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Saturday, August 22, 2009

Rain Delay

Our weekly Central Park Adventure was called on account of rain…

Mom and I headed out this morning – but the rain came before we crossed First Avenue. And apparently Due was sleeping in….

We’ll try again tomorrow. I’m anxious to get back to Central Park to survey the progress on the storm clean up.

Instead of Central Park Mom braved the heat to head out to Brooklyn....I found a cool spot on the hardwood floors and relaxed.

I haven’t been to Brooklyn since we first arrived in NYC 3 years ago and stayed with our friend Jennifer. I soon headed back to DC while Mom found an apartment and got things ready for my triumphant arrival.

Although Brooklyn is a lot of fun, and Prospect Park is close to dog-heaven – we decided on Manhattan. I can’t go on the subway – so I have not been back to Brooklyn since.

Mom went to check out the Artists and Fleas Market in Williamsburg. (Which apparently is a neighborhood in Brooklyn). We have a company, Central Bark Designs, where we create hand painted placemats for pets (see sidebar link to our etsy store!). Mom wanted to see if our mats would be a good product to sell at Artists and Fleas.

Located at 129 6th Avenue (L train, Bedford stop) and open from 12n to 8p on Saturdays & Sundays, they have a great array of jewelry and vintage clothes.

Since it’s in a warehouse, it is a great place to shop rain or shine. The vendors change from time to time so you should keep going back to see what’s new. There are lots of pubs and cafes in the neighborhood to enjoy after your shopping spree. Although it’s not the right fit for our mats, Mom said she is looking forward to going back. Sounds like a great place to take Sarah A. on her next visit to New York.

One of the reasons Mom wants to go back is the Ice Cream truck she found. (And has been raving about).

This was NOT your neighborhood Mr. Softee. Parked on Bedford Avenue between N. 6th & N. 7th streets was a creamy yellow Van Leeuween Ice Cream Truck. Artisan Ice Cream – from a street truck. And this was not any street truck. After doing a little on-line research, Mom’s discovered 2 brothers (Ben & Pete) started the company and that the truck is actually a retrofitted postal truck. Talk about recycling!

As an animal lover (which of course is obvious) I was happy to hear that they give 1% of their profits to Wildlife Direct. A grassroots organization in the Congo whose mission is to actively protect critically endangered species.

CLICK HERE to find our more about VanLeeuwen Ice Cream. (You can even follow their tweets to find out where their trucks are!)

The ice cream is amazing (or so I’ve heard). Mom had the mint chocolate chip with hot fudge sauce. It was rich (18% butterfat!), with a subtle mint flavor and lots of chocolate chips. And there was not one drop of artificial green food coloring! It had a freshness to it you just don’t find in other ice creams, especially ice cream truck ice cream.

Of course I have to take Mom’s word for it, as she did not bring any home. The excuse given, was that it would have melted…I might let her get away with that one.

After enjoying her ice cream it was back on the subway for a quick stop in Chinatown before heading home. And look what she found on Canal Street…..

Now that Mom’s had Van Leeuwen…. I’m afraid she’s kicked Mr. Softee to the curb!

Copyright 2009, Central Bark Designs, Inc. All Rights Erserved

3 comments:

Scout and Freyja said...

Oooooo, ice cream. We ♥ ice cream!

Come on over today and help us get the word out to the Eagles about Mr. Vick! We has a furry im-paw-tant bloggy post taday!

central bark designs said...

Scout 'n Freyja -

We checked out your post. I can't believe the Eagles signed him!

As a New Yorker - and Jets fan (when they're not playing the Patriots) - I hope the Eagles are at the bottom of the division.

style chronicle said...

I miss NYC! Is that the entrance to your building? So pretty!