Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

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

Thursday, October 31, 2019

PHOTO DIARY: SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2019 - FROM C TO SHINING C









I'm so confused.

I know the calendar says October 31..........
Kids will be ringing my doorbell later today, dressed in their costumes.......
We celebrated my birthday in early September.......
Fall foliage is at its peak.......
Clocks get turned back this weekend.......
I'm wearing fleece.......and boots........and socks......
My summer plants are dead (well, most of them).......
There are mums on my front porch.......
We've covered up the furniture on the deck.......
I made squash soup.......

But somehow, I'm surprised that tomorrow is November. 

 Good thing I have pictures to prove 
that I didn't sleep through September and October.

I present to you my photo diary ........





Blues
September began with a quick visit to Florida, where the sky, sea and pool were various peaceful shades of blue.

Boca Raton, Florida at the Intracoastal | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Boca Raton, Florida at the Intracoastal | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Purple
Beauty Berries were at their purply prettiest in late September.

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Endless Summer hydrangeas were still hanging on at the end of October, looking especially lovely as their leaves started to turn red.

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Red, White & Blue
Wavy colors of the flag reflected in a lake. 

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Oranges, Golds, Reds, and Browns
As we moved into October, fall colors popped up everywhere........

On the kitchen counter........

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Outside of Eli's Market  (of Zabar's fame) on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.........

Eli's Market, NYC | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


In the backyard.......

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


On the steps to the deck.

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


All around the neighborhood.......

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Birthdays
Mine, in early September, was celebrated at the theater. The show, especially Jeff Daniels, was fantastic!

To Kill A Mockingbird, NYC | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


One of my very closest friends and I feasted at the incredible Benno (which just received a Michelin star in the 2020 guide) to celebrate both of our birthdays.



Another amazing double-birthday fete for my BFF and myself was held at Manhatta (see Cityscapes, below). I know that this looks like a mouse on a hockey puck covered in feta cheese, but it was a delectable chocolate cake with gelato (blueberry, maybe? I forget), and crumbly white chocolate.

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #manhattarestaurant


Finally, we celebrated my aunt's 95th birthday. She is truly 95 years young!

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Birds
A baby sparrow, I think?

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


A downy woodpecker turns his back on The Cardinal.

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


It's not too often that an American Goldfinch comes to call.

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


This hummingbird preferred my flowers to the feeder.

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Puppy.
Sadie, in her favorite position, looking out the window.

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Squirrel.
He's finding this flower stem quite tasty.

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

College.
We took a ride to see our college boy, where the campus was in full fall splendor.

September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Best Donuts
D'Ercole Donuts, voted #3 Donut bakery in New Jersey, were a treat for Junior Goo Shoes and his suite mates (and we bought a few extra for us). Tasty! 😋

D'Ercole's Donuts, September October Photo Diary | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Best Pizza
Frank Pepe Pizza in New Haven, CT is consistently voted the #1 pizzeria in the U.S. We finally got to try their signature white clam pie.  Yum! 😋

Frank Pepe's White Clam Pizza in New Haven, CT | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Views
The view of the East River and the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges from Manhatta restaurant's 60th floor, where my BFF and I celebrated our birthdays, was truly special.

Two Bridges: View from the 60th floor of Manhatta Restaurant is spectacular! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Flatiron Building 
One of the most beautiful buildings in NYC was dressed in scaffolding and golden sunlight when I walked by.

Flatiron Building, NYC | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


The Freedom Tower
I spotted it from afar between two buildings, on my way to Manhatta. See more of it, here.

Freedom Tower, NYC | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


The Vessel at Hudson Yards.
Remember when I saw it the first time (here)? Well, this time, I went inside. We only went half way up because it was so windy.......I thought we might blow right across the river to NJ!

Looking down......... 

Inside The Vessel, NYC | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Looking up........

Inside The Vessel, NYC | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



Rockefeller Center
A quick stroll through on my way to the dentist never gets old.

Rockefeller Center, NYC | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
Central Park
Peeking through a cutout at Bethesda Fountain. More on this beautiful spot in an upcoming post. 

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, NYC | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes



I returned to Bow Bridge almost exactly one year later. It wasn't as pretty as it was during my last visit at the golden hour, but pleasing, still.  

Bow Bridge in Central Park, NYC is one of the most photographed spots in the city.| Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

That's a wrap! 
"C" you next month!




LINKING WITH:
Best Of The Weekend





Friday, October 18, 2019

AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON IN CENTRAL PARK ...... AND A WINNER!







Autumn in Cenral Park is a magnificent spot to take in fall foliage, especially at The Pond, The Lake, and Bow Bridge | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes




The concrete island of Manhattan
 may not be the first place that comes to mind 
when planning a fall foliage expedition.
You're more likely to picture quaint little towns in New England,
the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, or Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

But do you know that there is a quiet place in the middle of New York City........
away from the noisy buses, honking horns, sirens,  
construction equipment, and sanitation trucks, 
that can satiate even the heartiest of leafage appetites?

If you should find yourself in New York City on a late October day,
hungering for some of nature's autumn delights, 
my advice is to get thee to The Lake in Central Park.

The easiest way to find The Lake 
(yes that is its official name; New Yorkers are nothing if not clever)
is to enter the park at W.72nd Street and Central Park West.
The magnificent apartment building you'll see opposite the park is The Dakota
former home of John Lennon,
and sadly, where he was murdered in 1980.

The Dakota, former home of John Lennon, across from Central Park, NYC | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
The Dakota

Head straight into the park, and take a pathway to the left,
heading north towards W. 74th Street.
(You can download a map of the park here).
You'll pass by the renowned Strawberry Fields,
dedicated to the memory of John Lennon,
named after his song, "Strawberry Fields Forever."

Strawberry Fields in Cenral Park | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
Strawberry Fields

 There are maps and signs along the way to direct you to The Lake,
but don't hesitate to stop and ask someone........
New Yorkers really are a friendly bunch,
contrary to their gruff reputation,
 and truly like to help tourists navigate their city.

Be sure to see the lake from various vantage points,
making a special effort to walk over to the elegant Bow Bridge.  
Built in the mid-1800's, it is one of the Central Park's most photographed spots.

I took these photos just about a year ago, on October 29, 2019
during the golden hour, as the sun began to lower in the sky.
I used them for my photography class assignment.......
a photo essay called "An Afternoon In Central Park."



Bow Bridge in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity
Bow Bridge


Bow Bridge in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity



Bow Bridge in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity



The Lake  in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity



The Lake  in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity




The Lake  in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity





The Lake  in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity



The Lake  in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity



The Lake  in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity



The Lake  in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity



The Lake  in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity






AND THE WINNER IS............

In my last blog post, I announced a giveaway for a couple of small souvenirs
I purchased at the Museum Of The City Of New York gift shop.
The winner is Liberty, of The Liberty Belle!
She is a lovely blogger from North Carolina,
who writes about places she visits, many of them in her home state,
but elsewhere in the country as well.
Please take a few minutes to visit her!

I'll be sending Liberty a NYC Subway station luggage tag,
a NYC journal to record her thoughts 
(hopefully about her travels to Manhattan someday!),
and a 5x7 matted print of one of my favorite photos 
that I've taken of New York City.
I'm not revealing it here.......I want it to be a surprise!

Liberty seems to be a lucky name around here --
she is the second to win one of my giveaways
(the other was Liberty from B4 And Afters blog)
As I'm writing this, it occurs to me that
 both ladies Liberty should receive the photo below........
don't you agree? 
"Liberty" for all, so to speak!


The Statue Of Liberty, New York City | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Congratulations, ladies!


Look for more giveaways coming soon! 


 


Bow Bridge and The Lake  in Central Park is breathtaking in fall! | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes #NewYorkCity



LINKING WITH:



The Pond in Central Park is a beautiful oasis in New York City | Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
The Pond - Central Park