Amusement History

Welcome to Coney Island. As I walk this boardwalk, I can't help but wonder how it felt to be in this place in its prime. The boardwalks filled with people and the beaches just the same. Everyone coming here as a way to relax and enjoy the New York summer heat. Women testing the water in suits that showed skin (a shock at the turn of the 20th century), hotdogs at Nathan's, a ride on the Wonderwheel and later the Cyclone. Awww, the excitement.

The Cyclone. World's Fastest Roller Coster 1927-1972.

Phoenix enjoys storytime with Grandpapa.

Best Pizza in the City

Ethan took us to eat what he claims is the Best Pizza in the City last night. I love the food in New York... I love that we could probably eat somewhere different every time we go out to eat, because our selection is endless. Even with these opportunities, I've defintely found a place we will be returning to: L'asso on Mott St. We started out with a small plate of pita bread pieces in oil and olives. Next we enjoyed Bruschetta Pomodoro, followed by the pizza. The pizza was amazing... a 29" Pizza Margherita - tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, oregano, basil, and extra virgin olive oil - prepared in a wood oven. Pizza wasn't the end, we were soon served two types of pasta, one a pesto and the other was... heavenly! Fagottini - homemade ravioli stuffed with zucchini and potatoes in walnut sauce. Are you hungry yet?

We topped off our evening with gelato (Italian Icecream).



Of course, the Schultz brothers can't just hang out and wait for the subway... they've got to be competing in some way :)

Jellies, Sharks, and Clownfish

I dreamt about a shark attack having no idea that the next day, I'd actually be seeing sharks. The sharks at the New York Aquarium weren't as scary as the ones attacking in my dream, though. Maybe because I wasn't in water, but instead looking in on them through a very thick glass. We spent a part of our afternoon exploring the aquarium, which is located in Coney Island, just a 30 minute ride on the F from Park Slope.

Phoenix and Grandpapa watching the sharks.

Watching the Jellies

What would a life of floating be like?

Jace really enjoyed the aquarium. We took many pictures for him so he could share with his friends.

Sweet Melissa's

Jace had the Banana Caramel Cream Pie.
The Passion Fruit Cheesecake is on the left above. It's to die for! But I'm not sure which I like better, because the Chocolate Pudding to the left is perfect and divine!


After spending the morning putting up shelves and making a final visit to Ikea (3 days in a row now) to buy rugs and other odds and ends, Bryan (father-in-law), Jace, Ethan (brothers-in-law), and I went to get lunch at Sweet Melissa's. I had been there before on a previous visit to NYC to have a sweet treat after dinner. Sweet shops soon became one of my favorite things about New York that we don't have in the midwest.

Lunch was absolutely amazing. The quiche was delicious and the vegetable soup inspired me to start a search for the perfect veggie soup recipe. Dessert, though, was the best! Out of the selection at our table - Banana Caramel Cream Pie, Sour Cherry Rubbarb Pie, and Passion Fruit Cheesecake, I have to say, my Favorite was the Passion Fruit Cheesecake.

Vote!

I put up a new poll on the right hand bar =====>. Vote if you haven't yet. :) Peace and Love, A & S

Breakin' It Down

About a week and a half ago, Seth was tortured with moving Bric's ridiculously large, heavy, hardly used entertainment center up to the his 4th floor walk-up apartment. Before Seth gave in and helped move this piece of furniture, he spent plenty of time trying to convince Bric that he could simply break it down and throw the pieces of wood out. This, of course, led to an arguement about which Schultz was right... The question being: Was it easier to move the piece of furniture or to break it down to pieces? Seth gave in to Bric and helped move this hated entertainment center. (I would have taken pictures, but that probably wouldn't have made Seth very happy...)

Today, as I shopped in Ikea with Bryan and Jace, I was informed that they were looking for a new entertainment center to replace the one in Bric's apartment. I laughed as I told them how Seth would take the news.

Unpacking, Playing, Phoenix

Sunday morning, Seth's dad and youngest brother arrived from Kansas with a truck and trailer loaded full of my classroom boxes, wedding gifts, and a few bags of my clothes that hadn't yet made it up here. Luckily, the trailer rental came with a month of free storage at the Uhaul place down the street... There is NO WAY the school stuff would have been invited into our tight little apartment.

After spending the morning moving, we ordered pizza and sat down to relax in the tight confines of our livingroom/kitchen. We squeezed 5 of us around the table and provided seating on our cushions and Sumos. To test the squeeziness and give the Schultz family a little bonding time, we squeezed 3 more in, as Jackie, Ethan, and P showed up to check out our new place. Although it is possible to squeeze 8 people in, Seth and I sadly realized that it's probably not the most comfortable situation for our guests... Not being able to truly entertain may be the one major downfall of our new apartment. (Though, I'm sure it won't completely stop us!)

Phoenix was our entertainment for the afternoon. His energy keeps him going non-stop... it's a good thing there are so many in the Schultz family - when one gets tired, another steps right up to be the new playmate.
After a while of playing swords and other games, the whole family headed to the movie theater to watch the movie Wall E. P, a huge fan of Uncle Seth, rode on his shoulders the whole way to the theater. He noticed I was attempting to take a picture of him and began making faces... (hence the tongue out in this one).

Sunset on the way to Dizzy's for dinner with the family.

Uncle Seth's creation in honor of P.

Tour Guiding

Sarah, a friend from college/Kansas, and her parents came to visit the City for the day... I wasn't sure what their plan was, but realized after a frantic call from Sarah that I would be helping them navigate this amazing city. Her frantic call went something like -- We don't know where we are or where we are going... I don't think I'm cut out for this city... Maybe we should get on the bus and head back... I'm not sure I like this city... So I rushed home from brunch, showered, and headed towards Bryant Park to meet them.

Sarah is a baseball fan, loyal to her KC Royals, but wanted to see the old Yankee Stadium before it's demise at the end of this baseball season.

Of course I took them to Central Park, truly one of my favorite places in the City, and the one place you can almost guarantee I'll take my guests. The other place I always love to visit is the Brooklyn Bridge. We saved it for the sunset, which made a beautiful backdrop behind my city, especially after the clouds built up for the sun to light up.

Babies Hanging From Wires

Friday night was a birthday celebration for our friend, Lauren's 25th. We ate pizza in the Slope and caught cabs to the Brooklyn Brewery in Greenpoint/Williamsburg (hip neighborhood in Brooklyn). The beer is definitely delicious, but not for the kind of scene we found at the brewery. We felt like we'd stepped back into the past and arrived at a college frat party... pyramids of beer cups, loud music, and the longest game of flippy cup in the history of beer drinking. It was a good time though, but then again, when is it not when you have lots of friends around and good beer?!

Seth, Pete, Garret enjoying Brooklyn Brewery beers.

Shoes, lots of shoes, and babies are hanging out on a wire outside the Brewery.

This bathroom stall artist sure knows what they are talking about!

The night even included a little dancing by Victoria and Pete.

Love Found on the Sidewalk

A little piece of love I found on the sidewalk. reminded me as I walked on how much I love Seth... being Married to him, living with him in our new apartment... How much I love our new apartment... How much I love that when we go anywhere from now on, we are pretty much always going together.

Making Seth's Stomach Happy

Seth Loves fried rice, especially fried rice that is made hibachi-style right in front of you. We somehow managed to find an apartment that is practically above a great Japanese Hibachi restaurant. (That alone should have been the apartment's selling point for Seth!) Once a month*, we visit our local hibachi restaurant so Seth can enjoy his beloved fried rice. Yesterday, being the last day of the month, we realized we hadn't visited the hibachi for July's visit. Our dinner was delicious, and the fried rice was the best part, as always. For the rest of the evening, we were both miserable from overindulging.

*We have a "Once a month" policy because of the price and our budget. Without this policy, Seth would probably want to eat there weekly!