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Tuesday, May 31, 2016

A Most Unusual Shop




Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

You know that feeling when you round a corner, 
and stumble upon something most unexpected?

 Last week, that's exactly what happened.

Two of my cousins and I met for lunch in a small shopping center in suburban New Jersey.
After enjoying a nice meal on the terrace of a Greek restaurant, 
we were curious about the other shops in the mall.

One of my cousins peeked into a window down at the end of the walkway,
and said, "Hey, you've got to see this!"

The three of us must have been quite the sight --
 grown women with our faces pressed up against the window --
but that didn't scare off the proprietor. 
She asked if we'd like to come inside...
which, yes, please, we would.
And that is how we found ourselves right in the middle of a fiddle store.   

Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
 
 Menzel Violins is an exquisite shop that sells, 
repairs and restores string instruments, 
offers lessons, and hosts recitals, shows, jam sessions and workshops.

Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Founded in 1973 by Richard E. Menzel,
the business is now run by his daughter, Mo. 
When her father passed away in 2000, 
Mo arrived from Texas to take over the family business.

Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
  
She continues his tradition of honesty and integrity,
in a market that is filled with unscrupulous dealers  
who sell inferior products at highly inflated prices. 

Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
 
Mo showed us around this beautiful space,
and frankly, I was half-tempted to take up violin lessons right then and there. 
But, since I don't know an arpeggio from an archipelago,
or a cadenza from a credenza 
 I thought I'd do better to take a nap on the daybed,
and dream of Itzhak Perlman stopping by to play a concerto just for me. 

Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 For a few minutes, we felt like we were far, far away from Livingston, NJ. 
 
Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Menzel Violins - Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

  Finding this beautiful musical oasis after lunch was the perfect dessert --
highly satisfying, and no calories

Our only mistake was not asking Mo to play something for us.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Best of the Weekend and Memorial Day Weekend








Hello, and welcome to Best of the Weekend!
Do you have plans for this holiday weekend?
We don't have much on the calendar, 
other than going out for dinner tonight with our neighbors,
and having a few friends over for a barbecue on Sunday.
The rest of the weekend will be spent finishing up some gardening,
and enjoying some relaxing time on the deck.
Oh, and cocktails. Yes, there will be cocktails :)
 
Just a reminder that
Cindy, Paula, Ginnie and I are hosting a 
Yankee Doodle party between now and July 4th,
Bloggers are invited to stop by and link up your patriotic posts.
Non-bloggers, your job is simply to browse and soak up all of the red, white and blue inspiration.


And now, let's get back to the reason you are here tonight,
and get this Best of the Weekend party started!

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We feature all kinds of posts -- 
 recipes, home decor, DIY, gardening, travel, whatevah
so link up your best stuff! 

Non-Bloggers: There are hundreds of fabulous ideas collected here each week;
just click on the links under the thumbnail photos,
and you will be taken directly to the blog post.  

All of our features are pinned to our Best of the Weekend board! 




Last week's most clicked:

How Nightshade Vegetables Could Be Affecting Your Health - Life Love and Thyme


A few of my favorites from last week:

Mini Taco Cups - Our Table For Seven


Salted Caramel Fudge - Simple Stacie


 The Art of Collecting - A Day of Small Things




If you were featured, grab our new button!



Don't forget to stop by our Yankee Doodle party,
 up through July 4th!
It's sure to be a dandy! 



Let's link up!