Flying Flags High

Happy Birthday America!

photo of Sax Fifth Avenue in NYC.
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Because I want to share a bit of Xanadu magic with you

Patience and Fortitude

Did you know that the lions in front of the New York Public Library are named Patience and Fortitude? These are honorable virtues to hold. If I do say so myself, I have a strong amount of patience. Fortitude however, is definitely a weakness in my character. My SIL on the other hand, believes she needs her patience strengthened, yet her fortitude is solid. So on my last day in NYC, we took a few photos of each other in front of the lion that we need more guidance with.

MJ and Patiencepa·tience (pā'shəns)
-noun
1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.
3. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.


Madeline and Fortitudefor·ti·tude (fôr'tĭ-tōōd', -tyōōd')
-noun
1. Mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously
2. Strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage.
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Belated Valentine Wishes

I got home very late on February 14th, didn't even have for time for a romantic dinner with my sweety. Then, in typical Madeline style, I caught a cold as soon as I got home. So for the past few days, I've been sleeping, catching up on tv, sniffling, coughing, and very stuffy headed. So I haven't been able to write a coherent post since I've been back. But here are a few pics I took in NYC that I had hoped to share on Valentine's Day.

So I give you permission to celebrate again with your beloved, another Valentine's celebration on President's Day.
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It's a snow day

...it's simply beautiful!


spent a part of the day on the Sex in the City tour.
Here we are on Carrie Bradshaw's front stoop.

And eating cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery.

Lest you think all our adventures are frivolous or gastric:
We walked by the NYC Public Library. Didn't you know that by simply walking next to a great building filled with volumes of literature and information makes you nearly as knowledgeable as Einstein?
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hello from NYC

You have to believe we are magic...nothing can stand in our way!
Sorry, still on a Xanadu high. Saw it Sunday matinee. Beyond fabulous! Would expound but ohsovery tired.
want to give few lots more details, but it's late and seriously...so very tired, but wanted to pop in and say hello! for now, so far:

Sunday:
-Breakfast at Balthazar's
-Shopping at Kate's Paperier
-Xanadu
-Dinner at Junior's
-Marathon viewing of Sex in the City

Monday:
-Lunch during the Food and History Tour. 3.5 hours, walking in 11 degrees, with wind chill that made it actually feel like -3 degrees. California Girl thanks NYC for being so thoughtful on the weather.
this tour was amazing! totally worth being in what actually felt like sub zero temperatures for 3.5 hours. we did walk into restaurants and food shops so weren't outside the entire 3.5 hours so at least we got a few moments to recover while inside. and eat very very good food. Including:
a slice at Joe's Pizza
Artisan bread featuring O&Co olive oil, cherry balsamic vinegar and sea salt.
An amazing beatnik underground 'theater' downstairs in the Cornelia Street Cafe
Cheese tasting at Murray's Cheese
Thai dumplings at Lime Bistro
Chocolate chip and oatmeal cookie at Milk and Cookies Bakery
Another slice of pizza at Bleeker Street Pizza
Ending with Italian cannoli's at Rocco's Pastries
Plus lots of other influential restaurants and historic sights in the village.
Again, I hope to give more details later.
-actually went to the fitness center and rode stationary bike for 20 minutes after the above indulgence.
-Out again for dinner at Patsy's back in the Village. Split misto salad and penne a la vodka with my SIL.
-then dessert at Chocolate at the Bald Man's.
Back to apartment to ooze. and thaw. and sleep.
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2:08 NYC bound

Can you tell I've been a bit single minded lately?
I have a zillion things on my to-do list, haven't sat down for more than 10 minutes since I got home at 2:30. But somehow I managed to find the time to make this little Daily Card/ATC and blog about it. I have to wake up in 6 hours, of course my typical MO is not enough sleep before a trip. "I can sleep on the plane" is my motto. I can never sleep on the plane. Can anyone? I had to let go of a few items on my list that I know won't happen, but my house is clean (by my standards) and I'm almost packed.

A few things on our agenda:
-Browsing through the New York Public Library
-Food and History walking tour of Greenwich Village
-Going to the Top of the Rock
-Cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery
-Xanadu, the musical on Broadway
-eating at the Grand Central Oyster Bar

With all this and more, you can see why I've been so focused.

Have laptop will travel...hopefully I'll be able to update my blog a few times.

Have a wonderful week!
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Sky Watch Friday

For several months, I've noticed on Lilli's blog that she does a weekly photo challenge called Sky Watch Friday but I didn't know who hosted it and I didn't get around to ask her. But I finally linked over to Dot's blog at Strolling through Georgia via Rook's Nest because I noticed that Dot visited many of the same blogs that I visit. Well, I'm describing how many of us find each other in the blog world, so enuf said on that. But I'm very happy to be able to participate in something I've enjoyed photographing for years. In fact, this photo is from 2004 when I was in NYC. I'm going again and have been posting pictures from that trip, so thought this sky entry would be fitting for right now. Cheers!
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2:7 The last time I was in NYC

Getting very excited about my trip to NYC. The last time I went was the summer of 2004. That time I pretty much took the city in alone. Jimmy was on a business trip and I tagged along. While he was working, I explored. This time I'll be with my sister-in-law, who has lived in the city since the fall of 2006. A couple of you might remember my cross country trip with her.
It'll be awesome exploring NYC with a local.
In the meantime, here are just a few of my favorite photos from that trip.The architecture in NYC is as phenomenal as you'd expect it to be. I swear I had a neck ache every evening from looking up all day.

Famous Radio City Music Hall, just a few blocks from the hotel where we were staying.

A tribute to John Lennon in Central Park.

The Brooklyn Bridge.

Sitting on the Cosby's front stoop. This is the house where the Huxtable's lived in The Cosby Show.

The Ed Sullivan Theater where David Letterman does his Late Show.

The Empire State Building.

For any Seinfeld fans. The real Soup Nazi's restaurant.

The "Friends" apartment on the corner of Bedford and Grove.

Lady Liberty herself.

More pictures on my family website here.
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St. John the Evangelist

St. Patrick's Cathedral, NYC.

Submitted to Moody Monday: Devoted

Vigil Lights

St. Patrick's Cathedral, NYC.

submitted to Tuesday's Photos: Fire
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Photo Friday: Chaos

5:18pm. Friday. Penn Station.
PhotoFriday
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