Saturday, December 29, 2012

Hello again

Christmas was a bit sad for us, as my husband’s brother continues his stay in the hospital. I haven’t written about it because it’s not my story to tell and besides, it’s personal. And I’m a big proponent for keeping personal business off the internet – especially when it’s someone else’s business.

I did get to visit him several times however, and Christmas Day was spent with my husband’s family as it has been for as long as we’ve been together. I got to see some of my side of the family as well which is always fun. But I have to say that the most fun was spent during a trip to New York City.

I have been planning this for awhile now and in the end, it was a much-needed getaway. I met up with my blogging friend, Daryl, on the Upper West Side. And Janice came in on the train from Richmond, bringing her two kids. I have been wanting to visit the top of Rockefeller Center and we did it, meeting my son for the trip to the top.

 

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I timed it so that it would be just around sunset, and we watched as the lights of the city slowly came on, giving the night a special glow. That’s the Empire State Building you see there, dressed up for the holidays.

It was seriously cold up there, let me tell you. The day began with rain, but thankfully it cleared in time for our visit. The wind was whipping at this height and the plexiglass walls helped some as a buffer, but at the very top there was no protection so I couldn’t stay up there that long. I did get several decent shots between the plexiglass walls, though.

 

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My son took this one of me before the sun went down.

So happy.

 

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Afterward, we rode the elevator down to the ground floor and went out to see the tree at Rockefeller Center. I was especially enamored with these blue lights on the bare branches of the trees. A beautiful photo of them can be found on Daryl’s blog, {here}.

And, to give you some idea of the crowd, check out {this photo}.

 

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We walked and walked, and when I could walk no more, we took cabs.

 

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And the subway.

 

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Janice’s son and daughter were wonderful to have along.

 

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We went to Central Park, just for a quick visit.

 

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That’s the Dakota on the right side of the photo above.

We had wonderful food. I could do an entire post of food pictures. On Friday evening, we met up with Lauren and her beautiful daughter, Emma at one of our favorite places to eat – Robert, on the 9th floor of the Museum of Art & Design at Columbus Circle. My son joined us there as well.

 

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Daryl scored us a window seat reservation. This is my cocktail. It’s called The Redford and is made with Kanon organic vodka, cucumber and mint. Yummy.

But the best part of all was coming home to someone who really missed me. And to my husband.

(Got you there, didn’t I? Actually, my husband and my dog missed me equally as much, I believe).

 

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This was my view coming up the driveway this afternoon.

Shot with my camera phone.

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More photos to come. Too tired to edit much more tonight.

123 Signature[5]

37 comments:

Country Gal said...

Fantastic photos ! I am so glad you had a great time . Sorry to hear of your hubby's brother he is in our prayers ! Looking forward to more photos that's for sure . If I don't catch up to ya before hand I hope you all have a Happy New Year !

Nellie said...

Great photos! It is easy to see everyone was having a grand time in NYC! And - what a snowy welcome you had today! Sending wishes for wellness along for your husband's brother.

Unknown said...

I absolutely love NYC and so say a very big thank you for these incredible vignettes.

I absolutely love you my friend of afar, and all of the family and hard and love and gathering makes my heart ache and burst for and with.

Cloudia said...

Magical day in NYC! But I'm plum tuckered out...Thanks for sharing the fun outing.


Aloha from Honolulu,
Comfort Spiral
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Peppermint Ph.D. said...

We know several families who take a few days during the Christmas holidays to visit NYC...I'd love to start this tradition with my girls :)
Beautiful photos as always :)

Sabrina Steyling said...

Beautiful pictures of NYC! I haven't gone in at Christmas time for two years now, but I love those familiar blue lights on the trees as well. So pretty. I went to the top of the Empire State Building only once, back in 2003 when I went into the City at Christmas with some friends for the very first time. I don't remember the experience of getting up there, but I do recall what it felt like to be at the top. Breathtaking! :)

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

LOVE these pictures. Loved the time we all had together. Just love.

beth said...

what a great trip !!....one of these days i tell you, i am joining you all there...but like you, i'd like it to be a bit warmer....okay, ,maybe a lot warmer :)

i'm so glad you got away....as i know how your soul and your heart were needing that trip.....xo

beth said...

ps...love you in your hat :)

Low Tide High Style said...

Sorry to hear that your brother in law has been ill, I hope he is better. Gorgeous pictures...I'm so glad you had the chance to get away!

Kat

abb said...

Bless you, dear friend. Wish I could have been two places at once. xoxo

BB said...

Good lord your camera phone takes amazing pics... so inviting myself to your driveway to try it out my camera there. Looks magic.

Again... jealous of your NYC visits.
Happy New Year my friend.

BB

Snap said...

I'm so glad you got away and had a wonderful time. Nice to know your were missed by George and Hubby! :D :D

Anonymous said...

All shots are very pretty, but the final one stole my heart since it pretty much says how we all feel when we come home.

Happy New Year to you, Kate, and to both of the boys in the house that missed you too!

xox

Carolynn Anctil said...

Brrr...it does look cold there. As you may know, I've had my fill of city life. I have to say though, that is one beautiful shot of New York. Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. Glad to see you got a much needed getaway.

Carolynn
(A Glowing Ember)

Kerri Farley said...

FUN FUN FUN - and that last "snowy" shot is breathtaking!

Em Parkinson said...

Lovely to see a photo of you as well as the trip round NYC. Is the Empire State supposed to look like an alien? Sorry you have sadness at Christmas but hope you have a happier new year. xx

The Weaver of Grass said...

Lovely photographs of NYC - I went up there but never thought to make it at twilight for the photos!
That last photo of going up your drive is exquisite. Happy and healthy New Year to you both (and to a certain dog.)

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

I always wish I could join you and Daryl for your fun around NYC. I would also need a warmer day, even if I had a hat like yours....which I think is perfect for such winter weather.

Smalltowngiggles said...

Looks and sounds like a fun time was had my all. Hope things go better with you brother-in-law. Love the blue tree and the view from the Empire State building. Thanks for sharing.

Jan's camera said...

Hi Kate, Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law being ill. We also had a sad Christmas with my brother-in-law's mother passing away during the early hours of Christmas Eve.

Beautiful photos. NYC at Christmastime. I love your photo of the city at night. I have never been to the top of Rockefeller Center. I need to plan a trip to do just that. I was only in NYC at Christmastime once and I always remember it as being so magical. Happy New Year.

Candace said...

Stunning photos of NYC...and your driveway!

Lisa Gordon said...

I am sorry to hear that your husband's brother is sick, Kate. I hope that he is well again soon.

My goodness, these photographs are just gorgeous! It sounds and looks like you had a wonderful time. Love, love, love the first photograph. I see that enlarged and hanging on a wall for all to see.

Happy New Year to you!
xo.

LT said...

Gorgeous photographs! Looks so lovely and christmassy xxx

http://promisestokeepbeforeisleep.blogspot.co.uk/

alphabet soup said...

Those lights outside the Rockefeller
Centre are beautiful. A case of less being more. Glad you enjoyed your break in NY.
Ms Soup

Reena said...

Oh got to live vicariously with you all through your photos! Beautiful.

Donna S. said...

Was hoping you all would get together when I read Lauren was going up there, Soo very cool. Would love to be there so thanks for taking me with you in pictures. Hope brother in law improves quickly

Annie said...

So wonderful you could all get together Kate. And wonderful photos too! Very homesick for NYC.
Thinking of you and your hubby with your brother in law in hospital. God Bless.

Skogkjerring said...

Hey Kate,
Thought I´d stop by to wish you a wonderful New Year and then you had this lovely post about a wonderful trip to a city I still plan to one day visit (and hope you can meet me when I finally get there!)
I loved your hat by the way!!! I had to laugh also about your being missed and by your husband too...hahahahaha...silly woman! As I wrote on Instagram, that last photo is amazing! What program do you use on your phone that gives you photos like that??? Looked like you had edited it on a program on the computer? Happy New Year my friend! Hugs from me and the fur gang here in Norway :-)

mrs mediocrity said...

Oh, so sorry to hear about you brother-in-law. So glad you were able to get away for some fun. That picture of you is adorable.
Sending hugs and wishing you all good things in 2013. xoxo

Lili said...

You are such a cutie in your winter ensemble...love that look! These were all so great, I could just feel the festive mood in them. So sorry to hear about your brother in-law though Kate. xoxo

Bluebird49 said...

Since I'm pretty sure I'll never get there-I'm so glad to sit NYC through your eyes! So glad we got to see a picture of YOU this time around! Happy New Year, Kate!
ps...hope your brother-in-law is going to get better soon!

Bluebird49 said...

Hmmmm, "SIT" NYC??? I guess I was hoping I'd be sitting in NYC someday---but meant SEEING through your eyes! lol And no--I didn't have New Year's drinks--the drink I read you had with the cucumber and mint sounded really good.

The JR said...

Sorry to hear your BIL is ill. Hope he gets well soon.

I love the pictures!

sharon said...

Loved the building decorations! So cool the way the lights were wrapped.

Donna Boucher said...

Thank you for sharing your amazing pictures of New York. One day. One day.

GailO said...

Love your photos! I am lucky to live close enough to NYC and to visit occaisionally. Mr O and I usually try to get there at some time during the Christmas season and last year I took a similar photo of those beautiful lights...
http://threeos.blogspot.com/2011/12/28-december.html
Unfortunately we will be car shopping this year rather than going to the city for fun:)

It is always nice to come home though isn't it?