Around the Way: The Dessert Carousel

After Wayne Thiebaud

On one wearying and windy freezing day in downtown Brooklyn, when I was in town on some business I'd rather avoid (forever), I took comfort in the cheery pleasure that this diner's dessert carousel promised me after lunch. I didn't have the stomach to partake in it at the time, but part of me wanted order a slice of each beautiful, friendly, puffy pastry that swirled by, for me to enjoy at some later date during happier times, preferably while warm and safe at home over a nice cup of tea.

Around the Way: Bye, Bye Brooklyn

Cool like that.

My stuff may still live in Brooklyn, but I've moved on. This was the view from the back of a storage building, and I couldn't help but find it representing that Brooklyn flavor: the neon Kentile sign that many a weary subway commuter has looked at from their window seat, wishing they were already home. It was a great home to me, and I'll always remember my time there: funky, fabulous, freshness.  
Brooklyn rocks the house. Always.

Down like that.

Nature lovers, my blog made the news again on Nature Daily. Check it out, yo: http://paper.li/GoodBlogPosts2/1309689915.

Around the Way: Earth Day Lorax, for 2013

Earth Day Lorax

I took this shot of a subway poster awhile back, when the movie premiered in NYC, because I thought the graffiti added a more ominous element. The Lorax gushes oil from its' eyes, a harsh reminder that we need to move further away faster from our dependence on fossil fuels, towards a brighter, healthier future.   

Heed the warning signs.

Around the Way: The Pavillion Theater

Type inlay on hard wood floor

A recent trip to my local cinema turned up a few lovely surprise, like inlaid type on a wooden floor, and custom hand-painted tables. Little gorgeous details like that, personal artistic touches to a space, make the experience all the more memorable.

Custom painted tables

Just like the art of the book, a really good movie house will never go out of style, because it's not something you can replicate digitally. Enjoy your movie time, just like I did.

Family portrait!

Around the Way: Hand Lettering

Jazzy poster at Barbés
http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com/

Around the Way: Spring is Coming!

Spring is Coming!

But it didn't feel like it this morning....

Around the Way: Fancy Pants

I wear fancy pants....sometimes

Around the Way: Walkens are Welcome

Walkens are welcome at the Café Steinhof

We have this great Austrian restaurant in my 'hood that's been around for long time, which is the hallmark of a successful restaurant in our highly competitive town. Places that have have been around for many years with a strong neighborhood following are signs that they're really good, because just to stay in business is a “win”, what with skyrocketing leases and an ever-dwindling supply of customers.

I walked past it a couple of weeks ago after getting a freshly made chocolate croissant from a tiny French bakery called “Parco” that's across the street. To me the door alone defines the essence of our unique Brooklyn lifestyle: hip without trying too hard, a cool vibe without forcing it on you, and really, really good food. Unpretentious and awesome: that's how I feel about my hometown. 
Walkens are always welcome!

http://cafesteinhof.com/

Around the Way: Snow Kitty Day

Sendak-inspired Snow Kitty

Just remember folks, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb*. Let's say goodbye to winter with this last Nor'Easter! Goodbye, winter.

*http://bjws.blogspot.com/2011/03/origin-of-saying-march-comes-in-like.html

Around the Way: Goodbye Winter!

The Community Bookstore of Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Good morning, New Yorkers! Many of us start to feel the pall of winter-like conditions during the tempestuous month of March.
Today we had snow flurries during our morning commute, and some of us are totally over it. 

I thought this image captured the fun of a winter soon to be gone, taken of a local bookstore window in Park Slope, advertising the pleasures of reading indoors during cold days, over a bowl hot soup, with a book written and illustrated by our beloved hometown Brooklyn hero Maurice Sendak, now with a school named in his honor.   

Brighter days are ahead!

http://communitybookstore.net/

Around the Way: Back Alley Diety

The God of Garbage and Recycling has fallen a long way down!

Around the Way: Star Power

"Baby, I'm a star!"

Around the Way: The Brooklyn Public Library

The Park Slope branch of the Brooklyn Public Library

Around the Way: The Magic Hour

sunset on 5th avenue

Around the Way: Branches and Buildings

reaching branches

“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show. ” ―Andrew Wyeth.

 

An apt quote for a New Year, when potential sits quietly underneath natures' surface, dormant and slumbering for a time. Blessings to your and yours in 2013, from my heart to yours. ―Marie Doucette

 

Around the Way: Yellow Lights

stoplight at sunset

Around the Way: Sunset for the Holidays

Seasonal sunset

A very Merry Christmas to you.

Around the Way: Livingston Street

Around the Way: Iron, Brick, and Stone

Around the Way: Sunflowers

reach up to the sky