Mellow Yellow Monday

Back to Eataly, NYC's wonderful new Italian
food emporium.  The place is huge and the
floors are concrete.  Still, you can buy a glass of wine
"to go," and they pour it into a real wine glass—not a
plastic cup.  I wonder how many people walk out
with one of these glasses.  (And, no, I didn't.)
[See more Mellow Yellow here.]

Shadow Shot Sunday

This photo was taken when it wasn't against the law 

to feed the fat pigeons in Piazza San Marco. 

[See lots more more shadow shots here.]                                                                                                                

Photo Hunt — "mostly black"

On the outside, a gondola must (by decree, since 1562) be black.
But on the inside . . .  How gorgeous is this scarlet interior?
[See more things that are "mostly black" here, at tnchick's meme.]

Skywatch Friday

The sun was making a valiant effort to
break through on this overcast winter day,
but I'm afraid it was a losing battle.
Am I ever ready for spring!
[See more Skywatch here.]

Thursday Challenge — "movement"

A tad bizarre—but that's what I like about it.
I was trying to sneak a picture of my
daughter Lila, but she just wouldn't stand still!
[See more "movement" here.]

abc wednesday — F is for "fatherhood"

Meet newborn Lukas (born 1/12/11—a day late?), and his father, Tobias.  
Tobi is married to one of my daughter Lila's best friends (Lila took this picture).  
We were all thrilled when Luke arrived—finally, a bit tardy and by C-section—
but (little) mom Amanda and (big, 9 lbs. plus) son are both thriving.
[See more ABC Wednesday posts here.]

Coney Island

And apparently you can do this until 3 a.m.  Actually, I
believe this "game" no longer operates—which is a
good thing, because it's just wrong on so many levels.
[This is part of That's My World.  See more of the world here.]

Mellow Yellow Monday

One of my favorite pieces of graffiti art, 
in a place I've featured before.
[See more Mellow Yellow here.]

Shadow Shot Sunday

Found these ancient weapons in Venice's Correr Museum
(where you're not allowed to take photos—ha!).  Hard 
to tell here, but they're probably 10 or 12
feet long—deadly but still, somehow, beautiful.
[See more shadow shots here.]

photo hunt — "silhouette"

Here is Benvenuto Cellini's 16th-century
statue of Perseus With the Head of Medusa,
which stands in the Loggia dei Lanzi, in
Florence's Piazza della Signoria. Amazing
how Cellini managed to depict gushing
blood—in bronze!
[See more silhouettes here, at tnchick's meme.]

Skywatch Friday

It's been months since I've been able to walk across the 
Brooklyn Bridge.  Finally, higher temps make it possible some 
days—though gloves, scarf, and ugly hat are sometimes required.
(Worth it even if I only catch the tail end of a beautiful sunset.)
[Check out more Skywatch here.]

Thursday Challenge — "trees"

These trees are also in Prospect Park (see yesterday's post)
—the local dog owners and their pups had a blast here the 
morning after our last (and I hope it was) big snowstorm. 
(Click to enlarge to get the full effect.)  
[You can see more trees here at the Thursday Photo Challenge.]

abc wednesday — E is for "evergreen"

This was the scene in Prospect Park very early
the morning after our last big snowstorm.
Aren't these old evergreens beautiful?
[See more interpretations of "E" here.]

New York at Night (10)

Eighth Avenue—at 2 a.m.—in the city that never sleeps.
[I'm linking this back to That's My World Tuesday—
see much more of the world here.]

Mellow Yellow Monday

Not a lot of yellow here but just enough to qualify, I hope.  I'd love to tell you who 
made these hearts (and would love to have one too)—but I took this through the 
window of a gallery in Venice late at night, and never got back there to find out. 
Been saving it until time to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!
[You can see lots more Mellow Yellow here.]

Shadow Shot Sunday

Any time I find a "balloon man,"—as here and here—
I reach for my camera.  Happy Birthday to
the unknown recipient of this balloon bouquet!

[See more shadows /here.]

photo Hunt — "education"

These kids are SO lucky—and (for the most part) they seem to
appreciate the fact that they are here at the Musée d'Orsay with
an enthusiastic teacher, learning all about a fabulous Impressionist painting.
Wish I'd had this kind of education (and made sure my daughters did).
[See more takes on the theme "education" here, at tnchick's meme.]

Skywatch Friday

Venice in winter: an early-morning sky and
the lovely bells of San Giacomo di Rialto—the city's
oldest church, originally consecrated in 421(!).
[You can see more Skywatch here.]

Thursday Challenge — "texture"

I was allowed to get about two inches from the painting 

with my camera—and a guard was sitting right next to it!  

Click to enlarge to really appreciate the texture in this work 

(Oeillets et Clematites Dans un Vase de Cristal, by Edouard Manet, 1882). 
[You can see more textures here, at Dale's meme.] 

abc wednesday — D is for "dog"

Seems only right, since C was for "cat."  This is
Lola, who came to the New Year's Eve bash in
her new taffeta dress.  She knew she was the cutest
girl there too—although her mom here (whom I've 
featured before) was wearing a pair of peep-toe 
Louboutins with 4-inch heels.  They were both stylin'!

Looks like we're already up to E,
for envy.  But no.  My "dogs" were 
perfectly happy (and comfy) in 
my cheap black flats—honest!
[See more ABC D's here.]

That's My World

In case these boys were wondering what they're supposed to be 
doing here . . .  On the other hand, they are from NYC's hardworking 
Chinese community and probably do need to be reminded.  We're
celebrating the Year of the Rabbit here too.  Gung Hay Fat Choy!
[See more of the world here.]

Mellow Yellow Monday

Found these pretty primavere (primroses) at the flower market
on the Ile de la Cité, in Paris—at just about this cold and snowy
time of year, but in 2005.  Funny that they're named for
spring and yet bloom so beautifully in the dead of winter.
I'm grateful and I'll bet the Parisians are too!
[For more Mellow Yellow, go here.]

shadow Shot Sunday

Snapped this from a moving train, and I thought
I was taking it for the colorful graffiti.  Then I saw
those looong shadows on the frozen lake . . .
[You can see lots more shadows here.]

photo Hunt — "fashion"

Took this a couple of years ago as I was walking through
the campus of FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology).
These students are serious about it—I mean, just
check out that chapeau.  I lived a couple of blocks from this 
school when my kids were little, and found Lila's first 
babysitters here (maybe this explains her fashion sense).
[For more "fashion," go to tnchick's meme.]

skywatch Friday

Was visiting my mom out on Long Island recently, walked
into the kitchen, and saw . . . this!  Grabbed my camera and
ran outside where it was well below freezing.  Maybe the
temp contributed to this rather spectacular sunset . . .
(Sure would have loved a totally unobstructed view of it!) 
[You can see more Skywatch here.]

Thursday Challenge — "red"

Something to look forward to!  I had some nice shots
of spots of red in our latest pile o' snow (a buried car,
a girl in a ski jacket, berries)—but as lovely as it is,
I'm a bit over it and vow not to complain about the
heat and humidity when this comes around again!

Oh, okay—I'll add those
berries (but only because
they're so pretty in the snow).
[See more "red" things  here.]

abc wednesday — C is for "cat"

This is one of the fierce feral cats of Florence and
it looks like she's been in one fight too many.
Really amazing that she let me get this close.
[See more ABC here.]

That's My World

More snow!  Actually, this is from last week's storm—I woke up
in the middle of the night and stuck my head out the window to
take this shot (with flash, for a change). These snowstorms are
starting to blend together and it seems we haven't seen the last of it.
Sure is pretty though.  (BTW, this is my 1,000th post!)
[To see more of the world, go to That's My World Tuesday.]