"this moment" . . .

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Many blessings for a beautiful weekend ~ Wendy

'twas not to be on a mostly "Wordless Wednesday" . . .

This past Sunday morning, I got up bright and early (not too hard to do when you've just gained an hour thanks to "falling back"!!),  threw on my sweater and scarf over my jammies, grabbed my camera and drove down to Memorial Park in downtown Nyack to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse.  Unfortunately, there was too much cloud coverage for it to be seen but I was able to take a few other photos of the sights and sounds of the early morning.

 Memorial Park is nestled along the banks of the Hudson River.  It's a popular spot in the warmer weather but was very quiet at 6:30 on a blustery Sunday morning.  : )

The ever-present seagulls were waiting for their next meal and were disappointed to learn it wasn't going to come from me!!  : )  The beautiful foliage in the background is on the Westchester side of the river.  Even though it's past peak at this point, it's still so beautiful.

Some houses along the river. 

A blustery autumn sky.

These "luxury" townhouses were built in the early 1990's (if I remember correctly).  There were lots of unhappy people when they were first built.  Definitely didn't fit in with the small-town feel of the rest of the village of Nyack. 

 At the very end of the time frame for the eclipse, I did manage to catch a glimpse of the sun when the clouds broke just a little bit.  What a tease that Mother Nature can be sometimes!!!  Oh well . . .  maybe next time!!


Many blessings for a beautiful Wednesday ~ Wendy

Trick or Treating at Last . . .

 For the last two years, Halloween was basically a bust here in the northeast.  Two years ago we had a freak snowstorm and last year we had a little something called Hurricane Sandy.  CRAZY!!!  And three years ago, Megan slept thru Halloween.

Halloween 2010.

  This year, we were bound and determined to get out there and finally TRICK OR TREAT!!!

Megan and her friend, Sophie.

We met at Megan's daycare provider's house and all the little friends walked around together.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends that we've met thru daycare.  The kids all get along beautifully and so do the parents.  : )

Cybele and her beautiful Mama, Ophie.

The coolest costume of the night went to Louisa!!

Baby James trick or treating for the very first time!!

My pretty princess!!

Sophie (who we just found out on Halloween is going to be a BIG sister!!!).

A face in the window!!

The three amigas!!

Cybele digging into her loot!!

I just loved this house!!!!!!

I also chaired the middle school's Halloween Social this year.  We had more than 150 kids sign up and most of them actually wore costumes!!  : )  We raised just shy of $1000.00 for the PTA!!  It was a lot of work but so wonderful to see as it all came together. 

Brendan participating in the donut-eating contest which, needless to say, was a huge hit!!!

Brendan and his buddy, Liam, at the Halloween Social.  I love this photo!!

 Megan is already talking about what she wants to be next year.  I think she caught the Halloween bug that her Mama has!!!  So glad Mother Nature took a nap this year!!  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Monday and a wonderful week ~ Wendy

Visiting the 9/11 Memorial . . .

 The last month has been such a whirlwind of activity around here.  I've really been neglecting my blogging (AND my housework, AND my laundry!!) and want to make it a point to get back into it.  Photos have been backing up on my camera and I wanted to share some. 

The Freedom Tower in Manhattan.

The names of the victims of 9/11.

 A couple of weeks ago, we took a trip into Manhattan for the day.  My mother and father-in-law were here  from Tennessee for the week.  We visited the 9/11 Memorial for the first time since it has opened.  Needless to say, a very emotional yet beautiful and peaceful place to be.  This was the first time I have been to the area where the towers used to stand since 9/11 and I have to say that as soon as you come up from the subway you can feel a complete shift in energy from the rest of the city.  If you've ever been to Manhattan, or any of the boroughs for that matter, it's all about hustle and bustle.  People coming and going at a very rapid pace.  That's just how New Yorkers roll, I guess.  But Ground Zero is different.  Peaceful for the most part. 

9/11 Memorial.

A reflection on the side of a building at Ground Zero.

 Brendan reading names of some of the victims.  This was so beautifully done.  The names are carved in so deeply.  Absolutely beautiful.

Our friend, Welles Remy Crowther, was one of the victims of 9/11.  He died a true hero.  You can learn about him here .

My wonderful mother and father-in-law.

After visiting the memorial, we went to the world famous Katz' Delicatessen for lunch.  If you've never been to Katz' and you love pastrami on rye, you must add it to your list of places to visit while in NYC!!!!  TO DIE FOR!!!!!!! We are all now officially ruined for all other pastrami sandwiches!!  : )

Have a wonderful weekend!!  We're turning our clocks back one hour tonight.  Usually I love to do this but this year I'm kind of going to miss the light.  I was looking out my front door this morning.  There is an over abundance of color right now.  The brilliantly blue autumn sky, the reds, yellows and oranges of autumn foliage and the still green grass all look so beautiful.  It's so hard to believe that in just a few short weeks it will be gone.  I'm definitely feeling that nesting feeling that I so love so I guess I'll just grin and bear the shorter days.  : )


Many blessings ~ Wendy

Fun Down on the Farm . . .

 Last weekend, Megan and I and two of our favorite families took a ride to a pretty little town in upstate New York called Warwick and visited Wright's Farm for the day.  It's a magical little place for young and old alike that suits all of your basic autumnal needs.  : )

Hamming it up for the camera!!

Meg's BFF Cybele.

Sophie, Megan and Cybele.

 After feeding the barnyard animals, the kids each went on a pony ride.  Megan fell in love with horses this week.  Last week at the Shriner's Circus she wasn't so sure about staying on the horse and this week she cried because she didn't want to get off of the horse!!  : )

Cybele's turn!!

A hint of things to come!!!

Meggie's friend Frazier running thru the arch that must be gorgeous in the spring.

 After getting lost in the corn maze and taking a few shortcuts (wink, wink!!) we jumped on the tractor ride and drove to the pumpkin patch where the kids each got to pick out a pumpkin or two or three. 

 Lots of great memories were made and the kids are still talking about our wonderful day!!  I have lots more photos to share next time!!


 Many blessings for a beautiful Saturday and a wonderful weekend ~ Wendy