New York City was awesome

We left for New York on Thursday morning at 0600, which meant a three thirty wake up.  The flight was great.  Really didn't do much but unpack and get settled in. The hotel was gorgeous with a salt water pool so I got a lot of swimming in.

Friday, Zachary and I headed out on the town, after a five mile treadmill run. He was such a great travel buddy.  Took public transportation everywhere which was fun.

He was probably singing he is always singing.  

Went to see the Empire State Building which was amazing.

I wanted to go to Macy's and found these cute ornaments

The first one is an apple bell, too cute to pass up and when I told the cashier it was my first time in New York City she hooked me up!!!!

There were so many people😜 I don't like crowds but managed fine.  Some random pictures Zachary took

Friday evening was the Christmas party at the Astoria!!! All I can say is I ate too much calamari and had way too many piña coladas.  Great food met some really great people.  I won a $250 gift card to Best Buy!!!! Free boxes of chocolates.  This was me before the party

Saturday I got another five mile treadmill run in. After that we headed back out lots of walking which I loved, however Zachary assured me that his legs were going to fall off.  

Of course we had to go to the M&M store smelled so good

Went to the 9/11 memorial. It was somber, the quietest place in the city.  It was windy and cold.  The pools had water spraying everywhere so I could not get any decent pictures.  We chose not to go into the museum because I knew I would break down. I remember that day like it was yesterday.  I immediately went to work, earlier than my shift.  In all my years of law enforcement that was the day where the 911 call volume stopped, people stopped the foolishness.  

Went to Central Park and watched a street show which was amazing.  Unfortunately everything was so packed. We did go to Times Square, and Rockefeller center to see the tree.

Stopped to get a few souvenirs, in keeping with my love of sparkle, I found this cute t-shirt and a pair of Oakley sunglasses that actually fit my face!!! I love it when I score.

Also found this hair product which is the best ever

It is shiny, controlling, anti frizzing and tons of volume. 

We are at a lot of mom and pop places and I stuck to my diet with the exception of the party.

Sunday quick treadmill run, swim, and then headed out.  I didn't pack enough cold weather running gear so my run on Brooklyn Bridge was in boots and jeans lol, but I did it.

I love the bridge locks they symbolize love!!!

Everything was so crowded we made it to Times Square and Rockefeller center.  The tree was unbelievable.

So we headed home on Sunday at what was supposed to be 1800 hrs, the plane was an hour late. After we boarded we sat for an hour. I figured something was wrong.  I went up and asked the flight attendant what was going on her response " something is wrong with the fuel gauge, they are looking in the manual to see how to fix it!!!!"  I grabbed Zachary and unassed that plane in about ten seconds.  Was able to get on a flight to Memphis thirty minutes later.  The first plane lost our luggage.  It was delivered on Monday afternoon.  

It was an awesome time.

Has your luggage ever been lost? 

Do you like crowds? I hate them

Have you ever experienced New York City?  Did you love it?

 

PIYO works, recipe for Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake

I'm so excited that I get to go to Eat Well today, I love sushi.  They have these delicious scallops in scampi sauce. I worked out extra hard this morning to make room for dinner.

I started my PIYO workout yesterday, and it works!!!! I was sore this morning which is always a good feeling. After my PIYO workout I went running. Seven miles at a 7:43 pace. Getting back to where I was.

I must admit I am an overpacker, I pack too much. Way too much.  For example a three day trip=10 pair of socks, seriously??? I can never decide what to take so I take it all just in case. I mean it is New York City what do you pack?  I have to take dress clothes, running clothes, and the usual wear. 

This will be me in the airport, lol

As I promised here is the recipe for OOEY GOOEY TOFFEE CAKE they are the best I have ever made!!!!

Ingredients:

Cake:
1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix (I used Butter Recipe Yellow)
1 large egg
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (16-ounce) box confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup toffee bits (I buy a bag of Heathy toffee bits in the baking section.  I use 1 cup in the filling and the remaining toffee bits sprinkled on top of the cake.)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13 by 9 by-2-inch baking pan.

For the cake: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pat into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside.

For the filling: Still using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Dump in confectioners’ sugar and beat well. Reduce the speed and slowly pour in butter. Mix well. Fold in toffee bits.

Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. You can top the cake with the leftover toffee bits.  Bake for 35-45 minutes. Don’t be afraid to make a judgment call on the cooking time, because oven temperatures can vary. You want the center to be a little gooey, so don’t bake it past that point!

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares. Just remember that these wonderful cakes are very, very rich, and a little will go a long way.