Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I want to go everywhere I haven't been, and back to everywhere I have been.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

TRAVEL THROWBACK: AMSTERDAM'S KEUKENHOF GARDENS







Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


"There are places I'll remember......"

For some reason, I've been humming that tune
for the last few days.
I'm not sure how or why it popped into my head,
but it's actually apropos as I think about our visit 
to Keukenhof Gardens during tulip season eight years ago. 
Memories of exploring this glorious park outside of Amsterdam haven't faded; 
in fact, they're as vivid as the colorful riot of blooms
which blanket the grounds. 

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


I'd like to say that it was cleverly intentional on my part 
to plan our trip to Amsterdam during tulip season,
but, nope, it didn't even occur to me.  
There was no flexibility in our travel dates........
we went during Junior Goo Shoes' spring break from school.
The fact that we ended up in the Netherlands during 
peak tulip time just happened to be a lucky coincidence.


Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Seeing Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom, 
if I might humbly opine,
has got to be one of the most lovely sights the world has to offer. 

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


I'd go as far as calling it one of the wonders of the world.......
okay, not one the top seven, 
but certainly high up there on the "Wonder" wheel.
Perhaps most spectacular of all was the rainbow panorama 
of endless tulip fields growing outside the park.
It was Flower Power to the nth degree.

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


When I planned this family excursion to the park,
I was more than a little concerned that Junior Goo Shoes 
would be bored out of his 11-year old mind;
and frankly, I wasn't so sure about 
Mr. Goo Shoes' interest level, either.
I'd have bet the farm that after half an hour
of tiptoeing through the tulips, 
I'd be hearing, "Are we done yet?" in stereo.
But, to my surprise.......and delight.......my boys were enthralled!

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


After miles of walking through the park,
 we worked up an appetite, 
and stuffed our faces with Dutch treats, 
like stroopwafels and poffertjes, 
readily available at the park's kiosks.

If you know me, joy of travel 
is equal parts sightseeing and eating. 
Okay, 60/40, with food getting a slight edge. 
Hey, if the wooden shoe fits.......

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Or not. 

Surely, I jest.

Seriously, the essence of why one travels is
to see things we can't see at home, 
like medieval architecture, or other-worldly natural landscapes.
In this case, it was a floral razzle-dazzler of epic proportions. 

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Sometimes, we need pictures to remind us of what we've seen,
 and then, there are those gems 
that are etched into our memories forever. 
Keukenhof Gardens in tulip season is such a place. 

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


 "There are places I'll remember...........
In my life, I've loved them all."
 

Tulip season in Keukenhof Gardens just outside of Amsterdam is one of the world's loveliest sights! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Thursday, April 18, 2019

TODAY IN NEW YORK CITY: SPRINGTIME IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER




SPRINGTIME IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER: MS. TOODY GOO SHOES

I was in New York City for all of two hours today,
just to go to the dentist.
While I would normally want to prolong my visit,
I had to hurry home to prepare for the Passover seder tomorrow night.
My route to the dentist took me through Rockefeller Center,
where I had a few minutes to admire 
the Channel Gardens, adorned in spring splendor.
An oversized birds nest,
with giant blue "eggs" made for a whimsical exhibit.

There was also a clever shoe display in the Kate Spade window
that made me smile.  

SPRINGTIME IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER: MS. TOODY GOO SHOES


SPRINGTIME IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER: MS. TOODY GOO SHOES


SPRINGTIME IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER: MS. TOODY GOO SHOES




SPRINGTIME IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER: MS. TOODY GOO SHOES



Wishing you a Happy Passover, or Happy Easter,
whichever you may celebrate.

 


LINKING WITH:
Our World Tuesday








Wednesday, April 3, 2019

PHOTO DIARY MARCH 2019: FROM LION TO LAMB



March Photo Diary  | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Actually, March was more like lamb → lion → lamb.

On March 1, we left balmy Florida to make the long drive home.
 Two days later, in a move that I'm sure was intended to bust our lamb chops,  
New Jersey welcomed us with a roar.
And by the end of the month,
the lion slowly yielded to the baby sheep.

Temperatures climbed higher........
Daylight grew longer.......
Daffodils poked their little bulbous heads through the soil........
and the landscapers filled the neighborhood doing cleanups.
Hello, Spring! 




450 miles from Florida, and six hours later, we were back in Savannah for fried green tomatoes over pasta at East End Provisions.

Photo Diary: Fried Green Tomatoes over pasta in Savannah, GA | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

East End Provisions in Savannah, GA | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes |



Crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge meant we were in the final stretch of our 3-day drive.

Delaware Memorial Bridge | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



 Hello, NJ Turnpike.......the on-ramp to home.


NJ Turnpike | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Not quite the welcome sign we were hoping for.

NJ Turnpike | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



At least we made it home a few hours before the snow storm. The next morning, a broken limb awaited us. Fortunately, it spared the new mailbox.

March Photo Diary  | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Couldn't argue with the fact that it sure was pretty.

March Photo Diary  | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

March Photo Diary  | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Trying to hold on to that Florida feeling once we were home, I had the crazy idea to take pictures of seashells in the snow.

Seashells in the snow - why not? | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Seashells in the snow - why not? | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Mad photography skills continued........as I snapped photos through the skylight while riding through Manhattan (yes, I was in the passenger seat).

March Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



At a cooking class/dinner at Unico Restaurant in Westchester County, the chef showed us how to make fresh agnolotti with mushrooms and brown butter sauce. (Note the lion mural.........an appropriate backdrop for a freezing day in March).

March Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


March Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



The new Tappan Zee Bridge, now formally called the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, was finally showing its true colors.

Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



No laps for me around the Central Park reservoir. I was happy to stand in one place on 5th Avenue and 90th Street admiring the views across town.

The track around the reservoir in Central Park is a great place for a run | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


The track around the reservoir in Central Park is a great place for a run | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes




The Guggenheim Museum, on the corner of E. 89th Street and Fifth Avenue........people either love the look or hate it. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, it's one of seven museums on what is known as Museum Mile.

The Guggenheim Museum in NYC | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Scaffolding on the sidewalks of New York City is a common. albeit unsightly site.

March Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Tickets are in hand for three more shows to be seen over the next six months. The Sunshine State is nice, but it's great to be back in the Big Apple!

March Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Spring is finally in the air and on the sidewalks of New York City.

March Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Till next time.........