The Palm Court at the Plaza

Yes, we did splurge on lunch at the Plaza.  A hamburger, turkey-avocado club and a glass of wine set us back $92.  But what are life long friends to do?  Go to McDonald's?  Seriously folks.

I am Eloise, I am six!

Elosie is a wonderful series of books by Kay Thomson just perfect for a six year old girl.  Supposedly modeled after Liza Manelli growing up at the Plaza.  

Snowy New York City

The Tiffany Diamond

If you haven't guessed it already, I went into the city again to see a friend who was in for business.  It was a whirlwind of activity for 24 hours.

Zoltar speaks….

Your wish has been granted.

FAO Schwartz, New York City

Columbus Circle

Columbus Circle subway stop. NYC.

Freeze Out OCC Youth 2014

For the last five years or so the Orange Congregational Pilgrim Youth Fellowship has done a freeze out to raise awareness of homelessness and money for Habitat for Humanity.

So they get financial sponsorship from the congregation, friends and family that will go to Habitat and then they build a 'shanty' town out of card board boxes and spend the night in it on a cold night in January.

They crawl in and take one hour shifts throughout the night from 7:00 pm until 7:00 am the next day.  The ones who are inside listen to speakers from the Police Department, Habitat, Sacred Heart University, etc up until about 11:00.

The next morning they have breakfast and are out of there by 8:00 am.

Nope, I didn't stay out with them.  I know.  Cheesy.  But I did have dinner with them and then brought coffee the next am.  NICE JOB YOUTH and ADULTS who are the bravest and more courageous adults I know.   iPhone pictures.

Baby New Year

@ Bergdorf's, NYC

Friday at the Feeder

A close up of one of Bergdorf's windows in NYC.  Lot's of birdies in this one.

Bergdorf Goodman

A couple of close ups from yesterday's shot.  I love the reflection of the buildings on the glass, makes the image even more ethereal.

Oh Bergdorf!

Over the next few days I'll show you Bergdorf's windows from Christmas past.  They were quite extraordinary.

Vestiages of Christmas Past

I could use some new bling.

@ Rockefeller Plaza

Some window dressing

I have never known a piece of Swiss chocolate that I didn't like.  Although I have never tasted Teuscher, I'm sure it must be good because it's Swiss.  Personally I love Villar's Swiss chocolate.  The summer that I spent in Switzerland a few years ago I over indulged on Villar's.  Quite delicious.  Well I'll be going into the city real soon so I'll stop by for a sample and will let you know.

St. Patrick's Cathedral - NYC

Much of the inside of the cathedral is under renovation as you can see from the scaffolding.  It made for some interesting photos.  The bottom photo is looking straight up where they left the 'IHS' exposed.

Friday at the Feeder

Just hanging on!

Inside St. Patrick's Cathedral

Over New Year's I went into the Big Apple and visited friends.  Dropped into the cathedral and grabbed a few shots that I'll 'feature' over the next couple of days.  The bottom photo is rather grainy since it was dark and I fiddled around with it.

Canyon Lake in Texas Hill Country

Sunrise in the Hill Country, quite beautiful.

Inside the Gruene Dance Hall

Yep, the oldest dance hall in Texas!

Gruene by Night

Gruene's Hall - the Oldest Dance Hall in Texas

Not much to look at by day but just wait.

Gruene Texas

I'll do a more thorough post on Gruene Texas but for now here I am eating the best onion ring in the world, or at least in Texas.  I also had the best ever Baby Back Ribs there too.

Cousin Chris going after an onion ring, 

Milton doesn't have a chance this side of Gruene (pronounced Green)

Friday at the Feeder

Feeder down!  It didn't stop this Red-Bellied Woodpecker.  He enjoyed the suet on the ground.

Bell concert at Orange Congregational

Barn Full of Ribbons

Must be good!

Clark's Farm