Christmas memories

Oh my stars, the last entry I made was at Thanksgiving...I must update...apologies...

I've been quite busy (with my regular life) since.


My first break and celebration of the Season was a performance of The Nutcracker at the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall of my alma mater. My alma mater has a well known Conservatory of Dance (no, I was not a dance major) plus the show was extra special as it featured two New York City Ballet dancers: Ashley Bouder and Jared Angle.
It was snowing that day, I wore an Irish sweater with a long, flowing orange pashmina and silk scarf -- no it was not "pumpkin orange," the scarf has an intriguing tinge of coral.


An Aunt & Uncle of mine stayed in a Midtown hotel in NYC for 6 days. On Monday the 19th we walked over to 3rd Avenue at 40th Street to Docks (seafood restaurant). I drank a White Wine Spritzer and ate a delicious lemon seared tuna encrusted with cracked peppercorns.


On Thursday my Aunt and Uncle took me to lunch at Joshua Tree (an Irish pub located in Murray Hill) If you're looking for good pub dining, don't be fooled by the long, dark bar up front, there's a nice dining room in the back. It was festive. The large screen televisions were all showing the news and the room was decorated by beautiful wreathes with big red bows; delightful Christmas music played softly in the background. I drank a Rum & Coke and had a French Onion Soup Au Gratin and then a Chicken Oriental Salad (Roasted chicken with roasted peppers, cucumbers, cashew nuts, & some onions).

My Aunt then took me shopping on Fifth Avenue to the Cole Haan shoe store around the corner from Rockefeller Center. Luckily there was a sale on black nappa leather casual loafers.


Friday night was remarkably warm for New York City at this time of year. A group of us ate in a cozy and magical 'Theatre Room' alcove at the Trattoria Dopo Teatro where the walls were painted with masked Medieval Jesters and Courtiers -- a bit reminiscent of tarot cards. I had a glass of White Wine and lucked out with the Grilled Tuna again -- this one was prepared with Tuscan herbs. Profiteroles with vanilla ice-cream and hot chocolate sauce was the most luscious and sinful dessert. I wore a black silk turtleneck shirt with a long wool black skirt that is slit up the side and an embroidered vest I had once bought in Hungary: it is red with beautiful black embroidered flowers and embellishments. Just for fun I wore daring red lipstick (in honor of the show we were about to see). Luckily the restaurant was walking distance to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre where we had a "bloody good time" seeing Patti Lupone and Michael Cerveris in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street -- needless to say, my cousin will never get another shave or haircut from a barber again.


Christmas Eve my Mother made a delicious lassagna with Italian sausage. We don't exchange presents until after dinner on Christmas Day.


On Christmas Eve I watched A Christmas Story on television and It's a Wonderful Life on my VCR.


I am notorious for sleeping in late, but I woke up early enough to go to Church on Christmas. There was a beautiful Nativity scene in front of the altar with Pointsetta plants all around.


We all drink Whiskey Sours during cocktails prior to dinner. We ate shrimp, almonds, and popcorn.
My Mother prepares a wonderful Christmas dinner: turkey with stuffing, green beans encrusted with a crispy topping, mashed potatoes and gravey, and yams. After dinner we could have a slice from one of three homemade pies: apple, pumpkin, or pecan.


My brother bought my Christmas gift from St. Mark's Place in the Village: Edward Scissorhands Pyjamas :-)


It was a very Merry Christmas :-)


I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas (or whatever you celebrate) and I wish everyone a Happy New Year.