snapshots from sunday in the city

we found out last minute that we had the opportunity to hop a free ride to and from nyc on sunday.  being us, we can never say no to a nyc trip . . . even if it is only to spend a few hours there.  since we didn't have much time there, we made the brooklyn botanic garden the main focus of our trip.  here are a few other snapshots from my phone from sunday (of food, of course) . . .

before heading to the garden in brooklyn, we stopped downtown to grab sunday brunch at cafe habana (an authentic cuban diner).  we shared the baja fish tacos and huevos rancheros.  both were really good.

side note: i have to say that dining in nyc often means being crammed into tight spaces with many tables and chairs shoved together, and we're totally cool with that . . . but this place took it to a whole new level.  it was so incredibly snug in there that we both literally couldn't move!  i highly, highly suggest going during a non-busy time if you want to dine inside without sitting on top of the person next to you, or getting your food to go if you can.  out of all of the places we've eaten at in nyc over the years, this took the cake for the tightest!

cafe habana is only a few steps away from rice to riches, so we couldn't pass up stopping in for dessert (especially since it has been nearly four years since we have been there last)!  after sampling a few different flavors, we landed on the mascarpone which had dried cherries in it.

it was busy inside and we were still feeling claustrophobic from brunch, so we got it to go and enjoyed it outside sitting on a park bench right across the street.  (i love that they give you those adorable reusable containers and spoons too!)

love, laurie

spring blooms at the brooklyn botanic garden

in addition to seeing the cherry blossom trees at the brooklyn botanic garden on sunday, we also enjoyed walking around to see everything else that was in bloom.  there were tulips galore in every color imaginable!  ryan kept saying, "i didn't know there were so many different types of tulips!"

we felt like we were in holland surrounded by so many tulips.  each one more gorgeous than the last.  we're so glad we got the chance to visit the brooklyn botanic garden while so much was blooming.  despite the crowds, it was so lovely to walk around and see all of the colorful flowers!

love, laurie

cherry blossom trees!

for my whole life, i have wanted to see cherry blossom trees in person.  we just don't have them here where we live and they always look so beautiful in pictures that i've seen.  it turns out that the brooklyn botanic garden is among the top 10 places in the world to see cherry blossom trees.  who new?!  (booklyn is sure a heck of a lot closer than japan, paris, or even washington, d.c.)

on sunday, we took a quick trip into brooklyn to see the cherry blossom trees in bloom.  man, we sure timed it perfectly, because they were blooming in all of their glory.  rounding the corner after entering the gardens, the sight of the cherry blossom trees actually took my breath away.  i've never seen anything like it.  there were so many of them!  cherry blossoms as far as the eye could see.  it was absolutely magnificent.

of course, i think everyone else in brooklyn had the same idea we did on sunday because it was so crowded, but i didn't care.  i soaked in every moment of being under those cherry blossom trees.  walking through the rows of them was so incredible because they formed a beautiful pink canopy over our heads.  it was like walking through fluffy pink cotton candy.  you just can't help but smile when you are surrounded by that much pink!

i was so happy to finally be able to see these unbelievably beautiful trees in person.  it was a wonderful way to welcome spring and to celebrate our incredible mother earth since earth day was on saturday.  here are a bunch of photos that we snapped on sunday . . .

love, laurie