Walter and I rarely celebrate New Year's Eve, and we haven't been to a NYE party in years.  But when we were invited to Tara Helen O'Connor and Daniel Phillips' celebration, we couldn't stay away!  Tara is one my closest friends, and one of the greatest flutists in the world.  She is generally acknowledged to be the finest New Music flutist in New York City, among many other things.  Her husband Danny is an internationally acclaimed violinist who plays first violin in the famed Orion String Quartet. He is one of my favorite musicians in the world, and someone I often turn to for musical inspiration. I usually stay with them when I am in NYC, so they are family.  

Their NYE party was extraordinary.  They hired a chef for the evening, a talented woman who served up course after course of delicacies that could be eaten with one hand, obviating the necessity of plates, seats, and tables.  The more complex dishes were served..cleverly..in Chinese soup spoons!  Brilliant.   But the gathering was extraordinary for another reason.  In the New York Classical music scene, it would be easy to be tempted to fill the guest list with musical power mongers, and use the party as an excuse for networking.  It was so refreshing to see Tara and Danny's apartment filled only with the people they love the best.  Mostly musicians, many stars, but obviously just good friends.  It was a great occasion.

Hi, everybody!  First of all, Happy Holidays!!! I hope you and yours are enjoying the bounties of home and family.  Here in Connecticut, Walter and I enjoyed the quietest of Christmases, just the three dogs and us.  We are on a Vegan diet these days for reasons of health (ours and the planet's), but on special occasions we eat meat, eggs, and dairy.  Christmas dinner certainly qualifies, and Walter made his unrivaled Prime Rib, with Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts in Maple, and Baked Stuffed Zucchini.  Yum!!!  We are both so busy normally that we don't get enough time to enjoy our beautiful house in the woods.  So a stay-cation is a wonderful treat, and we are enjoying it fully.  Our warmest wishes to all of you for the season!!!