tempesta di neve

Ahh, the first blizzard of 2010 greeted NYC today. The forecast was right and the snow had continued to pile up all day. No complaints here. City living is very lovely in the snow. We can be lazy and play inside while someone else shovels and plows. Living vertically does have its benefits. Yes, we know the next several days will be filled with the not so pretty yellow and gray snow. Hopefully it will disappear quickly.

To continue our tradition of going out in blizzards we headed to the Beacon Theater on the Upper West Side. Cirque du Soleil was offering an open rehearsal of their latest show Banana Shpeel. We got there in time but the crowd was lined up around two blocks. It was great to see people come out in the worst of weather to catch a glimpse of artists truly honing their craft before show opening. We spent the afternoon in awe taking in the talent in the rawest form. We feel fortunate to catch a behind the scenes view of what it takes to make a spectacular end product.

All and all our first heavy snow of the new year has been nice. Bloomberg and Klein surprised us all by canceling school...that never ever happens. So far tomorrow looks to be back on schedule. We hope the weather does clear. We plan to head to our very own nation's capitol of Washington, DC. They are filled to the brim with snow, so we shall see.

Stay warm.

2010

Happy New Year! The countdown is a little less than two hours away. We have done what is becoming tradition of "pre-celebration." A dozen NYC families gathered at a little eatery this evening to celebrate how great 2009 was and how wonderful 2010 looks to be. While the year has offered many changes for several families we all feel blessed with happiness, health and typically good times. The kids enjoyed games and imagination while the adults held lovely conversation. Something about the warmth of friends makes life extra good.

We are tucked in for the night and will look out our windows when the clock strikes midnight. The view of fireworks over Miss Liberty are always a sight to see. It is a mix of rain, snow and sleet tonight but he colors will be bright and lovely. We were fortunate to go to the pretaping of Rihanna and Jay-Z last week so it will be fun to check it out on tv.

Enjoy 2010. Take care of people.

Perfect

photo-kb photography



1000 crazy people...check!
Blizzard conditions...check!
Standing outside for three hours...check!
Rockefeller Center Plaza....check!
Mini concert by Rihanna...check
Special appearance by Jay-Z...oh yes!

Last night was one for the books. We scored tickets to a pre-taping of Rihanna for the New Year's Eve Special. The location was the plaza at Rock Center. What they hadn't planned on was white out conditions with a blizzard. It made it even better and memorable in my eyes. Yes, it was freezing. Yes, there were moments I couldn't feel my toes or fingers. But when Rihanna started and Jay-Z appeared life was good, really good. It was awesome. Sometimes there just aren't words. Pounding snow and all I will never forget the moment when one of the most incredible hip hop artist ever walked on stage. Something about New York in a blizzard is magical.

Serving NYC since 1933.

The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers by the fantastic Radio City Rockettes is a grand tradition for the city of New York. This particular number is in it's 77th year of dazzling people from not only NYC but around the world. Thursday we took our annual (although late, we typically we hit it up before Thanksgiving) journey to Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas Spectacular. She was looking as lovely and pretty as ever. Each year there is something slightly different but there is always the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. Why mess with perfection? We love every moment of it but the Wooden Soldiers is the number we most look forward to. The Christmas Spectacular has a touring group but honestly to see the amazing Rockettes in their homebase is something to put on your list. The plush seats, the Art Deco decor, the Wurlitzer organs, Santa and the Rockettes all mixed together is the only way to ring in the Season.

Merry Christmas.

NYC Thanksgiving

What a day! Our morning outing took us to 41st and 6th Avenue to catch some of the wonderful Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. A new route provided us with a different viewing spot that was even better. Mingling amongst three million other parade lovers is the only way we can imagine kicking off Thanksgiving Day.

Our favorite balloon this year was Buzz Lightyear. Maybe it was the new backdrop of 6th Avenue that made him look better than ever.



Our favorite float...Santa, always Santa. For the first time in 40 years Santa had a new sleigh. Even in a recession I think a man as lovable as Santa deserves an upgraded ride.




Thanksgiving meal took us to our annual lunch gathering at Ulysses. Doesn't get any better. Great food, great setting and the best company in the world. The party of 19 included some of NYC's coolest kids. After gobbling down their lunch they adjorned to Stone Street for their traditional game of tag. Our table had Germany, Colombia, Italy, Texas, Michigan and Illinois represented. Life is good and we are thankful.

The streets are paved with diamonds and there is just so much to see. But the best thing about New York City is you and me...Cub

Many Thanks

Is it really already Thanksgiving again? A schedule change this year has us attending Radio City in December versus our usual visit which would have been today. November is flying by. Every weekend has been filled with birthday parties of some of our favorite kids in this town.

This month also provided the opportunity to be a studio audience member at Dr Oz as well as Martha Stewart. It was quite interesting since as luck would have it we attended the tapings on consecutive days. Martha wins for an easier experience. Very smooth process and she does a live tape so the hour flies by. Dr. Oz tapes at 30 Rock so the logistics are entirely different and there are re-takes. Either way both shows were a blast and in wonderful company. At Dr. Oz we did score front row seats on the center rotating platform. Completely fun and we had many laughs that day just taking it all in.

Tomorrow we will journey to Midtown to check out the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is an insane crazy experience with the massive crowds but we keep going back for more! Maybe we are just that crazy. Our traditional outing to Ulysses will provide the eats and backdrop for lunch with friends from across the planet. Every year it just keeps getting better and better.

We are lucky. Very lucky. Have a great Thanksgiving. We are thankful for you.

Octobre

After a very brief Summer, the season of Fall has arrived. Fall provides lovely orange hues in the boxes of pumpkins outside the bodegas in every neighborhood. Fall also ushers in many restaurants switching over their menus. Take for example the cozy Las Ramblas tapas bar on W. 4th. A baked pumpkin stuffed with manchego, shrimp and spices. Las Ramblas is a sliver of a restaurant in the Village. Their eats are authentic and make one daydream of eating tapas on the Ramblas in Barcelona....another one of the most magnificent cities in the world.



Hello Fall!