Hello!

Welcome to The Epic! I am launching this blog as a manifesto for and a guide to living well. The title and motto of the blog are taken from the Epicureans, at least some of whom believed in the notion that not one minute of the future was guaranteed to them and that as a result they had the duty to live life to its fullest every moment.

I believe in discovering fun and pleasurable things wherever I find myself each day and I am told I have a knack for unearthing them. My hope is that by sharing in my pleasures and some of my ways of finding them you will begin to collect all the riches that lie in the moments of your life. They are there. Take them! All our lives should be.....Epic.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Silver Bells

City Sidewalks
Busy Sidewalks
Dressed in Holiday Style ...


There is no doubt about it. New York City during the Holidays is magical. Any time I visit during December I cannot keep my favorite songs of the season out of my mind. Not that I try. Silver Bells is my personal soundtrack for stolling about Manhattan this time of year. The photo above is my stylized view of New York silver bells. Actually, I have no idea what it is. Probably a shop window as "interpreted" by the mysterious workings of my camera. On my most recent visit to New York I set out to just take a few shots that would try and convey my continuing love affair with the town during this time of year. So I could give a bit of that love to you.


A magnificent office building display of lit trees:



Of course, the tree at Rockefeller Center. Gorgeous even in driving rain:

A shop window display made entirely of beer bottles. Just the thing to warm the heart of a Wisconsin boy...

An about face. Then the amazing light display with music at Saks...

Another of my favorite store windows. I can't remember where. Someplace on Fifth Avenue in the 50's...

The window at Yves St. Laurent...


The first time I was ever in New York at the Holidays I was wandering home LATE at night and turned onto Fifth Avenue and was frozen by the sight of....

...a huge crystal snowflake in the sky. This photo doesn't even come close to showing how pretty this is.

This store had a dozen or more golden trees illuminated by soft little lights...

Even the Apple store across from The Plaza seemed more gorgeous than usual...

I was invited to a wonderful dinner at Le Cirque in the Bloomberg Building. The building is an architectural jewel box. Complete with a jewel of a Christmas tree (obscured by my inability to remain still)...

Another shop window featuring a Barbie dress made of Barbies in dresses (how festive!!)...

My "stylized" version of the same window...

Sort of like a mountain of Radio City Rockettes. Intriguing idea.

I hope that you have enjoyed my Holiday trip to my favorite city. But back to my favorite song of New York at this time of year. I love Dean Martin's voice, and his Christmas album is one of my favorites. Here is Dean's version of Silver Bells along with a nice amateur video of Manhattan's Holiday delights. Made with a steadier hand than mine. Without the driving rain.

I wish each and every one of you the finest of Holiday seasons and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.





6 comments:

Petunia said...

Happy Holidays! I loved the pictures from NY at this time of year--so pretty!

Unknown said...

Great report from NYC, I love NYC anytime but at Christmas it's super! Best wishes and I hope you have a wonderful Holiday! Best, Becs

Uncle Beefy said...

Hey, M. Lane! I've got to get caught up on your posts, and will over the holidays....but for now wanted to wish you a very HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

These NY pics look great! Hope to spend a Christmas in NYC one day. Sigh.

HAPPY NEW YEAR (too)!

M.Lane said...

Petunia and Becs, thanks ladies I always love your comments!!! Have a wonderful holiday with your families!

Mon Oncle, thanks as always for your visit and comment and I also wish you a peaceful and lovely Christmas and New Year!!!!!!!

ML

Habitually Chic said...

I'm so glad you got to see the tree in the Bloomberg Building. I thought it was one of the most beautiful but I never got back to take a photo! Hope you enjoyed your trip! Merry Christmas!

M.Lane said...

HC, It was so pretty! I had a fantastic trip. Merry Christmas!!!

ML