important cat news

We all know and love Miss Puma

May I introduce you to Baby?

Carlini has extended his stay in Philly until July 4th. I don't blame him
one bit as I loved that city too. He has met a new man who has a
beautiful cat and of course the similarities are apparent here. So
let's just appreciate cats and life this sunny Saturday, OK?

Philadelphia = great restaurants

Parc on Rittenhouse Square ~ Thursday night and so French

Fitzwater Cafe ~ solo lunch on Friday (nabe place)

Tinto for dinner Friday night ~ fabulous

Saturday lunch at Dim Sum Garden ~ good and cheap

Sunday Brunch with bacon with Marathon

Final dinner Sunday night ~ p.s. & co. pure vegan

The Barnes

walking to the museum

the main gallery one of thirteen on the first floor

Carlini is in awe

Dr. Barnes collected Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh and this
might be the best impressionist collection in the world. There is almost
too much. Last time I was here we spent two days, on Saturday, Carlini
and I spent two hours, but it was a fine introduction for him and a joy
for me to be back. I so love this museum.

The Magic Gardens

From the outside on South Street

Non-stop color

Up, down and around

My new motto

Details...

photos ~ Philly Friday Day #1

Morris House Hotel built in 1797 ~ excellent

Betsy Ross House

Betsy Ross Herself

Typical street scene ~ great walking town

flying home

I’m ready for hearth, hills, routines and my Annabelle. The highlight yesterday was a visit to the Mutter Medical Museum filled with skeletons and disgusting body parts in jars. Nurse Carlini loved it. Later I walked over to the river past Bookbinders famous restaurant.

Brunch at Marathon and dinner at P&O, a plant based very vegan spot on Locust Street. This has been such a good trip for me and will help me plan for Chicago in June. Tomorrow I will bombard you with photos.

everybody out

The sidewalk cafes were packed with happy natives who endured the rough winter. We spent two marvelous hours at the Barnes and that was such a treat. I showed Carlini the ins and outs and bathrooms so he could return. All that art can cause a brain to explode. We walked down to Chinatown to the Dim Sum Garden - very reasonable and popular with great food and service. 

I had never heard of the Reading Terminal Market but now I will never forget. A huge space teeming with customers - a bit claustrophobic for me but an unbelievable hodgepodge of butchers, bakers, ice cream shops, fresh vegetables, crafts, candy - all under the train station. Wow.

We called it a night while the sun was still out both needing some solo time I believe. I head back to his place on Rittrnhouse Square after I finish my coffee here at this excellent hotel.

My Annabelle is doing fine I’m happy to report.

Home tomorrow already!

very full Friday

I walked and walked yesterday and enjoyed myself every moment. Visited the tiny home of Betsy Ross and continued on down to South Street area for lunch at the Fitzwater Cafe a local spot I could tell. Then after a Starbucks break I thoroughly enjoyed the Magic Gardens created by an artist (now 80) from strange objects he found on the streets. Of course I have tons of pictures for later because I can’t figure out how to post them with the new iPad.

     Dinner with Carlini at Tintos last night - fabulous. Then we missed the concert because  we were late but that’s ok as I would have dozed and he was tired from work. So coffee and dessert and then we  called it a night. 

       Sunshine today and more walking and we

have tickets to the Barnes when it opens today at 11am. Like SF this is a young person’s city or maybe they all are? Vibrant, easy to navigate, filled with unexpected delights just around the next corner. This trip was such a great idea! 

Almost like Europe

Missing cat and laptop but everything else is quite wonderful and I had a lovely dinner at Parc with Carlini last night. Free day now to figure out blog stuff then go sightseeing and weather is okay = dry. Staying at Morris House Hotel with a fireplace in every room. 

hearth and...

It's always good to be back because if we lived in Philadelphia Ginger and
I would have to buy those ugly puffy quilted coats and jackets. They must
work, because every woman there wears one. But hey, let's not be shallow
here, it's a very beautiful city and we had a terrific time. G. has created a
list of people and things that are an exception to the City of Brotherly Love,
but honestly, the rude folk were few and the WTF? incidents will fade as
time goes by. And sheeeeeeeesh, so much art and all in one convenient
location over by the river that no one can pronounce. Ben Franklin
Parkway should be your GPS goal, but we also enjoyed the shopping area,
Old City and Starbucks. Our next trip is either NYC or Washington, DC,
depending on our friends at Virgin Airlines with the great, cheap fares
and very comfortable airplanes. Smooth trip home to recover from mini
jet lag and head into MY city today.

Friday in Philly

kitty in store window

on the morning walk

Rittenhouse Square

Rodin's Gates of Hell

gargoyles at the State Penn

down by the river

blogger and friends at Comcast Center

Comcast Center ~ amazing changing mural walls

ahhhhhhhhhhhh

dinner at Farmicia on 3rd Street

Anna after dinner

It was SUCH a full day with lots of walking and more museums. This time
we did the Rodin, Perelman (for Winslow Homer) and back to the Barnes.
Walked past the famous prison and on to Boathouse Row on the river where
we had a less than edible lunch, but nice view and friendly people.

Dinner was a delight because Michael's cousin Anna from Dutchhill Farm
(to the right) joined us. She is a young woman of many talents and much
beauty, as you can see. The food at Farmicia was excellent, exquisite.
A wonderful evening after a delightful touristy day. 

glorious Philadelphia!

lots of walking, oohing, aahing...

History everywhere...

indeed...

the Free Library

Rodin Museum

Famous Philadelphia Museum

Ginger and friend

Exhibit inside the Philadelphia Museum

Entrance to the Barnes Museum

Dinner with historical folk

We had a delightful day filled with walking, coffee and ART. Almost
too much art, our brains were numb by the time we left the Barnes at
4pm for a walk to the historical district and dinner. It's an easy city to
get around without hills or crazy twists and turns like MY city. We'd
both been here before in the dim distant past, so we mostly avoided
the history sites and concentrated on museums. It was a great day indeed.

Weather was perfect, just a little cold, but not rainy like SF yesterday.

Today is more walking and museums ~ back to the Barnes which has more
art than is possible to describe: Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse, Pendergast,
Soutine, Rousseau and even more. Incredible.

Tonight we meet Anna of the Dutch Hill Farm for dinner. Can't wait!

Home tomorrow ~ WTF?

thursday in Philly

train from airport to Rodeway Inn

Dinner

Cold here!

Out early this morning for two museums, so I gotta run.  No rain or snow, thankfully.

elated...

We are sitting at the airport waiting for Flight 136 to take off for Philadelphia.
Last night was amazing ~ none of us expected such a quick WIN.  It was
very special being with friends to hi-five and hug and finally to stop worrying.
Obama's speech was wonderful and even Romney was a gentleman about
the whole thing. I'll be interested to see how/if the GOP changes their direction
(or not) in the immediate future. Can they rid themselves of the destructive
Tea Party people? Time will tell.

Next post will be from Philly. Ginger and I just studied the map and of
course we'll remember every detail. Lots of walking ahead. The airplane
is slightly delayed, rain in the City of Brotherly (ahem) Love.