My Birthday 2010
This year, my birthday was very pleasant. I shared some really delicious meals with friends and I got to blow out candles on a few different cakes. On the actual day of my birthday, I arranged an early morning hike with my trainer, Mary Tedesco and my friend, Muffin Dowdle along the Leatherman’s Loop at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. This lovely 4700-acre park is owned by Westchester County and was assembled from 18th and 19th century farms and ancient wilderness. There are more than 40 miles of trails through the woods, past wetlands, rock outcroppings, or through open meadows. Our hike was moderately strenuous, but very invigorating.
My birthday dinner was held at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s ABC Kitchen in Manhattan. This rather new eatery has a strong focus on farm-to-table with most items on the menu obtained from local suppliers whenever possible. I was joined by my daughter, Alexis, Kevin Sharkey, Robin Marino, Susan Magrino, and her husband Jim Dunning. It was a very delicious and memorable celebration.
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- Betsy must have reminded the boys that it was my birthday. Each of them came trotting across the paddock and gave me a warm nuzzle.
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- Muffin is a real horse lover and has a couple of her own. We have a good time riding together.
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- Rinze – better late than never.
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- The topography of the reservation is diverse from deep hollows to ridges 800 feet high.
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- Mary enjoyed snapping photos of the beautiful scenery.
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- A nice photo of Muffin
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- These lovely trails are open to hikers and equestrians, but bicycles are not permitted.
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- We drove to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation to hike Leatherman’s Loop. This loop hike traverses the hills of this park, reaching a panoramic lookout over the Cross River Reservoir.
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- Leatherman’s Loop is classified as a moderate hike – 6 miles long and about 4 hours in length.
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- Stone walls from the old farms are still standing throughout the park.
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- Mary enjoying a bit of meditation overlooking the reservoir
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- I joined her in the peaceful serenity.
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- After the hike, we stopped at The Bedford Post for a quick snack.
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- Later that night, at ABC Kitchen, I was given a beautiful red clutch from Chanel.
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- The crusty bread is amazing.
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- Fruity olive oil and sweet French radishes
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- Sitting at an adjacent table was fashion designer Michael Kors.
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- And fashion designer Elie Tahari – It’s always great to see them!
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- A roasted portobello mushroom with celery seeds – very flavorful and satisfying
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- Farm to table crudite with a tasty anchovy dip
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- Shaved fluke with grapefruit – the sweetness of the fish melds perfectly with the acidity of the grapefruit.
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- Daughter and mother
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- Alexis, Jean-Georges, and me and Alexis’s birthday creation for me
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- She made a wonderful silky smooth orange creamsicle cake.
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- One candle is plenty!
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- Alexis also baked little raspberry and blueberry tarts with a cream cheese crust. So yummy!
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