On Nostalgia

Recently, I've been particularly enamored with the power of nostalgia. It began when I was at a Billy Joel concert last week and as the Piano Man belted out hit after hit from his career, moments of my childhood flashed through my mind. Driving to soccer games with my Dad, summers on the boat, sitting on the pink carpet of my bedroom waiting for songs to play on WALK (a popular long island radio station) so I could hit record on my red cassette player and get the song on tape... Billy Joel's music brought me back to moments and places from growing up that I hadn't thought about in ages.

And then I went to Washington D.C. for the weekend and the entire city served as a nostalgia explosion, each national monument, sidewalk or museum reminding me of some time in the past when I'd been there during the glorious years that were college. It filled me up with a joy so potent, I wish I could've bottled it up to save for later.

Nostalgia is pretty amazing. That a song, smell, place or object can suddenly transport you to another time and even make your insides tingle with the pleasantness of the memory feels quintessentially merry:) So this week I challenge you to indulge in something nostalgic. Play a loved-but-since-forgotten song or visit that former favorite place you no longer frequent and then pause for a moment to enjoy just how beautiful your own personal past is. Because even though life can't always be Billy Joel songs and college, it sure is nice to be able to go back and visit:)

24 hours in DC

This post brought to you by the fabulous 

(parent)thetically speaking.

You know how nothing else will ever taste as good as your moms _______ (insert comfort food here)? And that's probably because her version was the first version you ever tasted and because there are warm, fuzzy, wonderful memories associated with that dish? And even if the fanciest, classically trained chef were to make that dish for you, you'd still prefer your moms?

Well, Washington, DC had the same effect on me. No city will ever compare to it, in my eyes. Its the first (and only, I guess) big city that I've lived in. The neighborhoods, the restaurants, the culture, (the history, for pete's sake!) - it suited me perfectly. I moved back closer to home (starting a family might do that to ya) after living in DC for almost 5 years. In a couple of weeks, I get to go back for the 2nd time since leaving 3 years ago. So I'll have 24 hours to relive a bit of my past. And I will be eating nonstop! (I know you all plan trips based solely on the location of delicious food and are already thinking about the next meal while still eating the previous one!) 

 

I thought I would share with you my short list of likely destinations during my abbr. trip (mostly restaurants). Now, I know that this list will not knock your socks off with trendy and see-or-be-seen power spots (check out the Bitches for the real scoop)...but, it is a list of spots that make a transient city feel like home, so there.

*Matchbox DC (the apple pear salad is my favorite salad from anywhere, hands down)

*Founding Farmers (wearefoundingfarmers.com). My go-to dinner spot with one of my besties.
*Cone E. Island Ice Cream (yours truly spent a summer scooping up some tast e. treats there) Get the fantasy bar - as a topping or a whole bar. You're welcome.

*Kramerbooks and Afterwords Cafe (get the Goober Pie for dessert. Just do it, don't ask questions)

*This little cafe down the street from my old office (they have an iced chai latte unlike any I've ever tasted)
*Chop't (yeah, yeah, chain-shmain, soooo good though)

*Georgetown Cupcake (cliche I know - but, but...I'd been going there since almost day 1 - their tiny store was right around the corner from where we watched football games on Sundays). While in Georgetown, do yourself (and your closet) a favor and go shopping.

What would your list look like (for any city)?

For previous posts from (parent)thetically speaking, click HERE.