Sometimes the fates blow the wind in your sails, and this year it brought us back to the USA. It was all the usual subjects: Yardley, Philadelphia, Atlantic City (extra special thanks to Mike and Mel for offering their penthouse condo at 9600!), New York, and Bryn Mawr. And all the core team was present: Grandma, Pop Pop, Uncle Mike, Aunt Mel, Cousins Sydney and William. But we had some special appearances with Paula & Allan, Lenny and Rose, cousins Jeff, Oliver, Sharon, Michelle, Joel, Barry, Judy, Marsha (and even a PDS classmate I hadn’t seen in 30 years). And also got to visit Allan & Alaina in Phila plus Kevin, Joe, Cat, Dave and newcomer Oliver in NYC (and Anri & Yass via NJ Transit delivery service). From people menu perspective, we dined extravagantly. On the food menu we did that as well. There were steaks: White House Steaks, Sacco’s steaks, steak steaks, porterhouse steaks. There was dim sum (both New York and Northeast Phila). There was seafood: lobsters, scallops, shrimp, and salmon. Of course there was sushi — both of the every day variety and the Michelin star variety (thanks KC!). There were cakes: full doses of Casel’s sticky buns, Sydney and Grandmom’s homemade delights, and an epic Japanese crepe/creme/fruit cake from Anri & Yass. There was ice and ice cream (although the portions were so insane — the kids size was basically 3 scoops in Germany). And there were a few drinks. Gin featured quite prominently on the trip. As did sake (especially at the Double Knot). All rounded out with a Kettle One gibson at Tomatoes towards the end. There was beach (aka ocean) and pool basically every day. Even when it rained. Between Teo going floatee free and Kai wanting to jump in the surf, I barely sat 10 minutes on the beach.
Beyond family, friends, food, and beach and pool there wasn’t much more. And there didn’t need to be. I am ready to go again.
