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Posts Tagged ‘American Thanksgiving’

There is always something to be thankful for…

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 23, 2017| 2 Comments »

Taking the time today for a bit of personal reflection. The sun is shining down on this spectacular city. The dog and I walked through Central Park and currently the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade plays in the background while my little family lounges. Life is certainly not perfect, it never is, but there really is always something to be thankful for.

Right now I am thankful for my girls. They are challenging and exhausting but they are also smart, determined and hilarious. I am thankful for my family, who no matter how far away are always available for a chat and a positive word or two of support. I am thankful for Mr Memphis who shares my love of walks in the park. I am so damn thankful for my friends, especially my girlfriends who just understand. All of it.

I am thankful for another day to explore, experience, question, to be angry, to fight, to love, to care, to be kind, to have adventures.

Wishing all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you ❤️

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Wordless Wednesday: Go Big!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 11, 2015| Leave a Comment »

The middle of February is a tough time. The winter weather is never ending, there are tons of flu and cold like viruses floating around and quite frankly the world news hasn’t been very uplifting. We are also many weeks away from those fabulous New Year’s resolutions and goals that we like to set out and plan at the beginning of January. Ho hum.

But… I have been inspired. Sometimes even the smallest of things can be a gentle reminder to be your best self, to get out there, to go big! About a year ago at Soul Cycle I became acquainted with a great guy named Miles. He is full of energy, open to new challenges, ready for adventure, exudes passion and loves life. He has since moved from NYC and I miss his smile and energy that I so looked forward to seeing when I took class at West 77th. (westsidebestside) BUT, the silver lining in all of this is that Miles has a website www.livewhereulive.com where I can visit and read his “thoughts from a unicorn” and can check out his beautiful bracelet designs. Miles latest creation is called LIMITLESS. Mine arrived today. I LOVE it. I have two other bracelets by Miles- The Athlete and Water. I absolutely love the powerful messages behind each of them. When I wear them I am reminded of my potential and to focus on the positive.

Here is the description for Limitless- “The black cylinder bead represents a wheel. Never-ending. No beginning. No end. The blue bead represents the sky. Wide open. Vast. Accented with a ‘GB’, a constant reminder to Go Big! Be Limitless.”

This is exactly the reminder I need for today and always. I am trying to silence those February blahs, and instead focus on all the limitless possibilities. Thanks for the inspiration Miles! Have a wonderful day my friends- sending warmth, love, positivity and some chocolate your way. =)

IMG_8240

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Wordless Wednesday: Gratitude

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on November 28, 2012| 1 Comment »

The last couple of months have definitely had their trying times. And I can’t help but admit that I am looking forward to 2013 for a bit of positive energy and the hope of new beginnings and a fresh outlook. However, this past weekend was American Thanksgiving. Yes, we do celebrate both. Lucky us 😉 We had a wonderful relaxing weekend celebrating with cherished family and friends and during that long weekend I had time to reflect on how truly fortunate and thankful I am for all of our blessings. Most of all, the love that surrounds us. My heart is full of warmth from the amazing people I am truly lucky to have in my life. I am so immensely grateful for all of you. xox

Here are a few pics from the weekend and our adventures. I hope you enjoy them. Happy Wednesday!

Going to see the balloons the day before the parade- Spiderman!

Hello Papa Smurf

A walk in Riverside Park

Love NYC in the late fall

Sisters

True personalities shining through!

Getting ready to celebrate

Looking out the window

Pre-turkey Just Dance 4 Party

Chefs Extraordinaire!

The Turkey??! 😉

A feast, thankful indeed.

A view from Central Park

The city peeks out behind

Gratitude.

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Post Turkey Day: Monday Musings

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on November 28, 2011| 2 Comments »

So here we are, the Monday after a fabulous four day weekend filled with wonderful conversation, much relaxing, great food and the company of cherished family and friends. My stuffy nose aside, it was a spectacular weekend to celebrate American Thanksgiving.

Checking out the balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Watching the parade from the comfort of our couch. Lots of snuggles and plenty of coffee!

Preparing the wine 😉

The amazing chefs in the kitchen!

The Feast!!

Friends and Family

A Couple of Turkeys 😉

Now it is back to reality and the massive pre-holiday list that keeps getting longer and longer even as I try and cross things off. *Sigh* In a sort of an obscure way of procrastinating I decided to take to the computer and let myself muse on this Movember Monday or as some (my husband) might say, ramble…

First of all, I can’t believe that it is the end of November. The weather is not helping. It is a balmy 68 degrees here in NYC today and although I should not be complaining I kind of miss the crisp cool days. The lights are up and trees are lit around the city but it doesn’t really feel very Christmas like without even a hint of the white stuff. This is what it must feel like to live in the warmer climes over the holidays 😉  I know, I know, soon I will be complaining of the cold arctic wind that whips around the buildings and the ugly city black/grey melting snow. You can remind me of this post and tell me to suck it up!

A Tree Hanging On To Its Beautiful Leaves In Central Park

The Girls Playing At The Park Yesterday

I feel like I am having trouble focusing on just one thing lately. I am writing down the things to get done and they all blur together into one big heart racing madness- holiday shopping, baking (I said yes to a cookie swap!!), starting training for a 1/2 marathon (why do I agree to these things??!!), searching for a job (!!!), worrying about middle school applications (not for me ;)), what’s for dinner (ugh), securing babysitters, scheduling, volunteering (must learn to say NO!) and then I am distracted by the price of limes (Matti!!!). Seriously, I know that these are not BIG worries and I am extremely fortunate but hey, try telling that to my stressed out big hair 😉 ‘Tis the season! Wow, I feel much better just sharing my insanity.

Anyhoo, in all honesty, I do love the craziness, I would be bored if I was just sitting around wondering what to do with myself. So, enough ranting, rambling, musing for today. I need to go and fold some laundry, send some emails, peruse the job listings and vacuum. After that I think I will sit down with a big old glass of wine, oh wait, I have to pick up the girls, make dinner and help with homework first! It’s always an adventure even when the adventure is pretty mundane 😉

Have a great week and remember to find some time just for YOU!!

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Wordless Wednesday: I Am Thankful For…

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on November 23, 2011| 2 Comments »

My Amazing Family xox

Dogs To Warm My Feet

Old Friends

And New Friends

Exciting New Adventures

The Freedom to Explore

Being Able To Dream Big

A Quiet Moment With A Cup Of Tea And A Good Book

To Love and Be Loved.

To Love and Be Loved.

Happy Thanksgiving and much love to you and yours.

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A Weekend of Thanks

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , on November 30, 2010| 1 Comment »

It is already Tuesday and I am just finding the time and the peace and quiet to sit down and reflect upon our first American Thanksgiving in New York City.  Many of my friends here in the city asked us if we would be celebrating US Thanksgiving since we had already celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving in October.  My response to them was of course, we wanted to start our new family traditions and also, with all of the hype and anticipation surrounding Thanksgiving how could we not? Thanksgiving here in the United States is a BIG deal.  It is a bigger holiday celebration than Christmas.  As soon as Halloween is over the plans for Thanksgiving begin.  Travel arrangements are made, get togethers are organized and menus are planned with meticulous detail.  At this time Manhattan is turned into a magical holiday place.  Store fronts are transformed, trees are covered in lights and lamp posts are decorated.  The whole city becomes a frenzy of holiday cheer and excitement.

Radio City Music Hall

We were very fortunate to have friends and family with us to help celebrate Thanksgiving.  We kicked off the extra long weekend on Wednesday night by heading on over a couple of blocks to Central Park West and 81st to see the inflation of the balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  There are only certain streets in Manhattan that are wide enough to inflate the balloons for the parade and that is why they use the streets on the Upper West Side.  This is also where the parade starts and then it continues on into midtown towards Macy’s.  The balloon inflation used to be a neighbourhood secret, but word has gotten out and it is now a favourite thing for many New Yorkers  and tourists alike and the crowds are huge.  The best part of this adventure for us is the fact that it is only a couple of blocks from the apartment and we went for a half an hour and then returned home without having to jump on a crowded subway!!

The Smurfs are back!!

On Thanksgiving morning the kids woke up super excited to get going to the parade.  We turned on the t.v. at 7:30 am and saw that people with front row views at the barricades had arrived at 4:30 am!!  Our troops were not quite so dedicated and we left the apartment 10 minutes before the parade started.  We had no idea what to expect.  The crowds heading toward Central Park were huge but everyone was in a festive mood and the excitement and energy of the children was infectious.  Luckily, a wonderfully kind woman allowed our group to watch the parade from her brownstone stoop and we had an excellent view to see the spectacular floats, balloons and of course the guest of honour himself, Santa Claus!!

The crowds looking towards the parade route on Central Park West

Spiderman!!

The Gang on the Stoop

After an incredible time at the parade, the whole gang headed home to our warm and cozy apartment and did what all good Americans do on Thanksgiving- watched football, played games, snuggled on the couch, drank good wine/beer and enjoyed an incredibly delicious feast! A HUGE thank you to Ron, who, once again made an amazing turkey dinner 🙂  All of us were reminded throughout the day that it is the non material things that we are truly thankful for, our friends and loving families.  Well, and maybe one material thing- expandable pants 😉

The BEST thing about American Thanksgiving is that it lasts FOUR days!!  Boy, do they know how to do it right.  I woke up the day after Thanksgiving reflecting on what a great day it was and then I remembered that it was only FRIDAY.  We still had an entire long weekend to be with the family and that really is what holidays are all about, spending time with those people that you love, even if it means having an extra drink sometimes ;).  The gift of time is wonderful.

As we move onto the insanity of Christmas, I do so with a full heart, surrounded by the warmth of the people around me and for that I am grateful.  Thank you.

However, enough with the warm and fuzzies, it IS December tomorrow and I have not started my shopping.  I guess I had better jump into the crowds and get to it! OR, I could go online…

The crowd at Macy's on Saturday... pass me another drink!!

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