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Posts Tagged ‘Rockefeller Centre Tree’

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 11, 2017| 2 Comments »

‘Tis the crazy season! With two weeks to go until Christmas (and Hanukkah starts tomorrow!!) it seems like things are moving at lightening speed. The streets are packed, stores are bustling, tourists are wandering and lets not even talk about the post office. Yikes! I am reminding myself to stop and take a breath every so often- between making cookies, wrapping presents, writing cards and organizing a packing list, oh and working!

But, on Saturday night I did find some time to hang with a cherished friend and sneak away to see the lights and decorations in the City. It is one of my favorite things to do and I don’t always make it a priority. This year I am so glad that I did.

It just so happened that on Saturday we also had our first snow fall of the season. Every time it snows in NYC, I really feel like the city is transformed in to a magical whirling snow globe. The fresh snow makes everything seem beautiful and I swear it is a bit quieter somehow.

We started our adventure off at the GreyDog for dinner on 12th Street and then headed to Union Square to check out the Holiday Market. From there we walked up 7th Avenue past the Flatiron District to Macy’s. From Macy’s we walked up 6th Avenue to Bryant Park and then headed to 5th Avenue to check out the windows along 5th, including Sak’s Fifth Avenue and of course the tree at Rockefeller Center. Our tired and cold feet jumped into a taxi at 59th street and headed home.

Whether you are a tourist or have lived in NYC for all of your life, I highly recommend finding time to do a nighttime walk to see the sights at the holidays. Yes, the crowds can be a bit crazy but there is nothing wrong with fortifying yourself mid walk with a hot chocolate or something a bit stronger to keep your energy up. There are lots of restaurants and pubs along the way! Get out there and then hurry back and get cozy on the couch with your favorite holiday classic, might I suggest “Love Actually”? 😉

Hope you enjoy this year’s pics. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season. May you find some time over the next couple of weeks to do something just for you. Love and hugs, S xo

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2016: “Look Around, How Lucky We Are To Be Alive Right Now”

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 30, 2016| 4 Comments »

The line from “Hamilton: An American Musical” keeps running through my mind right now as I sit here reflecting on the insanity of the year that was 2016. This year has been a whirlwind of ups and downs. And yes, there have been many downs but we are still here. We ARE lucky to be alive right now and to enter 2017, fierce and strong and ready to meet challenges like the badass people we have proven to be. Yep, I am talking about YOU! Go get it my friends!! =)

Sorry, I haven’t written in awhile, one of the resolutions I hope to keep is to get back to my writing. It really does soothe my soul and make me happy.

I have spent the last few days of 2016 with my girls and Memphis. I was lucky enough to get the week off of work and we spent Christmas in Bedford celebrating with good friends and meeting new people in a beautiful setting. We have also had some quality time chilling at home binge watching “Gilmore Girls”.

This time of year is still a bit tough, I find myself with a bit too much time to think and reflect. Not necessarily a bad thing unless I start being a little too hard on myself. I have to remind myself to take a deep breath. I am exactly where I am supposed to be. This year we said goodbye to Dopey dog but it also brought us Memphis. The girls and I have become closer, we are our own little family unit. I have a job that I enjoy, it is chaotic and crazy, it forces me out of my comfort zone. I don’t see my extended family and out of town friends as often as I would like but they are doing a-okay and that makes me smile. Here in the big city I am surrounded by my NYC family and these friends are the glue that hold all the pieces together. My heart is full. For that I am so very humbled and grateful.

I do feel a little uncertain as to what 2017 holds, but I do know this, together, we will be okay. Kindness is key. And love really is the answer. Be well my friends. Happy, Happy, Happy 2017!! -Sandra xo

(I leave you with a few pics from the last few days of this year- Enjoy!)

 

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Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Day in Manhattan

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 28, 2011| 1 Comment »

After a wonderful Christmas morning, opening presents, counting our many blessings and feasting on a yummy brunch we decided to get a bit of exercise. Christmas Day was quite mild here in Manhattan with beautiful blue skies. We hopped on the subway and ventured into midtown, strolling along the sidewalks with all of the restless New Yorkers and tourists. Here are my pics from the day. Hope you enjoy them and are having a spectacular holiday season 🙂

Two excited little girls on Christmas morning!

Large red ornaments near Radio City Music Hall

Radio City Music Hall

Bright Lights, Big City

Festive Street Vendor

The Tree at Rockefeller Center

Looking through the flags

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Tiffany's

Swarovski Snowflake

Window Dressing

If none of the stores are open to get a real one, how about a fake?!

Posing for a Pic 😉

The Plaza

The City's Largest Menorah

Lower Central Park

The Wollman Rink

Carriage ride through the park

A little time for Christmas...

Reflection 😉

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‘Tis the Season: A Whirlwind Weekend of Holiday Fun!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on December 6, 2010| 5 Comments »

It is the crazy season that is for sure!  Crazy busy, that is.  There is always something to do in NYC, but with the holiday season in full swing there seems to be even more exciting things to see and do.  This weekend with very special guests from Ottawa along for the ride, we ventured out to enjoy the holiday festivities.

A & P Skating at Bryant Park

Our weekend started off at a skating birthday party in magical Bryant Park.  It was an absolutely beautiful morning.  Watching the girls skate around the rink made me a bit nostalgic for Ottawa.  I have to admit I was proud of the Canadian girls holding their own on the rink ;).  Bryant Park, nestled among the surrounding buildings including the Empire State Building, is gorgeous this time of year. There is the outdoor rink where you can skate for FREE, the temporary craft and gift shops lining the park as well as the amazing food stands.  I had a cinnamon and sugar crepe, which was not nearly as good as a beavertail but was still pretty yummy.  There is a beautiful decorated tree that towers over one end of the rink with the New York Grand Central Library in the background.

Krista and Sandra under the tree at Bryant Park

After some well deserved hot chocolate we headed into Times Square to meet Uncle Bobby, our very talented friend Robert Creighton who is currently playing Amos Hart in the Broadway musical “Chicago”, for lunch.  The girls begged and begged to go to the matinee but we had to tell them AGAIN that the show was not age appropriate for them, so they had to settle for walking him to the theatre.  They had been spoiled before being able to see him in both “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid”.

Hamming it up with Uncle Bobby

We continued on our way to explore a bit more of Times Square but eventually the overwhelming crowds coupled with tired children forced our decision to head home.  The children had a special treat that evening as our wonderful neighbours invited them over to help light the candles on their Menorah for the fourth day of Hanukkah.  It was a very special moment for our daughters who have been learning all about the Jewish traditions at school and from their friends.  It truly warmed my heart and made me realize how lucky we are to live beside such caring people.  A & R have both invited our neighbours over for Christmas as they “think that they would really like it”.  Very funny.  I love the fact that the girls are embracing all that is new with such incredible enthusiasm.  Truly a lesson to be learned from the children.

Krista and I spent the rest of the evening touring Manhattan and enjoying all of the wonderful holiday sites even stumbling across the Mitzvah Tank Parade on 5th Avenue. There is always something unique and interesting going on in this city!!

The Lit Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Centre

Sunday was indeed a spectacular day for all of us as we started off by picking out our Christmas tree and then we went and saw the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. It really is a magical event.  The Rockettes are mesmerizing.  You would have to be Scrooge himself to leave this show and not be feel the Christmas spirit.  The girls loved it! It really is literally, a kick off to the festive season.

The girls all dressed up to go to the Christmas Spectacular

Anxiously awaiting the show at Radio City Music Hall

After the show, the BIG girls were able to unwind from the whirlwind weekend by enjoying a fabulous dinner at Buddakan (thanks Ron!).  Yep, we packed a lot into the weekend and I do have to admit as much as I am already missing our good friends (tears!). And as much as I love having visitors, I am really looking forward to putting on the Christmas music, starting up the fireplace (t.v. channel 699) and decorating the tree with the family and the dogs. There are even snow flurries falling outside the window… Spectacular!

The Tree!

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