out and about in nyc (central park), part one

Central Park is hands down my favorite place

to be in New York City.  See there I am in the center of the ice

rink pretending I'm in the Winter Olympics.  (Kidding, that is

definitely not me!)  I loved watching the skaters though. 

The only times that I have been in New York have been

in the summer, so this brisk weather with the sun out was

so lovely - I came prepared with my clothing and loved

being out in the cool weather.

The 2nd day I went thru the park was quite a bit warmer and

the warmth of the sun had me peeling my jacket and scarf off.

It was so much fun just people watching.  Everyone

out for their Sunday stroll (or run).  There were quite

a few runners out there in their shorts, alot of families

walking and biking and playing - enjoying the day.

And there was me loving my walk and snapping photos of

some of my favorite aspects of the park.  This tile work was

under one of the bridges leading to The Mall and when I

walked under it, there was a youth group singing
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

(I was singing along with them as I was snapping my photos

of all the gorgeous tile work.)

 

Isn't this bench beautiful - I just love it!

I had a smile on my face the whole time I was walking thru

this park, it is just so lovely.  Of course, I still haven't scratched

the surface of it, but hopefully one day I will trek further and enjoy

more of it's beauty.

 

Rustic Wrought Iron makes my heart sing.

 

As do gorgeous flowers



And beautiful skylines...As I was finishing up my walk, I heard
some fabulous music - it was an elderly man playing some great
tunes on his saxophone - When The Saints Go Marching In was playing
as I walked by.  I stood for a few moments just listening, it was great!

As much fun as it is to get away and explore different cities,

there is definitely no place like home and I always look forward

to that just as much as the trip itself!

 

Enjoy each moment and be kind !

xxoo

paley park..

I found another cool vest pocket park in New York called Paley Park and it was right around the corner from my hotel.   I walked by it several times and didn't even notice it.  But I had read about this park, so I looked it up the day we left New York and I literally ran over there to check it out, a few minutes before we left.

We also spent a few nights in a cute town on the Jersey Shore.  I will post some photos of it, but am very tired we had a long day of flying and a few delays, so off to bed I go!!

xxoo

Sunday stroll thru Central Park...



What a gorgeous weekend in NYC!

xxoo

cheers to the weekend..

My weekend is starting early.  Tonight my friend Sally and I are going to see Tea at Five - a play about Katherine Hepburns life and career starring Stephanie Zimbalist.  We are so excited!!!  I love going to the theater!

Tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn (and I mean it..) My beau and I are heading to the Big Apple - NYC.  We will have a weekend of planes, trains, automobiles, ferries, football, friends, lots of walking and alot of eating!!  Looking forward to it!

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!  Share a smile with a stranger!

xxoo

(photo via centralparknyc.org)

love.this.quote...

No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.

- Amelia Earhart -

(photo via here)

breakfast at tiffany's (almost)...

Bottega Del Vino is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a very artistic, beautiful cappuccino and a tasty pain au chocolat. It is just a few blocks from Tiffany's and a hop, skip and a jump from Central Park and the Plaza Hotel. (Literally right across the street.)

I have only eaten a pastry there, but the food looks, sounds and smells delicious.  It is a fabulous place to sit and watch the world go by and do some serious people watching.  I am hoping that on the few days we will be in New York City this coming weekend, that I will be able to get up early, enjoy the scenery at one of those outdoor tables and then take a nice, long brisk walk thru Central Park.

Have a great day!

xxoo

(1.photo from here & 2. photo is mine)

a tiny little gem...

Aside from the gorgeous Central Park

New York City has some very tiny hidden gems

called "vest pocket parks"

Greenacre Park just happens to be only a few blocks

from our hotel.  I can't believe I never found this beautiful place

on our last few trips.  So next weekend, this will be one of my

first stops when I trek out for my early morning walk.  I can't wait!

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend and looks forward to a fabulous week ahead!  Happy Monday, make it a great day!

xxoo

cheers to the weekend..

Slowly it's becoming fall in my neck of the woods,

Finally!!!  This weekend I plan to do a bit of organizing

around the house, spend time with my guy (who as of today,

will be unchained from his office desk, at last!), getting some exercising

in and getting my suitcase packed for next weekend, as I have

a busy week ahead!  Wherever you go, whatever you do

Enjoy each and every second of it!

Have a beautiful weekend!

xxoo

love.this.quote...

This poem is one that I had in poster form on my wall

as a teen (many decades ago), it was written in the 1920's
which goes to show you the more things change

the more they remain the same.  To this day, I love this

poem, it truly says it all!

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even to the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;

they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain or bitter,

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals,

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love,

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

~ Max Ehrmann~



(photo via here)

smile monday..

This made you smile, didn't it?

Enjoy the beauty all around you!

xxoo

(photo via here)

cheers to the weekend...



Two weeks and counting.....

This weekend to enjoy list: visit my senior friends, maybe bake something with lots of pumpkin in it - this is not a good time of year for my thighs...just sayin...put more herbs in my herb garden, kick my rear into gear and get some more walking, bike riding or any form of exercise in, spend time with my daughter and my guy and RELAX!!!

Thank you for your comments this week and I hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend whatever you choose to do!!  Enjoy!!

xxoo

a strange thing has happened...

We have a little thing called RAIN happening today outside.....So I happily brought out the umbrella and put on my turtleneck sweater.  Although we really didn't have much of a summer, the older I get the more I enjoy the cooler weather and layering on the clothes. I hope it sticks around for a few days!  I just want to curl up with a book and sip on hot apple cider, but off to work I must go!

On a another note I had a nice dinner out with a couple of my girlfriends.  We went to a small French restaurant and had a fabulous time!  It felt like I was in Paris all over again!!

Have a beautiful day today!

xxoo



love.this.quote...

xxoo

(photo via here)

smile monday...

Good Morning! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  I had a very nice low key weekend hanging out at home.  I did some reading, spent some time with my daughter and my guy, went to visit a  good friend and watched a few movies, of course!  Make it a great day, everyone! 

xxoo

(photo via here)

yum sunday...

My daughter, Stephanie and I decided to try a recipe from Alicia Silverstone's Vegan cookbook The Kind Life and this was a very quick and easy treat to make, and very tasty!  A healthier alternative to an old favorite of mine as a child - peanut butter rice krispie treats!! 

Ingredients

* 1 box brown rice crisps cereal

* 1 3/4 cups brown rice syrup

* Fine sea salt

* 3/4 cup peanut butter or almond butter (preferably unsweetened and unsalted)

* 1/2 cup grain-sweetened, nondairy chocolate or carob chips

 

Preparation

Pour rice cereal into a large bowl. Heat the syrup with a pinch of salt in a saucepan over low heat. When the rice syrup liquefies, add the peanut butter and stir until well combined. Pour over the rice cereal. Mix well with a wooden spoon.

 

Once thoroughly mixed and cooled to room temperature, stir in the chocolate chips. Make sure the mixture is cool, or you will end up with melted chocolate instead of chocolate chips in your treats.

 

Turn the mixture out into an 8x8” or 9x13’” baking dish. Wet your wooden spoon lightly and press the mixture evenly into the pan. Let cool for 1 hour -- if you can -- before cutting into squares or bars.

Enjoy the rest of  your weekend!

xxoo



cheers to the weekend...

This weekend is going to be a girly pampering weekend for me.  Yeah!  Just what I need after a long busy week.  I picked up "A Moveable Feast" from the library and am looking forward to reading it this weekend, going for some walks and maybe watching a few classic movies.  I kind of feel like baking too, as this is the time of year that I get in the mood - thinking maybe an apple cobbler or pumpkin bread...yum!  Thank you for all the nice comments this week, I appreciate them.

Have a fabulously fun weekend everyone!

xxoo

(photo via here)