2012

In two hours we will be ringing in 2012. As the clock strikes midnight we will look out our windows and enjoy the fireworks near the Statue of Liberty. The night is clear and the vision should be incredible of Miss Liberty being showered in color.

Looking at the television the millions of hardcore revelers are packed into Times Square. It is an incredible event and provides an often once in a lifetime event.

The year of 2011 was good to us. Our fortunes have been good and we are blessed with health and happiness. Having New York as our home continues to be an amazing adventure. With the city as a backdrop it is beautiful to see our child learning and loving her hometown. Our neighbors and friends provide fun and love and support when needed. We have enjoyed shows, adventures, travels near and far, long days in the parks, fun soaking up the sun on the beach, and countless and varied activities. And my heart and knowledge always grows due to the lovely people I get to call my friends. As stated many times before one of my number one things I love about NYC is the diversity of the population. It provides with so much in so many ways. We are so grateful for all that we have and all that we get to do, see and be.

May your 2012 be all your wish for. Take care of yourself and others.

love

a nod to our beautiful city

O Tannenbaum

Christmas is one week away. NYC is bright and beautiful in her holiday glory. The store windows are filled with incredible displays, colorful lights are everywhere and Christmas trees are dressed to the nines. So far our favorite tree this year is at The Plaza Hotel. Decorated by designer Betsey Johnson, the tree is pink, feathery, glittery and topped with a giant Eloise. It was love at first sight. Eloise is a favorite character of ours and we love to envision her running the halls of the famed Plaza.

Another favorite tree we love to visit is in front of the New York Stock Exchange. While not as recognized as some of her famous neighbors, this tree is alway brilliant set on a peaceful street with lovely shooting stars on the lampposts.



Santa must be very busy this week getting things ready in the North Pole. I know many small New Yorkers that have warned their doormen of an impending visitor in red next weekend. From what I hear the reindeer love flying over Manhattan. The vision of the city from high above in the sleigh must be out of this world. And landing on these tall rooftops test their skills to the greatest extent.

1WTC is living in the spirt of the Christmas season by sporting multicolor gels on her construction lights. How wonderful this has happened. It was magical coming out of the subway and seeing this work in process shining brighty.

This picture does not due the colors justice. It is a thrilling vision and as a resident I am grateful to the electricians for making this happen.

Many Thanks

The holiday season has begun officially for us. Wednesday we took in the beauty of Radio City with the Christmas Spectacular. The venue was as gorgeous as ever. The Rockettes were a sight to behold with their sparkly costumes, precision dancing and even a couple of new numbers. There is just something incredible about getting to enjoy a show in Radio City. The rich history and exquisite Art Deco detail always remind me that I am in a very special place.


Thanksgiving morning we headed to Midtown to enjoy the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Once again we took it in with a bird's eye view from the 17th floor. It is pretty awesome not having to deal with the crowds and 3.5 million of our closest friends.


Our favorite new balloon...Paul Frank's Julius. He looked shiny, new and happy to be taking in NYC with his jetpacks on back!


Our favorite float....Santa, always Santa Claus. Santa was looking healthy and ready for a great season treating good boys and girls. I know he has a very full plate this time of year but we sure are glad he takes time to enjoy a bit of NYC.


A very fantastic Thanksgiving feast was held at Ulysses on Stone Street. The food is tasty and dining with some of our favorite friends is priceless. Seven years we have had Thanksgiving in this exact setting and we cannot wait for seven more.

Always thankful.

Magical

A beautiful picture of the amazing beach huts. I find them so curious and wonderful.




Sometimes the place you least expect you find a little magic.

We were introduced to the magical little place of Frinton-on-Sea last summer by a very dear friend. As luck would have it we got to visit this little wonderland again. Cannot wait to revisit again and again and again.

London fun

family shadow on the Prime Meridian

picture perfect view of the dome of st. paul's while on the millennium bridge

a bench at our favorite playground at hyde park

royal observatory in greenwich

breathtaking rainbow over east london

Summer of UK

a very special walk

st. paul's

picturesque aldeburgh

pebble beach in aldeburgh on the north sea

oui oui paris

an incredible weekend in august with my two favorite people. Having not been to the city of love in 22 years, she was looking as lovely as I remembered. It was a special special weekend.

orange

October has once again snuck up as only the orange filled month can do. September zipped by. The beginning of school, summer heat giving way to cool breezes, and everyone returning to beloved Manhattan after summer journeys.

In September we got the opportunity to visit the newly opened Memorial at the site of the WTC. For lack of words to ever do it justice I can say it was simple and powerful. Having been ten years since my feet last walked on that ground it was disorienting to a degree. My only hope and wish is that the families of victims find some peace. We walked around the footprints of both Towers while taking in name after name of all the victims.

*Mr West is the uncle of dear friends.

Now that Fall is entering it is fun to look around seeing apples and pumpkins everywhere. The appearance of orange is always the first signal that the holiday marathon is about to start. Totally ready for it. Bring it!

ten years

This clip says so much. Not about terror, death or devastation...but just what was. Makes me sensationally happy that I got the opportunity to live in the shadows of such an icon.

Remember the victims, the families, the survivors...

Summer of '11

Hard to believe it is September with the first day of school just two days away. The Summer of '11 provided us with beautiful travels and fun times. Catskills, Ft. Worth, Indiana and capped it up with a great time in the United Kingdom and even worked in a weekend in Paris. Our journeys were filled with joy, friends, adventure and often relaxation. One can only hope the exposure of these places will give our child important lessons and inspiration to carry through life.

Many pictures and thoughts to come...

Lone Star

Ft Worth Cats established 1888


Quenching the thirst with Sonic.


Every single day 100 plus...


Tex Mex...always.

Fourth of July

The long weekend took us on a wonderful journey to Sullivan County in the Catskills. Being Catskills rookies we were completely impressed with the beauty and vibe. Our lovely friends housed, fed and entertained us at their beautiful home on the banks of the Delaware. All of this is a little more than two hours outside of our little island of Manhattan. We even had the pleasure of a perfect fireworks extravaganza provided by neighbor of our friends. The show was off the charts of spectacular. And for we highrise dwellers it was the grandest feeling being underneath the fireworks and feeling the boom! The Best!


A lovely weekend with amazing friends in the most peaceful of settings. We definitely plan a return trip.

And as only the wonder of New York can provide this was one of our first sights upon re-entering the city.

The character of the land is always shining through. Sometimes it is visions like this that make me love it even more.

We finished off our most incredible Independence Day by stepping outside to view the annual fireworks provided by Macy's. For the second year in a row the Hudson River was the launching ground. We were worn out after the walk home after such a full weekend, but it was the best kind of exhausted there is!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day!

New York on Sunday

The State of New York did it. Congrats to our former neighbor and current Governor Andy Cuomo.


Hi George. Even though Wall Street is right around the corner I don't find myself venturing that way too often as of late. Good to see George is still there and keeping things under control. He proudly stands in front of Federal Hall where he took his oath of office.


The New York Stock Exchange dressed up in her red, white and blue. Probably in anticipation of Independence Day.

Felice Giorno del Padre

A day of perfect weather was a great way to celebrate Father's Day.
The journey started in the West Village and ended at Lot 30 of the newly expanded Highline.

Welcome to Rainbow City!

It is an amazing collection of spectacular inflatables designed by FriendsWithYou. Bright. Whimsical. Happy.

Always been a fan of the Highline. Learn more about it here!


Walking west on 30th a placard was discovered.

A great love of NYC is how a simple journey to a destination can offer a lesson in history. Who knew Abe was right there on 30th and 9th Avenue in good times and in sad?

Hope the day was incredible for all the Fathers and male role models out there. We are so lucky to have people like you to help us through life.

weekend snapshots

Biking, Battery Park


Random Wig Shop, Flatiron District



Peonies, Tribeca



South Cove, BPC

USA

moments ago outside my windows...

Memorial Day
NYC
USA

Thank you to all our Military. The greatest men and women in the world.

Manhattan

The brilliance of Woody Allen. I never tire of this opening scene...ever.

CUB new york city

Fun, lovely, happy...New York City! Awesome vid by Cub.

city snapshots

Wafels & Dinges food truck...7th Avenue South, Friday night.



Congrats to the Royal Newlyweds...NYC loves a fairy tale.



Tasty treats and company...Ace Hotel, 29th St.



Queen Mary 2 heading to the other side of the pond...New York Harbor.

Anything Goes

The Sondheim Theater was the place for us on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The Cole Porter hit "Anything Goes" was everything the critics have said and more. Joel Grey and the delightful Sutton Foster on stage together...need I say more? Took my favorite 8 year old and she was beside herself throughout. Sometimes one just needs to dive into a feel good musical. So many bring down the house numbers it is hard to choose just one. Of course "Anything Goes" as the close to the first act was the most incredible tap number. "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" was incredibly amazing and for a minute one might think the 4th wall was about to be broken. When Joel and Sutton were performing "Friendship" it was heavenly. Two amazing American talents of different generations on stage together was a superb vision.

Definitely a show to put on the "must see" list.
Look for "Anything Goes" to grab a few Tony's next month. Sutton is a shoe in for best actress!!

Closer