Blame It On Rebecca

November 29, 2007 on 11:07 pm | In Holidays, Travel | 26 Comments

A few weeks ago, Rebecca posted a pretty picture of the Empire State Building all decked out in red and green for the holidays. I knew then, that if I got a trip to New Jersey, I’d have to try to go into NYC in the evening to see such a beautiful sight. (And btw, long post warning!)
As soon as my meetings were over yesterday, I jumped in the car, drove to the NJ Path Train, and hopped on for a ride into the city. I managed to get to Tinsel Trading just 10 minutes before closing time. I saw those cute little clown snowmen last year on the cover of a Mary Englebreit magazine and knew I’d like to try to visit Tinsel Trading during the holiday season. The other picture below is for Sarah and Pam – bottle brush trees ala Tinsel Trading.

In an e-mail, Rebecca mentioned that I should try to visit the shops in Bryant Park. When I read that, I was confused — the last time I was in Bryant Park, there were no shops. Apparently, they put them up just for Christmas shopping. It’s much like a European Christmas market full of lots of artist and handcrafted booths. There’s also an ice skating rink in the middle of the park. Thanks SO much, Rebecca for the outstanding suggestion. Without your help, I would have never known to visit Bryant Park.

After I walked around the park, I remembered that Rebecca had mentioned that the big Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center was up, so I thought I’d wander up there and see it. Now, as she’s reading this, Rebecca is probably thinking….”No, please tell me you didn’t go up there last night.” Oh. Yes. I. Did. How was I supposed to know that they were officially turning on the lights LAST NIGHT???? (In her defense, Rebecca sent me an e-mail yesterday morning to let me know that little tidbit of information, but I was without access to my e-mail all day.) I was merrily walking north along 6th avenue thinking to myself, “Wow, there sure are a lot of NYPD out tonight.” And a little later, “Boy, there sure are a lot of people out shopping.” Pretty soon, I found myself in the middle of a mob. A very well-controlled mob, I might add, but still. It was incredibly crowded. Here’s the view looking north and south along 6th Avenue.

This is still a very long block away from Rockefeller Square. They had jumbo tv screens in the street and the NYPD guys said those TV screens were as close as we would be able to get. I decided I didn’t need to stand out in the cold for two hours, so I bailed out. I retreated across 6th Avenue, and took a picture of some really cool giant ornaments. I love this sort of stuff about big cities.

So. No big beautiful tree. Strike One. I headed back south and found myself in front of Macy’s, looking at all the fun window displays. I especially liked the windows depicting the story of The Miracle on 34th Street. I love that movie! Here are just a few of my favorites:

I was a little sorry I hadn’t gone into Macy’s to find the real Santa Claus. There must be one in there, right? That’s part of the story — the Macy’s Santas! I also didn’t check for any Martha ornaments — btw, Rebecca, we want to see your ornaments!  Anyway, I wandered down the street for the whole reason I came into the city in the first place: to see the Empire State Building in red and green. And here to the right, she is. Do we see red and green anywhere???? No. We. Do. Not. Strike Two. Apparently they have a lighting schedule and we are not in a red/green/white cycle. In fact, it won’t be back to red/green/white until somewhere around the 21st. Just in case you’re traveling to NYC, it will be white/white/white for roughly another week, then it will be blue/white/white (blue/blue/white? white/blue/white? whatever, it’s not red/green/white!) for Hanukkah for another week or 10 days or so. Then it will go back to white/white/white until the 21st, when it will go to red/green/white until after the New Year. How Rude!  I should have called ahead LOL!

By now, it was getting late and I still had a 1 1/2 hour commute.  On the way back to the Path train, I passed the Border’s at Madison Square Garden and decided I’d attempt Strike 3.  My search for the elusive McCall’s magazine with Holly‘s blogging article in it.  Bingo!  No strike 3 — they had the magazine!  Holly’s contest to be the first to find the magazine is over, so I was spared the indignity of taking a picture of me holding it.  I took a picture of it as it waited next to my Sheraton pillow for me to read it last night.

Thanks Holly for including my blog header with the pictures — there’s lots of fun info there!  Holly also has an adorable quilt in the magazine made from her Lakehouse fabrics — be sure and check it out!
If you’re still here…thanks for sticking it out.  In spite of two strikes, I had a great time.  There’s nothing like the big city during the holidays!  Until next time….
XOXO,
Anna

P.S.  Quilty Peeps — I missed you — NYC isn’t the same without you!!!

26 Comments

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1. gosh, you make wanna go to New York, your the only one that can do it! Looks like such a fun trip, thanks for sharing it.

   Comment by mar — November 29, 2007 #

2. Anna it looked like a great place to go during the holidays!!! Great pics you took with that honkin huge camera of yours!!! LOL!!! And why did you not go into Macy’s and check out Martha’s stuff???
   Glad you had a good trip! I’ve never been to NY!
   I’ve been to almost every state but that’s one I’ve missed.

   Comment by sharon — November 30, 2007 #

3. Wow, that looks great – too bad you struck out a couple times but it still looks like it was amazing!
   One of these days I’d love to visit NYC.

   Comment by rohanknitter — November 30, 2007 #

4. Even with the two strikes you still managed some great photos! And yes, the big city christmas decorations are great. I was just in town the other day and the big tree (Sydney-style) was up, too. Now we just need to trek into town at night to see it all lit up.

   Comment by Jade — November 30, 2007 #

5. The photos are wonderful. Can’t wait to dye my now bleached out trees! Happy Happy!

   Comment by Pam — November 30, 2007 #

6. Oh, how much fun! Makes me want to be there! Wonderful photos–thanks for sharing!

   Comment by Kim — November 30, 2007 #

7. oh I love these Christmassy posts! Sorry the ESB wasn’t in the colours you wanted to see but it really does look impressive! I bought Interweave Knits in Borders in the UK….love that shop!

   Comment by Marianne — November 30, 2007 #

8. My husband visited NY several times during Holiday Seasons and told me how crazy it can get. I only know the pictures from some movies I‘ve seen. It looks like so much fun to me!

   Comment by nicolette — November 30, 2007 #

9. Thanks for being my tour guide Anna – it’s been a few years since I was in NYC and I loved seeing your photos. It’s soooo different to our sunny light pre-Christmas evenings!!

   Comment by Louise Papas — November 30, 2007 #

10. Looks like you had fun even if you didn’t get to see some of the things you wanted! Lucy x

    Comment by Lucy Locket-Pocket — November 30, 2007 #

11. OMG New York City is my very favorite place at Christmas time.

    Comment by Carol — November 30, 2007 #

12. Thanks for taking us along to see some fun sites and aren’t those ginormous ornaments fun.

    hug s- Karen

    Comment by Karen — November 30, 2007 #

13. There’s nothing like NYC as they ‘turn on’ the Christmas season. Lucky you for being there this year… wish I’d been tucked in your suitcase.
    Joni

    Comment by jonipossin — November 30, 2007 #

14. Wow, Anna, you sure do know your way around the city! I love your sense of adventure.

    Your pictures make me want to hop on the next train into town. Maybe in another year, when the boy is older!

    XO

    Comment by Jill — November 30, 2007 #

15. Wow what a trip! Thanks for sharing something I will probably never get to see.
    I also loved your little baby towels! Cute.

    Comment by meggie — November 30, 2007 #

16. Thank you so much for the lovely tour of NYC. I would love to visit one of these days.

    Comment by Doe — December 1, 2007 #

17. Fun, Fun, Fun. Wish I could have been in your backpack. (wish I could fit in your backpack) LOL

    Comment by Jewels — December 1, 2007 #

18. The city looks so beautiful. Sorry you missed the red/green. They should have turned them on just for you since you made a special trip! :)

    Comment by cindy — December 1, 2007 #

19. I’m so glad you posted pictures of New York at Christmas. I have never been there so it was fun looking at pictures of your tour.

    Comment by Maggie — December 1, 2007 #

20. I imagine that Tinsel Trading is akin to heaven. LOL

    Comment by Sarah — December 1, 2007 #

21. wow! How beautiful! When I was a girl we lived for a while in NJ and one Christmas, my Mom took me to Macy’s in NYC via the train and it was the most wonderful experience. I loved the windows- they had raggedy ann and andy- life size, decorating the trees. Have fun, sweet Anna and Happy Holidays!

    Comment by kimberly sherrod — December 1, 2007 #

22. Love your photos, they are great! I guess you had a great time, despite the strokes! Oh, you make me want to go back to NY. I’ve only been there once a couple years ago, from wednesday night to early friday morning! But we got so much done those few hours and had enough time to get me hooked on that city! Hopefully I will be back sometime! Thank you for sharing!

    Comment by May Kristin — December 2, 2007 #

23. Sighhhhhh….. Yep, nothing like a trip to the city during December. You’re making me homesick. :)

    Comment by Katie — December 2, 2007 #

24. NOW I’m in the festive mood – Thanks Anna! It looks just as I imagined it to.
    Kimx

    Comment by kim — December 3, 2007 #

25. Oh, Anna! I know you feel like you struck out, but I think you found the most wonderful treasures! How I love all the photos, especially the snowmen clowns – how cute are they? You make me want to go to NYC now!!
    Congrats on being mentioned in Holly’s article – I’ll have to go find that magazine now!

    Comment by Nan — December 4, 2007 #

26. I’m so glad you had so much fun! And you know you walked right past my building? You had to because those giant ornaments are across the street! :) Small world, huh?

    Sorry about the Empire State Building, I knew the changed the colors but I didn’t know the schedule. I’ll capture it on film for you again LOL.

    I can’t believe you face the Rock Center crowd! You’re a braver woman than I. ;)

    hugs
    Rebecca

    Comment by Rebecca — December 6, 2007 #

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