BBQ

I did BBQ with my friends in the park near my apartment. There were over 20 Japanese people to join this BBQ. I was so surprised! Each of us took some meal and shared but there were many dishes and we could not eat all of them. It was so hot and humid today and I felt so tired. But I really enjoyed this BBQ and want to do again!

Lake George

My husband and I went to "Lake George". "Lake George" is famous place where many people spend summer time. We had a first time to go there. At first, we got on a steam boat for sight seeing(http://www.lakegeorgesteamboat.com/). Today was little cool, so we could not see on outside deck. Then, we ate lunch at cafe and walked around the town. This town has a lot of souvenir shops and restaurants. Also, there was farmers market in a big park. I enjoyed to see many shops. This town is like a Saratoga but little noisy for me. I like Saratoga better.

Cabernet Cafe (Cafe)

My friends and I went to have a lunch at "Cabernet Cafe(http://www.cabernetcafe.com/index.php)". There are some lunch meals, such as sandwiches, salads and soup. I ate roast beef sandwich. Roast beef was tasty but bread was not good. Also, onion ring which was side dish was little oily. This restaurant atmosphere was so nice and I recommend to go there for dinner because we can hear live music. I will try to go foe dinner with my husband.

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Cabernet Cafe

1814 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203

TEL (518)452-5670

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* This restaurnat was closed and opened new one. (5/7/2008)

Today's Cooking Class 2

Today's cooking class's menu was "Masala Puri(Deep-fried puffed bread with seasoning)". Each of us made shape and fried. "Masala Puri" was so easy to make and taste was better. Also, I tasted curry with potatoes, rice and dessert. I was so full!

Winery

My husband and I want to "Benmarl Ainery(http://www.benmarl.com/". It is in the Catskill area and "Sangria Festival" was held today. It took about one and half hour from our apartment. This winery is in the small hill and scenery is so beautiful. Entree fee was $15 each included wine tasting, food and sangria tasting. At first, we tasted wane. There were 18 kinds of wine; 8 red wine, 4 white wine and 7 sweet wine. We selected 6 kinds of wine and tasted them. I was so happy because I could dink good wine and saw a good view! After tasting wine, we ate food; paella, olive and soup with beans. Then we tasted 2 kinds of sangria; red sangria and white sangria. We had a good time to spend in this winery and bought 4 bottles of wine which we liked ('06 Zlnfandel $17.99、'04 Cabernet Fusion $16.99、'05 Muscat $17.99、 Sweet Sarah $29.99).

On the way to return home, we dropped in "Weed Orchards(http://www.weedorchards.com/)"

. "Sweet Corn Festival" was held in this farm. people can pick vegetables and fruits by themselves and pay depend on the weight. We can see the fields of tomatoes, egg plants, pumpkins, apples, peaches... My husband tasted a sweet corn and we tasted a peach. It was soooo sweet!! I hope I go there again.

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Benmarl Ainery
156 Highland Avenue, Marlboro, NY 12542
TEL (845)236-4265
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Weed Orchards
43 Mount Aion Road, Marlboro, NY 12542
TEL (845)236-2684
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Lunch Party

My friends and I had a plan to go to "John Boyd Thacher State Park(http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkId=125)" to picnic but it was rainy today, so we went to one of our friend's house and have a lunch party. Each of us took one meals and we shared them. I took "Inari-sushi(fried bean-curd stuffed with boiled rice)" and "Quiche". One of the Korean friend made "Korean BBQ" and One of the Chinese friend took fried rice. We had a good time to talk and eat a lot.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

My husband and I went to concert of "The Philadelphia Orchestra(http://www.philorch.org/styles/poa02e/www/index2.html)" at Saratoga Performing Arts Center(http://www.spac.org/). In this summer, this orchestra plays at SPAC from Aug. 1st. to Aug. 18th. I choose Aug. 8th., because my favorite cellist "YO-YO Ma" plays in that day!! The concert would start at 8:00PM but we reached there about 7:00PM. Around the theater, students in "The New York States Summer School of the Arts(http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/nysssa/)" were playing and many people who were eating and drinking heard their music.

Today's program were

* Suite from Larelia, Op.11 (Sibelius)

* Cello Concerto No.1 in E-flat major, Op.107 (Shostakovich)

* Cello Concerto No.1 in A minor, Op.33 (Saint-Saens)

* La Mer (Debussy)

YO-YO Ma's performance in Cello Concerto No.1 in E-flat major were so aggressive, showed his technique and I fixed him with a stare. His performance in Cello Concerto No.1 in A minor impressed me so much. The melody of his cello showed the feeling of mellow and agony. I was satisfied his performance very much and want to hear more his melody!

Today's Cooking Class

I joined a Cooking Class today. Today's menu was Indian food "Soft, Savoury Chickpea Swirls(Khandavi)". Quantity of ingredients are few and it looks easy for me. I want to try in my house. "Khandavi" is like a crape but little sticky. I like this taste. I also could taste Green pee Curry, rice and mango cake.

Howe Caverns

My husband and I went to "Howe Caverns(http://www.howecaverns.com/)", which we took about 1 hour driving from our apartment. We bought tickets($18 for Adult) and joined the tour. There are some tours in this cave ; traditional Cavern tour, Lantern tour and Adventure tour. We joined Tr additional Cavern tour. At first, we went down by the elevator and walk in the cave. A guide explained us about the cave. Inside the cave was so cold. We walked about 40 minutes and rode the boat. I felt mystery of the nature and was interested in some shape of rocks. After finishing this tour, we ate snacks and drank hot drink. Around this cave, there are large picnic area, horse riding Field and restaurant. I think small children will be fun in this area.

Provence (French Restaurant)

My friends and I went to have a dinner at "Provence(http://www.provence-restaurant.net/provence/index.php)". I have been interested this restaurant for a long time and am happy to go there. I ate roasted duck and others ate pasta. And we ate deserts, such as Chocolate mousse, Cream brulee and Tarte tatin. Duck and desert were delicious and I was so satisfied. In this restaurant, atmosphere is so nice. We have seats in patio but seats which are inside the restaurant are better then outside, because we can hear piano playing during dinner. But patio seats are better for family, especially taking small children.

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Provence

1476 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203

(Stuyvesant Plaza)

TEL (518)689-7777

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Long time no see

My husband and I went to have lunch at "Van's Vietnamese Restaurant(307 Central Avenue, Albany NY 12206)" for the first time in 3 months. My husband ate Vietnamese noodle and I ate grilled chicken. Both of them were really tasteful for us. I think this restaurant is within the 3 best restaurant in Western Avenue!!!

Uncommon Grounds Coffee (Cafe)

My friends and I went to have lunch at "Uncommon Grounds Coffee". My teacher recommended us to eat bagels there. I ate tuna salad bagel and it was good. But I am so interested in many kinds of coffee. There are over 10 kinds of hot coffee and 4 kinds of iced coffee. It is marvelous!!!

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Uncommon Grounds Coffee

1235 Western Ave. Ste 5,

Albany 12203

TEL (518)453-5649

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Albany Pine Bush Preserve

I went "Albany Pine Bush Preserve" with my friends. Here is a preserve which protects wild flowers, animals and insects. At first, we went to "visitor center" and saw some displays. I wanted to see "Kaner Blue Butterfly" but I could not see them. It was so sad. This center organize many events regularly, so I want to join some events.