Treat Prep

This was my handiwork for a treat drop off to some clients. The cookies look much better in person. They were kind of a chewy amaretti cookie with a raspberry jam center and almonds on top. I didn't make the cookies. My task was tying 3 kinds of ribbon on each cylinder as well as printing and cutting the labels,

Cat in a Box

It's not unusual for a cat to jump in a box. Elwood doesn't get that many chances. He admires a good costume so he's happy to spend some time with them. I wish there was something in the photo for perspective that could show you how big he is! It's a good thing he's not an outdoor cat...those big ears would have him airborne in the first gust of wind!

Morning temperature: 35 degrees

Steps: 10,665

8 am and a Little Snow

This is a shot from Tuesday morning when I expected to see waist deep snow. As you can see there wasn't much snow in the neighborhood and some plowing had been done...but the traffic ban was still working to keep the streets clear.

Morning temperature: 20 degrees

Steps: 9133

Empire Drab

This was taken the night the snow started for the blizzard that wasn't. There was a bit of a sleet-y precipitation falling. There were few people on the streets and fewer cars. And the Empire State Building was lit in strange shades of color.

Morning temperature: 16 degrees

Steps: 8838

Where's the Peeps?

 

This is what a usually crowded evening subway car looks like when everyone goes home early...except me! It was Blizzard Eve and the weather people got everyone hyped up about the upcoming storm. The governor said work from home. The mayor said there's an 11pm curfew. The subways shut down at 11pm and it was illegal to drive overnight.

 

It was quiet and a lot of businesses closed early. I'm sure it was safer but it didn't seem necessary on Monday. Lots of businesses lost money and lots of employees lost wages.

 

And then the storm didn't really happen in our area. Five inches of snow does not a blizzard make!

 

Morning temperature: 22 degrees

 

Steps:  9234

Finial

I'm not sure finial is the right word for this decorative element on the top of a cast iron fence but there you have it. This is part of a fence around tiny Abingdon Square which is not really square. It became a park in 1831 and the fence was erected in 1836. I wonder how many times it has been painted since then. I also like the little raindrop (or melted snow drop) on the left side.

Morning temperature: 25 degrees

Steps: 9173

Knitting Flashback

I have been seeing simple (I think) patterns for knitting projects and I'm not sure why but I'm ready to try one. Since I haven't knitted since about my mid-teens I decided I had better try a test sample to see if I could figure it out again. I have to say I was surprised that I remembered how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off. My little sample above is not perfect but I even have some consistency in the stitches. Apparently knitting is just like riding a bike (although it burns a lot less calories!)

Snow & Rain

A little snow fell overnight but it was already melting in the rain by the time we went on our compost run. 

 

PS: They weren't collecting compost today! Yikes!

Kiosk

Morning temperature: 28 degrees

Steps: 9657

Recycling

 I like the fine print: You Can It. We Recycle It!

Morning temperature:  32 degrees

Steps: 9400

What?

Interesting details!

Morning temperature: 26 degrees

Steps:  10,013

Some Resolutions

Sounds good to me...except for the coffee part! 

Morning temperature: 36 degrees

Steps: 9045

Curiosities

I wonder if there is a big market for mounted insects.

Morning temperature: 37 degrees

Steps: 8723

Woodland Window

Shopping & Drinking

A Breath of Spring

I saw this window for the first time last night. It was a welcome relief from red. The red of Christmas has morphed into the red of Valentine's Day so a little orange is not a bad thing!

Morning temperature: 29 degrees

Steps: 8136

Keeping Watch

In the subway station, sometimes we see a few officers. Often we don't see any. This guy was keeping an eye on things. Quite a few people came up to him to ask questions.

Morning temperature: 26 degrees

Steps:  9361

Stairway

I enjoyed coming across this mural!

Morning temperature: 18 degrees

Steps: 9601

Dreadlocks

Now here are some dreadlocks for you. If I had that much hair hanging off the back of my head I wouldn't be able to hold my head up straight!

Morning temperature: 33 degrees and the high today is predicted to be 28 degrees!

Steps: 7389

Truck Decorations

This truck is kind of equal opportunity...Hanukkah, Christmas & Patriotism.

Morning temperature: 37 degrees

Steps: 14,504

Back in the Saddle

Country western dancing was back last night and the hosts were glad to see everyone again!

Subway Art

 

Snowy Friday

Today's story is snow! When I left home there were 3 snowflakes falling. By the time I got to work it looked like this. Unfortunately I didn't have any nice scenic places conveniently located for picturesque snow photos. It's only supposed to snow during the morning so hopefully I won't have much snow for the commute home.

Morning temperature: 25 degrees

Steps: 9187

Subway Bird

So yesterday we had advertising in the subway. This morning I find a bird walking in the subway. He probably wanted to take the train because it was too cold to fly.

Morning temperature: 9 degrees (-5 wind chill)

Steps: 8538

Sons of Liberty

There are always advertisements in the subway stations but I've never seen an entire station advertising the same thing. Every possible billboard space in the station is advertising the upcoming mini-series, Sons of Liberty.

Every sign and wall,

the columns,

above the stairways,

and even the subway turnstyles!

Are they trying too hard???

PS: It's rare to see the station this empty. That's how early I go to work!

Morning temperature: 21 degrees

Steps: 9509

What is the Universe?

The Universe is a Small Hat

Morning temperature: 19 degrees

Steps: 11,318

Painting

Morning temperature: 41 degrees but it looks like we may get a little winter this week

Steps: 9973

Taking a Break from Crafting

The Saturday night craft bunch!

White Light Tree

There are still lots of holiday lights and decorations. Some look a little sad by now since they've been up since October but this tree is still pretty.

On my travels to work I see one little store that still has about 6 Christmas trees for sale out front. Not sure if they are waiting for Orthodox Christmas or are not feeling up to putting the trees out for pickup!

New York State Pavilion

The New York State Pavilion is a remnant from the 1964 World's Fair. It hosted the Tent of Tomorrow in its elliptical ground level and 3 towers to the side...two of which had restaurants. Fifty years later there is still debate on what to do with it. There seems to be a lot of support to renovate rather than demolish but either way it's an expensive prospect.

After the Fair, there were a few concerts held there and it was a roller rink for awhile. In more recent years, it has shown up in a few movies such as the Wiz, Men in Black and Iron Man 2.

Morning temperature: 36 degrees

Subway Mural

 

Happy New Year!

Morning temperature: 31 degrees

Steps: 11,603