When Santa asked if I'd been a good blogger this year,
I had to admit to being naughty, not nice.
I did not write a lot of posts.
I did not visit many other bloggers.
I did not link up to many parties.
I did not spend much time on Instagram.
I was largely absent from Facebook.
I didn't mean to be a bad blogger........
It's just that I had other things taking up my time.
For the most part, they were good things:
Junior Goo Shoes was home for Thanksgiving Week,
and three weeks later, came home for winter break.......
We spent time with friends,
enjoyed Thanksgiving with family,
binge-watched Downton Abbey, and then went to see the movie.........
I went to a holiday shopping party which was a fundraiser for mental illness.......
I spend a great deal of time preparing for my first craft show
(and sold 14 photos on a snowy afternoon!).......
I saw a Broadway show,
celebrated Hanukkah with the family,
totally enjoyed the third season of Mrs. Maisel.......
aaaaannnnnd.......
Had a quick getaway to Florida for a few days!
The problem with these photo diaries is that the pictures reflect only the good things........
They don't reflect that Junior Goo Shoes had the flu for a week,
or that I got sick, too, and we had to cancel our New Year's party.
They don't reflect texts from dear friends who have serious health issues.
And they don't reflect that two of Junior Goo Shoes' friends will soon be deployed
to the Middle East due to the escalating crisis with Iran.
So, as you look at these pictures below,
see them as I do....... my digital gratitude journal.
They reflect some truly good experiences over the last couple of months,
as well as the beauty or humor of an ordinary day.
They are the moments I am grateful for.
Typical morning traffic scene in the suburbs.
Unusual empty street scene in the city.
Two NYC landmarks for the price of one.
Hudson Yards - Manhattan's trendiest new address.
Strolling the High Line on a beautiful November morning.
City view from the High Line: Tenth Avenue and 17th Street.
Ms. Sadie, hoping to be invited into Junior Goo Shoes' room.
Belated Broadway birthday present from Aunt Goo Shoes.
Moon over Manhattan (okay, a very tiny moon, right center).
Picture-perfect Florida sunsets.......
New Jersey ice storm.
My first Craft Show!
Winter break request from the college student -- LOTS of food.
Two sweet hand-made Hanukkah gifts from one of my favorite Montreal blog friends, Suzan, of Simply Vintageous. Check out her Instagram page, here.
A pompom garland.......
And a salt dough ornament! Love them both!
The first night of Hanukkah........
Sadie's 11th birthday!
(PS - she did not like the crown. She took it off and chewed it up.)
And then we made her wear this. Oh, the humiliation!
New Year's decor for the party that wasn't.
Please keep Junior Goo Shoes' military friends in your prayers.
I think it looks lovely -- every moment (and we'll skip the flu. I think a lot of us had moments of physical maladies this season!). So excited about your successful art show and sales and that photo of the deer crossing is exquisite. What a lovely wrap to 2019 and now onward to the Roaring Twenties -- may they roar loudly and happily for you!
ReplyDeleteAmy, there’s so many awful things going on right now, not the least of which is that horrendous fire in Australia that has killed nearly half a billion animals 😢, and now Iran! I can’t imagine how the families of the boys (and so many ARE just that, boys) feel. It’s a terrible way to start this decade.
ReplyDeleteBut as always, Sadie made me smile :). She’s the same age as Charlie, and I think I’ve mentioned they look very much alike. I hope she got in the bedroom lol.
You do Manhattan proud, and what’s this about a craft show?! How did I miss that?
Love those Florida sunsets and while I don't like the ice on the roads I do so love how it looks covering the trees.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were preparing for a craft show either! What fun! I just love the composition of your photos....I can see why you sold 14! Hoping for a Happy New Year and I will definitely keep the boys heading to the Middle East in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteLove always seeing your pretty pictures. You always capture such beautiful shots. I am sorry you have had so many bad things happening around you. Sickness has been everywhere this winter. We had so many friends and family being sick before CHristmas too. Prayers for your son's friends that are being deployed. That is a scary thought with all the things going on right now.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Kris
I love your photos and your new direction. If blogging becomes work, then who/what are you doing it for. You express 'joy' and your eye---is always on the most interesting things. That last shot of the iced branches, sums up winter nature and your exuberant photos filled with color and light sum up the joys of the season and your own joy! Thank you for sharing what you do---and I hope you make an Etsy shop with your wonderful 'craft show'! Best wishes for a New Year, Sandi
ReplyDeleteYes, I will keep his friends in my prayers. I love the humor in your posts. Sorry to hear you were sick and had to cancel your party! Congrats on your craft show. I would like to sell things locally sometime. Maybe on the blog, too-- but it is hard to decide what.
ReplyDeleteLiberty @ B4andAfters.com
Happy New Year to you! I too was a naughty blogger last year having spent most of my time trying to fix Google things and make it work. Hopefully this year I will do better. Love your posts!
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your son feel better soon and happy 2020 Amy. I enjoyed looking at the photos and you seem to have done a lot in the past two months. Congrats on your successful craft show. All the best for the new year and blogging.
ReplyDeleteSo very beautiful. Lovely pics. Hope that you feel better.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
ReplyDeleteFirst, sorry to hear about the flu happening especially on New Year's.
Second, which should have been first, the boys getting sent overseas will be in my thoughts and prayers. I will think of their families too.
You did some great photography. I knew you would sell at the craft fair.
I love the gifts from Suzan. I still miss her blog.
Cindy
Amy dear, from the suburbs to the city--and sometimes far beyond--you have it covered beautifully. And so much of life can seem trivial compared to the fear that grips us for loved ones and young men and women being deployed but it is the trivial of our lives that keep us strong and hopeful. So please keep snapping away, even when there are periods when sharing them is not the top priority. Even I, who have never been to NYC, feel a thrill of pride when I see your city photos. And I have to say that I love the hall carpet that Sadie is waiting so patiently on!
ReplyDeleteI'm even more convinced now that you and our Daniel must meet someday when he is in NY at their corporate office, not just because you two are such similar types of travelers but for your love of photography. His shots of the city are some of my favorite, his ones of Chinatown are so cool. He has now fallen in love with film photography and is experimenting in that and in capturing the unnoticed beauty of the derelict and abandoned buildings in his own city.
Your friend's Hanukkah gifts are beautiful and so thoughtful! I loved the LOTS of food texts! I too am hoping to be more faithful to blogging. I love visiting Instagram daily to keep up with family and friends and can understand how it has replaced blogging for many people. Maybe someday I'll get brave and try it but for now I just enjoy what others do there. Stay well now, all of your family! Happy 2020!
I will certainly keep them in my prayers, how frightening for them.
ReplyDeleteOh that Miss Sadie....she's too cute!
Lovely pics, Amy - how wonderful that you've started selling them!
Happy New Year, Amy! I'm sorry to hear you and your son were under the weather but it looks like you had a nice holiday season. I love the photos from NYC and your lovely home. As Always, will keep our troops in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteOh I love this post Amy! So true about how pictures just show the good stuff - thanks for the reminder about the in between times. Congrats on such a successful craft show - your booth looks amazing and oh those gorgeous pictures! I haven't done a craft show in SO long - those were the days. Will definitely keep those troops in our prayers!!! Bless you richly in this new year and decade.
ReplyDeleteBTW - the beginning of your post made me smile (sounded a bit like Dr. Seuss) and I can SO relate to the "I did nots".
DeleteLooks like you had quite an enjoyable November/December. Sometimes being a bad blogger is not such a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by to say hi! I wonder if you're traveling-- or just busy/ enjoying life. I've been working on a photo book, copying vhs movies to DVD, and lots of life business! I hope you're doing well.
ReplyDeleteLiberty