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A Visit to Peanut Butter & Co Giveaway

There are snow flakes and flurries and the Polar V----x has returned. Pretty depressing! No better time for a giveaway.

Two weeks ago I made a trip to Greenwich Village to visit Peanut Butter & Co, a store and restaurant that specializes in all products peanut butter. I had a Groupon that was soon to expire. I'd been planning my trip for all of January, but each time I thought it would be a good day it either snowed or froze. I picked a day when only light flurries were predicted and set out.

 The beginning of snow as I crossed Washington Square Park to my destination a few blocks away. By the time I left Peanut Butter & Co for my trip home big flakes were coming down fast. 

(Almost) all peanut butter all the time at the sign of the fluffernutter

The peanut butter desserts looked yummy. The chocolate peanut butter pie was at the top of my list. 

The perfect Valentine's treat for peanut butter lovers. 

The decor was peanut butter advertising art, circa 1940.

 Besides four jars of peanut butter I received a tote bag, which I think would be a fun giveaway on this cold, cold winter week. It's a cute white canvas bag, perfect for small shopping trips. Please leave a comment -- perhaps peanut butter related -- and be a friend on Google +, Bloglovin or  Google Friend. The giveaway ends on Tuesday, March 4 and I'll announce the winner on Wednesday, March 5. 

Yes, we're back in the Polar V----x. I thought we'd made an escape, but it's time again for my down coat and boots. Spring, you're going to get a very warm welcome!

As always, so glad you stopped by. Take good care and keep warm and cozy!

P.S. I'll be back tonight for Random 5 Friday!

Breaking News from my Dining Area

I know there's a lot of breaking news around the world, but most of it is so glum. I am delighted to be able to bring you some happy breaking news right from my dining area, fifteen feet away from where I am writing.



Dining area floor construction began this morning at approximately 9:45 a.m. Most of the subfloor has been constructed and work will resume tomorrow on assembling the rest of the parquet floor. Your intrepid blogger, Buttercup, is seen reflected in the far right upper corner. Yes, that is dust from the construction covering the mirrors. Generally they do not look like this. Actually, they never look like this.  

What will one day -- Thursday or Friday of this week -- be my floor. 

This is the door to my bedroom, and the the picture shows the last remaining obstacle course of the 2014 Olympics. The area to the right of the door is my next decorating challenge. 

I had a different post in the works, but I spent at least two hours looking at websites for a small cabinet/bookcase for this space. I had a large and very ungainly white bookcase in this now empty spot. I was told that the bookcase would have to be moved in order for the floor to be put in. That was the impetus I needed to move it out permanently. I would like a smaller piece in the entryway and an airier feeling. Despite having the living room stuffed with the dining table and chairs, I've actually liked having a more spacious feel in the empty dining area and am going to see what I furniture I can move or give away. I can definitely see some serious time with Pinterest coming up.   .   

I am very glad that in this one little corner of the world the breaking news is happy. Would that this happiness spreads! 

I spent a productive and fun day keeping out of the workmen's way. I was actually up, dressed and ready to go by 7:45, just in case they arrived early. I did three errands and had the pleasure of lunch and blog talk with my friend, Carol, of Wheat-Free Dairy-Free Kitchen. 

I hope you, too, have some happy news in your corner of the world.  As always, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

The Road to Sochi Sunlit Sunday

In the tons of email I get from time to time there is a gem. Sometimes there are emails from friends and sometimes there are notices of blog comments, all of which make my day. But in the myriad sales announcements and newsletters there are occasionally other rays of sunlight. This week I received a newsletter from the events group at Grand Central Station about the Road to Sochi Tour. The tour began in New York City in October and after traveling around the United States ended in New York City today. There were lots of fun activities and information about the Olympics and the United States teams.

  The big truck on East 42nd Street showed me where to go.

Once inside the terminal there were fun things to see and to do. 

There was an ice hockey practice area. I passed on the chance to try this and didn't wait in line for my picture in a bobsled, either. But I had a lot of fun taking pictures. 

I am a fan of ice skating and it was fun to see one of Kristi Yamaguchi's costumes. Please excuse the partial costume. The quarters were tight and only one half photographed well. 

One of my frequent and favorite rays of sunlight is visiting Grand Central Station. The renovation of this landmark is beautiful and I enjoy seeing it. I have been there hundreds of times -- our agency headquarters were around the corner -- and I take pictures just about every time I'm there.  

Now it's time to finish this post and get settled for the last episode of "Downton Abbey" for this season. I'm pleased I've kept from researching what happens tonight, but I do hope there are no terrible shocks in this episode. I'll have to find a new Sunday night activity. I certainly have enjoyed this one. 

I hope your Sunday has had many rays of light. As always, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

Spring Clothes Dreaming Pink Saturday

Though I took these pictures almost two months ago I didn't dream I'd ever be able to wear the clothes. The winter arrived almost immediately and pushed all thoughts of pretty cotton clothes far away. But today is a glorious fifty degrees and I am dreaming of spring clothes, all pretty and lots of pink.

I think I need the pink tote bag and the pretty in pink pullover shown on the model in front. 

I never wear orange -- doesn't do much for my complexion -- but this dress is making me think about giving it another try. Anyone here able to wear orange? 

Across the street from Macy's on West 34th Street is a new Crocs store. I need to make a return trip to see if they've opened yet. I didn't get a chance when I was in the neighborhood earlier this week. 

I know it's supposed to snow again next week and that means more time in boots and gloves and no time in pink spring outfits. But for today it's a Pink Saturday and I'm celebrating!

It's really spring today and I am loving it. I got my walk in this afternoon and I'm meeting my friend Mary later for dinner and a play in an Off-Broadway theater in the West Village. 

As always, thanks for visiting and I hope you're having a pretty in pink Saturday, too. 

Empire State Building Random 5 Friday

It's time for one of the high points of the Blog week, Random 5 Friday. Without any fuss, here are five very random thoughts.

1) I was set to call this post "Tundra Random 5," but happily that doesn't apply for our weather for this week. I am positively giddy at the turn in the weather. I was going to share a picture of the snow mound I jumped over last Friday, but now it's greatly diminished and very dirty ice. Even for keeping it real, it's just not a very attractive picture.

2) Because the weather is so nice I've done some traipsing around town, including a trip to West 34th Street. This was the scene that greeted me getting out of the subway.

I'm not sure how I left the Empire State Building off my list of places to visit in New York City.

3) On that note...My list of places to visit only included sites in Manhattan. New York City is five boroughs and though I've written about visits to the other four -- Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island -- it's time to do a little more exploring. I've got a visit to Staten Island lined up in the next little while and will plan a few other excursions. Stay tuned for the mini blog series, "Leaving Manhattan..."

3) I'm scheduled to get a new floor in the dining area next week. No matter how disruptive -- and it will be -- I will be so glad to have less overall chaos and my furniture back to where it should be. Six dining room chairs in my living room has not been fun.  

4) This Sunday will be the last week for "Downton Abbey" for this season." It's a great temptation to see what's going to happen in this episode, but so far I've resisted. 


5) It's amazing how pretty the snow can be when I'm looking at it in the past. I took this picture at a bus stop in Greenwich Village last Saturday. There was a lot more snow than I anticipated and at the time I was not happy with myself for making the trip. A week later it just looks pretty, and I'm glad to have the picture.   

Definitely enjoyed the change in weather and I love knowing that no matter what happens in the next few weeks, spring really is just around the corner. As always, thanks for visiting and take good care! 

No Spring Without a Winter


I looked in my tote bag this afternoon. There were infinite cough drops and two pairs of gloves. There was a lined leather pair for cold and and a knit pair for snowy days. I had three different lip balms. I was ready to meet most snowy day emergencies. But I was in a daze when I walked outside to run a few errands. The air didn't have a chill and the sun was actually warm. I'd forgotten what the warmth of the sun felt like and I'd stopped believing that spring would one day arrive again no matter how many times I said it would. I'd even come up with a title for this week's "Random 5 Friday. I was going to call it "Tundra Random 5 Friday," in honor of our endless winter.

Not today. Today I fully believe that the gift of spring is slightly more than a month away. I believe that the spring flowers will bloom and we'll once again hear the song of the turtle and they will be still more sweet than usual because of this long, long winter.

It's been a long six weeks, and it would be a lie to say I'd been upbeat the entire time or even most of it. I blogged, I read, I met football players and I saw friends, but the cold, early darkness and snow got to me. I continued a few writing projects, including another article for the Manilla blog, which I'm happy to share. I even started a new project, which I hope to tell you about later in the year.  

As always thanks for visiting. Take good care and I hope the gift of spring is right around the corner for you, too. 

The Beatles Fifty Years Later



I've watched a lot of television lately. A lot of this has to do with the weather and being indoors much more than usual. But there's also been a lot I've wanted to watch. There's the winter Olympics coverage, "Downton Abbey" on Sunday nights and the fiftieth anniversary show of the Beatles' appearance on Ed Sullivan, "50 Years: The Beatles."

I'm enjoying the Olympics and loved the ice dancing, but not too many other individual events will stick with me. I am a big fan of "Downton," but in a few years much of that will have faded from memory. But fifty years after that extraordinary Sunday night I can still remember almost every word to every song by the Beatles. Watching Ed Sullivan on Sunday night was our regular family activity, especially in the winter when it was rare that we would be out. We'd clean up the kitchen from supper and settle in the den to watch television as a family. It seems quaint now, but I imagine that was the activity for just about all of us.

I didn't listen to the Beatles very much in high school, but I did in college. While we pondered the world and studied, the Beatles' albums played and played and played. Over the years I favored some albums over others, but there was something I liked on every album. I still have my favorites. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You" make me want to get up and dance. When I'm feeling more romantic I think of "And I Love Her" and ""Here, There and Everywhere." But when I think of my favorite song by the Beatles, maybe even my favorite song, it's "In My Life." I can't begin to imagine how many times I've listened to it, and it still moves me.

I know there are lots of Beatles fans in Buttercupland. What are your favorite Beatles' songs and memories? I have one friend who liked them so much that he named his daughter, yes, Michelle.

I finally got to my card class at Michael's. I was the only student and with the help of my terrific instructor, Veronica, I had a very productive and fun session. I even made a few cards to put away for next year's Valentine Party in Kansas City. I wouldn't have thought that two hours would give me skills to improve my card making so much, but I think I'm progressed to advanced beginner. Jewelry Making may just come next.  

As always, thanks for visiting, and thanks for being in my life.


If You're Coming to New York City...

A few weeks ago a blog buddy sent me an email. Her son and a friend of his would be in New York City for the Big Game and they had one day for sightseeing. What would I recommend that they see? There's a lot to see in New York City and though I've lived here since 1975 there's always something new for me to visit. But I gave her request some thought and this is my quick one-day list for visitors to New York City.

Central Park is beautiful... 

 Whether snow covered...

Or in Greenery.


If it's Christmas Time Rockefeller Center is a must.

Times Square at night is on my list. 

But the my favorite top spots to visit are in Lower Manhattan.

Whether it's the view of New York Harbor from the World Financial Center...

Or the World Trade Center Site Rebuilding...

Or the top spot on my sightseeing list for New York City, our beloved Lady in the Harbor.

It might not be easy to them all in one day, but if the weather and the subway cooperate it could work, and what a great day it would be. 

I love to travel and one of my goals is to visit all fifty states. I've got eight left to see and I know there are lots of sights in the states I have visited yet to see. I've also got some spots across both oceans that I'm eager to visit, too. If I was traveling to your town what are the top spots you would recommend to me? I just might pop in for a visit!

Happily today was sunny and it's definitely easier to walk outside. I did my mile walk and a few errands on the way. Tomorrow is my rescheduled card class and I'm hoping to learn some new tricks for Valentine's Day next year. Please remember one of the sweetest bloggers anywhere, our dear Lura, in your prayers. She is hospitalized with complications of surgery and I am joining her friends and family around the world in prayers for a speedy recovery. 

As always thanks for visiting. Wishes for sunny days and cozy evenings!  

Just Around the Corner Sunlit Sunday

Broadway...My destination was the cute new restaurant on the corner with the bright red awning...

...and thankfully today was sunny. The giant puddles that made crossing the street an Olympic sport were much smaller. I was happy the sun was out, but I still would have waded puddles and walked through snow for my brunch date. Even without the sun being out it would have been a very sunlit Sunday. 

I was scheduled for brunch with a dear college friend. We'd lived in the same dorm for three years in college and when we both came to New York after graduate school we lived just around the corner and up the street, literally three blocks from each other. We'd fallen out of touch and now, by a benevolent turn of fate, we once again live just a few blocks away. Our conversation flowed easily, and in many ways it was as though twenty-five days had gone by and not twenty-five years. Of course there are big gaps and many stories untold. But what a gift to have the time and ability to fill in some of those gaps and even sweeter, the ability to make new memories. I can't think of a more sunlit way to spend a Sunday afternoon in February or at any time.

We both had walked by this restaurant at least a dozen times and wanted to try it, and weren't disappointed. The food was very good and the restaurant was charming.  As a Manhattan restaurant there were very tight quarters, and though I hoped for a picture this was the best I could do. 

   I'd love to try an arrangement like this.

The rest of the day was quiet. I caught up on the New York Times -- crossword puzzle still to do -- and there's a pot of carrot soup simmering on the stove. I'm looking forward to "Downton Abbey" and then the online discussion. I took one of the Facebook quizzes, "What Downton Abbey Character Are You?" twice. I must have changed one of the answers and I was Lady Edith once and Anna once. I'm not sure I'm either, but they are my two favorite characters and I worry about both of them.  

As always, thanks for stopping by. Take good care and have a sunlit Sunday night.  

Valentine Pink Saturday

I know Valentine's Day is over and we've already had our Buttercup Valentine celebration. But despite the foot of snow that fell in New York City in the last few days I've been able to capture a few pink Valentine store windows. There's even one wild window from a trip to the West Village I took today. The weather really turned between the time I left home from gentle flakes to a full-fledged snowstorm, but I finished an errand I've been trying to complete for the last few weeks.

There are all kinds of Valentine windows in New York City stores. 

There are sweet and cuddly windows on the Upper West Side.

There are sophisticated and playful windows -- with a selfie taking place -- near Lincoln Center. 

And there are wild and blingy windows in Greenwich Village.

I thought they were all fun. The first two windows were from stores I shop in often, but the third is in a neighborhood I rarely get to. Snow aside, I enjoyed my trip downtown a lot -- I have pictures to share next week -- and I will definitely be making a return visit when the weather is nicer. I was so pleased to find so much pink to share with my Pink Saturday buddies. 

I hope all of the Buttercupland folks in Georgia are all settled again after the earthquake and the power is back on again, too. As always, so glad you all stopped by to visit and take good care.   

Money Doesn't Buy Love Random 5 Friday

Yes, I know it's Saturday, but my computer was misbehaving, so I'm a little late to one of my favorite parties, Random 5 Friday. But I'm glad I can still join the fun.

1) It's been quite a few days. We had snow, freezing rain, thunder and a beautiful sunny day yesterday. I couldn't wait to get out of the house and was thrilled to find my friends from the Sanitation Department cleaning the streets and bus stops.

In the right corner you'll see some of the enormous puddles that made crossing streets our own Olympic  sport yesterday. On the other side of the street I got stuck between a snow plow, a puddle and two feet of snow. I was so thankful when a woman helped pull me over the snowbank.

2) I got to the grocery yesterday and found this scene. 

...a salad shortage. There were also #nobananas. Luckily I'd bought bananas and lettuce on Tuesday. 

3) I'm continuing to watch "Downton Abbey." Yes, they have a huge and beautiful estate, but money doesn't buy happiness or love, does it? Sorrow seems to be the lot in life of most of upstairs and the servants don't seem to be having much luck either. I'm especially concerned for Lady Edith and Anna. 

4) Of course it does seem that every man in England is romantically interested in Lady Mary. Yes, she is pretty, but I'm not sure of the reason for the complete overabundance of romantic interest. 

5) Aunt Buttercup is stopping by for the fifth random thought and saying a fond farewell to Shirley Temple Black. She brought so much happiness to America and then went on to a continuing life of purpose. Auntie's not mentioning any names, but you know who you are and you know you can take a leaf from Shirley Temple Black's story. 

So far, no snow today. A big, big hurray. I'm planning on getting to services and if the snow holds up making an excursion downtown in the afternoon. I've put it off for the last few weeks, but I'm eager to do a little exploring again. 

As always, I'm so glad that you stopped by. Take good care and keep warm, cozy and safe.   

Happy Valentine's Day

Since many of us are weary of winter and ice and snow I thought I'd do something a little out of the norm for my Valentine's Day post. Thanks to our friends at  Guinness World Records we're going to look at a few of the record breaking ideas people had to celebrate Valentine's Day.


Yes, it's the world's largest chocolate truffle!

The largest chocolate truffle weighed 1,768 lb 11 oz  and was achieved by Mirco Della Vecchia, Andrea Andrighetti, Rimini Fiera, Fabbri 1905, Icam and Martellato (all Italy) at the Sigep Fair in Rimini, Italy on January 21, 2012.

Another Guinness World Record fact is that Richard Cadbury -- the son of the founder of the candy company -- created the first known heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day, 1868.


Jackie Miley and the world's largest collection of teddy bears

Jackie Miley (USA) had 7,106 different teddy bears, as of March 11, 2011, which she has been collecting since 2002. When Jackie began the collection in 2002, she had no idea things would turn out as they have. When the collection grew, she thought she would like to collect as many teddy bears as Hill City’s population (780) for a goal. Since then her collection has grown to such an extent that she now has them in a little house of their own called Teddy Bear Town. It is located across the street from her apartment.

What's your favorite Valentine treat? Flowers, chocolate, a romantic dinner out? I don't have a favorite, though some of that truffle would be fun, and if the temperatures are above freezing tomorrow I'll be a very happy New Yorker.   

I spent a quiet day at home. The snow looked pretty and it didn't look too treacherous from my fourth floor window, but when I went down to mail a letter the sidewalk was very icy. I retreated back to my apartment and spent time reading, decluttering -- always a useful activity -- and I took an afternoon nap.

As always, thanks for visiting. Take good care and keep cozy, warm and safe.  

I've Got Cooking Inspiration for You

On these long, cold stormy days one of the best ways to spend time and to eat well is to cook. I can't complain that I don't have the time and nothing is better than the aroma of something warm bubbling on the stove or emerging from the oven. Despite my hours on Pinterest or searching the internet for new recipes it's nice to have a favorite blog or two or three to turn to. I've got a few I really like, but I've got another blog -- brand new -- to add to my list. Truth in journalism: the author is a dear friend and I have delighted in her cooking and hospitality for over twenty years. We met in a class in synagogue. For our last meeting of the class we all brought snacks. I brought a very nice bag of store-bought cookies and she brought chocolate covered strawberries, which took the idea of "bring a snack" to an entirely different level.

My friend Carol is a gifted cook, a food stylist and cookbook author. Wheat-Free, Dairy-Free Kitchen is not just for those who are avoiding dairy or wheat. It's delicious food. I've had the privilege of sampling a fabulous wheat-free, dairy-free cracker and it was terrific. I am especially taken with the idea of having homemade hash -- I am a hash fan, though I've never thought to make it -- for a breakfast treat.

  Wouldn't this be a nice breakfast on a cold morning! Just click the link above for the recipe. 

Please stop by and say hello. If you'd like to follow Wheat-Free Dairy-Free Kitchen, the follow button is at the top of the page. I promise you'll find great food and a warm welcome. 

I started the day early with a trip to my internist for routine blood work. That got me up and out and despite the cold I enjoyed being out and walking on this sunny morning. I spent the afternoon getting some errands done before I hole up in my apartment in anticipation of the next storm of this winter. I've got a list of blogging/free-lance chores to do as well as recipes I plan to make. My beans are soaking and I've got the ingredients for carrot-ginger soup. I plan to eat well tomorrow.  

As always, thanks for stopping by. Take good care and keep warm, cozy and safe.    

Buttercup Goes to Fashion Week

I don't begin to pretend that I'm a fashion person. My outfit for today was blue jeans, a cotton turtleneck sweater -- one of at least a dozen that I wear regularly -- grey suede boots and a black storm coat. The boots and the coat with a faux fur collar make a slight turn to being fashionable, but the rest of the outfit is the opposite of high fashion. It's no wonder that I didn't receive an invitation to any of the designer shows that are going on all over Manhattan this week. I was actually quite oblivious to all the hooplah until I saw this window display when I got off the bus this afternoon.

I wouldn't call this an invitation, but it's the closest I expect to get to Fashion Week. I decided to stop inside the store and see what the fashionable among us will be wearing if the snow ever melts.

 I was delighted to see skirts and hats that weren't made with ear flaps. 

I thought this was a cute look. I won't be wearing leggings with a skirt, but I am in love with the heart decorated socks. I would be wearing the socks with jeans, but I think the look in the store is fun. 

Though it's still cold -- really cold -- it was sunny and I loved being outside. I went to an interesting program on flexibility at my senior program and treated myself to soup at a favorite restaurant. I also walked a mile and it felt so good to get some exercise. Snow is forecast again for later this week and I am determined to get out and walk on every day that it's not slippery. 

As always, I am so glad you came to visit. Take good care and keep cozy!

Tea Time Sunlit Sunday

It's definitely not a sunlit Sunday in New York City today. It was clear for most of the day and I savored the ability to cross the street without any difficulty. But not very long ago I heard the sound of the snow shovel hitting the sidewalk. When I looked out I saw lots of snow and not much sidewalk anymore. I'm glad my errands took longer than expected and I cancelled my plans to be out tonight. The only place I want to be tonight is home.

But last Tuesday was gloriously sunlit. That was the day I spent with my friend Sandy in Tarrytown. I loved catching up with her -- we could (and did) spend hours talking during our working days -- and I especially enjoyed the pretty tea room where we had lunch.

Our lunch was so good. We both had chicken salad and choosing the food was the easy part. Choosing our tea was much more difficult.

These tea tins are only a small section of the many kinds of tea we had to choose from. Sandy had cranberry apple and I had a mango tea. I like the sign over the tins, "Enter with a Happy Heart." 

They had a great gift section and I enjoyed browsing. I was especially taken with the tea cozies. 


The cozies deserve the center of attention. I love the bright colors. 

What's your favorite type of tea? I'm more a coffee drinker than a tea drinker, but I do enjoy fruit teas and look for all varieties of apple teas. 

I'm about to get ready to settle in for television time. I'll be tuning to "Downton Abbey" and then will switch over to the Olympics. I haven't been as glued to the Olympics as I expected to be, but I have been enjoying the ice skating and of all things, the luge. I find that last sport fascinating, and admire the courage of going 85 miles an hour secured on your back in a sled. 

Please stop over and visit with the great bloggers at Sunlit Sunday, which has definitely been the best discovery of 2014. As ever, thanks for visiting. Take good care and keep warm and cozy. 

Tulips for Pink Saturday

They're not all pink, but these tulips at the fruit and veggie store made my day. 

We all need some tulip cheer these days and this pretty display of tulips caught my attention yesterday. As soon as my dining room table returns to its rightful spot I'm going to celebrate with tulips. My eye is on the white tulips and the pink tulips, mixed together. 

I had a very enjoyable day today. This afternoon my Bible study group met and we are slowly, slowly making our way through Ecclesiastes. Tonight I had dinner with a friend visiting from Vermont. We had terrific Indian food -- thankful for leftovers -- and even better conversation. I was so pleased when she agreed to do a guest post in March. Now I've got the  Olympics on in the background and I'm enjoying a quiet end of the day at home.  

Please stop by for the fun at Pink Saturday. Hope your Saturday was a pretty in pink day and as always, I'm so glad you stopped by to visit. Take good care!

Sunny Day in February Random 5 Friday

Today is actually a sunny day in this long, long winter. I wore sneakers to walk to physical therapy and it was just fine...not much ice out there. It's time to link up with our friends at Random 5 Friday, the most fun that doesn't involve calories.

1) Let's start with a little sunny fun. Tuesday was a beautiful day, cold, but clear and sunny. For the first time in weeks I was on the railroad to spend the day with my friend Sandy in Westchester. We had a terrific lunch and walked in Tarrytown. I enjoyed seeing the marquee for this vintage theater.

Besides the theater there were antique and thrift shops that caught my eye. I definitely need a return visit. 

2) The status of my dining room floor remains unchanged. I've got the temporary board over the hole in the floor and I'm waiting for the final go-ahead. I'm both eager and not-eager to get the work done. I'll be glad to have a solid floor again -- I don't take floors for granted! -- but the week of work will be difficult.  

3) I wasn't one of the bloggers chosen for SoFabCon in May. I'm disappointed, but appreciative of the submissions that the winning bloggers created. 

4) Aunt Buttercup was moved at Jay Leno's last night on the "Tonight" Show yesterday. No, I'm not just a biddy aghast at celebrity behavior, but I try to look at the positive in the world. I especially liked seeing Carol Burnett, one of my all-time favorite television friends.   

5) If you need a chuckle I hope this works for you. I saw this sign in Grand Central Terminal and I had to stop and snap a picture. 


I hope you're having a bright and sunny Friday. As always thanks for stopping by and take good care. 

Pagophobia

Yesterday's post was all about fun and football. But as we know the football is all gone, spring training has yet to start and when there's an inch of ice -- yesterday's weather -- it's not much fun at all. I gave in to my not-so-irrational fear of falling on ice, Pagophobia, cancelled physical therapy and spent a quiet day at home. Up until ten minutes ago I didn't know that fear of ice had a bona fide phobia label, but I thought, "Just let me google fear of ice..." It is comforting to know that I'm not alone with my worries about walking on ice.

Luckily today I had a lunch planned with friends from my New York City government days, one of whom I hadn't seen in over twenty years. Today was cold, but sunny and it was going to take more than a concern about slushy corners -- what a mess! -- to keep me in on a bright and clear day. Our lunch was really fun and we had a great time catching up. I also got to the bank, drug store and grocery and so enjoyed being outside.

Though there's not much fun for me in all of the storms of this season I found this snow person on my walk this afternoon and he is a lot of fun.

This is definitely keeping the glamour of life in New York real. Big piles of slushy snow, Con Edison signage for electrical work and our trash waiting for pickup. 

I hope you can find some fun in this winter, too. As always, thanks for visiting and take good care.  

Thanks, #DRBigGame, You Made this Football Fan Very Happy!


Truth in journalism...I'm a come-lately football fan. I've been a baseball fan for just about as long as I can remember, but my affection for football developed somewhere in the last decade. That said, I'm a devoted New York Giants fan. I never dreamed I'd meet the players, but #DRBigGame and #CollectiveBias made my dreams come true, not once, but twice. A few weeks ago I had the fun of meeting Rueben Randle and last week I got to meet defensive end, Justin Tuck. Short of the Giants going to the Big Game, it doesn't get much better for this Giants fan.

#DRBigGame. #cbias, #shop
What a thrill! Justin Tuck was the nicest guy and I'm as happy as I look. It's a football fan dream come true.


#DRBigGame, #cbias, #shop
The line was long, but for football fans, it was well worth the wait. 

I also got to do a little shopping while I was at Duane Reade. I'd already stocked up on my chips and candy, but there are some basics we all need and happily my favorites were at the store.

#DRBigGame, #shop, #cbias
I made sure to pick up my favorite, Tide.

#DRBigGame, #cbias, #shop
I got a chuckle at the names of the Old Spice deodorants...Pure Sport and Playmaker. They were perfect for a Big Game weekend. 

What a weekend and what memories! Though the game itself was highly one-sided -- definitely would have liked more excitement and back and forth throughout the game -- Seattle was terrific. I am treasuring the memories of meeting two great football players, the fun and excitement on the Boulevard and yes, Puppy Bowl. I've been enjoying visiting the #DRBigGame website, and looking at all of the fun pictures from the Big Game.

Today's a stay inside and keep cozy day. We've got my least favorite weather, sleet and freezing rain. I do have a physical therapy appointment a little later, but otherwise, it's reading, blogging and cooking.

As always, thanks so much for visiting and take good care.