Happy 2015 and big thank you | Why I haven't been blogging

{Spring, Princeton}

In case anyone is still checking this blog, I wanted to say an official goodbye (for now). After an unexpectedly long period of work travel, I was looking forward to blogging again. Then I got sick. It was cancer. Luckily, my prognosis is favorable, but this space will remain quiet while I concentrate on my health.

Although I have not been able to return your kind comments and notes in my absence, I want to thank you all for making my blogging experience so lovely and enriching.

Below, some (pre-hiatus) farewell photos... Sending you best wishes for a happy, healthy 2015!

{Early spring, New York}

{Summer, Boston}

{Summer, San Diego}

{Last but not least: Kona the canoeing canine, Princeton summer}

Weekend explorations: Outdoor fun

In Manhattan's Bryant Park, snapped right before I left for Xmas/New Year's break. This got lost in the post-travel shuffle. Hard to tell from my point-and-shoot, but it was a beautiful winter's night.

Weekend explorations: Shakespeare on Broadway

What's more English than fish and chips? Maybe a double bill of Richard III and Twelfth Night? Starring the incredible Mark Rylance, these Broadway productions recreate the originals: all-male cast, onstage seats, the pre-show ritual of actors getting dressed onstage. Here's the Richard III set (pardon my pocket camera).

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Below, the cast gets dressed for Twelfth Night. The last shot is too far, but I enjoyed catching Stephen Fry - in black to the right of the table - being dressed as Malvolio:)

Recent weeks V: Vanderbilt Mansion, New York

How the other half lives: Gilded Age "summer cottage" of one of America's richest families. Enjoy your weekend!

Recent Weeks IV: Future chefs + Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I couldn't let Thanksgiving pass without mentioning food! Spotted these future chefs at the Culinary Institute of America. This day is about gratitude for a good harvest and other blessings - Happy Thanksgiving!

Recent weeks III: The Hudson River, New York

I showed you the Culinary Institute of America yesterday - this was the view towards the Hudson River.

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{Explorer Henry Hudson is famed for his exploits in the area, but met a sticky end 400 years ago - his crew mutinied and set him, his son, and several men adrift at Canada's Hudson Bay. They were never seen again.}

Recent weeks II: Hudson Valley, New York

Luckily, I got one weekend off and enjoyed autumn sun at the CIA - the Culinary Institute of America. (It's probably a more pleasant destination than the other CIA.)

Weekend explorations: The NoMad

The beautifully restored NoMad Hotel in Manhattan is full of lush interiors and moody lighting. Its airy atrium offers award-winning cocktails.

Postcard from Manhattan: Little wedding scene {+wedding-themed summer farewell}

Gazebo wedding, Central Park lake. The lake is also a lovely place to rowboat. And below, since our summery autumn heatwave is finally ending, a farewell look at that most summery of scenes - weddings.

{Clockwise from bottom left - all Summer 2013: colorful-quirky Princeton, elegant Paris, Cinderella London horse-drawn carriage and its London bride outside St. Paul's Cathedral.}

Postcard from Manhattan: Central Park ballerina

Alas, I couldn't walk closer for a better shot, but she was a fun/sweet/unusual autumn sight. (Lincoln Center, home to two ballet companies and a ballet school, is nearby.)

Weekend explorations: East Village, Manhattan

Facade - word origin: French façade, after Italian facciata for face. Literal face on the plastic facade of Otafuku eatery, reflecting building facades across the street. Once again, I returned to Princeton too late for photos, so hope you don't this prior weekend's glimpse of our metropolitan area!

More City Daily Photo "Facade" Theme Day entries here!

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Little notes: Otafuku specializes in two types of Japanese "street food": takoyaki (spherical octopus fritters dotted with ginger and green onions, made in a cast-iron mold - see below) and okonomiyaki (eggy pancakes with cabbage and seafood or meat).

Weekend explorations: Grand Central Terminal, New York

The grand concourse clock is a popular meeting and marriage proposal site; there's a secret staircase under the floor beneath. The once-sooty ceiling reveals the constellations (better view here).

Weekend explorations: ABC Carpet & Home, Manhattan

Manhattan's ABC Carpet & Home is 7 floors of home decor fantasy. Randomly, we ran into one of Mr. L's former London coworkers there (the coworker had relocated to New York). Top left shot by Mr. L.

Weekend explorations: Bike launch, New York City

Well, that break lasted longer than I intended, thanks to a cold. But I began recovering in time for a stormy New York weekend - the city's bike share program is ready to launch! Happy Monday.

Weekend explorations: Vintage underground, New York

For Grand Central Terminal's centennial, 42nd Street Crosstown Shuttle riders were treated to vintage 1940s and 1950s subway trains all weekend (still got you crosstown in a New York minute). Mr. L shot the vintage ad (2nd photo): "WAGE WAR ON GERMS - cover your coughs & sneezes PLEASE!!".

Weekend explorations: Chess anyone?

In Union Square, Manhattan, with city life and subway entrance as backdrop.

New York explorations: L for Late-afternoon Light

"I found myself agape, admiring a skyscraper -- the prow of the Flatiron Building, to be particular, ploughing up through the traffic of Broadway and Fifth Avenue in the late-afternoon light." --H.G. Wells, 1906

These long lean lines have been shot so much and far better (see Carraol), and probably never on such low-resolution (my mistake in camera setting!), but seemed fit for "L." More at ABC Wednesday!

Weekend explorations: Midtown Manhattan

During a rare lull (usually, there's triple the crowds and cars). I returned to Princeton after dark, so hope you don't mind this glimpse of our metropolitan area!

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See all City Daily Photo 'Pedestrians Crossing' April theme entries!

What a difference a day makes!

Saturday and warm (50F/10C) in New York City, near Astor Place, and Friday's snowy Princeton.

Weekend explorations: East Village, New York

{Abraco espresso bar} 

It's been a while since I've posted photos from the city. This area was "Little Ukraine" in the East Village, but  (like so many areas) is now pricey and trendy.