Remembering back to last month and doing OK.
My Christmas gift to my family this year was to take them all to New York City to see the sights of the holiday season. Fourteen out of sixteen smiled and said, "Great", although I know some of them were not as enthusiastic as the others. However, they did not want to hurt my feelings so the tickets were purchased. We live about 2 1/2 hours away by chartered bus and on December 21st, we all hopped aboard and I kept my fingers crossed.
After two successive weekends of snowstorms, we were lucky to have chosen a Saturday that was sunny and warm. We arrived in the city an hour early, so we rearranged the schedule and began our tour at Toys R Us (for the grandchildren) which is on 44th and Times Square.
It was early in the AM so I did not expect it to be crowded. Wrong, wrong, Wrong! Apparently, word got out that Arleen's family would be there, and thousands came to join us.
We then proceeded to lunch at Becco's on 46th and 9th, one of my favorite NY restaurants, not only because of the food, but also because of their good, cheap wine.
After lunch we sprinted to Rockefeller Center on 50th and 5th Avenue. There we were greeted by what could be described as the population of a mid-sized country and they had also brought along 13 of their relatives. Oh, how glad I was that I had that wine at lunch. Here my schedule said "2 hour free time" and we all broke up into small groups. Most of that time was about getting through the crowds. We found refuge in the Museum Store and took our pictures of the outside scene from inside that very pleasant store. We also bought a few wonderful items.
I was born in New York and lived my first 16 years there. The city excites me, I love everything about it, including the multitudes of people and all its craziness. My children grew up in rural Pennsylvania; they like hills and dales, fauna and flora, deer and birds and cows. Wusses', all of them. Next time though, if I suggest a trip to NY, I will plan it for the spring when millions will not be there to see a damn tree that was grown in Connecticut. (It was very beautiful though.)
We did a lot of walking, saw quite a bit, (Times Square was a trip in so many ways) and despite the crowds, it was a good day. I had a great time, made some fond and funny memories, and will always love, love, love New York.
My Christmas gift to my family this year was to take them all to New York City to see the sights of the holiday season. Fourteen out of sixteen smiled and said, "Great", although I know some of them were not as enthusiastic as the others. However, they did not want to hurt my feelings so the tickets were purchased. We live about 2 1/2 hours away by chartered bus and on December 21st, we all hopped aboard and I kept my fingers crossed.
After two successive weekends of snowstorms, we were lucky to have chosen a Saturday that was sunny and warm. We arrived in the city an hour early, so we rearranged the schedule and began our tour at Toys R Us (for the grandchildren) which is on 44th and Times Square.
It was early in the AM so I did not expect it to be crowded. Wrong, wrong, Wrong! Apparently, word got out that Arleen's family would be there, and thousands came to join us.
We then proceeded to lunch at Becco's on 46th and 9th, one of my favorite NY restaurants, not only because of the food, but also because of their good, cheap wine.
After lunch we sprinted to Rockefeller Center on 50th and 5th Avenue. There we were greeted by what could be described as the population of a mid-sized country and they had also brought along 13 of their relatives. Oh, how glad I was that I had that wine at lunch. Here my schedule said "2 hour free time" and we all broke up into small groups. Most of that time was about getting through the crowds. We found refuge in the Museum Store and took our pictures of the outside scene from inside that very pleasant store. We also bought a few wonderful items.
I was born in New York and lived my first 16 years there. The city excites me, I love everything about it, including the multitudes of people and all its craziness. My children grew up in rural Pennsylvania; they like hills and dales, fauna and flora, deer and birds and cows. Wusses', all of them. Next time though, if I suggest a trip to NY, I will plan it for the spring when millions will not be there to see a damn tree that was grown in Connecticut. (It was very beautiful though.)
We did a lot of walking, saw quite a bit, (Times Square was a trip in so many ways) and despite the crowds, it was a good day. I had a great time, made some fond and funny memories, and will always love, love, love New York.
I think your idea to take your family to NYC was brilliant and you all made lots of memories together. Spring would be a good season to do that again, I imagine.
ReplyDeleteI do love spring in NY also.
DeleteI adore New York...... And the Christmas tree at Rockefeller is a particular fav.... Lovely family group photo
ReplyDeleteThank you, John.
DeleteThat looks fantastic, Arleen. Love all your family pictures too.
ReplyDeleteAs I sit here on a dreary, cold day at home, I remember back to those wonderful bright lights of the city and the day I had with my family. However, I do love my country life also.
DeleteOne for the memory book.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was, Delores.
DeleteNYC is never empty--there are floods of people everywhere. And yet it is amazing in its grandness.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a trip which will make for many stories around a campfire.
Yes, NY is a crowded city, but in all the times I have been there, I have never seen it like that. A reporter on an early morning show commented on it the next day and said pretty much the same. It was not a day to be claustrophobic.
DeleteI lived in NYC a little over 10 years, and I MISS IT! The food, shopping, libraries and museums, opportunities, and smart, cultured people. Thanks for the pics - they made me nostalgic. :)
ReplyDeleteOh! I forgot to mention I LOVE your header. The cats are so cute, especially the furry one. Maine Coon? (I had one of those. She had the biggest feet!)
ReplyDeleteThey are sisters, Lexa. Their mother dropped them and their three other sibling off on our deck last June. The mother is a Himalayan and the father was a passing stranger.
DeleteI think the NYC trip was brilliant. All those strangers showing up, not so much. I love the city, too, and on my forays there have been accompanied by my NYC-wise daughter or my friend Ann, the world traveler. Couldn't imagine ever going without one or the other, and these days would even hold hands.
ReplyDeleteThe cat picture is first class, too. How do they do it? One is indecisive--or telling you the water is fine, hop in.
Joanne, it is wise to go to NYC with someone who knows their way around. However, if you get lost, you just need to know that streets go one way, avenues go the other.
DeleteWhat a wonderful gift to your big and beautiful family! My husband proposed to me in New York, and we haven't gone back together since. For my fortieth birthday, my friend and I enjoyed a girls weekend in New York. I would love to go as a family someday.
ReplyDeleteJulie
NYC is a great place for a girls weekend, Julie and if you can't get your hubby to go with you, I am sure you can find a reason for another "ladies take NY" outing. Your mother would love to shop there and she could try out lunch on a bed in a most exciting city.
DeleteWhat a wonderful gift. And I am so glad that it was such an amazing experience. The crowds would have done me in though.
ReplyDeleteLove your header - and feel for their furry little dates.
The crowd was overwhelming that day, but it isn't always like that.
DeleteGlad you had such a wonderful (if a bit hectic) trip to New York. I've never been there. Perhaps, some day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
NYC is not everyone's cup of tea, but it surly is something to experience at least once in lifetime, Bear.
DeleteHow wonderful for you and the family! I was born, grew up and lived in Western New York for 42 years! Then moved to MN. Never, ever been to NYC, though some of our kids have. Some day.......
ReplyDeleteAs I watch the snow fall again for what seems like the 10th time this season, I think that this must be what it is like to live in MN.
DeleteOnce again I must comment on what a handsome family you have!
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you Geo. I take complete credit for most of them. Any problems, they get from their father.
DeleteI think it was a fantastic idea to take the whole crew to the big city, and I got a kick out of reading about it. Hands down, this has got to be my favorite sentence:
ReplyDelete"Next time though, if I suggest a trip to NY, I will plan it for the spring when millions will not be there to see a damn tree that was grown in Connecticut."
HA! You crack me up. Oh, and my eyes are getting tired, so at first I thought your sentence near the end mentioned "fond and fuzzy" memories. No? No. Funny. (Must not have had enough wine at lunch.)
My mind gets fuzzy often, Susan.
DeleteThere's nothing better than getting the whole family together! And where better than New York City? I hope they were suitably grateful....
ReplyDeleteCLICK HERE for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Absolutely, there is nothing better than making good memories with the family. The not-so-good ones usually end up to be good stories also when you look at them in hindsight.
DeleteSo fun!! I so love NYC. What a great gift to give your family! Looks like you had a wonderful time. Are those your cats in the picture up top? So awesome. I get such a kick out of cats now. Can't believe they like the snow. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThe cats are semi-mine. We provide warm outside houses and food for them. They are feral kittens (3) that their mother gave us last summer. By the time we could capture them and have them fixed, they were too wild to place in homes. They seem content and give us some entertainment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful family and a trip to New York too! I do hope everyone enjoyed it. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI hope so also. No matter what though, I have a wonderful memory.
DeleteWe loved the trip to NYC, especially the kids. It was really special going to a city that you grew up in. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
ReplyDeleteIt was really my pleasure, Heather.
DeleteDear Arleen, your trip to New York sounds like a rare treat for your Pennsylvania family. Probably none of them love it as you do, but I bet they were excited nevertheless. And how wonderful of you to treat them to such a trip.
ReplyDeleteI've been to New York only once--between my junior and senior years in college when I went there for a leadership meeting. There were so many sessions that I didn't get to see the sights. And so I've always wanted to go there and go to some plays.
Do you read the Linda Fairstein mystery novels that take place in New York? The main character is a woman prosecutor and each of her novels explores a little-known historical place in New York City. I've learned so much about the city you love from those novels. Peace.
I have not read those books, Dee, but I will look them up. Thanks for the info.
DeleteGreat trip. I was overwhelmed in Rockefeller Center and I live in NYC. I haven't eaten at Becco's, but I'm putting it on my list. Where did you grow up in New York?
ReplyDeleteP.S. Love the header!
I grew up at the end of the Bronx, near Yonkers, Carol. At the age of 12, I would get on the subway with a friend and take the 45 minute/hour with a friend to Manhattan. It was a different, safer world then.
DeleteYou know what? If I were you, I’d plan a trip all for myself and by myself one of these days.
ReplyDeleteIt is so much more fun, Firko, to go with someone and make memories together.
DeleteMy ex lived and worked in New York City for almost 10 years. He loved NY...and still does. I've never been there, but it is one city in the world I would love to visit. I've always been enchanted and intrigued by the Big Apple.
ReplyDeleteI'll come with you in the spring, Arleen! ;)
See you then, Lee.
DeleteYou have the greatest ideas, always fun and always interesting....I miss you so much....xo
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to publish my name. LOL....showing my age...I am "unknown" above...but I am Sue Riddle Fisher....LOL LOL
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, how nice of you to stop by. I think of you often and remember the wonderful adventures we had.
DeleteWhat a gift you bestowed on your family. The treasured memories of your beloved New York City will be etched in all your hearts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such magical moments and photos.
Gary :)
I am glad you enjoyed my story, Gary.
DeleteArleen, I am a small town girl who loves the big city. I think it was a wonderful Christmas gift. I think I can pick out your knitter. Arleen, The book I wrote about probably isn't appropriate for a twelve year old as a few of the essays have adult content. I hope you are having a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteEm's scarf gave her away. Thanks for the info. I am trying to think of something to get her for her birthday, but i guess that book won't work.
ReplyDeleteVery cool family get together !
ReplyDeleteLast time we were in New York city was ions ago and our family tried out for FAMILY FUED ~ remember that show.
We usually get to the Catskill Mountains a few times a year though~ love it up there.
Arleen, What a wonderful Christmas gift! I think it sounds like a lot of fun to spend time with your family in NY. You are right though the crowds around the tree are a little crazy.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you like the hot chocolate...for some it is too sweet, for some to bitter for me it is just right but I play around with it to suit my taste depending on what kind of chocolate I have.
I hope that you have a wonderful weekend. Stay warm and cozy this weekend! And as always thank you for coming to visit.
The hot chocolate turned out just right, Elizabeth. I did not the heavy cream, but it was still delish!
ReplyDeleteI'm just so jealous right now because I'd love to go to NY one day. I would spend the first 2 weeks eating out at every restaurant because I know how good the American food can be, and they give such large portions compared to what we get in London plus the food is so much cheaper. And there are so many sights to see, so I know you had a wonderful time there.
ReplyDeleteDid you take your family to visit any places you went to when you were young? If not, then next time give them a tour of where you lived, your schools, the shops you went to, etc etc. It's like showing them a little of your past.
I realized I hadn't followed you with my new url and was missing your posts! This one was so interesting-- yay for you taking your family to see NYC in the winter instead of something boring like Disneyland.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gift to give your family. I know they all must have had a fun time.
ReplyDeleteI bet your family remember the trip for many years. Even if it is not what they would do themselves, in a way that's an even better reason for remembering, don't you think?.
ReplyDelete