During the first week in December, Charley and I went on another adventure with our friends Jack and Jean. We took a pleasant train ride from our local Kingston Station to Penn Station in New York and became part of the masses that flock to the Big Apple every year at this time.
We enjoyed the usual touristy things:
Shopping for crafts and gifts at the seasonal stalls in Central Park, Grand Central Station and Bryant Park.
Stopping in to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Checking out the holiday windows and department store decorations at Saks 5th Avenue, Lord and Taylor and Macy’s.
The Christmas Tree, “Toy” Soldiers and Angels at Rockefeller Center
And the Rockette’s Christmas Extravaganza at Radio City Music Hall
For a few days and nights we blended into the sights and sounds on the crowded streets of New York City during the holiday season. Then, we packed up, flagged down a cab, headed back to Penn Station with our friends and returned to South County.
Needless to say, Roxie and ZuZu were waiting expectantly for us to begin our own holiday celebration with them.
And so, from our home in the woods of Kingston to your home, wherever you may be, we wish you a Peaceful Holiday Season and a Prosperous and Happy New Year.
Love, Clare, Charley, ZuZu, and Roxie D.
Beautiful pictures. I always love old architectural structures especially churches 😊
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They just spent a small fortune cleaning and refurbishing the exterior of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It really is quite lustrous. But with the smog that envelops that city, the sparkle may not last long. If you love old architecture, than Grand Central Station would be an awesome site for you. When Jacqueline Kennedy was First Lady, the city of NY was going to demolish i . She launched a massive fund raising effort to save the landmark. It is quite an imposing structure inside and out. Well worth saving.
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I wonder why I never bothered to go to Grand Central. I must pencil it down during my next visit to NY. There is just something about old architecture; I think it is the amount of details that go into it. Thank you for the tip.
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Yes, it is so beautiful. I love the stonework in particular. I think I was a brick maker in my past life.
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Wishing you and yours a peaceful time over the holidays Claremary and a new year abundant with stories 🙂
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And to you, too, Gail. I hope to have some quiet hours after Christmas Day to enjoy catching up on my blog reading. I’ll visit you soon. 🎄🎄🎄
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Happy holidays and happy new year to you too! 🙂
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Thank you, Rachel. I’m looking forward to reading all of your posts in the New Year. I think that it a very good resolution!
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A wonderful trip – I felt I went along with you. And it appears Roxie and ZuZu like to get into everything. Thanks for sharing, happy holidays to you!
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Yes, those two love all of the decorations that goes along with the holidays around here. And for some reason, Christmas music makes Roxie even more hyper active. That is why we have placed time-out boxes on the coffee table! I really wish everything turns out well with you and your family. I am hoping for the best for all of you in the New Year. You deserve it.
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Thank you! Best wishes to you and your family!
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Hi, Clare! Love your photos! Especially enjoy seeing New York at Christmas. One of these days, I’d like to experience in person. But no snow?
And those boxed cats? They are so cute!
Have a joyful holiday season!
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Those two can turn the house upside down, hence the “time-out” boxes on the coffee table. Last year we were all in awe of the warm December we were enjoying. And then came January! It seemed to snow every day and it just kept accumulating in February and March, with nowhere to put it.So, who knows what we’re in for this year?
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Sounds like you had a great trip; love the pictures! Gotta love how “helpful” cats are at Christmas! 🙂
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I have a theory that the Christmas music I play around the house is making Roxie crazy because she has been totally out of control this week. I was making a batch of gingerbread and left the bowl on the counter for a minute. When I turned around, she was on the counter, her paws filled with batter. Then she proceeded to run through the house spreading batter all over the place. The threat of Santa not stopping by this house has had absolutely no effect on her “helpful” behavior.
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Thanks for sharing these. Normally, I go out on the weekend to enjoy the Macy’s window and other Christmas fare. For health reasons, I can’t this year. Thanks so much for posting these.
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You are very welcome and I hope you feel much better as we move toward the New Year.
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Thank you. 2016 will be a great year for both of us.
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Absolutely! Take care.🌹
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Luscious pictures and how I love those kitties!
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I just finished cleaning up gingerbread batter. Roxie decided to help stir it with her paws and then proceeded to spread it throughout the house. I think Bean needs a kitty sister to take home with him to France???
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She is SO naughty! I will consult The Bean but I’m afraid she is very bad at sharing ….and I know you don’t actually mean it – you’d be lost without the little minx!
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You are absolutely right. Tonight she was so good I couldn’t believe it was the same cat! 12 hours and counting and nothing destroyed.
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Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures, Clare. Happy Holidays to you, Charley, ZuZu and Roxie D.
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I’ve been visiting with you this afternoon and am full of holiday cheer because if the cheer spewing from your pages. Thanks for the joy!
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Thank you and I enjoy yours. as well. I believe we are on the same page. I like to look at the positive side of everything. Sometimes, it may not be realistic, but better than the alternative.
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Kindred spirits! Never change. You’re positive and inspiring just the way you are.
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Thank you for your kind words
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🌹
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Gorgeous photos -ooooh to have a Christmas in New York! (I may have watched too many movies though, I could be romanticising it a little!)Happy holidays and oh, those lovely cats – I bet the gingerbread is hairy now 😉
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The Big City has many facets and although a few days is fun, I was glad to come home and enjoy it from a distance, through the photos.Since we’ve returned from New York, both cats have been stranger than usual. Very mischievous. But we’ve decorated and are playing Holiday music a lot, so maybe it is making them weird. The gingerbread batter was tossed out and floors, carpets and cushions cleaned. I’ll try baking again tomorrow. Maybe something white rather than brown? Sugar cookies????
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Something that looks like snow when pitter-pattered across the floor, ha ha! Better luck with the baking tomorrow 😉
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Roxie has been good the whole day. No destruction so far and 3 minutes to go….It’s actually a bit creepy.
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Ha ha, have you checked the house thoroughly since writing that? Uh oh…
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Clare, your photos are gorgeous! I have never been to New York at Christmas but I feel as though I’ve had a virtual trip now. Aren’t the Christmas decorations just beautiful?
Glad the cats appreciated your homecoming. No doubt there will be stories to come out of the holiday season with them. Wishing you, Charlie, ZuZu and Roxie a wonderful Christmas and all you wish for in 2016.
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Thanks, Robyn. I’m looking forward to vicariously enjoying the sunshine in your garden in 2016 while the snow eventually falls here in RI. Roxie has been exceptionally good tonight. We’re not sure what’s going on????
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Clare I’ll be sure to tuck some sunshine in especially for you. Roxie is being good for Santa. Come Boxing Day things will return to normal. 😉
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Unfortunately, most days are boxing days around here because she takes great pleasure in smacking ZuZu whenever the spirit hits her. I think little kitty boxing gloves are in order. ☀️😹
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Maybe threaten to call Santa? That works until Christmas Day. A few hours respite at least.
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Maybe I’ll try Elf on a Shelf. That could work!
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Ha ha!
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😾😼
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Love the photos of New York at Christmas time. I’m a little worried about the size of those toy soldiers. I’m not sure I’d like to meet the child who can play with them. 🙂
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Warning – The drummer boy can get very loud!
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Sounds like a business opportunity for anybody selling ear plugs. 🙂
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👂👂😱
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Clare, thanks for braving the big city, and taking pix!! I’ll never do it! And hey! Who took care of Roxie and ZuZu while you were gallivanting???????
The cathedral is breathtaking!
I must confess, I didn’t watch our show. Please forgive me Ethel!!
Happy New Year! Love, Lucy
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Looooooosie! We looked so young! You should have seen us! You are welcome. Charley had the urge to visit NYC and so we spent a few days there, but I was very happy to return to the woods. I left Roxie to babysit and when I returned home, she made me pay for it. (We do have a vet assistant who visits them a couple times each day while we are away to feed them and clean the litter box.) Roxie is writing the next post, so she’ll probably complain about being left alone with her little sister among so many other things. She will not be satisfied until she has her own book and then she’ll want a series and on and on … But Santa brought her some new toys and she is happily carrying them around the house and hiding them from ZuZu. So all is well tonight. I am going to spend the week getting rid of things and organizing for the New Year. I wish you were here to supervise! Take care and I’ll visit purple wonderland soon.Love, Ethel
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Oh no! That Roxie, smh. Of course we looked young, Ethel! We are only 25!!
Well, if she wants a book so bad, tell her to get Daddy to buy her a meow-to-type program!!
Decluttering? Organizing?? Hey, Ethel, you’re horning in on my turf!!
Oh well, it’s okay, because we’re a team!
You do all the hard work, and I enjoy the fruits of your labors! lol
Why you not laughing with me, Ethel??? ETHEL! Put down that shovel right now!!
Love, Lucy
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Be careful, I could drown you in a vat of grapes if I get the notion.
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Shaking in my shoes!
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Hmmmm, there are no shoes allowed when tromping on the grapes, Lucy!🍇
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Then, haha! You can’t drown me then!!
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There are worse ways to go then in a vat of wine grapes! Moowahhhahha! (Is that how you do that creepy laugh thing? not sure.) MUHWAHAHA??Mwahhaha?)
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I think it’s Muhwahaha. Wait- why am I telling you how to evil laugh at killing me????
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Muhwahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😱
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😉
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Very beautiful pictures Clare 😊 wishing you all the very best this holiday season.
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Thanks, Kelly. Hope your technical difficulties are resolved and you never have to watch another circling blue thingy in 2016.!
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What fun!
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Speaking of fun, your blog is a treasure chest of joy, wisdom & beauty! Thanks for visiting me today…Clare
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Where were the giant ornaments and nutcrackers? I love things that are bigger than they are supposed to be! What a marvelous looking trip. I miss having a big city to visit at the holidays.
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The ornaments are across from Radio City,, the drummers at the Tree and ice rink, the nutcrackers in front of one the stores. But the best of all was on the 9th floor of Saks that day. Free treats and samples from some of the City’s best caterers! And champagne in flutes! That store knows how to throw a party!
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Wow! I need to go to NYC again for the holidays some day. Treats, samples and champagne? Sounds like a dream and much better than my normal free samples at Costco.
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We just happened to be there on the right day – 1st week after Thanksgiving
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Beautiful pictures. I didn’t get to NYC to see Macy’s window so thanks for the pictures.
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After I published the post, I realized I’d videoed the Macy’s Windows, as they were the only ones with sound. I should have included it in the post! Ah, there’s always next year! I can put in the video and only the people who visit New York will know. 🗽
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Fantastic photos, Clare! You obviously had a wonderful time in New York. 🙂
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We really did. It was a spur of the moment trip but I really loved riding on the train. Like a little kid! And I love lights and festive window displays. Win/Win!
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It really does you good now and then to let your hair down and behave like a carefree kid! Let’s hope the feeling lasts well into the new year. 🙂
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I’ve described myself many times as an “adult child” and I’ll chase fun wherever it may be. I sense you are a kindred spirit in this respect????
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Yes… another year and I’ll be 70, but still behaving idiotically at times. Having fun keeps us young.
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I’m right there with you, but I lose track of time. So, when people ask me my age, I have to think a bit before I realize I’m 66 or is it 67? Hmmmmm!
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I’ll be 69 in April, but I still feel quite young and that’s all that matters. As long as we can still be active and have fun now and then, age means little. I hope I can still charge round the lanes in my jeans when I’m ninety. 🙂
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Millie, My birthday’s in April, too! April 10th. Are we both Aries? Are you my doppelgänger?
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Wow, we’re almost dopplegangers! My birthday is April 11th – and a mad, impulsive, impetuous Aries! That’s so nice to know. I’ll remember to wish you Happy Birthday when we get there.
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That’s my sister’s birthday. How cool can we be! I’ll remember yours, too.
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Your parents must have really loved April! I think it’s a great month for a birthday. It’s spring, after all, and very often the month in which Easter falls. I very rarely had to so to school on my birthday, either as a pupil or teacher. And, as Aries people, we have the most excellent qualities and characteristics! Ha ha. (I just wish I believed in all that!). 🙂
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But we really do! We’re the Best! My sister and I were both born on Psalm Sunday, five years and one day apart. She’s adopted. We have many birthdays during vacations and on Easter. April is not “the cruelest month”!
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No, T’S. Eliot got that wrong, in my opinion. April is a lovely month. I love it because it’s the beginning of spring, with prospects of warm weather and sunshine ahead. I just think of daffodils, chicks, ducklings and bunny rabbits! 🙂 All very cute, and all very spring-like. It must be lovely for you and your sister to celebrate your birthdays together.
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No matter how busy we may be (she has 3 grownup children and a grandchild on the way IN APRIL), we always get together to do something fun. I love the springtime around here too. Especially when the peepers start up in the vernal pool.
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I too love travelling and exploring. Nice pictures 🙂 I have heard and read so much about the new york. Hope to visit there once in my lifetime.
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Although I live only 2 hours away, I seldom venture to the “Big City”. But the windows at Christmas and the theatre does entice me at times. I hope you have the chance to visit NY, too.
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