I’m not one to let a somewhat sad blog post linger too long on MHC. I’m still battling the blues a bit. Yesterday, Don and I decided to get out of Dodge for a few hours. That helped enormously. It was cold and gray but beautiful at the same time. We drove south to a little town we used to visit much more frequently when we lived in our rental cottage. Cold Spring is situated right on the Hudson and is charming.
In the summer time this little town is packed with visitors but yesterday we had it almost to ourselves. We decided to grab some lunch at a favorite restaurant, The Foundry. It’s funky and wonderful – my kind of place. (I’ve never been one who is drawn to elegant restaurants. I like warm, inviting, slightly off-beat places.) I wanted to stand and applaud when I saw this message on their chalkboard:
We ordered our favorite dish, Lentil Cakes. I cannot tell you how much I love these.
I don’t know how they do it, but they are scrumptious. Several years ago we asked the chef what he used when making them and he reeled off a list of ingredients. We tried to recreate them and failed miserably.
Cold Spring has lots of wonderful Victorian architecture. Some day (when it is considerably warmer) I’ll take lots of photos of the wonderful buildings on Main Street. I did manage to take this photo.
And this one of the very icy Hudson River.
As we drove home, we saw an Ice Breaker chugging down the river, clearing a lane for river traffic.
There are several antique shops in Cold Spring and we ran into one that has a little area with vintage clothing. I had seen this hat when we were there a few months ago. I wanted it then but didn’t buy it. When I saw that it was still there, I took it as a sign. It was designed by Hattie Carnegie – a famous millinery and clothing designer who died in 1956. I think it’s fabulous!
Wish I had a hat stand…I can see Jean Arthur wearing this in a Frank Capra movie.
Gaze upon that wonderful detail. The hat is in such perfect condition. Here’s the label inside:
Whoever wore this little number had a smaller head than me. Who can I get to model it? Let’s see…
Ah, the famous model with the one word name – Scout. Can we see another angle?
Perfect.
Your photos are really good – crisp and clear. Scout is a dear to model for all of us :-)
This time of year is ripe for the blues – cold, snow, gray skies, lazy days. It is amazing what a few hours out and about can do for the soul.
Have a nice Sunday!
Your photos are really good – crisp and clear. Scout is a dear to model for all of us :-)
This time of year is ripe for the blues – cold, snow, gray skies, lazy days. It is amazing what a few hours out and about can do for the soul.
Have a nice Sunday!
What a nice post Claudia. I really enjoyed it. I too have been battling the blues and this sounds like such a perfect way to chase them away. My kinda day! Nothing like a lunch at a favorite restaurant, shopping and beautiful architecture. So glad you were able to enjoy it. And that hat is wonderful! Scout looks darling in it :) Thank you for the smile!
Hugs,
Amy
OMG Scout looks so che che in this hat! What an amazing bit of millinery work. Can’t you just imagine it being put together row by row. Fabulous. And the sign in the cafe!! I HAD to send that to Jim…who as I type is down at our cafe and no doubt wishes this was on our chalkboard!! I may insist he do that!
Glad you got out and about. That is the trick when the sneaky blues come to call. A drive or a walk. Always works. Oh, and maybe a cup of hot cocoa!
xox Rella
What a fun getaway, Claudia! And Scout looks quite charming. :)
I should get a case of “cabin fever” in the winter months, because we only go out to run errands once a week. But I don’t. I LOVE the quiet this time of year – perfect for curling up to read a good book or draw.
Do what makes you happy! Sew, knit, call a friend… and of course take a little getaway whenever you can! At least winter is over sooner at your house – it doesn’t really turn to spring here until late May!
Sending hugs,
Zuzu
Love that building on the corner- just charming. The lentil cakes look delicious- like a healthy crab cake. I adore the Hattie Carnegie hat- it’s almost like a hat sculpture- and what a darling model.
I just finished reading your last two posts. I am not usually affected by SAD, but this year has been tough on me so far. I spent the days following Thanksgiving decorating up a storm in hopes of burying the sadness I was feeling over the loss of my Daddy, a co-worker and a family friend in a few short months. I am terrified of losing my Mom next because she has been so depressed. But ~ your post today really helped to cheer me up. I lived in Manhattan while going to design school and I remember a few trips up to Cold Spring. What a charming little town, and the Hudson is so beautiful. Thanks for bringing back some happy memories. I am always here to listen if you need an ear. I am hoping for a much better year for you!
Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
So glad to hear you had a day out and about, that is a good cure for cabin fever!!! How can the winter blues stay when you had such a grand day! Love the hat, and the beautiful scenery……..great photos!
Happy to hear you are feeling a bit chipper…
Hugs,
Margaret B
Oh my gosh you are so funny ~ I laughed out loud when I got to the picture of Scout. And what a great get-away and a wonderful idea. The hat is fabulous of course, and I’m sure the perfect hatstand will follow. Cheers from CA.
great pictures… good for you girlie getting out and enjoying the day… hugs to you and a very happy new year!!
how cute is your precious scout wearing that darling hattie carnegie hat?
i hope the blues start to lift for you.
xo
~molly
Aw, Scout looks great in that Hattie Carnegie hat. It cheered me up just to see it. Sorry I haven’t been in the blogosphere lately, but I’m back now and I always enjoy visiting your special corner of it.
LOL! Claudia, you totally caught me off guard with Scout modeling that chapeau. Oh, how cute is Scout! And the hat is just darling. I miss B Altman. What a wonderful store. I’m so glad you bought the hat for yourself, Claudia. However, I wonder if you are going to be able to pry it away from Scout who looks so fetching in it!
Loved the tour of NY. That area is so beautiful, and even in the starkness of winter, it is so fun to see. That building’s architecture is stunning, and the lunch looked delicious. I adore lentils, so I would have been ordering the same thing with you. The cell phone comment was the icing on the cake, though. Priceless!
Glad you had fun yesterday on your outing. I finaly escaped my prison (have been inside for three weeks). Went to the grocery store and then to the caddy dealership because I had a “low” tire. Turns out I had to buy two new back tires (the front were still servicable, but I will replace soon). They were pretty worn, and one had a nail in it. I’m just thankful I didn’t have a blowout!
Sending you warm hugs across the miles…
XO,
Sheila :-)
Let’s see.. how many times can I say “so” in a post??? ;-)
So glad you got out and about and enjoyed your day. When the blues strike it is good to do something you enjoy. Your hat is fabulous and Scout is the perfect model. May you have sunshine and smiles…
I’m glad you are feeling a little less melancholy today. Me too.
LOVE the hat, but I do believe Miss Scout will need considerably more eye makeup in order to pull off such a fab hat! Your little field trip sounds like a good soul soother — I have had some sort of virus since 12/28 and only first now got out today, blah! Cottage fever almost literally! We went to see “The King’s Speech.” If you haven’t seen it, you must.
Thanks for taking me along on your field trip . . . you have no idea how much I relished it.
WELL, WE HAD A LOT OF SUNSHINE TODAY, IT FELT GOOD. SCOUT IS A BEAUTY, SO SWEET.
COLD SPRING SOUNDS LIKE A LOVELY TOWN, IT MUST BE BOOMING IN THE SUMMER. HAVE A GREAT WEEK, MORE SNOW FOR US ON TUE. AND WED. HOPE IT ALL BLOWS OUT TO SEA.
RIZZI
Hi Claudia!
Love the hat! Love the cell phone sign. Love the photos of the Hudson River and Main Street.
Don’t like it, though, that you’re still feeling on the blue side. The weather? The time of year? I’m glad that your little outing lifted some of that for you…. nothing a bit of time with your beloved to make you feel better. :-)
Sending big ‘ol huggies!
Spence
omg those lentil cakes look Amazing! scout looks pretty good too!
glad you guys got out to breathe a little.
xo
janet
Getting out of the house helps with the “blues.” What a yummy lunch. Oh, those sweet doggies!
The message on the chalkboard is totally right! People talking on their cells while eating with others is a pet peeve of mine. That hat on Scout is just too much.
So good that you got out of the house and had fun. ♥O
Oh my goodness, I am laughing so hard. I love those photos of Scout! She looks ready to strut down 5th avenue… such an elegant lady.
Hugs,
Jill
Looks like such a great and quaint place to visit and shop! My kind of place! What a perfect model for your new hat! “woof”
~Patti
How do you get that scrumptious little dog to model? My Max hates anything on his body except a collar (barely). I think he may have been a nudist in a previous life. Your Dog is soooo cute. great pictures. Blessings, Joanne
Claudia, I have spent my adult life in Florida, so I’m not sure how I would handle the darker days of the northern winter. My inner child longs for my northern winters and falls, but I think they would be difficult as my adult self.
Your day seems like it was a lovely respite and I hope the rest of your month follows as a lovely epilogue. It seems to be difficult to be a grown up these days and although my days as a daughter are behind me, I well remember the bittersweet times of those final years.
My hope is that your 2011 is as peaceful as you deserve, as beautiful as Scout in that lovely hat and as fruitful as we all hope for. Ann
Oh, Claudia – Scout is the PERFECT model! I’m so glad you and Don had a little day trip. I’m battling the January (and Feb/March) blues, too. They are the longest 3 months of the year when you live in snow country (and don’t ski or snowboard!!!!)… Donna
Blues come easy with grays skies sweetie…
Your lental cakes and cell phone board (hilarious)…should have brightened a bit!
I think I have SAD in the winter too…Always gray in upper Michigan in the winter months…
Lets pray for an early spring.
Hugs, Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings…
Looks like a wonderful day…the food looks amazing and…that HAT!
Love to see signs that say, “no cell phones”. Cold Spring sounds like a nice place to visit; love the buildings. I’ve made lentil cakes but, don’t know if mine would be as good as your chef’s. And, that hat! looks pretty good on Scout. Cute! Sounds like you need some vitamin D to chase away the blues. Most people living in colder climates get SAD with less sun in the winter; less sun, less vitamin D which is crucial for chasing the blues away. Hope you get to feeling cheerier soon.
You make me feel so feeble complaining about the cold here in Florida. But, it could be worse for you then the cold weather this time of year. Do you know? We still have mosquitoes. Take care. Our bodies and psychies are meant to slow down; slow down this time of year. It’s OK. Let your photographs take you there. They are beautiful. Peace.
Oh, Scout’s soulful eyes… You know I got a chuckle out of that sign about the cell phones. Amen!
Brenda
Oh Scout is such a sweetheart! The meal looks soooo yummy and comforting!
Love,
Maryjane
xox
Scout’s modeling career should take off after this – adorable!
Lentil cakes sound fabulous – being vegetarian I cook pounds of them – red lentil soup with spinach was tasty this past bitter cold week. I must try to find a recipe for the ‘cakes’ I know I’d love ’em!
What a pretty town – must get there some WARM day!!