Christmas Pics

Happy New Year everybody

We spent Christmas Eve in the MotherLand of Brooklyn, at my brother John's house. Christmas morn was at home.

The tree my brother ordered never arrived so he decorated the vacuum cleaner.

He and Hope have fun together

My niece Caitlin met Athena for the first time.

Hope enjoys dessert

She was a bit surprised that her minion speaks

A pop up book of super heroes. Hope continues to love books.

We watched 'A Christmas Story' so many times that Hope finally said ' is there a football game on?'

Athena is 3 months old and pretty much oblivious to the fuss. Hope enjoyed opening Athena's gifts for her.

Hope got a new 'cartoon/football watching' chair.

Have a safe and happy new year. I wish you all good things.

Wishing You ...

All good things

Joy and Peace and at least one good Hug every day.

yes, that is bubble wrap next to Athena. Her big sister likes to be safe. True love.

Is the Chanukah Turkey Coming?

When I was a wee one I used to talk about Chanukah Claus which scandalized all the nice Jewish ladies in the neighborhood but Nana thought it was funny and that's all that mattered to me.

Nana would have loved cooking all sorts of Russian delights along with a turkey.

I am thankful for Hope and Athena.

Hope loves 'Sophia The First' and enjoys dressing like her. The Christmas Elf made her appearance that morning.

When Hope was an infant my favorite thing was her crooked smile. With Athena it is her endless look of surprise. Sometimes her mouth forms a perfect O and sometimes her eyes get really big. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you get both.

We call this photo 'Jeffrey in a Tutu' - she looks so much like her Dad.

Happy Chanukah my friends. Happy Thanksgiving too. 

You all hold a special place in my heart.

I posted my favorite colors of Fall over at The Photo Blog The rain and wind have pretty much cleared the trees now.

Happy Mother's Day

Nana and Passover

I always feel my grandmother around me a bit more at Passover. She loved the holiday.

As I started up my snow covered car today I was immediately transported back. 

To the small kitchen in the 2nd story walk-up; right above The Loyal Order of the Moose on the avenue. I was standing at the casement window futzing with the little pots of herbs.

"It's going to be snowing for Passover Nana"
She chuckles. "Snow should be the only thing Jews worry about. It's weather, you walk through weather and don't question it. It's spring, it will melt quickly."

Oh how I loved her laugh, especially the little chuckles. Seemed just about anything I said delighted and amused her. 

The car seemed to take on the color of that kitchen. My uncles had surprised Nana one Mother's Day by wallpapering the room.

"Oh my. This looks lovely. You're wonderful boys, thank you. Sit. Eat."

Later that night

"Nana do you really like the wallpaper?"
"Promise not to tell. They wanted to do something good. I love that."
I promised
"It's terrible. It's like the Chinese restaurant. Every morning I'm going to want an egg roll."

The scent of Jean Nate has been with me all day.

 

Have a good Passover everybody.
Even if you're not Jewish or religious or observant.
Nana would feed ya.

Walk through the weather.

Take the moment to recall someone who loved you.

Hope's Christmas Wrap-Up

I thought I'd share some photos from Christmas with Hope (sounds like a Lifetime movie) to start the New Year.

at uncle john's house in brooklyn on christmas eve

doing a move she calls 'ninja barbie'

her favorite doll from aunt lauren

just plain joyful

working hard to open the gift she got for the cats

a little exhausted

 Isadora likes her gift

Siren celebrated his 10th birthday on christmas day

Happy New Year everybody!!

Merry and Hopeful

I'm off to Brooklyn The Motherland tonight. I'm sure I'll return with some good traffic stories as well as at least one profound Guido quote.

Whatever your celebration style may be ...

Grand

Fancy

Whimsical

I wish you all good things.


And as always, there is Hope

Thanksgiving

After my town survived Hurricane Sandy it seems even more important to be grateful.

I'm grateful for the safety of my family.

I'm grateful for the people who always show up to help

I'm grateful for Siren and Isadora. They brighten any day and love unconditionally.
In their own way of course - they are cats.

I'm grateful for all of you. I realized it again when I couldn't share the storm with you and I worried about you worrying about me.

Most of all I'm grateful for Hope.

And on we go ...

Dad's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there in the internet tubes

Some of my favorite photos of my son and his girl

And on we go