Believe

A few years ago when my nephews were younger they would watch The Polar Express on repeat the whole time they were at my Mom's for Christmas.  Although my brother & sister in law were as happy as clams that the boys were entertained for hours, I honestly found the movie a bit creepy.  The animation is strange & the characters aren't the cutest, in fact they look like zombies.  As my sister & I were browsing through Netflix this year she saw it & turned to me & said "Oh no, not The Polar Express!" We were kind of traumatized by it.  But......I do have to admit, after probably the twentieth viewing & getting over the creepiness I realized that it has a wonderful message....BELIEVE.  

The universal law is to ask, believe & receive. I think most of us have no problem with asking, it's the believing & receiving that we have trouble with.  I was watching Oprah one night & she said "You don't get the life you WANT, you get the life you BELIEVE."  Shazam.  Yowzer.  That stopped me dead in my tracks.  Well, I was laying on the couch with a glass of wine but you get the idea.  I realized that children have a much easier time believing than adults.  They have open hearts and minds which unfortunately can easily close as they become adults & life takes its toll.  Perhaps it's the adults that need to watch The Polar Express on repeat....

"Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste
There's so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need
If you just believe"

Josh Groban, "Believe", The Polar Express

Update: My nephews have now moved on to iPods & such.  I got my first text from my nephew Jake which read "DOODY."  I'm glad to see my family's love of potty humor is being passed on from generation to generation.

A Tale of Two Christmases: City & Country

I was delighted when my cousin called to say that she & a family friend were going to drive from Pennsylvania to spend a day in the city taking in the Christmas sights. I love playing tour guide & getting some quality time with my cousin, who is like another sister to me, and a family friend was one of the best Christmas gifts I could have hoped for. Our first stop, of course, was Rockefeller Center where I introduced them to Teuscher champagne truffles, one of the best finds of my adult life. Eating one is a full body experience & looking at the magnificent Christmas tree while doing so is other-worldly!

We crossed the street to visit the majestic & peaceful St. Patrick's Cathedral, then admired this glamorous lady in the window of Saks.....

After we fulfilled our duties as tourists it was time to head downtown for eating, drinking & merriment!  Keste Pizza & Vino on Bleecker Street is my new favorite pizza place, I can't believe I've been missing out this whole time, better late than never though!  We started with the homemade mozzarella ball stuffed with cream & black truffles & shared a Margherita pizza.....honestly the best cheese & pizza I've ever had in my life! (you'll have to excuse the mess of this picture but it got devoured very quickly!) Cannot recommend enough...

Next was a walk through Washington Square Park just as the sun was shining brightly on the arch.....

finding our way to the oldest bar in NYC, McSorley's....

and finally winding down the day by meeting friends for more delicious food & libations at Grata Restaurant & Wine Bar in midtown.

The next day, after a little sleep & lots of caffeine, we continued our Christmas extravaganza by hopping in the car & heading to Mifflinburg, PA, a quintessential 19th century Pennsylvania farm town that hosts the Kris Kindle Markt, a traditional German Christmas market, every year.  My Pennsylvania family was there to meet us for our Christmas tradition of enjoying the day there together....

Whether taking in the excitement & grandness of the big city or the charm & quaintness of a small town, sharing the magic of the season with family & friends always warms my heart.

photos: me, gratanyc.com

Have you seen this?

Star Wars meets club girl meets nun with a touch of goth...yet it all works together in a lovely, intriguing way....bravo Dior!

Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior

In other news, I love it when my NYC real estate stalking pays off.  Remember this gem of a patio?

Well it turns out she belongs to 42 Jane Street, a stunning Greek Revival townhouse in the West Village that is currently on the market for $12.5 million.  If I were going to sell my soul for anything it might be this.  It's neat to finally see what's on the other side of those glass doors, I hope there's a fireplace inside too! I can already imagine sitting inside all warm & toasty on a chilly winter day watching the snow fall peacefully outside...

I, of course, would put my own stamp on it but this place is definitely West Village perfection!

photos: vogue.com, houzz.com, bhusa.com

John & Ellie

If he were still alive, my grandfather would have turned 100 today.  He passed away when I was eleven & I wish I had more time with him.  He was handsome, mild-mannered & as a "city boy," loved going to his cabin in the Catskills to fish & spend time with his family.  Very sadly we lost my grandmother, "Gram", just last week, two days shy of her 93rd birthday.  She was one of the most determined & adventurous people I've ever known & we had countless laughs together.  I loved her dearly & I'm proud that she was my Gram.  She missed my grandfather terribly after his death but forged ahead for over two decades, enjoying her life, family & friends to the fullest.  We shared a love of Europe & traveled there together twice, one trip making a visit that was very meaningful to her, seeing the D-Day beaches in Normandy where my grandfather fought in World War II.  Right before our trip, she broke her foot but that didn't stop her from walking all over Europe for two weeks.  She was determined to see the inside of a bunker at Normandy too so down she went, broken foot & all, that was my Gram!  Though not without their share of ups & downs, my grandparents truly adored each other & were unwavering in their support of each other.  This is my favorite picture of them & it brings a big smile to my face, especially knowing they are together again.

"Death is not an end to anything.  It's a transition and an adventure." - Dr. Eben Alexander, "Proof of Heaven"