (frozen dumplings)

Large bag containing 12 individual serving bags of edamame (frozen section)

Kind bars

K. Bell No-Show socks (9 pairs for $7.99!)

Box of individual mashed avocado servings (perfect for sandwiches)

Box of individual hummus servings

Large box of fig bars (delicious snack food)

Jar of Shredded parmesan or feta cheese 

Jar of Nutzo (7 nut and seed spread)

Kale salad, complete with dressing, etc. found in produce cooler (jean)

Sweet kale chopped salad kit - includes broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, chicory, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and poppyseed dressing - easy, delicious and healthy!

Kale and radicchio and pumpkin seeds ready made bagged salad

Double loaf package of Freihofer's bread

Demi baguette 6-pack (in bakery section). Great to have on hand. They freeze really well in zip locks, defrost slow in micro, in oven at 350 for 10 minutes. Crunchy and delicious , $4.99*

La Brea torta sandwich roll (12 pack for $6.49)*

Pecan and cranberry bread

Refrigerated Jar of crab (great quality, good for crab cakes)

Seaweed salad

Eggplant salad

Whitefish salad

NE chicken salad

Quinoa is a great deal

Chocolate covered raisins

Chocolate covered cranberries*

Dark covered dried mangos –delicious and kinda healthy

Amlactin cream

CeraVe cream

Neutrogena Bath Soap (prefer RainBath when they have it; 40 ounces)*

Shirts for men--good for casual Friday.  Love the blue check or the pink check shirts

Fresh fruit, especially the blueberries*

Bulk Kiwi (imported for Italy)

French green beans

Coffee pods (Nantucket Blend) (map)

Spinach dip and Stacy's Pita Chips--great appetizer for holidays (map)

Fresh prepared foods, which are super convenient and quite tasty, including

o   stuffed peppers
o   turkey roller sandwiches
o   margherita pizza (not available lately, but when it is, it's great)

Pumpkin pie, which is huge and amazing (not available year-round, but worth the wait!)

7 layer Mexican dip 

Grandma’s Chicken Soup*

Cream of Wild Mushroom soup

Yogurt covered pretzels (in bulk food section)*

Walnut, Goat Cheese and Cranberry Salad (2 for $6)*

Prepared Tuna Salad (the one with fuji apples and cranberries, but you can make it myself…it’s so good)*

Any of their hybrid tangerines*

Gorgeous fruit (overpriced but always beautiful)

Mango salsa

Tasty Bite Indian food (cheap and quick and acceptable for days when you have no energy to cook)

Package of Brioche rolls…think they are by Eli; also sell at Fairway; they freeze well*

Balsamic roasted vegetables in the prepared food section

Couscous with cranberries in prepared foods --good side dish for Spring/Summer

Beef kabobs from fresh meat department

Already seasoned stir fry mix of beef and vegetables from fresh meat department 

Wild caught salmon when on sale

Gouda cheese with truffles (my absolute favorite!)

Olives from olive bar

Broccoli Detox salad

Jerk chicken

365 Fragrance-free Shampoo & Conditioner

365 Fragrance-free Moisturizing Lotion

Steaz half and half tea, zero calories

Fresh Mozzarella cheese

Frozen shrimp

$10 dinner meals (an entree and 2 side dishes. You have to ask for it)

Cara Cara Oranges in early winter

Blenheim Apricots

Pesto sauce

Tortelloni

One Pound Bar of Dark Chocolate with Almonds. Great chocolate at a great price

Better N‘Peanut Butter

Carton of teeny (fingernail sized) peanut butter cups

Chicken broth

Pack of yellow sponges - the most absorbent ever. No artificial dyes.

Coconut oil - at $5.99, its the best value for cold-pressed organic oil out there

Thai shrimp dumplings, frozen  

Pad Thai, frozen

Mushroom Ravioli with Sauce – frozen

My sons like the frozen Taquitos & the Turkey Sausage Breakfast Burrito

Frozen Pizza at TJ that is imported from Italy

Frozen shrimp dumplings from TJ

Frozen faltbread

Frozen croissants

Frozen key lime pie

Endamame hummus which is fantastic

Dried nuts

Quinoa

Trader Joe’s fig and olive crackers

Vegetable flax tortilla chips

Hawaiian style sea salt potato chips

Seaweed

Ice Cream (its surprisingly good)

Canned Boneless Alaskan Salmon (use like canned tuna)

Bran Cereal

County bread in package from TJ (ruth)

Chocolat croissants

Joe-Joe's cookies, which are like Oreos, are so good

Lacey's cookies

Pumpkin Butter---so good on toast, pancakes, mixed in yogurt

Savory Crisps, 34…can likely get them at WF or Fairway*

FreshDirect Marinated Roasted Half  Chicken 

Fruits and vegetables with a 4-star rating 

Deals on fresh  meats and poultry 

FreshDirect blueberry pie (summer) 

FreshDirect chicken and dumpling soup 

FreshDirect New England clam chowder 

FreshDirect brioche rolls (great for burgers) 

FreshDirect naturally hardwood smoked bacon 

Blue Marble Organic Ice Cream (green tea) 

Good Pop All-Natural Frozen Pops in flavor called Coldbrew Coffee 

FreshDirect Prepped to Cook Vegetables (chopped organic onions, chopped organic celery, etc.) 

Grown On Long Island vegetables (summer) 

Egg salad/chicken salad/tuna salad/turkey salad with cranberries & walnuts (5 ounce sizes) 

Branzino! 

Their wine recommendations - their Rosés this summer were amazing. They still have them so hurry! 

Morningstar Farms Veggie Patties - you can get them elsewhere too

Pitted Moroccan Oil Cured Olives - these are amazing in everything

Meal kits which are fresh foods prepped/chopped for quick and easy cooking

Marinated meats

Fresh veggies in a bag

Fiji brand water 

Mama Maria's stuffed Shells-great if you have to feed a hockey team! 

Haagen Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream (large containers for big parties/holidays) 

Clothes: Lacoste pique cotton polo shirts for men 

Opera cake  (can buy a half for $9.50, good for three pieces)*

Prosciutto and mozzarella sub, with tomato and arugula, $10.99…good for 2 sandwiches; tons of prosciutto*

Olive oil gelato (sounds awful; tastes great), plus any of their homemade sorbets*

The $6.95 lunch special that runs til 5pm so good for dinner…pasta, salmon, veggies, and a drink*

Plain rotisserie chicken, excellent *

Prima Donna cheese*

Istara cheese*

Salted mozzarella*

Stuffed branzino (in fish section)*

Prime strip steak (buy on sale, excellent)*

Spicy chicken sausage at butcher

Taramousalata

Their sushi sandwich (one is tuna and one is salmon, $10 and excellent)…at the sushi section next to the deli*

Olives (serve yourself, across from sushi) I like the pitted mix)*

On the second floor at 74^th st. (organic area) has a product called Ginger Juice ( by Ginger People). It is real, organic ginger pressed into juice - comes in bottles - and fabulous to add to lemon tea, or any dish requiring ginger

Sundried tomatoes (serve yourself across from sushi*

Artichokes (serve yourself across from sushi)

Pickles (serve yourself across from sushi)*

Fairway brand pasta sauces

Fairway brand (unfiltered extra virgin)

Fairway premier balsamic vinegar of Modena

Fairway’s popped popcorn

French baguettes from Fairway

Smoked salmon (nova) in package from Fairway

Package of Brioche rolls…think they are by Eli; also sell at WF; they freeze well *

Eli’s health loaf bread

Prima Donna aged Gouda

Fairway brand roast turkey

Prepared foods — orzo with goat cheese*

Deli: Israeli salad

Fairway Italian roast coffee beans (only $7.99)

Skinny pop

Amy’s Palak Paneer, frozen

Yasso frozen greek yogurt bars, chocolate chip mint

Amy's Thai Coconut Soup (I add bite size chicken breast pieces for a very easy meal)

Branzino (fresh fish department) is good and very well price

Organic milk (inexpensive and good at $3.79)

Spinach and cheddar quiche

Prepared cucumber soup

Seltzer

Pesto

Prepared kale with tofu*

Sauteed Brussel sprouts 

Beet salad 

Ham off the bone

Chocolate croissants

7-layer cakes by (Schmidt?)*

Prosciutto 

Cheese, cheese, cheese

White fish salad

Citarella's homemade balsamic dressing…to the right when you walk in*

Lemon squares *

Marinated pork tenderloin*

Ottomanelli Brothers (York and 81st)

·      Stuffed pork tenderloin with apricot and fig (not always available; excellent..just add olive oil and cook for 20-30 minutes*

Eddie’s Market (corner of 80th and First)

Fresh Fruit Salad $3.99/lb*

Corner Cafe and Bakery (91st and Third)

Prepared food - Salmon with Mustard/or Oriental Sauce…can’t remember the exact name of the sauce; ask for extra on the side* (91st and Third)

Prepared mashed potatoes are amazing*

Babeth's Feast (81st and Third)

Eggplant Parm ($12.99, feeds 3 and is excellent

Frozen french beans

Sundried tomatoes

Potato dauphine

Mia Bella Online

Traditional Balsamic; here’s their website; $40/bottle; I always buy two for the price of one…it’s a thick balsamic, great for salads, vegetables, etc.  http://miabella.co*

This one’s crazy but I decided to try on a lark their gluten free spinach and cheese ravioli and it was delicious. La Pasta is the brand. (anna)

Staples bright white laser paper, 28 pound, 98 US bright $14.59…buy the ream if you use a lot*