A Culinary Fix In My Favorite City

 I know that this may not be throwin it back too far for my TBT post...but it was 2 weeks ago, so that counts, right. Tell me yes.

I think I may have mentioned how for Christmas the mister got me the best gift ever: cooking classes at ICE or more aptly known as the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC. To say I was ecstatic would be an understatement.

 I was able to finally register for classes and went a few weeks ago. and had the. best. time. ever. 

Prepare for large photo dump, cause that's what is about to happen. New York is one of my favorite places and I am quite certain that I could get around Manhattan blindfolded, yet stick me in downtown Raleigh and my navigation probably still couldn't help me...even after 10 years of living here.

With that said, I have been to the city so many times and played tour guide more ways than I care to remember and so, for the past few years, I forget the large wonders this city holds and concentrate on a more local flair when I visit.

 This time though...I decided to reacquaint myself with some of my favorite places..

 I took this from the back of the car with my aunt driving full speed. Not too shabby,

First things first, lunch. Priorities people!

 In the lobby, ready to head up.

waiting for class to start. in my new boots. Which you will notice are different than the picture above. Which is due to the fact that the sole of , not just one, but both of my boots...blew out. As in vanished. What. the. What. Thankfully there was a Burlington Coat Factory adjacent to ICE and these were on clearance from $55 to $14. Bargains find me where I am at;)

The rebuilding of The WTC on my walk the next morning to class from our hotel.

 I just loved these buliding agaisnt the blue sky as I wandered from Midtown to Chelsea

 Love this red door of this church.

 Ummm. Yes, please. We learned how to make five different dishes. By far my favorite was the peanut butter and chocolate cheesecake bars. Yum.

My aunt joking that they were all hers when I got back to the hotel with my goodies.

 We decided to meander our way to Chinatown and then over to WTC.

 The graveyard at Saint Pauls

 Saint Pauls...in the midst of WTC

 Saint Peters. First Catholic church in the city.

A long work in progress. Not much more to finish the facade.

They did such a good job with the reflection pools.

 I struggle when I visit and people are taking pictures and giggling and laughing...but you never know anyone's story... so I try not to judge them. Even if I want to;)

I love the old buildings that melt into the background of the city and at first glance, appear dilapidated  I always imagine the people who have lived there and seen the growth and change first hand.  

 Always my favorite piece of the city, Washington Square.

 This was as I was leaving headed back up Waverly, where had it been all weekend?!

 Loved the color contrast through the trees as I was sitting in the park.

Empty benches are rare. haha

Harold Square, this was a block from our hotel.

and I took this last picture quite lazily, from the bed in our room...before we left to spend a few more hours to head home.

If you ever have chances to take classes on your visit, I cannot urge you enough to do it! I learned a lot but had a blast in the process. The first night was a Mad Men Cocktail class and I was able to create some tasty cocktails from the sixties and then on Sunday I partook in the chocolate and peanut butter class.

So thankful that Wiki knows me well enough to know how much I adored this thoughtful gift!

and I know...some of you think my mom and I look nothing alike, right? haha I definitely saw the resemblance in that picture.

and I finally added bloglovin button to my side bar, so if you haven't followed me on it already...what're you waiting on. haha

Linking up with
Travel Tuesday 

Throwback Thursday

Quebec City and Montreal

Oh, how I wish I could parlay to you how amazing Quebec City is. It's about as close to Europe you're gonna get in North America. The beauty of the French language, the people who are so friendly...oh, and not paying the prices of Europe;)

The beauty of this city can't be fully captured in a picture. We went for our anniversary a few years ago for a quick weekend. My only regret is we didn't have more time. Oh, and that whole part about Sprint not adding international unlimited for a nominal fee that we had discussed. But, all in all. Loved. every. second.

These next few pictures are of the famed Chateau Frontenac hotel in Quebec City. It is known as the most photographed hotel in the world. and it is fantastic. The views overlooking The St. Lawrence River are breathtaking.

 Love the view from this park we stumbled into.

 The beautiful Parliament building

 at the gates of the fort, these potted plants were splayed throughout this park and so beautiful

 This beautiful church is the Notre-Dame-Victories

 Unique art exhibit at the Musée dw l'Amérique Francaise in QC.

The Old Quebec Funicular

 It links the Haute-Ville (Upper Town) to the Basse-Ville (Lower Town),

On our way out of the city, we made some stops and the first was at what could only be described as 'visually appealing' if I can use the largest understatement of the year.

 The view from the bottom.

 Halfway up. and getting soaked.

 These are the stairs you can take to the top, the ones you just saw us halfway up. My thighs are quaking again just thinking of it. and a couple with twin baby girls strapped to their chests...walked the whole way up. Obviosuly they're insane. or they are goods friends with Sean T and his insanity cult;)

This is the view from the bridge on top...after we were smartie pants and took the cable car across.

back on the bottom and dry ground.

This is another gorgeous gorge and falls we stumbled upon and I wish I could remember the name.

Wiki pretending to jump in. I must've been on a tear or something...

and next up was Montreal. We were only there for a day before we headed to Vermont for a week and unfortunately I only have two pictures. but I will give you at least a peak.

The alter in the Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal. So beautiful.

This is the beautiful Saint Joseph's Oratory. The grounds were impeccable.

So this was our trip and for our ten year this June, I really hope we can go back to these enchanted towns. Loved them.

Linking up today with
Travel Tuesday
Throwback Thursday