day 26, thankful

It has been 26 days since we have last been in our home.  Thanks Sandy....insert all sorts of expletives here.   Regardless it is Thanksgiving and we have much to be thankful for.  Our neighbors in surrounding areas didn't get as lucky as we did with Sandy.

Our annual Thanksgiving traditions still stood even with our interruption of living situation.  The morning was clear and beautiful for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade  The 17th floor on 6th Avenue once again offered prime viewing.  The crowds were massive and happy.

My favorite new balloon was Hello Kitty.  The little feline had the number one spot in leading the paraders down the lovely streets of little old Manhattan.

Favorite float is once again Santa.  He and the Mrs were looking fine and rested to start off their incredibly busy season. We should  have the work ethic & spirit of that family!

An amazing lunch was held again on Stone Street.  Spots of Stone didn't fare well with Sandy's vengeance.  Fortunately our favorite place to eat turkey made it through the surge.   Colombia, Germany, the UK, Australia and of course we Americans joined together with plentiful food and the best of friendships.  The children enjoyed their annual game of tag on the cobblestone of Stone.  After a few hard weeks it felt perfect be in the comfort of friends who represent our NYC family.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

dear sandy....

you might have tried but NY and NJ will win.

The most incredible photo.

the good people of new york

Thank you to the anonymous man who gave us a lift from 39th Street all the way to the one neighborhood with lights so Halloween could happen.  Cabs are at a premium and mass transit is still at standstill.  This kind soul made it happen so an almost 10-year-old could celebrate with displaced friends.  Sandy took away a lot but she cannot take away the spirit of people.

the most beautiful vision...

Witnessing a lovely woman was in her very late 80s wait for the high tide. Once the tide came to the shore she was helped into the North Sea by her daughter, son-in-law and grandson.  Upon arrival in the water she swam and swam and swam, like Esther Williams.  This beautiful lady could have been 17 years of age by the way she moved once in the water.  It was an amazing vision of the beauty of life.  I almost felt as I was watching a very private family moment yet in a public place.  

Frinton-on-Sea, UK.

across the pond.

Luck was once again on our side and we got the opportunity to spend a few weeks in the UK.  It was in its post-Olympiad glow and looking mighty fine.

Well said at the Albert and Victoria Museum of Childhood.

The Queen herself looking fine made of Legos in Hamleys.

An inside look of the fantabulous Roald Dahl's writing hut.  Great Missenden, UK.

The Olympic rings looking amazing. Tower Bridge.

Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.  Lavenham, UK.

Winston Churchill. 

So many sights, so many stories.  It was a wonderful journey.  It provided the perfect way to cap off a busy summer full of travel.

power

august

Summer is officially over.
It was in one word...amazing.
More to come.
Soon.

art

Sometimes art is found in the most random places.

Trader Joe's bathroom.

Chelsea, NYC

USA

may-june 12

The months of May and June have been filled with much adventure.  Of course many of these adventures spontaneously happened on various Manhattan strolls.

A Saturday afternoon in Union Square led us to this sight.  Andy Warhol looking out over the people while a protesting devil danced the Can-Can.

The same Saturday we spotted Pilgrims at Madison Square Park.

A planned outing to us to the fabulous SpiegelWorld tent with the presentation of Empire.  Raw, talent, bawdry, breathtaking.  

After SpiegelWorld we took a Friday night walk through Times Square.  Sometimes as residents we avoid it like the plague.  Other times as residents we stand there. Take it all in and realize this is home.

Fleet Week came sailing/flying into this little city the end of May.  The ships are always a pleasure to see floating up the Hudson. The military flyovers showing off America's finest aircraft rattle my bones in the best way possible.  Below was an early morning run by some of our military. 

The end of April the Space Shuttle Enterprise was flown in NYC piggyback on a 747.  It was quite the journey to watch as she took some loops around the island and paid respects to some of our greatest landmarks.  After being prepped the Enterprise came back up the Hudson. This time on a barge.  She will now enjoy her new home on the Intrepid.

Summer starts next week!  Plans are plenty but so are days to just relax and enjoy what surrounds us. Hope you do the same.

85 years

A warm May Saturday led us to enjoy the shores of Coney Island.   With three things in mind....the NY Aquarium, the Cyclone and lounging on the beach....we accomplished all.

The most amazing wooden roller coaster, the Cyclone, is turning 85 years old!  What an icon.  The coaster is as awesome as ever and still offering thrills and excitement to the new generations.

Thankfully due to a landmark status the Cyclone holds a place in not only NYC history but US history as well. It is a true piece of Americana.

With the overstimulation thanks to technology and more it is a pleasure to see people enjoying good wholesome fun.  And the Cyclone is rather "low-tech" compared to the newer coasters.  In my eyes there is not a better roller coaster anywhere in the world.  There is just something about the Cyclone.

Happy 85th Cyclone!  Here's to many many more memories.

And Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing women out there.  My Mother's Day is already complete with our jaunt to Coney Island, USA.

spring 2012

It has been far too long since the last post. Spring has been sensational in lovely little Manhattan. Our very mild winter provided for an early spring confusing all the flora and fauna.

1WTC growing through the blossoms. The days have been longer and the entire city a little more colorful. Easter break saw us to a little holiday in Montego Bay. The weather was divine, the ocean spectacular and Take It Easy Island became home base for beautiful days in the sun.

Seeing what is underneath it all.

Early morning view in Jamaica.

A sweet bit of paradise in the shade.


 Spring has also seen a string of visitors coming into town. Showing off our favorite places and stories about the city is a beautiful pleasure. This morning started with delicious tea at the always hipster Ace on 29th Street. Hard to make hot tea hip but they manage.

Here is to the rest of Spring being vibrant and leading us to an amazing Summer...

Blue

a coach, a mayor, a governor, a manning and a few other important people


The 46th champion in Super Bowl history became the NY Football Giants on Sunday. The city that never sleeps managed to honor the newly crowned champions with a ticker tape parade less than 48 hours later. This morning Lower Broadway lived up to its title, the Canyon of Heroes. The last minute win by the Giants gave them the honor of becoming hometown heroes for millions. The crowds were thick and coated in blue. This February morning offered clear and mild skies. A lucky invite to a viewing party on the 4th floor of a building on Broadway gave me a lovely few of all the excitement. And the ticker tape raining down was so fun! Ticker tape parades are a special part of New York history and I can see why.

Great to see the players hopping off the floats and running to the crowds of people. The spectators ate it up.



Congratulations to the New York Giants. Thanks for giving NYC another reason to hold a grand parade.

January

The month of January has been incredibly mild with the weather. To take advantage of the kind of, sort of, well for January anyway, warm sunshine we have enjoyed many weekend outings. We kicked the year off by getting a membership to the Wildlife Conservation Society. NYC is lucky enough to have five different wildlife parks. A few weeks ago on a 60 plus degrees Sunday we journey to Coney Island, home of the New York Aquarium. The walrus and the sharks were among our favorites.


Winter:Coney Island


Jaws meets Brooklyn

Today, the last Saturday of January, was a spectacular mid 40s with warm sunshine kind of day. One place was on our mind when we woke up and that was the always popular Central Park Zoo. While small in nature, the zoo is always filled with fun. The polar bears were sunbathing, the red pandas were enjoying some tree climbing and the snow monkeys were picking at each as only monkeys do. Winter days are the perfect time to visit the zoo.

April the sea lion:21 years old and still looking divine.

While our visits to Central Park have been plentiful there is still always something amazing about that oasis smack in the middle of Manhattan.

Is it really almost February?

looking back...

just had a random thought about a truly great New York moment.

This winter has been mild so far. But if I have to do a blizzard, I want to do it this way!

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