New York, New York...It's a Wonderful Town

It was a very short trip, but it was still traveling!

Susan and I flew to New York after we finished 

Bible Study Fellowship last Wednesday.

Feelin' the love!

We took a taxi from LaGuardia to our hotel.

The Arthouse at 77th and Broadway

It was a gorgeous day in NYC

Photo Cred: Susannah McCaskill

One of the advantages of our hotel was that it was connected

to a lovely Italian restaurant, Serafina.

We conveniently ate at Serafina both nights I was there!

Susannah and Nick joined us the first night, and 

Madeline the second!

We neglected to take many pics (out of practice) but

here I am with Susannah and Nick walking across the

street after dinner to get cream puffs for dessert.

Bummer...they were closed.

So Susannah walked to Insomnia Cookies and got us

this "warm" deliciousness!

Here we are...Nick had to go home and work!

Lovely areas to sit and visit and eat cookies in the hotel!

Thursday morning and we're walking in New York!

We walked to a very special restaurant, Sarabeth's.

I am so cool when I'm with this group!!!

And I got to see my Madeline! 

The lights of my life. 

That's Maddie on the left and Susie on the right.

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We got the perfect window table!

Okay, here goes. Maddie taught me a new phrase--

very appropoś for me:

"The camera eats first!" 

Madeline's avacado toast

Susannah's popovers and the best orange juice ever

Susan's and my crab benedict

Now Susannah had to leave us. She had to go work!

It was pouring rain so

we jumped in an Uber and headed for the 

Museum of Natural History.

I had never been and unbelievable to Susan had never

 seen "Night at the Museum," which was filmed there.

Now I have! I watched the movie last night!

Here we three are with Dum-Dum!

For Sarah Lynn Festger, who loves giraffes

Elephants are truly gigantic

Teddy was so good in the movie!

I was pretty proud of this shot. I got the whole thing!

Dinner at Serafina again with Maddie

Our profiteroles for dessert!

And then it was Friday. Highlight of the day? 

Seeing Susannah's and Nick's new apartment.

It is so New York, right across the street from Central Park.

They have it decorated so appealingly and attractively!

Lots of beautiful wedding gifts displayed and used!

This is her total counter space! What a memory this will be.

They do absolutely great with their space and LOVE it.

And each other. They so obviously love each other!

Nick was there working!

We had to be kinda quiet, not so easy for us!

We walked a short distance to a food stand. They all got 

breakfast croissants. I got the world's biggest doughnut!

We walked across to Central Park!

This is the bridge leading to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Reservoir. If you enlarge it you can see a man under the

bridge playing a musical instrument. There is often a band

playing there because of the excellent acoustics.

Again, if you enlarge there are beautiful flowers there.

The girls and the city from Central Park West!

This empty church is right next to Sus and Nick's apartment.

The back windows of their bedroom look on stained glass

windows in the church. Pretty cool.

This is a shared patio area. Pictures taken from the street.

Time for me to catch a flight home.

LaGuardia was deserted.

And my flight was at 4:30 in the afternoon!

A lot of steps for me!

A lot of miles!

I'll tell you more about what's happening with my 

New York girls soon.

It's complicated, and I'm out of practice with this blogging.

Too bad my Fitbit doesn't show how long it's taken me

to get all these pics from my little 3 day trip on here!

My Christmas 2020

My Christmas does look very different this year. I am going to show you my decorations--quite different from the past.

I bought this for my table in the glass room where I live!

The entry hall table. My Christmas tree!

My Santa

Can't forget Grandma Moses.

And my favorite part of my Christmas decorations, always.

And that is it. Those are my decorations.

Two talented decorators have put up my Christmas decorations for years. Their health did not permit them to handle the job this year. I have not been as sad as I thought I might be. But I am grateful for every year that I got to revel in them. If you want to see what I'm missing this year,  

CLICK HERE

It has also been heart wrenching not to get to sing in our choir music presention. I will never "grinch" about having to go to those extra rehearsals again! Such an important part of Christmas to me. So much joy.

I did two special things for myself to try to compensate for the losses. I "attended" Andrea Bocelli's virtual live concert from Italy on my computer screen. It was fabulous. I didn't take any pictures, but you may have seen this one from the presentation.

Then I treated myself to Michael W. Smith's virtual Christmas celebration. It was from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and was also a treat for me.  I got some screen shots.

From the comfort of my sofa and blanket!

He closed with Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them. One of my favorites. 

I'm thinking virtual concerts are more my speed now anyway!

What did you think about that Christmas star? Although I know it wasn't really a star. This picture from the Hubble telescope is mesmerizing to me. 

Doesn't it look just like the star of Bethlehem in this photo? I can't believe I got to experience this in my lifetime.

So today the Stovall and Metzger families got together to exchange Christmas gifts. But not all together as we have so pleasantly done for years. We were safe...masked and spaced. The Metzger clan was first on Rob's and Susan's wonderful "porch." Then the Stovall group moved in. As usual, we had lots of love and laughs---just no hugs. I only took a few pictures.

My sleigh, all loaded and ready to go. I didn't make a single real bow this year. Guy's gifts got no ribbon. Girl's gifts got some cheater bows. (That's leftover and taped or tied on.) 

A more loving and generous pair you never will see...Jay & Terri

My unbelievable "haul."

So heart warming to a grandmother to see how much the newlyweds still like each other...Susannah and Nick

Rob, Susan, and Madeline who had just flown in from New York for the celebration!

Does anyone remember when I gave Rob this "ostrich pillow?" Well, he re-gifted it today to Nick! (I am trying to disguise my hurt.) Not really. We laughed until our sides ached! Nick says when Susannah starts flying again he's going to bring it with him on one of her flights. I just chuckled out loud at the thought of it.

This would have been the ideal year for me to send Christmas cards. Plenty of time--haven't seen friends in ages. Well, don't think you were left off my list. There were no cards. I will tell you I really loved and enjoyed all the ones I received, though. 

Well, in just 4 minutes it will be Christmas Day! In keeping with my tradition, I will not be asleep in time for Santa. I'm not wrapping last minute gifts this year for the first time ever as far as I can remember, but now I'm blogging!!! I had to stop and take time out for a little snack--Mexican Inn chips and hot sauce, so I may be getting even less sleep than usual tonight!

Tomorrow (or actually today now) I get to have lunch with Jay and Terri and her lovely mom, Marilyn. I hear we are having prime rib! The three of them went to see the Prairie Lights earlier this week and, of course, invited me along. Since I hadn't been enclosed in a vehicle with anyone in over 9 months, I was hesitant. Jay generously offered to strap me to the top of their car (even providing the straps) so that I could have the best, open air view! I seriously considered until I realized it would probably mess up my hair.

My December 2020 Calendar

Here's hoping for a busier December, 2021!

However, by then I may be so lazy I don't care!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

I can't wait to hug you, too, again.