Happy New Year's (Eve)

I had a bright blue sky and fifty degree weather for my first walk of the last day of 2021. The sun vanished a few hours later, but the start of the day was closer to spring than winter, and I felt as though I'd walked out into an April day, bright with all the promise of spring. My spirits have flagged this week, but on this morning all I felt was the hope of spring and the possibility of better days in 2022.

My wish for all of Buttercupland is just those intangibles, hope and possibility. They may  be fleeting, as the sunshine was this morning, but it's also what will propel us through dark days that may be yet to come. I'm reminded of the French writer, Albert Camus, writing in the 194O's: "In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer."  

The new year has almost arrived in the United States and has already begun in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia and New Zealand. For all who have already celebrated and all who are yet to celebrate, every wish for happy, healthy, and for hope, possibility and an invincible summer.

I'll be back tomorrow -- next year -- with my perfect word for 2022. I hope you'll stop by to continue the celebration. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a glad new year.   

(Much Belated) Monkey Monday

 

(It was) Monkey Monday at Bergdorf Goodman   

I've been working on this post for the last few days, actually starting on (Monkey) Monday. This afternoon I was thinking about how long it was taking me to do a relatively simple post. The pictures had been prepared and it wouldn't need a lot of links and research, but I would sit down at the computer, do a little work and decide I'd return to finish up later. I remembered that in most years I took a Christmas week break and returned just before New Year's. Without being conscious of it I was taking a break after the rush of Christmas. 

This will be my last post on Christmas in New York for 2021. We're once again visiting the fabulous windows of Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue, and once again they are my favorite windows of the season. The theme was the "Present Moment," and this was interpreted in the liveliest and most creative ways imaginable. 

This Present Moment was frisky and I couldn't resist the frisky French bulldog. 

Nor could I resist the window featuring brightly colored cats. 

This Present Moment is so much fun! 

 

And this one is Yummy!

I hope you've had as much fun as I've had enjoying all the Present Moments of the 2021 holiday season in New York City. I'll be back on New Year's Eve with good wishes and again on New Year's Day for my perfect word for 2022.

As ever, thanks for visiting. Take care and have a terrific Thursday.  

These Gifts We Bring

 

Once again the month of December has run faster than I could keep up with. There are posts to write, cards to send and gifts to wrap. Some of my list will get accomplished and some things won't, which is not unlike life itself. Some things get done and some things don't. In a few hours Pep and I -- after a last minute search for Colman's mustard -- will be leaving for a few days with friends of long-standing. There will be a sparkly tree, good food, lots of laughter and most importantly, being together. The last is the most important and the gift for which I am most grateful. 

As is Buttercupland tradition, we're returning to one of my favorite posts about "these gifts we bring," which I first posted in 2013. I didn't think I needed to learn the lesson -- again -- that the best gifts are the most simple gestures of the heart, but 2021 continued to teach this lesson over and over. I am profoundly grateful for the gifts my dear friends in Buttercupland gave me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for comments, notes and cards you sent to me. Thanks, too, for the posts and blogging that were lifelines to friendship throughout the year. 

Now I'm off to find mustard for the ham, some cookies for dessert tonight -- my baking didn't get done -- and some last minute wrapping. My wishes for good health, happiness and a bright and blessed Christmas! And again, every thanks for your friendship throughout the years. With lots of love, your friend Buttercup.  

  

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Christmas in Connecticut

 

It's Christmas in Connecticut

We're taking a quick detour from the festivities in New York City to visit one of the most beautiful places to celebrate Christmas, New England. I spent most of today in one of my favorite towns, Washington, Connecticut in Litchfield County. We've visited here before, but I've never been here at Christmas. It's not a big town, but it's a lovely town. I'm not a fan of snow, but a touch of snow would have made it picture perfect. 

In almost every New England town the white wooden church stands on the town green and Washington is no exception. After I made my visit to the Po -- the cafe in the picture above -- I spent time photographing the Congregational Church, which stands on the green. 

The portico of the church may be next year's Christmas card

I hope you've enjoyed our trip to Connecticut. I was so grateful for the sunny and not so cold weather and the change of scenery. My mini-vacation was one of the best holiday gifts I've received this year. 

I'll be back tomorrow with a return to the holiday sights of New York City. Please stop by and be part of the fun. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a terrific Thursday. 

    

Afternoon at Tiffany's

 

Yes, it's your journalist, Buttercup, reflected in the windows at Tiffany's

It wasn't lunch at Tiffany's or even a snack. The majestic store on the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 57th Street is under major construction, so the big window displays past weren't there this year. But a friend requested photographs of Tiffany's windows and I decided to see what display would be there. They were smaller, but still filled with beauty and diamonds, lots of diamonds. 

Previously the entrance -- big and majestic -- opened to Fifth Avenue. 

Definitely the best window shopping of 2021. The jewelry was so fabulous that it was more like being at a museum and not a store. 

I was very content just to window shop. I don't think this beautiful pin would fit into my wardrobe or jewelry collection. I also doubt that I'd be comfortable wearing it without a guard at my side. 

The windows at Tiffany were only part of my holiday sightseeing yesterday. I was able to see the fabulous windows at Bergdorf Goodman, which will be featured next Monday. I also found a wonderful display at the Pulitzer Fountain, in front of the Plaza Hotel. I loved it and will be sharing it in the next few days.

All of this sightseeing  has been great for my Journey of 1,000 Miles. As of tonight I have walked 987.7 miles in 2021. Barring unforeseen circumstances -- this is 2021 and there seem to be unforeseen circumstances around every corner -- I hope to achieve my 1,000 mile goal on either December 26 or 27. The mild weather has not been great for skiing, but it's been ideal for my walking. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a wonderful Wednesday.  

Pink Saturday Says Eat Sleep Party Repeat

 

I'm doing a lot more eating and sleeping than partying this year, 

but I loved the fun in this window at Bloomingdale's

As promised, we're returning to Bloomingdales to see some of the exterior holiday display. I'm fortunate I made my visit here last week, when it was warm and sunny. It was still sunny today, but also cold. Winter has arrived in time for Christmas. I just have to remember to get out my heavier coat, scarf and hat.   

I'm not quite sure what's going on in this window, but I loved the colors and design. 

I'm again confused by the action here, but love the silly reindeers having fun and the bright colors.   

I couldn't 't omit this bright pink window on Pink Saturday.

Buttercup starring for the first time ever in the holiday windows 

As I have probably written every year, I'm amazed that Christmas is less than a week away. I have one more quick trip to the post office, but happily got just about everything else into the mail last week. And then there's the cards. I'm planning (operative word is planning) to spend time tomorrow and Tuesday getting the rest of them into the mail. But I know I'm being optimistic and it may be the week after Christmas. But besides cards and a few packages to wrap for Christmas, I'm not feeling stressed. There is a quick bakery visit  that isn't mandatory -- but a gingerbread loaf seems like the perfect house gift for Christmas -- but if the line isn't overwhelming I'll be there. What are your plans for this week?

As ever, thanks for visiting. Every happy wish for the week ahead.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Let's Go to Bloomingdale's

Greetings from Bloomingdale's! 

On my way to my eye appointment this afternoon, I did a quick stop at Bloomingdale's to see the holiday decorations. Today I'm sharing the first floor and for Pink Saturday, I'll be sharing some very fun outside windows. In the next week we'll also be visiting Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman, both of which have great window displays. 

 Loved all the shine in the cosmetics and perfume section

I'm pleased to report that I wasn't especially tempted by all the fun products and bright packaging I saw during my visit. I did stop and look at a display of earrings, but realized I was looking at a pair that was almost exactly like one I already owned and that put a quick stop to any impulse purchase.

A close-up of the shiny globes

A tribute to National Cupcake Day

One temptation I did have was buying a cupcake at the branch of Magnolia Bakery at Bloomingdale's. I didn't succumb to the cupcake urge, though greatly tempted. If I'd known it was National Cupcake Day, I might have given it a second (or third) thought, or at least taken photographs of the cupcakes, too.  

After my visit to Bloomingdale's I walked over to my medical appointment. It went well and I'm very grateful for that. I've got the dentist tomorrow, which fortunately is just a quick follow-up visit. I seem to be spending a lot of time on maintenance these days, but it's keeping  this classic machine ticking along.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a terrific Thursday.

Monkey Monday: The Holiday Edition

 Happy, healthy and merry from Pep Le Monkee and friends

I'm behind on cards and packages, but I'm keeping on schedule with sharing greetings from Pep and all of his friends for 2021. Pep, Bongo (in the Santa suit on the right), DK (in the back of the car) are joining their new friend, Baby Yoda for a spin in the red convertible.  Baby Yoda is holding Pep's gift for this year, a cell phone. 

I know there are concerns about Pep driving and texting, but the Buttercupland Department of Public Safety reports that Pep has completed a safe driving class. In addition -- please don't tell Pep -- his phone doesn't have texting (or calling) capacity. 

Christmas, 2021 and (most of) the group is in festive attire for the annual holiday concert by the Snowpeople and Friends Orchestra and Chorus, a highlight of the season. 

The Orchestra and Chorus

The featured soloist this year was Socko Monkey

The Snowpeople and Socko were in fine voice this year and the finale of this long awaited event was a festive version of Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. I know I say that the every concert is the best ever, but this one was definitely the best ever -- until next year!

The weather in New York is predicted to be beautiful this week and I hope to photograph the places I haven't had a chance  to get to yet. I'm planning to post Christmas in New York photographs through New Years, so I can share all of my favorite places with Buttercupland. 

Besides enjoying holiday time in New York, I've got a busy week ahead. It's my last watercolor class this week, several doctor visits and I've started physical therapy again. I'm going to make sure there's some fun, besides the medical appointments. What fun do you have this week?

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a great week.   

Pink Saturday Goes to Lincoln Center

 

Today Pink Saturday visits Lincoln Center

I wish I could say that I was at Lincoln Center yesterday for a performance, but it was a less formal visit to see the holiday decorations in the neighborhood. I'm not quite back to my previous event attendance, but I am looking forward to more theater going in the future. 

One of the goals of my visit was to see the Christmas tree at Dante Park, which is across the street from Lincoln Center. It was well worth the trip, especially for the decorations. As a long time fan of ballet, this may be one of my favorite trees ever. 

This beautifully decorated tree was a bright spot on a cloudy day

I was especially enthralled by the ballet shoes as decorations. I didn't see them at first, but as I turned the corner they caught my eye. Knowing that "The Nutcracker" was playing across the street gave it special meaning.

Going from the sublime to the ridiculous -- as the saying goes -- yesterday was SantaCon, a relatively recent addition to the New York City holiday celebration. SantaCon was on hiatus last year, but has reappeared this year. The theme of the day is dressing in Santa Claus outfits and visiting many bars. There are very few bars in this neighborhood, so I'm assuming Rudolph did not give these Santas very good directions. A big thanks to my friend, Lonni, who noted that Rudolph had shirked his duties here. 

On a different note, many thanks to all for your gracious notes about my recent plumbing disaster. I'm happy to say that the pipes were fixed on Monday, but not surprisingly for a building that was built when William Howard Taft was President, there's work left to do. Fortunately the work to come doesn't interfere with running water in the kitchen, and I'm grateful to be cooking again. 

What a difference a day makes!

Barring a major change of plans and circumstances tomorrow is Monkey Monday: Holiday Edition, and the entire group is planning to be there. Pep is in holiday attire -- and looking good -- and the Snowman Orchestra and Chorus has been practicing all week. We are so excited for this annual event, and hope you will all join us. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and wishes for a sweet Sunday.

A Memo from the Buttercupland Department of Buildings

 

Monday, December 6

From: The Buttercupland Department of Buildings

To: Buttercupland

Re: Monkey Monday

Due to a leak in the pipe that provides water to the kitchen line (all the apartments above and below) the plumbers are here and there is a mess. It was hoped that the leak could be fixed via the kitchen, but alas, it's necessary to break through the bedroom wall to access the pipe.  

Pep's clothes are stored in a section of the bedroom that is presently not accessible, and it wouldn't be a holiday photograph without Pep in his holiday finery. I'm (somewhat) optimistic that the plumbing work can be completed today and I can once again use the dishwasher and sink in the kitchen. Filling the hole in the wall (yet to be created), replastering and painting will be a project for the rest of the month, at least. 

Even if this Monday isn't Monkey Monday, we can still enjoy the day. It is the last day of Chanukah and for a festive note, I'm sharing the card crafted by my very talented cousin, Hillary. It brought a big smile to me and I'm happy to share it with Buttercupland. 

 

On a related note, I had a chat with one of the staff at the store where I took the picture I used for the Chanukah post. The bridge print in the corner has no specific meaning for Chanukah. They had it in the store and thought it would look good in the window. Definitely, eye catching. 

Today is the day for all eight candles to be lit. 

The plumbers have returned from lunch and the drilling has begun. That's my cue to sign off on this Monkey-less Monday. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and may all your days be leak-free. 

Pink Saturday: In the Neighborhood

 

I've started to take my annual photographs at the major sites around the city. I've been to Rockefeller Center and to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library, and those posts will be coming up. But this week most of my excursions were in the neighborhood. I've chosen a few of my favorite photographs to share for this Pink Saturday.

These pretty wreaths caught my eye at one of the many tree sales areas in the neighborhood.

I found a veritable forest in the middle of Broadway and couldn't resist adding lights. 

Baby Yoda joined our Penguin buddy around the corner from my building.

Tomorrow Pep and friends will be making their annual holiday visit for Monkey Monday: Holiday Edition. It promises to be a very festive day. We've got a new member of the group -- hint, hint in this post -- and a special appearance by the Snowman Orchestra and Chorus. 

As ever, thanks for visiting. Wishes for a great week!

Happy Chanukah

 

Happy Chanukah!

Even though all the lights are lit in the photograph, tonight was actually the fourth night of Chanukah. It's slightly confusing, but Jewish holidays begin at sundown and Chanukah this year began on Sunday night. 

The holiday, actually a relatively minor one on the Jewish calendar, commemorates the rededication of  the Temple in Jerusalem after Seleucid occupation. The story goes that there was only enough sacred oil to last for one night, but miraculously, the oil burned for eight nights. This miracle has been remembered and celebrated since that time, for 2200 hundred years.

   I'm borrowing from last year's blog post on Chanukah:

I find it extraordinary that 2200 years have gone by since those miraculous eight days and around the world the commemoration is taking place. Candles are lit, blessings are said and sufganiyot (traditional jelly doughnuts) are eaten. Children still spin the dreidel, a four sided top. The letters on the top symbolize the phrase, "A great miracle happened there."

But most of all we commemorate the victory of light over darkness and the ability to have hope and believe in miracles, no matter how improbable they may seem. I'm going to hold on to the Chanukah message throughout what may be a dark and cold winter and remember that great miracles are always possible. 

One of my hopes in 2020 was to celebrate Chanukah in-person in 2021 and my plans are set for an in-person celebration with friends who are family on Saturday, the seventh night of Chanukah. The guest list numbers an even dozen, and though I spent Thanksgiving with eight people who will be part of the Saturday celebration, I haven't seen the other four since Chanukah 2019. The little one who was two is now four. How sweet it will be to see all of them in-person.    

As an aside -- because I know the question will arise -- I don't know why there is a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge in the store window above. I will be stopping in to ask them and will report back.  

Happy Chanukah and happy December! Here's to days of hope, miracles, light and every sweet tradition your heart embraces.

As ever, thanks for visiting and happy and healthy!

Pink Saturday Visits Milk Bar

 

Milk Bar is all about cake and cookies and ice cream and all kinds of yummy treats, and a perfect place to visit for Pink Saturday.

I was walking along West 57th Street on Wednesday and the brightest of bright pink caught my eye. Initially I wasn't sure what it was all about, but realized that it was an outpost of the local bakery chain, Milk Bar, situated in Nordstrom's. Though I didn't need any sweets on the eve of Thanksgiving, I decided I needed to take pictures for Pink Saturday and look around. 

Everything on the menu looked tempting, 

and the staff was very cordial to my photography project. 

I hadn't had lunch and Thanksgiving dinner was at least 24 hours away. Though I was very tempted by the cake and the truffles, they seemed just a little too indulgent with one of the most outstanding meals of the year looming. 

My choice was one of Milk Bar's signature bakes, the compost cookie, which I've wanted to try for ages. It's savory and sweet and contains pretzels, potato chips, graham crackers, coffee, oats, butterscotch and of course, chocolate chips. It was delicious and I highly recommend it. I'm planning to try other treats and will happily report on those goodies, too. 

I'm glad I didn't overdo the treats on Wednesday, because Thanksgiving Day was filled with yummy food. We started with a great carrot soup and then it was time for turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and roast vegetables. There was a delicious pumpkin cornbread and my own cranberry ginger relish. The food was fabulous, but the best part was that it was in-person. I was even delighted by the buzz of the crowd at Grand Central Station, where I caught the train to my dinner destination. 

Starting tomorrow we are officially entering the holiday season in Buttercupland. Chanukah began tonight and I'll be doing a Chanukah post tomorrow. The holiday goes on for eight days, so we'll have plenty of time to celebrate. I've started my round of pictures of sites and sights around the city and I'll be posting on a regular basis. Pep and friends will be joining the fun and the Snowman Chorus is practicing for their part in the festivities.   

As ever, thanks for visiting and wishes for great week. 

Thankful Thursday (and Every Day)

 

Keep calm, count your blessings and enjoy your pie!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

 

Thanksgiving greetings from the Doughboy!

I've had the good fortune to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade several times. But although the balloons are inflated less than a mile from my building, I didn't get over to see the set up and balloon inflation until 2018. I loved being "up close and personal" with some of my favorites, including my friend, the Pillsbury Doughboy. 

The Aflac Duck sends his regards!

 

It was a wonderful experience, but with the amount of walking and standing, I decided it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was tempted to make it a twice-in-a-lifetime experience this year, but I decided that this wasn't the year to participate in an event that would be so crowded, even outdoors. 

Dino hopes you enjoy pie and all the fixings! 

My goal for a return to see the parade setup was to see my pals again this year and to get to meet Baby Yoda, who will be joining the parade lineup this year. I didn't make it this year, but I'm hoping for Thanksgiving 2022. 

Doughboy, Dino, Duck and Pep, Acorn, Nessie, Edgar Bunny and all of the snowmen and friends join me in wishing all of Buttercupland a bright and blessed Thanksgiving. I will be spending the day with my dear friends in Westchester. I initially wrote "as usual," and realized it's a return to usual. I'm beyond thankful for traditions to return to and loved ones to celebrate with. On a less serious note, I'm also grateful for pie. What are you most grateful for in 2021?

As ever, thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

It's (Almost) a Charlie Brown Christmas

The Christmas trees have returned to my corner of the world, 

and I couldn't be happier. 

I try to keep to the rule of no Christmas posts before Thanksgiving and this post definitely goes against that rule. But I'm only a few days early and I promise that the next few posts will focus on Thanksgiving and being thankful. In one way this is a post about being thankful, because the day the Christmas tree sellers arrive on the next block is one of the happiest days of the year for me and I am very grateful that they have taken up residence once again. 

We're going to see a lot of glamorous posts in the next month, with brighter lights and fancier decorations than the unpainted wooden Christmas tree stand. We'll be visiting Rockefeller Center, the Metropolitan Museum and seeing the store decorations on Fifth Avenue. I'm going to make every effort  to make sure Buttercupland is present at all the sights that make New York City a destination every year at this time. But that said, few sights -- if any -- give me more happiness than the strings of light and the little figure of Charlie Brown nestled in the stand of Christmas trees. In the dark hours of last December this was one thing that put a smile on my face and in the less bleak December 2021 it still does. 

This was the scene much earlier in the day

Welcome back, Charlie Brown! We've really missed you. 

There were only a few trees for sale today, but I'm expecting by tomorrow the shipment will start to arrive. It will stand until some time on Christmas Day and by the morning of December 26 only a few twigs and branches will mark the spot. I've never seen the stand dismantled, but it's always gone when I've arrived home in the evening on Christmas. 

Do you have small pleasures that you look forward to every year at this time? As soon as I typed "small pleasures" I realized that the small pleasures can be the greatest of treasures, and I hope it's the same for you.

Amazingly it's almost Thanksgiving. Tomorrow is a busy one. I've got a long-scheduled medical appointment. I generally wouldn't schedule an appointment on the afternoon before Thanksgiving, but the next choice was another month away. I've got cranberry relish to make,  dessert to pick up and a Thanksgiving post to write. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a wonderful Wednesday.