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.

 

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.

 

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

So happy.

 

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}.

 

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

 

And the subway.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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).

 

This was my view coming up the driveway this afternoon.

Shot with my camera phone.

:   :   :

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