Home for the Holidays

I envisioned coming home for the holidays would look and feel much like the old Folger's commercial I've always loved. (Watch it here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW1V1tFRcA0 - thanks for finding it, Tol!) Coming home actually was kind of like the commercial (except I didn't surprise the fam, I didn't make any coffee, and I didn't get greeted by everyone in their bathrobes), BUT Mama had the house beautifully decorated for Christmas - not a room or detail left untouched (even had a tree in my bedroom!) and Daddy had the yard looking great in lights. I just walked around for a while, oohing and aahing at everything.

This Christmas was a little out of the ordinary holiday schedule for my family as we celebrated on several different days with several different groups, but it was nice to be in so many different homes for the holiday.

Julie, Rebecca and Elizabeth at Elizabeth and Chris's house. Such pretty decorations!

Meeting my cousins' babies born this summer - Callie and Anslea - so sweet! At Mummert Family Christmas in Cullman.

Christmas with Chris and Elizabeth - I love the looks of joy!

Admit it - this was your favorite gift this year!! The Krystal Lovers!

Julie and me letting Chris and Libby be the stars.

Loving the book Elizabeth put together of pictures and well wishes from my going away party in May.


Christmas Eve in Tennessee...Santa visits the young and old - my sweet 103 year old Grandma Maudie.

Julie and me on Christmas morning - we missed you Elizabeth!

In position to open gifts...at least we weren't crowded this year! Just kidding, Tol!

Mama about to open the big gift from Santa! :)

Daddy and Jack wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

"Love ya, yeah, yeah, yeah!"

I had never traveled via public transportation around any major holiday, except for my recent train ride to Connecticut on Thanksgiving Day - when I waited in the ticket line for 45 minutes, and the activity of Grand Central Station lived up to the chaos its name implies. But, other than family car rides up Interstate 65 to Decatur or Tennessee, or the short hop on Interstate 59 from Tuscaloosa to Hoover, my travels home for holidays had never really been what I would classify as a "travel", just a mere shifting around in the state of Alabama.

This year though, as the Christmas holidays approached, I excitedly swapped travel dates with other New York friends also counting the days until they were at home. Some only got short four or five day vacations before heading back to the city for work. I was one of the lucky ones - "Yep, nine whole days at home!" I'd proudly announce, and then bask in the glow of thoughts of warm Alabama and my parents house festive with Mama's many Christmas decorations.

I flew home on Friday, 12/21 - a day deemed the busiest travel day of the year. I was fully braced for hassle after hassle - from hailing an available cab out of the city to gridlock on the streets and the airport security line. But everything was smooth sailing - I even left the apartment Friday morning on time (there's a first time for everything!)

At the airport, one young boy stood out in the midst of all the pets, families and luggage. He skipped, marched and sang his way in circles all over the waiting area, fully unaware that a parade of bands, floats and clowns was not following behind him, only his weary father scrambling to keep up. Finally, the father said, "Want to listen to the Beatles?" The little boy's legs immediately folded under him, and he plopped in front of a laptop computer. I laughed to myself knowing the father was surely relieved, and then I wondered if the boy would be listening to THE Beatles or if there was some new cartoon called the "Beetles," like the "Wiggles." I didn't really care what it was that calmed the little boy, I was just glad to stretch my legs out without fear of being trampled.

A while later, settled into my seat in the plane, I heard a little voice shout into the completely quiet cabin, "Love ya, yeah, yeah, yeah! Love ya, yeah, yeah, yeah!"

The words from that little voice answered my question, and they certainly brightened the faces of many tired travelers!

Winter Wonderland

I had never been in New York during Christmastime, so I anxiously awaited the arrival of the season this year.

Decorations started popping up on and in stores, office buildings and apartment lobbies all over the city by mid-November. It seemed like everyday for the last month I saw new lights strung up here or a new Christmas tree there. Beautiful displays in building lobbies, Christmas music piped from stores onto the streets, and white lights wrapped thick in trees along the sidewalks became the normal scenery as I walked to work. By the time the week of Christmas rolled around, every nook had a wreath and every cranny had a red bow, and lights were strung on anything that would stand still long enough!



The first decorations I saw! The lights at Bloomingdale's on Nov. 13th - a full week before its windows were unvieled.


75th Anniversary of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes!


Lights in the trees around Rockefeller Center.


Cleverly cute window box presents on 5th Avenue.


The green and gold so beautiful in snow - the St. Regis Hotel on 55th and 5th Avenue.

Decorations in front of an office building on 6th Avenue.

The Time and Life Building on 6th Avenue.

Rockefeller Center Christmas tree...featuring my big red hat - haha!

I love the lights and flags around the rink.

Majestic!

St. Patrick's Cathedral had beautiful wreaths on the doors, although you can't see them in this picture!

Tiffany & Co. on the right...thick garland and lights around the windows and entrance.

The star in the intersection of 57th Street and 5th Avenue - fabulous!

The Christmas tree in the center of "Le Cirque" on 59th Street and 3rd Avenue.

That's Bob Saget!

I could spot ole Danny Tanner anywhere! Here we are in Times Square where he was nice enough to wait a few minutes while I changed the batteries in my camera!

Miracle on 34th Street

I had done some serious shopping around the city for several days in an attempt to find the perfect outfit for two Christmas parties requiring "festive" attire. I looked at the fabulous little boutiques in Soho - but there was no way I'd spend so much money on one outfit (although I've definitely been known to drop some cash in the past) - and hoped I would find something at H&M or one of the other trendy but cheap places. I shopped the many stores on 5th Avenue around my office during lunch, bringing my purchases back to show Lauren. Nothing seemed to be the right choice, and suddenly the first party was just two days away, and I still had nothing to wear!


In a last-ditch effort, I told Lauren I planned to run over to Macy's after work - maybe, just maybe I would find something to wear...in the midst of the plethora of tourists and clothes that just make Macy's a destination I prefer to avoid, especially this time of year. I gathered about 15 dresses - not loving any of them - and headed to the dressing room. A dress on the wall outside the dressing room caught my eye, and I stepped back out to get it. As I tried on dress after dress to no avail, my last grab continued to hang, waiting for its time to shine. Finally, as I pulled it on, I realized it was just perfect - sleeveless but not strappy, shiny but not gawdy, short but not too short, loose but still fun! With my new dress in hand, I headed to the shoe department where I was treated like a queen in the midst of the chaos. My salesguy selected the cutest silver snakeskin pumps that just totally made the outfit. Seldom have I left a store so happy and confident with my purchases; I couldn't help but swing my bags and smile at what better New York Christmas shopping experience could I ask for than finding the perfect dress and shoes at Macy's, then skipping on up Broadway to enjoy "A Chorus Line" with a friend!


One of Macy's famous windows...depicting Santa flying over North America and Europe...


Then the scene rotates over and shows Santa flying "on the other side of the world" in Japan and China.

Another window - Santa and Mrs. Claus with the elves in the North Pole.

I love this one!! Santa flying over Manhattan - Macy's, Rockefeller Ice Rink, Times Square, Broadway and the Statue of Liberty.

The main area of the first floor - poinsettia arches and Christmas trees - so beautiful!


And more poinsettia swags on each side of the main area.

The Christmas tree of lights at Macy's on Broadway and 34th Street. I can see the tree from the end of my office street on 22nd Street and Broadway.

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!