Happy Thanksgiving

Radio City Music Hall on a rainy day

As promised, today begins the "City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks" holiday decoration posts for 2019. I'm starting with a favorite, Radio City Music Hall, site of the Christmas Spectacular. I've seen the Christmas show easily a dozen times, beginning in the early 1960's. It was beyond spectacular to my fifth or sixth grade self and it remains a wonderful event. If you're coming to New York City in this season, it's a terrific show, especially if you're bringing children. 

Thanksgiving 1983

One of the joys of decluttering -- besides having more order and space -- is finding treasures. I discovered this photo of Thanksgiving 1983 and I am so thankful. My aunt, now of blessed memory is on the right, my mother is standing next to her and my cousins, who joined us for every holiday are front and left. I'm sitting next to my mother and my cousin, Marcia is sitting across from me. One of my New York friends is next to me. 

I'm sure we had at least one kind of pie, but it's not on the table. I do see what looks like chocolate cake. Despite the fact that Mississippi Mud Cake is not traditional for the holiday, my mother added it to the Thanksgiving menu about this time and it became a regular part of our array of goodies.  

 Time to return to 2019 and  Thanksgiving today. I've enjoyed hearing from family and friends. I love the calls, cards, messages and turkey gifs. In a couple of hours I'll be on route to my friends who are family for turkey, pumpkin bread and gratitude. Hope your day is filled with many happy moments. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

   

Pink Saturday: Icons of Christmas in New York

It's Christmas time in the city...

 

I found myself one block from this scene at Sixth Avenue tonight and realized it was a perfect night -- clear and not cold -- to brave the crowds and try and see the tree at Rockefeller Center. Actually I think everyone in New York City had the same idea. It was crowded, but I enjoyed the lights and decorations. This is one of my favorite spots every year. It's at Sixth Avenue and 50th Street and Radio City Music Hall and the NBC Studios are across the street. I included this visitor wearing a pink jacket in homage to Pink Saturday.

 

I made half a turn and there was Radio City Music Hall decorated for the season.

 

My next stop was braving the crowd and walking one block to Rockefeller Center to see the tree. By the time I reached the tree it was close to gridlock on the sidewalk. I did get this photograph of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. 

 

The ice rink is to the right. The crowd was too dense to make my way over to

take photographs of the skaters. Alas, that will have to wait for another time.  

 

In the interest of accuracy, I took one more photograph of what viewing

the tree actually looked like. 



 

Why is my new unicorn friend part of a post about icons of Christmas in New York?

 

If you look very carefully at the top right corner of the photograph you will see the unicorn's address, one of the great icons of New York City, F.A.O. Schwarz. The legendary toy store that stood at Fifth Avenue and Fifty-Eighth Street for decades returned last month to its new site in Rockefeller Center. Even at 9:30 on this Saturday night it was crowded, but I will definitely return on a quieter day this winter for a tour and photographs.

 

I hope you've enjoyed our evening in Rockefeller Center and our visit to some of the icons of Christmas in New York City. This holiday season seems to have flown by more quickly than anyone others I can remember. The days are just racing by. Does anyone else feel the same way?

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a cozy Sunday! 

   

Rockefeller Center

Welcome to Rockefeller Center, the grandest plaza in New York City

For our "R" post of A to Z Blogging Challenge we're going to one of the most iconic sites in Manhattan, Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller Center was John D. Rockefeller's legacy to New York City. Completed in May, 1933 the immense project employed over 40,000 people during its construction, which was a major source of employment at the depth of the Depression. The legendary Christmas Tree Tradition began in 1931 and the icing skating rink opened in 1936. 

Prometheus stands guard over the icing skating rink. The statue is the work of the American sculptor, Paul Manship. One of the aspects of Rockefeller Center that deserves its own post is the range of sculpture, mosaic and murals that are a large part of the complex. Prometheus is only one very small -- but outstanding -- part of the art collection found here.  

I love the topiary rabbits in the spring, the chrysanthemum displays in the fall and the Christmas decorations at the end of the year. My first job in New York was two blocks away and I was a frequent visitor during my lunch hours.
 

The NBC Studios are located in Rockefeller Center.

 

A theater was planned as part of Rockefeller Center. However, the theater was conceived as one like no other in the world. The new radio company, RCA (Radio Corporation of America) joined with Rockefeller and Samuel Roxy Rothafel, who had previously opened the Roxy Theater to create what would become a legendary attraction.      

The 6,000 seat art deco Radio City Music Hall opened in December 1932. In January 1933 the format of a movie and a stage show with the Rockettes was adopted. I have wonderful memories of visiting New York with my parents. My big treat was lunch at the automat and seeing a movie and the show at Radio City.   

It's very soon to be April 27 and despite my good intentions it's highly unlikely I will finish the A to Z Blogging Challenge in April. I will post some of the last eight letters of the alphabet in April, but the remainder of posts will be published in May. For anyone keeping track, that includes the missing "H."

Our next stop will be the newest subway stations in the system, the Second Avenue subway. I hope you will join us for the most artistic ride in the city.

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care!
 

Pink Saturday Night at Radio City Music Hall

Beautiful Sound and Light show at Saks Fifth Avenue, first stop on our Radio City Night.

 

This was the year that I was going to see everything in New York at Christmas. At best it was an ambitious plan, but with bronchitis, impossible. I've cut drastically on my activity this week and am feeling better. I'm not bouncing back as quickly as I'd like, but I'm much improved. There will be a number of things I hoped to do that won't get done and I won't have all the pictures I'd like to share. Of course every year I have the same feeling -- too much that I want to do between December 1 and December 25.

 

 

I did get to share the Radio City Christmas show with Lonni, my friend of 50+ years last weekend. The weather was great and we both pronounced it our best Christmas in New York weekend ever. Not worrying about slipping on ice greatly contributed and having orchestra seats for Radio City helped, too. Our seats were terrific for seeing the show, but not great for photographs. I did get some that I'd like to share for Pink Saturday fun.

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite parts of the show are the Rockettes -- so wish I had the feet to take up tap dancing now -- and the living Nativity. This year the Nativity seemed unusually beautiful and the appearance of the angel was a breathtaking moment.

 

This week flew by and it's time to let the winner of the Minions giveaway know the happy news. It's Melinda at Country Dreaming. Melinda, I'll be in touch and will try to mail your DVD this week. I've got one more giveaway for December and it will be a book. I love to share books and give them as gifts. I'll post this last giveaway for the year the week after Christmas. 

 

I hope everyone had a good weekend and wishes for a blessed Christmas week! 



Welcome to the Spring Spectacular

It feels as though we've been waiting for spring and warmer weather for several decades, rather than four months. Though technically the calendar says spring I was still wearing my winter jacket today. Yes, it was my lightest winter jacket, but it was not spring outside. Happily it was spring inside last Saturday when my friend Lonni and I went to Radio City Music Hall for the Spring Spectacular.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I remember going to Radio City with my parents -- anyone remember "Son of Flubber?" -- for a movie and the spring stage show when I was in elementary school, but I don't have any specific memories of what the stage show included. I know the Rockettes were a big part of it, but the rest of the show has slipped from my memory. We had such a good time at the Christmas show that we bought tickets in December and tucked them away. I had no idea how much I would need a big boost of spring.

The plot was sweet and sentimental and a very enjoyable way to show off the treasures of New York City. The stars were Laura Benanti and Derek Hough and of course, the Rockettes. I've watched about two episodes of "Dancing with the Stars," but seeing Derek Hough and the Rockettes dance one of my favorite songs, "Singing in the Rain," I just may become a loyal watcher of "Dancing with the Stars" yet.

This is the finale scene, where the Statue of Liberty joins the show.

 

One much little known fact about my career aspirations was that I've always wanted to be a tap dancer. I definitely had lots of early exposure to the Rockettes and Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. I briefly took lessons growing up and again very briefly as an adult. Alas, I couldn't shuffle off to Buffalo or anywhere else. I've given up my aspirations in this direction, but I had to laugh when Lonni commented that we could have been Rockettes if we were taller and met the height requirements. That's a friend! I was completely awed by the high kicks and couldn't imagine doing even one of them and not falling on my bottom.   

 

Sadly, Blogger is acting up again, and I can't make the bottom pictures larger. I had such high hopes after I put up the first picture. I will stop back tomorrow and see if Blogger is better behaved and I can enlarge the pictures. The staging was terrific. 

 

 I'm off to a little adventure in the West Village tomorrow. I plan to take lots of pictures for Random 5 Friday.

 

I hope you're seeing a lot more spring than we are. As ever thanks for visiting and take good care.

It's Christmas Time in the City -- Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show

Every season holds its own traditions and memories, and no season seems more heavily laden with memories than this one. It seems every day and every step -- even if they are steps to places I've never been before -- brings me to another time and memory.

This weekend my friend Lonni came to New York City for our annual December weekend. As we did last year we visited the Metropolitan Museum -- pictures to come -- and once again delighted in the Christmas show at Radio City. It was wonderful and festive and I was reminded of the first time I saw the Christmas show with my parents. The exact year has disappeared from my memory, but the memory of the excitement -- being in New York, a movie in the biggest theater I could imagine, the Rockettes and seeing camels on stage -- has stayed with me. Movies are no longer part of the show, but the Rockettes and camels and excitement are still very much a part.

 

I still gasp with awe and delight at the first look at the lobby. The line to enter Radio City stretched for two blocks, so my anticipation built up.

 

 



The special effects are wonderful. I especially enjoyed the snowflakes that filled the stage and ceiling before the show started. There was also a three dimensional segment and we all wore the special glasses.

 

 

There was still the thrill of the Rockettes...

 

...And the camels and the live Nativity.

 

 

There are no movies anymore, and sadly, my parents are long gone, but I am blessed to have dear friends to share the present with, as I am warmed by the memories of time past. I think of a "Christmas Carol" -- another favorite of the season -- and I am warmed by the thoughts of Christmas past, happy in the excitement and enjoyment of Christmas present and prayerful for Christmas future. I wish you all happy memories, enjoyable days and prayers to carry you into the future.

 

 

Pepe is now festive in his Christmas regalia and I hope to share photos tomorrow in a Monkee Monday Christmas post. I've started wrapping gifts and from now through Chanukah and into Christmas there will be tiny scraps of wrapping paper on my dining room table.  A toast to you, my Buttercupland friends, and to tiny scraps of wrapping paper. 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.  



 







One Day It's Thanksgiving...

How does it happen every year? One day it's Thanksgiving and I blink and Christmas is less than ten days away. I keep thinking there's lots of time and the next thing I know I'm hearing television commercials tell me I have three days left to mail. Every year! I'm making good progress on my cards, though the few that are going to England probably will arrive after Christmas. I do have a few packages to put together and that means also getting to the post office. I'm aiming for Thursday and barring something unforeseen I should achieve that goal, too. I've done my Christmas e-cards and have most of my blog post ideas ready. What I don't think I have to do is set foot in a store to buy anything. There may be a few little errands, but no major shopping events. I do promise to get to Macy's to take pictures to share here.

When I was thinking about blog posts for the rest of the year -- amazing to write this -- I remembered I haven't done the second part of my Radio City Music Hall post. I shared my Santa pictures, but still have photos of the Rockettes and the Living Nativity to share, and of course Radio City itself.

I've been to Radio City a number of times, but I am always awed when I enter. 

The Rockettes are so talented and so much fun to watch. They are on stage a lot and I am so envious of their seemingly infinite energy. This is the snowflake finale number. 

The Living Nativity is beautiful. I am always enthralled as the camels come on stage. 

We had snow today, but I had an appointment that needed to be kept and out I trudged. Mission accomplished and I was so happy to get home before it became slippery. Now it's time for my evening tea and reading -- I'm finishing "Longbourn" -- and enjoying a quiet evening. 

Hope you're warm and cozy or out having fun. As always, thanks for visiting and take good care of yourself.  

Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

...and he's bringing a giveaway!

One of the very fun parts of yesterday's show at Radio City Music Hall were the scenes with Santa Claus. My pictures on my cell phone from the second mezzanine don't do them justice, but I think I captured the good times.  

 

 The staging and sets were terrific. Radio City seats thousands of people, but even from our seats we could see the show very well. There were lots of wonderful special effects, including two 3-D movies.

Infinite Santas singing and dancing...

...and more Santas on the side tiers of the theater.

Santa has asked me conduct a giveaway on his behalf.  I am happy to host a giveaway of Donna Kauffman's "Pelican Point, The Bachelors of Blueberry Cove." Santa brought me two copies and I am glad to share one with my Buttercupland buddies. I haven't read it, but it looks like fun reading for a winter afternoon. Please leave a comment for this post and be a friend of Buttercupland via Bloglovin', Google+ or Google Friend. Last entry is midnight, Sunday December 15 and I'll announce the winner on Monday, December 16. Santa would love to do this himself, but he's really busy next week and I like being Santa's elf. 

I've had a quiet day today, but I needed some time to rest and catch up after all of yesterday's adventures. I hope everyone is keeping warm and cozy. As always, thanks so much for visiting and take good care of yourself.  

All Around New York City Pink Saturday Overview

I do know it's Sunday and it's a snowy Sunday night. I've had two days of fun, especially today, which kept me away from the computer. But I'm happy to be back with a few pictures of New York City at Christmas time and to join in the fun at Pink Saturday.

Today was a complete New York City at Christmas time day. I met my dear friend Lonni -- our friendship dates from fifth grade and Girl Scouts -- and we had lunch at one of the restaurants at Rockefeller Center, enjoyed the Christmas tree and lights and saw the Radio City Christmas show. We also talked, laughed and took in all of the sights.

 One of my favorite store windows which we passed on our way to Radio City. I've got a few of these pretty dolls on my mantel, too.

Always a favorite sight on Sixth Avenue. 

One of the decorations at Rockefeller Center

A snippet of my mantle

Please don't worry, there's more to come on all of these topics. I've got pictures of all of my snowmen, bears and dolls, lots of Rockefeller Center pictures -- the Christmas tree is extraordinary -- and two blog posts for the Radio City show. Yes, it was that much fun.

I hope all of you who are surrounded by ice and snow are keeping warm and safe. I can hear the snow plow rumbling by, but so far the snow is only sticking to cars and the streets are clear. I'm about to boil water for a cup of peppermint tea, light a candle and make some visits around BlogLand, which makes just about a perfect evening. As always, thanks for stopping by and take good care of yourself!