City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York.

This might be my last post for a while.  My vintage PC laptop is suffering from age, and is definitely on its way out.  It's been good to me ever since we got acquainted back in 2005.

I now have to decide what type of laptop to buy.  This purchase might take place next week. The debate is whether to convert to the land of Apple.  I have never used any Apple devices, although many of my friends urge me that Apple is the way to go.

What do you all think?  I welcome all your comments and advice.  Please do be as specific as you like.  There is a lovely Apple store a short walk away, filled with bright helpful folks and shiny Apple products.

It is my hope that this current laptop upon which I now type will hold out long enough for me to be able to read your comments.  In the past week my e-mail sending and receiving has been suffering.

I thank you in advance for any help you all will offer.

Good morning from New York on February 2, celebrated by some as Groundhog Day.

Media teams gather in a few locations around the country, waiting to see if certain designated (and named) groundhogs come out of their burrows and see their shadows.  Shadows depend on available sunlight.  If shadows are seen, groundhogs see their own shadows, and therefore we are deemed to expect six more weeks of wintry weather.  If the designated groundhogs do not see their shadows, spring-like weather will soon be on the way.

It is a brilliantly sunny day here in New York with temperatures well below freezing.  You may draw your individual conclusions.

A while back we did already have some weather that was much warmer and I managed to get over to Central Park to take a few photographs of the pretty little snowdrops that were putting on a show.

There is always something so cheering about these sturdy little blooms.  I recall that the afternoon when I took these photographs was warm enough not to require hat or gloves.

Things have changed since then.

I brought some spring flowers into my apartment to celebrate the end of January.  When I purchased these daffodils, their buds were still tightly wrapped in green.

The daffodils are placed on a very cool and deep windowsill in my bathroom.  Meanwhile, in an overheated part of my little living room, I am still hanging on to some very dried-out ilex branches bought before Christmas.  I still like how they look next to a vintage Christmas edition of The Illustrated London News, a gift from some dear friends.

Let us take another peek at the daffs to see how those buds are doing.  The little green pitcher has to share space with my make-up containers.

Just behind the daffs, are these two towering paperwhite narcissus blooms, the final performers of some bulbs bought in early December.  Their scent is light, and the flowers are  delicate beauties.

This is also flu season.  I elected not to have a flu shot back in November.  Instead, I continue to wash my hands quite often, and have lots of vitamin C.  Clementines are a deliciously sweet way to add vitamin C.  I've also been trying to get lots of rest.

No rest for the daffodils!  Their transformation continues.

Aren't they lovely?

I wonder why some of the buds open up more quickly than others?

Here is a close up view of how sunny yellow spring symbols can be found indoors in early February.  I am cheered with every view.

When venturing outdoors, either to go to work, to do my neighborhood errand runs, or to visit friends, I bundle up in many layers.  My trusty down coat serves me well.

Indoors, on days off, I've been making soups, lots of pasta dishes, enjoying oatmeal with golden raisins for breakfast.  Carbohydrates feature prominently.

Lots of knitting is going on as I continue to attempt to create items for a possible Etsy shop.

Daylight grows longer every day and I seem to stay very busy, always meaning to post blogs more frequently than I seem to manage.

Thank you all for your visits and comments.

City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York.

This new year with the 2013 number is already two weeks old.    Any silent resolution I might have made to myself for frequent blog posts has already fallen by the wayside.  How does this happen?

My 2013 alibi states that during December 2012 I did have some extra days off, and used them well to celebrate Christmas.  2013 has seen my return to a more familiar work schedule, while still trying to find time for enjoyable off-duty pursuits.

Please allow me to show you some downtown NYC views in the SoHo neighborhood where I work.  Up until today, our recent weather has been strangely warm and fog has featured prominently in daily forecasts.  If you stare intently at a spot just below the center of the following photo of Thompson Street, you might just make out a shadowy form of the so-called Freedom Tower, under construction as a replacement for the demolished Twin Towers.

Even when the weather is odd, and the sky is grey, we can always count on being cheered up by a visit to the corner of Thompson and Spring Streets, just past the mural-enhanced Metropolitan Lumber hardware store. 

Your destination is Ben's!  It's a classic NYC pizza place, and has been serving up delicious pizza with lots of laughter for over 30 years.

I usually bring along a home packed sandwich for lunch, but when that is not possible, Ben's is always there to supply a delicious, fattening and reasonably-priced lunch.  It a place where you can be called Sweetheart by the cashier and take that as a compliment!

Back uptown at home on my days off, I continue my knitting and crocheting with the notion of eventually accumulating enough items to start up an etsy shop.  I have discovered some wonderfully well-designed little gizmos from Japan that help me to create perfect pom poms.

I have also discovered that it is possible to order genuine Shetland wool from Scotland.  

With a generous color range of four-ply weight yarns, it is so much fun to play with various fair isle stitch patterns.  Even on grey days, color can reign.

Of course, more subtle colorways can also turn out just fine.

Yesterday's weather forecast indicated that we were to have some snow last night.  What actually happened was a little snow, followed by some sleet, followed by rain.  The fog was banished, replaced by a much, much chillier day today.

It was a good day to meet a friend at The Museum of Modern Art.  Aside from MOMA's magnificent own collection, there are currently two very special short-term exhibits.  One features the brilliant choreographers Eiko and Koma, performing their Caravan Project on the  main floor of the Museum.  

The above photo is taken from last Sunday's New York Times, and credited to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center of the University of Maryland.  You can find out more about these amazing performers via the MOMA site. 

My own little alarm clock symbolizes the other remarkable exhibit we saw today.  

"The Clock" is described a a cinematic tour de force, in which thousands of bits from many, many films have been edited to provide a 24-hour long film that runs in real time.  Some of the film clips are from silent black and white classics, some are from very recent films.  Each five to fifteen second clip features something about a particular sense of time at a very specific time.  

It is necessary to queue up waiting for admission to the mini cinema.  We waited about thirty minutes, but successfully avoided checking our own watches, preferring to have a catch-up chat as old friends will do.  We were granted entry just after noon, and so we missed seeing some of the more obvious clips from High Noon or 12 O'Clock High, but certainly were entertained by many recognizable lunchtime scenes, as well as some other mid-day suspense  moments.  It's a great concept.  Once inside the little cinema, seated on rather uncomfortable  sofas, you can stay as long as you like.  

Before The Clock ends on January 21, the museum will offer folks opportunities to actually spend a full 24 hours there to see the entire film.  Wow.  No refreshments are allowed.

I do hope that you all have enjoyed seeing some of these January city views.  I am so glad that you enjoyed the New Year's sugar cookies and thank you for your visits and comments.

City Views, Country Dreams

Happy New Year to one and all from New York!

Here is a plate of freshly baked New Year's cookies to accompany whatever beverage you all might choose to refill that Christmas tea cup.

This first day of January offers us opportunities to make plans, knowing that those plans might evolve.  It's also a grand time to connect with folks who mean so much to us.  Many thanks to all who visit here.  It's such a pleasure to read your comments, and experience many marvelous connections all around the world.

Do enjoy the cookies while they are still warm!

City Views, Country Dreams

Hello from New York on the very first day of winter in the year 2012.

Please do fill this little watercolor Christmas tea cup with whatever beverage you prefer and join me in toasting all that is glorious about this very beautiful time of the year.

Many thanks to all of you who've visited hereabouts during the past year.  I've enjoyed your comments, and even been able to meet some of you all in person.  Let's look forward to many fine days in the New Year that is just around the corner.

City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York on 12.12.12, a date considered auspicious and lucky by many.  It is a date that found me realizing that I still have many Christmas preparations to complete.

I have also realized that I'd promised you all a link to my friend Elizabeth's marvelous December 4 post about a very enjoyable afternoon Open House at the New York Public Library.  Of course, by now Elizabeth has also created several additional posts, so you will now have extra dividends if you visit her site.

In between some actual required days working at the shop, I have been knitting and crocheting gifts, doing some other gift shopping, visiting the Post Office and thinking about greenery, cookie baking and keeping to a true Christmas spirit.

While out and about in my west side neighborhood today, I did remember to take my camera along, but forgot to check the battery strength.  Nonetheless, some seasonal images did get captured before the camera surrendered.

Neighborhood florists each seem to carry a unique selection of greenery and flowers, so it's fun to see which shop has what.

So far, I have started forcing  some paperwhite narcissus bulbs on a cool, deep windowsill.  I am hoping that there might be at least one bloom by Christmas.

My neighborhood has lots of churches.  I admit that I have not been inside most of them, but I do enjoy knowing that they are nearby.

The church pictured above is a Baptist church.  The church pictured below is a Catholic church.

I saw a holly bush with lots of red berries near the entrance to a rather bland apartment house and thought it was great that the bush was doing such a fine decorating job.  Someone had also been taking care to keep it neatly trimmed.

Nearby was flower stand outside a small corner grocery/deli shop.  Many different types of branches were for sale.  If my camera's battery had not begun sending me warnings, I would have taken more photos right then and there.

Here is another neighborhood Catholic church.  This church is quite large, but is located on a narrow side street.  I could not manage to take a photo of its entire facade.  You might be able to see the small wreath hung over its doorway.  The wreath seems a very modest choice.

Cyclamen are tempting at this time of the year.  Their colorful flowers and pretty leaves put on a very good show.   

It's possible to buy narcissus plants that are all ready to bloom, but I prefer to have the suspense of waiting for foliage, and then blooms, to emerge my bare bulbs, nestled in river rock beds in heavy glass vases.

This final photo is of a Lutheran church that once featured as a location in the original Ghostbusters movie.  Every year, on Advent Sundays, it is a treat to attend Bach vespers services here.  The church is always beautifully decorated and the music is sublime.  I have not gone to any of these services in some years, but might manage to attend at least one this December. 

Perhaps this post will have given you all a neighborhood view of Christmastime in New York that is very different from the bright lights of midtown Fifth Avenue.  I think that I am lucky to be able to enjoy the variety that the city offers.

City Views, Country Dreams

Good morning from New York on a foggy first Sunday in Advent.

Here's a foggy photo of my Advent calendar.  I took this picture before I began opening the little windows.  So far, I found a hidden bell and starry tree ornament behind the first two doors.

This is such a busy season in New York, with many folks visiting from other parts of our country and abroad.  I braved the sidewalk crowds in the midtown Fifth Avenue area earlier this week, and decided to snap a few Christmas seasonal sight to share with you all.

Here you see a charming little vignette in a Lord & Taylor store window.  Santa is busy checking is list to see who's been naughty or nice, while one of the reindeer pops in to see how toy production is going.

Also at L & T, this is a partial view of a traditional outdoor market scene.  Lots of baked goods are available.  I have yet to even begin collecting ingredients for my own cookie baking!

Yet another partial view of a Lord & Taylor window shows us a Japanese pavilion with lovely lanterns bobbing in the air.  I would imagine that those kimono clad ladies might be a little chilly.

Each of the above windows do feature some subdued animation and loudspeakers were playing very loud, not always traditional, music that seemed to not be a perfect match for the window designs.

It was the night before I took this picture that major television broadcasting covered the official lighting of this year's giant Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.  I am not sure if you can see in my photograph some remaining cables attached to the tree.  

The skating rink area below the tree was being reconditioned after the television show, so that skating might resume.  The first step in the reconditioning involved some large water hoses applying lots to water to the roughed up ice.  Later on a machine, with an Italian name I cannot remember, would be used to smooth the surface to perfection.

Just to the northern side of the skating area I found these giant music makers.  You can see some large metallic flags waving in the breeze.  The glass-domed feature in the background is an elevator that can take folks down to the skating level.   There are also some restaurants located on the lower level circumference of the skating rink.

Also in the Rockefeller Center area is a delightful Anthropologie shop, whose windows often make imaginative use of paper.  I thought these simple lanterns were quite lovely...sort of a variation on carved Jack O Lanterns, perhaps.

Anthropologie also featured quite a few giant papier mache style animals that had been whimsically decorated.

Since the sidewalks really were quite full, and my camera was flashing a low-battery warning light, I decided to curtail more photography until I reached the splendor of Bergdorf Goodman, a sumptuous luxury store that is celebrating a big anniversary, with windows that seemed to have a Jazz Age theme to their elegance. 

The following photo is of a very tiny window that was filled with lots of detail.

This picture shows some of a very large window, and indicates the fantasy that is usually associated with this shop's displays.  I did think that some of this year's BG windows were not quite as effective as those I remember from years past.

As the midday sun tried to peek out from the crowds, the reflective factor became apparent when I took this next photo.  This couple is seated at a theatre that seems to be part of a snow drift.  The gentleman is holding a variation of the usual Playbill given out at Broadway productions.  This version is a tribute to the Bergdorf anniversary.

Returning to my own west side neighborhood, I saw lots of beautiful potential Christmas trees for sale at the many sidewalk stands that appear just after Thanksgiving day.  Some of these trees are tall and full-branched, ready to be a focal point in someone's large apartment.

Others are more modest in scale, yet still have poise and beauty.

This is my initial Christmas in New York post.  I expect to be taking some more photographs as this months continues and will share some more city views with you all.  It's a wonderful time of the year!