365/0

Thank you my "phriends" for sharing a year in your life with me.

As we turn the calendar page and enter into 2012 may God give you ...

12 Month of Happiness,

52 Weeks of Fun,

365 Days Success,

8760 Hours Good Health,

52600 Minutes Good Luck,

3153600 Seconds of Joy.

364/1

~ spreading a little bit of Irish luck, may you all have a Happy, Healthy New Year ~

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360/5

washed and hung to dry ~ ready for next year ~

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~ Merry Christmas ~

358/7

he see you when you're sleeping . . .

357/8

Celebrating this first full day of winter was made so much easier by the mere fact it was near 60 degrees today! Getting out of work early, B and I decided a walk along the boardwalk was in order. This is the place Bruce Springsteen mentions in his version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Today there was no “wind whippin’ down the boardwalk”.  ~ Christmas Greetings from Asbury Park.

356/9

I've always liked Holly, especially at Christmas time ~ but oh so difficult to handle ~

355/10

only 10 Days to go! then what?

354/11

play a little Christmas jingle ~

353/12

You better watch out, You better not cry, Better not pout . . . 

352/13

a little Christmas shopping @ Bryant Park ~

351/14

I love how New York has large Christmas displays randomly placed about the City.

350/15

B and I, although puppyless (insert sad face here) still enjoy attending the monthly Puppy Raiser meetings. Last evening, we celebrated the Christmas holiday with the Ocean County Puppy club. The festivities began with humans being blindfolded and asked to perform varies tasks such as counting out 42 cents from a pile of coins, tying a pair of shoes, putting lids on different size jars and harness, collar and leash a dog. I can assure you, these seemingly-simple tasks are considerably more difficult without the benefit of sight.

The puppies started the party when their gifts were lined up and one by one, starting with the youngest, they were paraded past the line. They sniffed and pawed at the gifts until each one had chosen the perfect gift for his or her holiday enjoyment from the softest of squeezy toys to the wackiest of wubbas. This adorable little girl was the star of show! After curiously inspecting each perfectly wrapped mystery package, she made her decision by swiftly grabbing her choice and dragging it across the floor until the paper wrapping yielded to the thrashing it was receiving.

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B was a really good sport yesterday. First I dragged took him to Macy’s so I can get a sneak a peek at Santa and instead we are greeted by hoards of screaming excited children. I would have thought my choice of “fun” places to go would be over but to my surprise he remained at the ready to explore all the ins and outs of the city. We walked the 30 blocks from 34th street to Barney's on Madison Ave, stopping off at FAO Schwatz.

Barney's is uptown and is a “high falutin” store, surrounded by Tiffany’s, Sax 5th Ave, Trump towers and The Plaza hotel. It is the last place we would have expected to find the Lady Gaga Workshop.

Admittedly, I do like her music and find her antics have the same effect on me that headlights have on a deer. We just had to go and see this spectacle for ourselves.

348/17

I just had to take a photograph of this cutie taking a photo of me.

347/18

On our travels to New York today, I dragged B into Macy’s. I wanted to see the real Santa! I have a long list to give him and I need to make sure to get it to him in time! We took the express elevator to the 8th floor and walked down the long corridor to Santa Land. A hum of energy came from the line of excited young children who wrapped around the corners as far as one could see. They could barely stand still. We anticipated waiting for well over an hour opting, instead, for the “peek line” (a back door past the village). There sat Santa in his golden throne-like chair, surrounded by children. My heart raced at the site of him. After being filled with the Christmas spirit, we walked outside and around the building to see their legendary winter display windows.

346/19

He is back in town ~

345/20

winter @ the beach ~

344/21

While B and I were out and about this afternoon, I took this photo.
It was an awesome tree standing, by my best guesstimate 75 feet tall, covered in white lights.
I wasn't crazy about the way the shot came out, but thanks to photoshop I think it now looks artsy.

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one of the flickr group prompts this week was "FREE" ~

hugs are alway free and plentyful for both the man and the beast!

341/24

This is the extent of my Christmas decorating this year, well and the wreath on my front door. I made the decision to forego the tree and lights, the bells and whistles, the glitter and the sparkle. Don’t get me wrong; I am not being a Scrooge, and I am not in a ba-hum-bug mood. Actually, it is the exact opposite. In recent years, after going back to work full time, I found the stress of having to decorate, shop, wrap, and bake bring about less holiday enjoyment. By the time Christmas day arrived I would be frazzled to the point of simply wishing the day was over. This year, I made the decision to just enjoy the holiday season for what it is, a chance to dream of the day there may be peace on earth and begin by having peace in my heart and in my house.

340/25

The conversion went like this ~ “Hey B, could you climb into the attic and get the big mirror down?” This was met with a pensive look as I added, “yes the one that weights about 100 lbs.” After a quizzical glance that seemed to imply “is this going on the wall and if not where?“ No, its going on the beach” The blank stares turned to laugher as he saw my camera bag and knew what was coming. Without much thought I answered the remaining unspoken questions: yes, we're going to the beach, yes I know the fog is thick as pea soup, and yes, I realize we’re not going to be able to see much, but I need a reflection photo for that new flickr group” “oh and could you grab the garbage can and the snow shovel?" With a simple shake of the head, he quietly went about gathering up my odd group of items. Yup, he’s a keeper ♥

339/26

 the sweet sound of Christmas Carols fill the air ~

join in the Marco Monday fun over @ Lisa's Chaos

338/27

the last of summer hanging on ~

337/28

Willy patiently waiting to go on our photo walk.



336/29

As of late, I have found I am losing inspiration and creativity. I was in a slump and needed to find something to give me a bit of a push to help me to continue. Frankly, I am quite surprised this hadn’t happened earlier in the year. Heck, there is only one month to go and I could just take a month of anything photographs just to finish, however I started the project with the intent and hope of improving and not just settling on any old shot.

Hopping around blogs and looking through flickr I came across a group of photographers who come up with a daily challenge. For the last two weeks I have been participating in the challenge. It has made me dig deep in my noncreative mind and into the bottom of my camera bag. A few days ago, I even pulled out my old friend, my 60mm marco. I had forgotten just how much fun we can have together.

One of the topics this week ~ fence.

335/30

Did you watch the tree lighting celebration in NYC?  I did, I do every most years. 
It, along with Santa's arrival during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, are signs the Christmas season is official here, ready or not! 
Last week B and I walked over to Rockefeller Center. 
The tree, under the cover of scaffolding, was in place and ready for it's Christmas dressing. 

One of my all time favorite Christmas commercials is one in which a Grandfather with his small grandson bury a pine cone at the site of the tree. 
A week later they return to see the 100 foot tree standing tall, a glitter in lights, in the exact spot the pine cone was buried.
I haven't seen it in years.

The first, a 20 foot tree, was erected and decorated by construction workers who were working at the center in 1931. 
It was decorated with tin cans and a string of paper garland.  Wow! It's come a long way.

Oh, and are we in the last month of 365?!  Holy soly, did that go fast.
 

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~ ♥ ~

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B and I hit a trifecta today; I was off, he got out of work early and the temperature continues to be unseasonably warm. I believe we hit 70 degrees today (insert giant smile here). With it being a win-win-win, we decided to take our luck to Atlantic City.

A nice walk along the boardwalk proved to be the perfect choice of activities. Was we strolled along, we can across a life size huge Monopoly board. This seems only fitting since each of the streets in the game are names of actual streets in Atlantic City.

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Finding new ways to reuse ~ this beaded necklace is made from strips of recycled magazines.

join in the Marco Monday fun over @ Lisa's Chaos

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You all know by now, I love the ocean and the beach. I visit in all kinds of weather, at all times of the year. (I have pictures to prove it!)  But even I think these fellows are a bit crazy to be surfing in the freezing ocean water, at the end of November.

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If every winter day could be as summer like as today, I wouldn’t mind it. The sun was bright and the air unseasonably warm. B and I were enjoying the last of our Thanksgiving vacation days. And since we’re not crazy enough to go shopping on this Black Friday, we went to the beach.

Yesterday’s topic for the flickr group I joined was white on white. I found this little starfish against the crushed seashell to be the perfect subject. I liked the photo enough to share it here also.

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Standing, under the cover of gray skies, in South Street Seaport looking across the Brooklyn Bridge ~

view skies from around the world over @ SkyWatch Friday.

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With it raining on and off, very heavy at times, B and I made the decision to cancel our plans to witness the inflation of the Macy’s balloons. We have gone on prior years and it is a good time. We're sorry we missed it.  This was not an easy decision but the thought of getting drenched, having to walk 20 city blocks and then having to wait for a bus just didn’t seem like fun. During one of the breaks in the rain we were able to get a walk in and a quick visit to the beach.

There are so many things to be thankful for: my health, my amazing family, my wonderful friends, my crazy and silly dogs. Both my husband and I have a jobs and I have a roof over my head and food on my table. I have the beach and ocean, so I can feel the sand under my feet and the warmth of sunshine on my shoulders. But above all things I am thankful for the love of my husband and the joy he brings me each day.

May you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving!

327/38

It's cold, dark and raining ~

predicting 2 - 3" of rain tonight and tomorrow,
I fear we may not be going to Macy's Balloon inflation.

326/39

Walking down the street the other day, among all the hussel and bussel,

out of the corner of my eye, I noticed this fine gentlemen.

 There he stood dipping strawberries and other fine goodies into a vat of rich, dark, smooth chocolate.

I shook my head and blinked by eyes ~ I thought I was dreaming!

325/40

After having a bit of a respite we walked back through the craziness of the protests, down Wall Street pass the New York Stock Exchange toward the East River and South Street Seaport, home of Fulton Fish Market. It was surprisingly quite. Although it was a lovely evening most of the outside dining tables remained empty.

Oh, and I'm really hoping you're not tired of see photographs from New York City, cause guess what?? We'll going back!! This time to watch the inflation of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day balloons and the week after that... yup one more time ... Radio City to see the Christmas show.

324/41

After the mayhem at Zuccotti Park and the crowds at the 9/11 Memorial, we thought it would be time for a nice little break from all the noise and activity. We walked over to Battery Park and took a stroll along the Hudson River while enjoying the view of our Lady Liberty.

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Once inside the 9-11 Memorial we were able to view the reflecting pools which stand in the footprint of the Twin Towers. They are impressive being the largest man made falls in the US and are nearly an acre in size. They bare the names of the each of the victims from the World Trade Center towers, Pentagon, the Shankville PA field, as well as the six killed during the 1993 attack.

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When one looks across the river in the direction of Manhattan, it is difficult not of notice the void of the Twin Towers. After ten years this somber reminder of the horrors of that day, still saddens me.

It will still be a number of years before the Freedom Towers will be occupied and the streets full of man in pin strip suits and ladies in heels. But after yesterday’s visit we can be sure the skyline will, shortly, once again bare the silhouettes of the tall and mighty Financial Center.

view skies from around the world over @ SkyWatch Friday.

321/44

Generally when B and I go to the City, we visit Midtown (Time Square, Broadway, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick, the Public Library). We’ve not had the need or interest to head Downtown into the Financial District (Stock Exchange, Battery Park, South Street Seaport, Fulton Fish Market) and I am not very familiar with the streets. Hence, getting around can be a bit difficult, leading to the avoidance.

We made the pilgrimage to Ground Zero years ago when it was sadly, a hole in the ground. After our city visit last week we decided it was time to see the progress which was being made and tour the 9-11 Memorial which is now open. I was able to obtain tickets so plans were set.

Although the commotion of the Occupy Wall Street was going on, the mood was otherwise much lighter than our last visit 8 years ago. Construction on Freedom Tower is well underway and the World Trade Center area is a buzz with construction workers.

320/45

As B and I were preparing to leave for the City this morning, we heard the news of the “clean sweep” of Zuccotti Park. The Park has been the two month camp site of the Occupy Wall Street protesters. Our plans were to visit downtown Manhattan today and that would bring us directly into this area of town.

We decided to stick with our original route. We took the ferry over the Hudson River and caught the bus to the Financial District. For blocks around the park the presents of Police was the likes of nothing we have ever seen. At Zuccotti the uniformed offices stood tall and strong, nearly shoulder to shoulder encompassing the park. Mounted Police sat at the ready upon their horses.

Earlier this morning over 200 protesters had been arrested as Mayor Bloomberg ordered an evacuation and clean up.  Now as they were permitted to re-enter without tents, food, and drums, there was calm.

319/46

I was sure by now I would have heard the sirens of the 365 police. I plead guilty. Yes, this past week I posted photographs which were taken all within the time span of one day. But I just couldn’t help myself, there are just too many photo ops in the City and it had been almost a year since we had visited. But be prepared to see more, as we are heading back today.

B and I have walked past the New York City Public Library numerous times. This past week since we didn‘t have an agenda and were wandering aimlessly, B suggested we nose around inside. It is a magnificent marble building, full of ornate décor and amazing artwork.

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If you're in a City as large as New York and you take a photo of one marquee,

is it considered a marco shot??

join in the Marco Monday fun over @ Lisa's Chaos

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When I was a child my Nana would bring my sister and I along on her many journeys into the City. We would take the bus over the bridge and upon our first steps on to 42nd street, she would announce, like it was a surprise, we would be stopping for “coffee and . . .”. Her favorite place was Chock Full of Nuts. We would sit on the shiny metal turning stools at the counter, what a treat. I can still smell the fresh coffee brewing and my mouth waters thinking of the delicious “add”.

After we had rested up from our travel, she would hurry us across the street directly into Macy’s. Macy’s was and still is larger than life. Macy’s home of the real Santa Claus. The Santa Claus who arrives during the Thanksgiving day parade. My heart still races thinking of seeing him sitting on his King like throne. I knew if I told him what was on my list, it was a certain guarantee it would be under the tree on Christmas morning.

When B and I walked past Macy’s and I saw the trees strung with lights and them preparing the windows for the Christmas season, I could not help but have a rush of fond memories. I can see Nana smiling and laughing. I could feel the touch of her hand and I remember her on this her birthday. It’s been near 20 years since her passing and there isn’t a day that goes by I don’t think of her.

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~ chocolate and flowers, this is a man after my ♥ ~