A Roll Tide Christmas

The University of Alabama NYC Alumni Association hosted its Christmas party at Cafe St. Barts by the Waldorf Astoria. I had such a good time! I kept thinking of how I've only known these people for a short time, but we are a close little community of Alabama friends.






Friends at the party.


President Witt and Mal Moore talked about the goings-on of the University and the fabulousness of the New York Chapter. :)

Thanking Bulleit for sponsoring the party!

The First Snow!

Sunday morning I did a double take as I woke up and looked out the window. The sky was so gray...wait! It's snowing!! I hopped out of bed about the same time my friend Jen called to say, "It's SNOWING!"

Our walk to Rockefeller Center took an unusually long time as we stopped to take pictures of the Christmas decorations along the way - all of which were looking especially beautiful in the snow. After touring the Christmas wonderland of Rockefeller, Radio City and 5th Avenue shops, we decided to stop for lunch and "warm up". Somehow as our stomachs filled up, our warmth level dropped even more. As we oohed and aahhed around Central Park, our toes and fingers froze over like the world around us.

It was a fun first snow day...the snow so shiny, white and new. I have no idea what the next few months will bring weather-wise, but I hope each new snowfall remains a shiny new experience - no brown slushy thoughts here!

My snow buddy, Jen!

Lots of pretty Christmas trees in front of the Plaza Hotel.

Autum leaves + white snow + red holly berries = perfection!

I can't claim it - Jen snapped this picture!

The weeping willows at Wollman Rink are so beautiful they make my heart hurt!

Enjoy these beautiful pictures of Central Park from the warmth of your home. For me, the memories of freezing cold toes linger!

The view from my apartment later Sunday evening.

Kristen and her mom came by the apartment for a visit during their weekend in New York.

Smells like Christmas

My summertime fruit stand has been replaced with wintertime Christmas trees. As colorful and refreshing of a treat the fruit stand was during the hot summer months, the pine smells and lights are a cold weather delight. As I near the corner, I slow my walking pace and peep my head out of my high-wrapped scarf and low-pulled hat. I breathe deeply and let the wonderful pine smell fill my nose. Instantly I'm in a warm living room, in front of the fireplace and looking at a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. As visions of sugar plums begin to dance in my head, a car horn blows and pulls me back to reality. I duck my head from the wind and hurry on to the apartment - baby, it's cold outside!

Lighting THE Tree

The past few years I've watched the Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony on NBC's televised broadcast, sitting in front of the TV in Birmingham and wishing I could be there in person! The tree, the lights, the people, the buildings, the city, the Rockettes! It just seemed so magical.

Weelllll...I wouldn't exactly describe the experience of being there in person as magical. Better descriptors are crowded, cold, tiring, no view, frozen feet. I didn't want another viewing misfortune like arriving late to the Thanksgiving parade, so I made sure to pick a spot by 6 PM for the 9 PM lighting. Several attempts to convince people to come with me were unsuccessful - I couldn't imagine why no one wanted to get out in the crowd. :)


My vantage point of the tree was actually pretty good! But after three hours of seeing this and only this, it became a bit monotonous.

I spent the first hour entertaining myself by chatting with Ansley on the phone, trying to inch forward in the crowd as much as possible, making sure my camera was working, and getting acquainted with neighbors in the crowd. We lost a few people as they learned the actual countdown and lighting wouldn't happen for another three hours - I made myself stay strong and stay put!

The second hour started the show performance - but we couldn't see any of it. I heard Al Roker announce the fabulous Rockettes, the one and only Celine Dion, the superstar Carrie Underwood...but for all I know it was voices through a radio. Why am I out here freezing?

Then I realized it actually wasn't that cold - amazing what body heat can do! I noticed, however, that my back was decidedly colder than my front. I turned around for the first time and saw there was a break in the crowd right behind me. There was a sea of short people who didn't want to stand right behind me to block their view! The wind was whipping right through the crowd and landing on me! In a continued effort to keep myself entertained, I tried to see what it must be like for the shorter people in the world. I bent my knees to get more on the level of the general height of the crowd. As I crouched, the tree suddenly disappeared, and I felt a little suffocated by the hair and shoulders now at eye level. If I - who at my normal tall height - could see so much more than everyone else but still felt I didn't have a very good view, what in the world were all these shorties thinking about the situation?! I started making a mental list of all the good and bad points of being tall, and the only bad I could think of just then was the fact of no one wanting to stand behind you in a crowd when it's cold.

By hour three, we were all a little loopy. The couple in front of me was planning their escape from Rockefeller Center as soon as the tree lights flashed:

Girl: "We can walk to 6th Ave, hop in a cab, get to Port Authority by 9:15 and catch the 9:25 bus to New Jersey."

Boy: "Well, where am I going to use the bathroom?"

Girl: "Can't you hold it?"

Boy: "No! And I'm starving. When can we get something to eat?"

Girl: "If we stop we won't make the 9:25!"

Boy: "I hope you're happy you got your way. I've never been so miserable."

Girl: Huff!

Okay, I need to find another conversation to peep into...

A group to my left had formed a waving "committee" of 12 to 15 people who would wave and wave and wave at the people in the lower level windows near us. It was quite an effort to get the window viewers' attention and make them realize that yes the group was waving at them. When finally a window person waved back, it was a little victory for us all - everyone shouting a "yea!" of glee, and then mumbled how we wish we could be so lucky to be inside!

I also spent the last hour making little bets with myself - how much time had passed since the last time I checked the clock, how long I could make the one granola bar I brought with me last so I didn't starve to death. I thought for a second about sharing it with the hungry guy in front of me, but out there it was survival of the fittest...there was no room for being nice.

Before I knew it, Al was counting down. All that waiting and preparing my camera, and then I wasn't ready! I was looking down at my camera on "3, 2" and popped up just in time for "1!" and lights!


10,800 seconds of waiting...and only 10 really mattered!

The crowd began streaming away from the tree quickly, giving me only about four minutes to make pictures and enjoy the lights. As I walked away, I realized I hadn't moved my feet in at least an hour. Had I moved at all, I would have known everything below my knees was frozen solid! I couldn't feel anything as I stumbled through the streets feeling like I should tell the policeman I'm not drunk, just crazy with cold.

The lighting of the tree and rushed picture taking that insued made me lose track of the couple in front of me. No telling if they were able to execute their planned escape route, but I can bet you they'll be sitting in the comforts of home next year.

I, on the other hand, will be back for the magic - with thicker socks and more snacks!

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Ah, Thanksgiving. The casseroles, the football, the parade! Except for the few times I've overslept and competely missed the parade on TV, I've always loved to tune in at least in time to watch the Rockettes perform as they welcome the parade to Herald Square. My sisters and I would trickle in to the den and get cozy on the couch, Mama would make us hot chocolates and Daddy would avoid the area - having no interest in watching a parade. We would spend the next two hours lazily watching, occasionally flipping the channels to see what else was on, and yelling for Mama to come quick! from the kitchen to see something from the parade. (I feel so guilty right now - thinking of her cooking and cooking and cooking while we just sit and relax!)

After the balloon inflation debacle last night - should have gotten there early before the crowd! - I devised a plan to wake up at 6 AM and get to the bleachers by 7 AM, surely - surely! - I'll get a good view of the parade. I know what you're saying as you read this, "We know you Rebecca. You? Up at 6 AM? Not gonna happen."

Unfortunately, I carelessly combined my love of just a few more minutes of rest in the morning with too much sugar before bedtime, which left me snoozing long past my planned 6 AM wake up. In a related story, Cameron helped me make an Oreo balls dessert to take to the Harts for Thanksgiving. Using a recipe from Elizabeth that sounded so easy - crushing, mixing and melting (no cooking involved!) - I managed to skip a crucial refrigeration step that almost destroyed the whole effort. We ended up with more sticky Oreo filling on our fingers than actually rolled into balls, and who can resist a little taste here and there...and a little dip in the melted white chocolate...and oops! that ball crumbled, we might as well eat it. When the balls were finally properly rolled, chilled and dipped, it was nearing 1 AM, and I knew my morning plans were looking a bit too ambitious.

I awoke with just enough time to shower, grab on clothes, make sure the precious Oreos were still balled in the refrigerator and hoof it over to Broadway by 9 AM - parade start time. Sigh. The warm temperatures brought even more spectators than normal, so I was 9 people deep on the sidewalk at the thinnest area of the crowd I could find. Forget the bleachers - I knew I just needed to pick a place and hold my ground.

The parade reached my viewing spot at 9:23 AM, and just as I congratulated myself on picking a spot that didn't have pesky little kids on their parents' shoulders - pop, pop, pop, up came the kids.

Darn kids!!

As much as I was disgusted at the balloons from the struggle of the night before, thank goodness they were in the parade! I wouldn't have been able to see much else...

The classic Macy's star.

These lucky ducks have the best balconies in Manhattan!

Left: Dolly Parton at the gazebo and about to disappear behind a kid-on-the-shoulders head!! Right: The Thanksgiving turkey and pilgrims - love them!

Left: Abby Cadabby - a new balloon this year - she was HUGE! Right: Scooby!

Left: "Super Cute Hello Kitty" - another new one this year. Right: Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin's wife and daughter Bindi - second to Dolly, they were the celebrities I was most surprised to see!

Left: Ronald McDonald. Right: M&M's dressed up as characters from Broadway shows - really cute float.


Snoopy.

Left: The girl from the Hairspray movie. Right: The big clown's arms and legs were floppy as the handlers guided him down the street.

Left: Menudo on a retro, 80's-looking Big Apple. Right: I didn't realize the Energizer Bunny was motorized on the ground and not attached to strings until he was right in front of us and spun toward us then all the way around! Got a big "Whoa!" out of the crowd!

Left: Another new balloon this year - Shrek. Right: Ashley Tisdale from High School Musical - who?

Left: Dora Explorer. Right: My favorite float of cuties - the Care Bears!


Left: Wynonna Judd. Right: Kermit - he was a long one!

All I truly cared about seeing was Santa and his reindeer. The parade stopped in front of us for about five minutes while Santa was one block away. As the parade stalled, most of the people around me didn't know Santa was within reach - I could see him by peeking over heads on my tip toes. I got my camera and cell phone camera ready and waited - making little bets in my head with Old Saint Nick that he BETTER look in my direction so I can get a good picture - or else! Well, as you can see below, the big guy must have heard me - he waved right on cue!

All the waiting for this one picture!


Immediately after Santa passes, the parade goers spill into the street and follow the parade on down Broadway.