So much Happening, it can take your breath away!

This past weekend was so special. There was a two day birthday celebration for Rob Berkley at places such as Union Square Cafe and Shun Lee Palace. Rob has the unigue quality of finding then holding the dearest people on the earth close to him. I met four of his life friends who gathered at Union Square to regal Rob and eat tuna burgers: Union's signature dish.Don't miss a lunch or dinner there. It is one of New York City's best restaurants.

In the evening at Shun Lee, more special people yet not the same as the lunch crowd. Deb had prearranged a ten course Chinese dinner that was perfection. Another land mark restuarant on East 55th, not to be missed either.

What a tapestry of personalities, accomplishment and love! Deb, Rob's wife, organized and orchestrated the events and is herself a most special person. Be sure to see their website at www.groupmv.com to see who they are and what they are accomplishing in life.

In between celebrations, Laura and I shuttled to NYP Hospital to do breakfast runs for young Mathew Federici and his parents each early morning. Matt has been there several weeks due to surgery and some post operative complications. To see his face light up when the french toast or pancakes are unpacked is a joy. Laura, we hope, made the final breakfast run this morning as we hear that the boy leaves for home today. What an ordeal and what parents!!! Laura, by the way, took the 5:47 am train from Center Moriches to make the breakfast run. You know, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Michele and Bob have each and sometimes both spent every night in the hospital ensuring not only proper care but dispensing love and comfort. They have set the bar high on parenting this trip. By the way, when I use the phrase " ensuring proper care", it is not idle. Even in a world class facility such as NYP Hospital, there are major foul ups that can easily kill you, no exageration.

A visit with the Conecticut Federicis filled us with more love and joy as we spent Sunday with Nicolas and Adrien and their wonderful mom and dad. A great dinner prepared by Yoanna and Drew, time at the Greenwich Beach and a fabulous ferry boat ride across the Sound and home to Center Moriches finished the day. A one hour ferry ride across LI Sound where we read the Times and chilled.

Speaking of dinners, Laura prepared lamb burgers this weekend(believe it or not we spent Friday at home) that were superb. Here is the recipe: it is called MEGUEZ

1 POUND GROUND LEAN LAMB
3/4 TEA SPOON GROUND CUMIN
1/2 TEA SPOON THYME
1/8 TEA SPOON GRATED NUTMEG
1/2 TEA SPOON HOT RED PEPPER FLAKES
1 TEA SPOON MINCED GARLIC
1 TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL
1 TABLESPOON BUTTER, MELTED

1.IN A MIXING BOWL COMBINE THE LAMB,CUMIN,THYME,NUTMEG, RED PAPPER, AND GARLIC.
2.SHAPE WITH YOUR HANDS INTO 4 PATTIES. DONT SQUEEZE TOO TIGHLY, LET THE AIR FILL THEM
3.COOK ON A GRILL OR SKILLET 3-4 MINUTES EACH SIDE DEPENDING ON HOW RARE YOU LIKE THEM. TRY THEM THEM MEDIUM RARE IF THE LAMB IS FISRT CUT.
4.BRUSH LIGHTLY WITH MELTED BUTTER AND SERVE ON A SEEDED BUN.


MORE LATER THIS WEEK