Settling in

The great unpacking.

Now, on this last day of the year, our first order of business is to buy slippers. The Frenchman's suggestion. Neither he nor I has worn slippers since childhood. But the parlour-level Harlem apartment is freezing (this will be helpful in summer, of course).We discovered - long after signing our lease - that we pay for both heat and hot water (not made clear to us at all; it's usually included, and the first bills have been real shockers) and we are being parsimonious...

We are both naturally cold tolerant, so that helps, too. What neither of us likes is being too hot.

Too much information?

Moving along. So, slippers. I've been looking online.

Ugly! Who knew!? They are made for creatures with cloven hooves. Why is that? A friend (thank you,  Jeanette!) directed me to Anthropologie where the most passable pair of slippers resides, though the pom-pom is really a pom-pom too far.

Any other ideas? And no, Uggs do not count.

Today - we head to Chinatown (nothing to do with slippers). The Frenchman has two unexpected days off and Chinatown is best in the utter cold. Fewer smells in the gutters, and bright urban colours on grey days. We may find dim sum, we may buy our annual crabs (see the January New York chapter and recipe in 66 Square Feet - A Delicious Life). 

We may eat black bean crabs for dinner and drink Champagne.