Oh New York, New York

This past weekend, Todd and i went on a very quick whirlwind romantic getaway trip to New York City.  I have been there on numerous occasions but it was Todd's first time to ever be there.  We were only there 2 days ( really only one and 1/2) so we had to decide on what he really wanted to see while there.  We had a 6am flight on Friday morning so we had to get up at 3 to leave the house by 4 and get to the airport. It was pretty hectic at the airport because several people were traveling for Christmas break. We landed , got a cab and got to our hotel a little after noon.
Our hotel was in Times Square but a few blocks from the craziness of lights and crowds.  I exhausted all my Hilton points for the 2 nights there. I could have got 8 stays at the Galveston Beach in Texas for the points used for 2 days in NYC! It was worth it though, for sure.  Another thing we cashed in was our dime jar. For the last 3 years actually, Todd and i have been putting dimes in a Crown Royal bottle. Thats the only coin that fits.  We weren't allowed to touch it until it was full and to use on a trip or special occasion. It was almost full and it was a perfect time to use it.  I used one of those CoinStar machines that keep 10% of what goes in.  We got 80$ cash after all said and done.  Yay!!
After we checked into our hotel - (Yall are room number was 911!!), we walked to a restaurant and bar called Heartland Brewery. I had been there before a couple of times so i knew the food was good. It didnt disappoint this time either.  They have buffalo chicken spring rolls that are so good!  Todd had a red beer and a reuben sandwich and he loved it.

The first thing we wanted to do since we had a clear day was see the 911 memorial . It was a bitter cold day and it never got above 23 degrees. In between some of those buildings though it felt colder and the wind was pretty fierce.  We took a subway because it was opposite direction from where we were.  We didnt take the tour or go inside the museum because it was a really long line and as mentioned, super cold. We took some pics and then began our walk to Battery Park. The famous bull had been moved there in the last few years from Bowling Green ( close to wallstreet).  Thats also where the ferry to Ellis island is. It was too cold to take the ferry  to see Statue of Liberty .  From there, we walked to ChinaTown and thru Little Italy and then back to subway to our hotel.  Todd and I both needed to sit and warm up before we ventured out again.  Todd and both wanted to find a place nearby to eat in Times Square. It was Friday night and many people had tickets to see shows so the restaurants were packed. One place had a 2.5 hour wait which would have been around 9:30pm. We stumbled into a cute quaint Italian restaurant and had a nice meal. It was good but it wasnt anything WOW about it.  They had a very strange parsley dipping sauce for the bread and it wasnt my favorite.  After dinner, we walked around a gorgeous area in Bryant Park. It also had a huge Christmas tree with ice skating rink like Rockefeller Plaza. We took some pictures and then we went to the hotel and honestly was in bed by 10. Keep in mind, it had been a LOOOONG day starting at 3am.   I joked with Todd, here we are in the city that never sleeps and we're already in bed. LOL!  Oh well- thats how we roll.

Saturday morning we woke up to snow. The news had said it was supposed to start around midnight. The snow was so pretty until it started to rain.  Boy did it rain! I dressed for cold weather and not necessarily for wet weather. The rain soaked through my wool coat and even thru my 2 shirts i was wearing. I got soaked! I took a wool floppy hat and it soaked it up so much it was heavy and super floppy. ha!  Between the snow and the rain, there was a lot of slush and ice on the roads and sidewalks. The potholes was crazy deep off the curbs.  One hole i stepped into went over my boot and so now i'm walking in squishy soaked socks in my leather boots. I had to buy a pair of socks that were 8 dollar New York socks and asked for 2 plastic bags. We went to a Starbucks so i could take off my wet socks and put on my new dry socks then wrapped the plastic bags over my feet to keep them from getting them soaked again.  Of course, Todd and i had to go to the Harley shop so we walked several blocks to get there. While there, Todd bought a rainsuit that he actually needed and it was on sale super cheap even for New York.  He wore the jacket so that i could wear his trench coat and i didnt have to wear my soaking wet wool coat.  It all worked out- plastic bags on feet and all.

We had tickets to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall at 2pm so we got there early to stand in line and we got in pretty quick. We waited in the lobby until we could be seated.  The show was OUTSTANDING!! It was my 4th time to see them perform and my 3rd time to see them there. They have a crew that tours and i saw them a few years ago here in Dallas.  Todd wasnt sure what to expect but he told me he really enjoyed and was surprised how much he did. The end of the show , they have a live nativity set with camels , donkeys, etc and it was beautiful. Todd and i both got choked up. I came home with the cutest Rockette dancer ornament.

After the show, close by was Rockefeller Center so we stopped and took a few pictures there , then  we walked down 5th avenue past Trump tower, to Tiffany's. Tiffany's was gorgeous. I wanted to get another snowflake charm ( they come out with one every year) but it was 150$. For a charm i only wear during the winter, i decided i was too practical.  From there, we walked a few blocks over to Central Park.  It was getting dark and colder and Todd was hungry so we just saw the main entrance to the park and then went down to the subway to take us back to Little Italy for dinner.
There are so many cute quaint restaurants down there, its hard to decide but most of them have a guy in front asking everyone to eat there. There was a young man who was pretty persuasive and it was the right choice!  I had homemade sangria that was amazing! In fact i had 2 glasses. hehehe. We got a nice quiet little corner table by the window and really had a great meal. I tried something new and had chicken with spinach and cheese and a mushroom reduction sauce.  YUM!  Todd made up his own pasta dish that he had in his mind and they were happy to make it. So good!

When we were done with dinner, we headed back to subway and got off on 42nd and went to the Pandora store. I wanted a special New York souvenir and  Todd bought me a new bracelet and an apple charm.  i love it!!  On our way back to hotel, we walked through main Times Square area around Broadway and it was crazy packed. I loved seeing all the signs and the lights and activity.

I've been to New York now a number of times mostly for business. A few times i've gone with  friends. There is nothing quite like being there during Christmas with my husband. It made things so much more extra special. I love traveling with the love of my life and sharing new and fun experiences together.   I had an amazing time but it was also good to get back home. I missed my dogs something fierce.
Now to drown with yall a gazillion amount of pictures.  In fact, there will have to be a part 2 to share most of them.
If i dont say it now, i may not post later this week so Merry Christmas!! I truly hope all of you have a wonderful holiday .   xoxoxo
((edit- I uploaded dozens of pictures yesterday and I had one more to go when the app just closed and nothing saved. I will have to post again just with pictures. I am so frustrated!! I primarily blog from my phone because of my pictures and the app is acting squirrely))

HodgePodge

Good morning, today i'm back with From this Side of the Pond for the weekly Hodgepodge.

1. What is one new holiday tradition you'd like to establish, or one you've established recently, say in the last year or two?

 A few years ago I went to new york for macys parade. I went into Tiffanys and the only thing I could afford was a snowflake charm. I went to macys and bought a chain.  I wear it now every year from thanksgiving day until day after Christmas sometimes until new year.

2. It's the second week of December. Have you sipped a cup of eggnog yet this month? Wrapped a gift? Opened a gift? Kissed someone under the mistletoe? Lit a candle? Eaten a Christmas cookie? Seen Santa in person? Watched a Christmas movie or special? Read scripture relating to the birth of Jesus?

  I don’t drink eggnog. I have put gifts in gift bags ( I don’t wrap), I did open a gift , I haven’t found any mistletoe, I light candles every day when I get home from work, I had a Christmas cookie exchange at our pastors wife this past Sunday and had my share of cookies, I saw Santa in person also at church, I‘ve watched a few Christmas specials- the Rockefeller Tree lighting and Santa Claus is coming to town cartoon, I read scripture every morning.

3. Do you think it's better to be an adult or a child at Christmastime? Explain.

 A child. The delight and joy and wonderment of the lights and the tree and the presents is so wonderful. There's no stress of having to provide gifts like adults have

4. It's often said, 'Good things come to those who wait'...agree or disagree? Why?

  I absolutely agree. I waited for 46 years to find the one and only man that God intended for me to have as my husband .  I had family give up on me because I had never married and was an old maid. Haha

5. What's the last sweet thing you baked? Did you keep it, take it to a party/event, or give it away?

 I baked cookies for the cookie exchange mentioned above. I will admit that they were premade frozen cookie dough that all I had to do was pop in the oven.

6.  This question comes to us courtesy of Jhona who blogs over at The Red House at the End of the Lane. Everyone hop over and say hi to Jhona this week!  Here is her question... "I heard an actor talk about how he makes a conscious choice to talk to people in elevators.  He chooses to connect, make eye contact, and converse. Do you talk to people/strangers when you're in an elevator or any other place where you might have to wait together? Why or why not?"
Depends on where the elevator is.  When I travel for work, I try not to be too chatty in the hotel elevator. Safety reasons I guess but I just don't want anyone knowing I'm alone , out of state on business.  If I'm in an office building , I do talk to others because you never know who you're riding with. It could be the CEO of the company or  manager that you're there to see. 

7. Are you on the naughty or nice list this year? What put you there?
Depends on who you ask. Hahaha.  My husband tends to catch the side of my grumpiness and bad moods and so I feel naughty sometimes from the way I act.  I do try to volunteer and help my church and community as much as I can which helps me go on the nice list.  I try my best and I'm far from perfect.  

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 I'm starting to feel the holiday stress creep up on me as we approach closer and closer to Christmas.  I've GOT to mail my families package to Montana or else they won't get it until close to New Years .   We had Christmas cards made and I never sent them out.  Deep breaths- breathe in , breathe out . Oh and last night was the finale of the show Sons of Anarchy. I am really bummed that it ended. I got attached to those fictional characters. LOL