Monthly Archives: December 2022

Merry Christmas!

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From our home to yours, Scout and I wish you a very Merry Christmas! I feel so fortunate to have a warm home, family, plenty to eat and presents for all.

Not to mention, it’s the white Christmas I have been dreaming of all year long!

For some reason, Scout became fascinated with the angel atop the travel tree last night. He just stared at her for a long time, never actually bothering her and I’m grateful for that too!

So many of my friends are having troubles though. Family deaths, illness and travel cancellations Christmas have plagued this holiday. I’m sure many people who procrastinated or who simply had to wait for payday struggled this weekend with all the weather related store closures and road issues.

It’s a hard season for many without adding in illness and a massive weather event.

Meanwhile, Scout and I are all warm and cozy and the tree is still standing! It’s a Christmas miracle. Wherever you are, I hope you are safe and warm too. Merry Christmas!

In Pictures: Christmas In New York

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Seeing New York City all dolled up for Christmas was a bucket list item for me and the city didn’t disappoint. There are signs of the holiday everywhere you look!

There are lights everywhere.

The windows in all the fancy Fifth Avenue stores are elaborately decorated

Here’s another.

There’s a reason why the light show at Saks Fifth Avenue draws a crowd. It is incredible.

The Peninsula, a five star hotel, is beautiful lit up outside but I’ve heard it’s even more so inside. Wonder if they let the riff raff come in to look around?

Probably not.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is magnificent any day of the week but unforgettable during the Christmas season. Tourists are allowed to stand in the back during a service so I was able to walk around some to enjoy the atmosphere. Even with so many people milling about it felt sacred.

And, of course, grandest Christmas decoration of all- the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree!

Everyone should be so fortunate to check off such a fun and festive destination from their bucket list!

The Best Part

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Perhaps the best part of the Christmas season is when you realize you’re done with preparations. Shopping, decorating and wrapping are all done. The house is clean enough and I baked some cookies yesterday.

My feet are sore from being on them too much yesterday but I’m grateful to be done.

After the last cookie was packed up, dishes put away and the floor was mopped, I curled up on the couch to watch a documentary about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

If you want to know why I had to mop the floor after baking, this video accurately depicts what goes on in my kitchen on baking day.

It had to be done.

As we anticipate inclement weather, I worry about loss of electricity but am eager for a quiet day at home to rest and do some chores. It will be more fun with heat and lights so here’s hoping!

Regardless, Scout is thrilled to be home together and he doesn’t care about much else. He’s a smart boy!

After all, we are fortunate. I have friends whose travel plans were cancelled and others who are sequestered with Covid. They all will spend Christmas without their families

I’m grateful to be where I am, to be done with the holiday work and to be able to relax today

Happy Christmas Eve Eve!

Maple Street United Methodist Church

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Maple Street United Methodist Church is a prominent fixture just beyond downtown Lancaster, Ohio. I always enjoy a look-see when in the neighborhood but it’s especially nice at Christmas.

As lovely as it is to adventure and see new things, it’s equally marvelous to see the same landmarks change with the seasons. This one didn’t disappoint!

Library Lions

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Meet Patience and Fortitude. These fabulous Pink Tennessee Marble Lions have been greeting guests and guarding the New York City Public Library since its dedication in May 1911. The library is a magnificent Beaux Arts building that’s one of the most famous libraries in the world.

These sculptures are among the most photographed pieces of public art in New York and they were on my bucket list when we visited the city.

Located conveniently just a few city blocks from Grand Central Station, we were able to hoof it there for pictures. Sadly, our timing was bad and we missed seeing inside the famed library (that’s ok, we will go back another time). Still, I was overjoyed to meet the pair of famous felines.

Their names changed a few times in the early years. They were originally named for the city library system’s founders John Jacob Aster and James Lenox. They were later called Lady Astor and Lord Lenox.

In the thirties, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia renamed them Patience and Fortitude for the qualities he believed New Yorkers would need to survive the Depression. The names stuck and the rest is history.

They really have stood the test of time as they are more popular than ever. Back in 2019, the lions were professionally cleaned and restored, making them look good as new.

When we were there, several tourists were milling about with their selfie sticks and taking turns photographing their groups with the lions. It was lovely and refreshing to see people so excited about art and a library.

Go if you are in New York. Get your picture with them and be sure to go in for a look see. I’ll make it back for my tour one of these days!

Franklin Park Conservatory Aglow

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Friday night found me shivering in the cold outside at Franklin Park Conservatory. I was there with friends to look at the pretty Christmas lights.

It’s called Conservatory Aglow and features thousands of lights throughout the property. You enter through the wonderful rainbow tunnel above.

Then you can meander through lights, through a giant model railroad and even step inside a gingerbread house.

This tree is made with hand blown glass balls.

There is one area inside that’s nicely decorated too. I really wish they did more inside but this was all lovely.

You can warm up by walking through a gingerbread competition and enjoy the rest of the Conservatory which is filled with interesting plants and Dale Chihuly glass art.

It was freezing cold and there were snow flurries in the air, making it even more festive. It was a great night to be out with friends! This spot was my favorite both because it’s pretty and because they play classical music here. It’s like an oasis where you just might meet the man in the moon.

Want to see more pictures? Check out the Make The Journey Fun Facebook page! Plus, it’s not too late to visit this year! Click here to visit the Conservatory online.