Christmas in NYC . . .

Is where I spent most of last week on a 5-day tour, really only 3 days in the city as the first and last days were travel days. This was a solo trip (Patrick declined) and my travel mates were fellow members of the Hudson (NH) Senior Center as well as others from various states including Arkansas, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Ohio. 

The trip titled Discover Spotlight on NYC Holiday was once again through Collette Tours. It started with a Delta Airlines flight from Logan Airport, Boston, to LaGuardia Airport, NY. A snowfall last Sunday cancelled the original flight, but within 2 hours myself and fellow travelers were rebooked on another flight. 

New York City did not disappoint in providing glitz and glitter for the holiday season. While, I wasn't able to see many 5th Avenue window displays, those that were seen (mostly from the tour bus) were amazing and to say that some were over the top would not be an understatement. 

Some NYC holiday window displays 

There was free time on the tour, but the few hours allotted would have spent getting to and from stores with limited time for ooh-ing and aah-ing over the displays, not to mention getting through bustling shoppers. 

Macy's Herald Square, NYC (Internet image)

I was disappointed to not have visited Macy's Herald Square store, famously known as the world's largest store and recognized as the largest U.S. department store with 11 floors over 2.5 million square feet. Macy's holds this title by popular claim and record for a traditional department store, maybe another holiday season this visit will be possible.

Santa on a bicycle at Bryant Square holiday Market

Without aa doubt, midtown NYC is crowded most any day and season, but at holiday time it's multiplied several times over. People hurrying to and from jobs, delivery folks, construction workers, and visitors all competing for sidewalk space. Crossing signals seemed merely a suggestion as crowds would walk en masse whenever there was a break in traffic. There was also a lot of horns being honked.

Exterior, lobby photos, commemorative ornament; photography prohibited at showtime

There were several tour highlights including the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Also known simply as Radio City, this landmark in Rockefeller Center has been dubbed The Showplace of the Nation. It's home to the world famous Rockettes dance troupe celebrating their 100 anniversary in 2025. The all female dancers are world-renowned for their signature Rockettes Precision Dance Technique™ combining elements of jazz, tap and ballet.

Radio City Music Hall, designed by Edward Durell Stone and Donald Deskey in the Art Deco style, opened on December 1932 seating 5,960. Back then, the four-tiered auditorium was the world's largest. Initially intended for stage shows, within a year it became a movie palace. The classic holiday film, White Christmas, premiered here in October 1954. I attended a film and show with my parents years ago; now the venue only hosts concerts and the holiday show. In the 1970s, declining attendance almost led to bankruptcy. in 1978, Radio City was designated a NYC landmark and was restored and remained open; another extensive renovation was in 1999.

The 2025 Rockefeller Christmas Tree

A must-see when visiting NYC at the holidays is, of course, going to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, which was a short walk from Radio City. The 2025 tree is a 75-foot tall, 11-ton, 75-year-old Norway Spruce from East Greenbush, NY. It arrived in Manhattan in early November and was lit in early December. It has over 500 LED lights and is topped with a 900-pound Swarovski star with 3 million crystals. The tree will remain on display until mid-January 2026. Chosen from a family yard, the  lumber will later donated to Habitat for Humanity to build homes.

One of 12 angels at Rockefeller Center

Towering 8-foot high angel figures, made from 75 pounds of wire each, stretch along the Channel Gardens annually at Rockefeller Center. The winged, robed and haloed angels each hold a 6-foot-long trumpet. Like the Christmas Tree, these 12 angels, created in 1955 by artist Valerie Clarebout, are an annual holiday earthly presence. Claremong used thousands of miniature lights to complete the celestial display.The angels face one another along the Channel Garden fountains which are turned off.

Another included tour item was the choice of a Broadway show. I attended a performance of The Great Gatsby, a musical play on Broadway for the first time at the Broadway Theatre. This jazzy adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel featured spectacular visuals, two motor cars, lavish costumes, stunning sets and powerful singing. The play starred Jeremy Jordan as Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire and recounted his tragic pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, who he loved for years. The show ran about 2-1/2 hours including intermission. Here's a spoiler alert should you ever go to a Broadway show, theatre seats are far more cramped than current movie theater seating and none recline.

NYC meet-up with fellow blogger Carol at Columbus Circle

Personally, the most wonderful highlight of my short NYC visit was a meet-up with fellow blogger, Carol, (Buttercup Counts Her Blessings). We spent a few hours at Columbus Circle visiting the Holiday Market, talking, then having dinner with a light show in the background. The lights changed color and played holiday music on the hour. This was a wonderful way to spend a free evening in NYC, thanks again, Carol.

There are more highlights to post about my NYC holiday visit, but I wanted to share some of the festive lights of best known places we visited. Blog reading (and posting) have taken a back seat due to travel and other things this time of year. Thanks, as always, for your blog visit and comments. I will be reading as many of your posts as possible the next several days. Thankfully, we're Home for the Holidays.

Your Turn — Are you traveling or celebrating at home?

Friday Funnies

Waiting for Santa Paws?

Children aren't the only ones who wait for him. It looked like Maeve, the resident canine, in a Nashua store was doing the same as she watched the activity on Main Street.

Thanks for all your comments on last week's Friday Funnies post. I collect photos from our road trips and in the local area to include in a post and last week's collection worked well.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

I'm on a Big Apple tour Sunday-Thursday (photos will follow)

It's Beginning To . . .

Look a lot like Christmas in many places with less than 2 weeks to go until the big day.

The Hudson Senior Center in NH where we're members is always decked out for the holidays and even more so at this time of year. Members, including myself, volunteer to put up (and later take down) all of the trees, figures and extensive holiday village.

Above are some of the 12 trees that are displayed in every room from the director's office to the lunchroom and game areas. 

Santa and snowman are in other areas of the center along with holiday signs.

A holiday-themed village is displayed on several bookcase shelves. All of the individual pieces were unpacked and set up and will be removed and stored the same way.

The center's resident senior, Maxine, is also decked out in a holiday outfit. She's always dressed for the seasons and holidays by center members.

Several Main Street store windows and restaurants were decorated in downtown Nashua, NH.

The displays in the windows of a local jewelry store features Wee Forest Folk®, which began in 1972 as a New England business started by Annette Petersen at the family farm in Concord, MA. The company produces a line of miniatures, most of which are mice figures and handcrafted entirely in the U.S. in Carlisle, MA.

Each mouse begins as an original clay piece which is hand sculpted by one of three sculptors in the Petersen family. The finished sculpture is molded and hand cast at the mouse factory in Carlisle, MA, then selected artistisians hand paint each one. 

These mice are tiny, but their prices are not so small as many have become collectibles over the years. The cost of some of those shown in the photos above ranges from a couple hundred dollars to over 500 for three in the Santa train as each are individually priced.

Crosswalks display seasonal greenery as does Nashua City Hall.

Thanks to freezing temperatures the past week, ice sculptures created during the Holiday Stroll on Thanksgiving weekend are still in a downtown park area.

The Parc de Notre Renaissance Française, a riverfront park close to the mill apartments of Clocktower Place was opened during Thanksgiving weekend after renovations of 18 months were completed. The park honors the Franco-American community's contributions to the city's textile industry with the centerpiece La Dame et son fils Émile sculpture. It now includes a walking path, seating areas, bike racks and a covered amphitheater for summertime concerts.

Christmas trees have been set up in both lobbies Clocktower Place apartments. The one on the left is in the building we call home. The one on the right is in the other building. A resident holiday party will be held tonight including a visit by Santa.

Decorations outside our apartment entry were done last week with many familiar pieces. The interior decorations will be completed this week. Holiday card writing took precedence this past week. Yes, despite ever-increasing USPS rates, I prefer to send cards in the post versus through text messages. However, I can understand that rising costs deter many from doing the same.

Your turn — do you decorate for the holidays and/or send cards?

Friday Funnies

Today's funnies are in the form of photo wheres and whats. Sometimes it's hard to see or not see things that are or are not there. 

Where's the bridge?

Bridge scene from an earlier road trip

Where's the house?

Sorry, but can't recall where (or when) this photo was taken by myself

What piano?

Taken behind a music store in downtown Nashua, NH

What walkway ?

These pillars once supported a walkway used by workers entering Nashua Manufacturing Co. now Clocktower Place Apartments

What fun sharing these images, at least that's what it was for myself.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

We're setting up our tree & writing cards

Thanksgiving Getaway

We went on an extended Thanksgiving road trip visiting friends in our native NJ and in PA before spending the holiday with family members in PA. Our return to Nashua, NH, preceded the 5-inch snowfall this past Tuesday, December 2, the first of the season.

Most folks will agree that long-time friends are truly the best even if the get togethers are less frequent than we would like them to be because of distance and other reasons. Whenever we can, we connect with my high school friend, Sara, and husband, David, also NJ natives, who now reside in PA.

Christmas tree photo has become a tradition for us and friends, Sara & David

Many of our get togethers have taken place during the holiday season of either Thanksgiving or Christmas and we catch up with a meal and lots of conversation. At Christmas, there are always photos by the tree wherever we happen to meet. Thankfully, their tree had already been set up ahead of our visit.

Individual photos are always followed by a group "selfie" photo and we've always managed manage to fit everyone and the tree in the picture.

Thanksgiving dinner was celebrated with the grandchildren and their parents. The only one missing from the above photo was Patrick, the photographer.

The Christmas tree was set up and decorated by family

The family Christmas tree was set up and decorated as a group effort before everyone sat down to dinner.

Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad train ride with Santa and the conductor

The train engine is a 1868 steam locomotive replica

There wasn't any Black Friday shopping for anyone, instead we all went on a family outing in Elizabeth, PA — riding on a narrated train excursion through the Stone Gables Estate on the holiday decorated Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad. 

Photos from the train ride and a group family photo (minus myself)

The ride featured a replica of an 1868 steam locomotive, pulling replicas of an 1848 Pioneer Coach and a mid-1860s Combine & Day Coach. (Stone Gables Estate is a biblical faith-based ministry/business. Its mission is to donate 100% of net profits to aid abandoned children worldwide.)

Selfies were taken by the hotel's holiday decos

Our Lancaster, PA, hotel was fully decorated the morning after Thanksgiving. Elves in the form of hotel employees worked to set up multiple tree displays and a gingerbread house in the lobby, all good photo opportunities, which we could not resist.

A variety of red cars in keeping with the season

While other family members left for their home on Saturday, we stayed for the weekend and traveled 30 min. from Lancaster to Hershey, PA, to visit America's Transportation Museum. The museum is dedicated to the preservation of automobile history and is also known as the AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) Museum, which is rather confusing as the museum is not affiliated with that organization.

The 71,000 square foot museum opened in June 2003. It displays over 130 cars, buses, motorcycles and automobiles in themed settings from the 1890s to 1980s. Rather than display the cars in long rows, the AACA Museum incorporated an educational approach in its displays by adding scenery and set designs to complement the period in which each car was built. Vintage autos are shown in unique settings through the decades. 

Vintage Tucker autos in the museum

Major collections include the Cammack Tucker Collection, billed as the world's most extensive collection of Tucker automobiles. (The collection is named for David Cammack, a historian and collector whose entire collection was donated to the museum after his 2013 death.)

We spent over 2 hours touring this museum, a welcome escape from a cold and windy day outdoors. A future post will feature more of the displays. (I appreciate your comments on our Portugal visit. There's more to share, those posts will most continue in the New Year.)

Your Turn — Did you celebrate Thanksgiving with any traditions ? 

Friday Funnies

Here’s what happened with a pet and family members after Thanksgiving dinner. 

Did anything similar happen at your gathering ?

If you celebrated with family and/or friends, we hope that your Thanksgiving was full of everything good, including nap time.

Enjoy your weekend, Everyone

If you are in the path of snow storm affecting some states, stay safe and warm. Snow is forecast in NH early next week. Thankfully, we leave PA this weekend going home from our holiday road trip, ready to start with Christmas card writing and decorating.

Happy 🦃 Thanksgiving

It seems that a MUCH bigger pot would be needed for this bird ! (Comments are off)

Like many others, we have much to be thankful for (every day) as we gather to celebrate this holiday with family. We hope that those who celebrate today (or recently celebrated) have a wonderful holiday. Thanks to everyone for online friendships — You are appreciated

Dorothy (Beatrice) & Patrick (Grenville)

This post was just for a smile

Enjoy the holiday as we are doing in PA

Lisboa the Start

Assorted city views in Lisboa, the capital of Portugal

Our recent Portugal adventure began in its capital city, Lisbon called Lisboa, which is is the Portuguese name derived from the ancient name Olisipo, and attributed to the Phoenician words Alis Ubbo (pleasant little port or enchanting port). Lisboa is not only one of the oldest cities in the world, it's the second-oldest European capital city (after Athens) and predates capitals like Rome, Paris and London by a few centuries. 

An aerial view as the plane approached Portugal after overnight flight

We spent 3 days in Lisbon and surrounding areas. The weather was very cooperative aside from some rain in Lisbon. This post will present historical highlights as well as photos of the delicious foods. 

39 Degraus Cine-Gastro-Bar, named for Hitckock's, The 39 steps, has 39 steps

After our overnight flight from Boston and settling into a hotel, lunch came next. We found a very unique restaurant, the 39 Degraus Cine-Gastro-Bar is a restaurant located above a cinema. It presents outdoor films in summer months. Degraus is Portuguese for steps and the name refers to the Alfred Hitchcock spy-thriller film, The 39 Steps. The restaurant features a lobby area display of movie posters, vintage cinema cameras, theater seats, film cans and photographs. To reach the restaurant, you either walk up a staircase of 39 steps or take an elevator. 

Rainy day walking tour of Lisboa

Interpretative Center of the History of Cod with fish art masterpieces

Our large group of 43 fellow travelers went on a short city walking tour which included a stop at the Interpretative Center of the History of Cod (bacalhau). This fish is is a national staple and represents an important role in the country's cultural heritage and cuisine. Portugal is the world's largest consumer of cod, about 20% of the global catch. The fish art gallery of famous masterpieces was a highlight here. 

Metropolitano de Lisboa (Lisbon Metro)

Son after, we had a ticket to ride the subway to explore sights farther away from downtown Lisbon. The Metropolitano de Lisboa (Lisbon Metro) opened in December 1959 after a 4-year construction period and was the first rapid transit system in Portugal. The system's four lines total about 28 miles with 56 stations and four lines: Blue (Seagull), Yellow (Sunflower), Green (Caravela) Red (Orient). It's considered one of the best-kept and cleanest metros in Europe, comparable to Paris' subway system. The Belém neighborhood of Lisboa is home to several historic sites and our group visited (or viewed) ones shown below.

Torre de Belém (Belém Tower or Bethlehem Tower)

The Torre de Belém (Belém Tower or Bethlehem Tower) also known as the Torre de São Vicente (Tower of Saint Vincent) sits near the mouth of the Tagus River. This 16th-century fortification was built between 1514 and 1520 to defend Lisbon and symbolizes Portugal's maritime and colonial power in early modern Europe. Years ago it was transformed into a lighthouse, then a customs center. Built during the height of the Portuguese Renaissance, the tower is a prominent example of Portuguese Manueline style with other architectural styles, like the minarets inspired by Moorish architecture. The structure is composed of a bastion and a 100-foot, four-story tower. Since 1983, the tower has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now, only outside views are possible as it's closed for renovations until Spring 2026

In the above photo, the plane sculpture near the Tower of Belém is known as the Monument to the First Aerial Crossing of the South Atlantic. It's a stainless steel replica of a Fairey III biplane used by Portuguese aviators Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral to commemorate their 1922 first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic, a historic journey that connected Portugal to Brazil. 

Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries)

The dramatic looking Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries) is a concrete slab poised vertically along the bank of the Tagus River. The monument celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries. It's located near the site that ships departed to explore and trade with India and the Orient.

The monument's design resembles the prow of a caravel, a small, fast Portuguese sailing ship of the 15th–17th centuries. On either side are ramps that join at the river's edge, with the figure of Prince Henry the Navigator in the lead (more about him later in this post). On either side along the ramp, are 16 figures (33 total) representing figures from the Portuguese Age of Discovery. These included monarchs, explorers, cartographers, artists, scientists, missionaries and is designed to show movement towards the front.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery)

The very impressive Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery) is a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome in the parish of Belém. Construction of the monastery and church began in January 1501 and was completed 100 years later. It was designed in a manner known as Manueline, a rich ornate architectural style with complex sculptural themes that include maritime elements and objects discovered during naval expeditions, carved in limestone. Religious orders were dissolved after the 1820 Liberal Revolution. The monastery sat abandoned for years until its revival as a tourist site after being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Earlier, in 1907, it was classified as a National Monument. Inside the monastery are the tombs of prominent figures from the Age of Discovery, Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões and is the burial place for King Manuel I and his family. It's considered one of the most visited heritage complexes in Portugal; however, our group didn't tour the interior due to long wait lines.

Statue of Prince Henry

Since it's been mentioned earlier, a little more about Portugal's Age of Discovery. This was a period of extensive maritime exploration durng the 15th to 16th centuries which included colonization, and global trade, funded in large part by Prince Henry the Navigator. Henry was dubbed "the Navigator" as he was recognized for sponsoring maritime voyages, despite not being an explorer. According to our guide, Henry not only didn't like being on the sea, he rarely went on voyages and never went on long sea-going expeditions. Instead, his passion was for organizing and financing explorations . 

Portugal explorers were the first to explore Africa's coast, circumvent the Sahara, and round the Cape of Good Hope under Vasco da Gama, leading to significant global trade networks, colonization, and the introduction of the Atlantic slave trade. Portugal built a powerful maritime empire by establishing trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its dominance waned due to competition from other European nations.

Pastel de Nata is a delicious egg-custard tart (just ask Grenville)

The must-eat treat in Belém is the original egg tart, Pastel de Nata, produced by the Pastéis de Belém bakery. A Pastel de Nata is a famous Portuguese egg custard tart pastry with a flaky, layered crust and a creamy, caramelized filling. It originated in the Jerónimos Monastery sometime before the 18th century. Monks and nuns used large quantities of egg whites to starch their clothes. This left a surplus of egg yolks. It was common for monasteries and convents to use the leftover egg yolks, to make cakes and pastries, resulting in the creation of sweet pastry recipes. If you should visit Portugal this treat should not be missed.

Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa Lift) 

One of the most unique sights in downtown Lisboa is the Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa Lift) which is the most famous elevator in the city. This iconic neo-Gothic wrought-iron lift connects the Baixa district with the higher Largo do Carmo shortening the steep climb. The lift was ompleted in 1902 with similarities to the Eiffel Tower and was powered by steam before a 1907 conversion to electricity and originally was a public transport solution and is now a major tourist attraction.  The structure features neo-Gothic arches, and the interior of the wooden carriages is decorated with brass and wood. It was declared a national monument in 2002.

There are other notable historical and lifts in the city, such as the Ascensor da Bica and the Elevador da Glória. However, due to a September 2025 crash that killed 16, all of the city's funiculars have been stopped. A final report is due in 2026 and expected to include a final assessment of the safety of the system.

We experienced too much on tour to describe in a single post and this one is already quite long. Our adventures will be continued after the holiday.