I'm ending 2016 with this image of an old whaling boat up in the Arctic, a part of the planet I visited for the first time this year and that surprised me with its interesting history and incredible beauty. Happy New Year to all of you! [To see more b/w images, visit Dragonstar's meme.] |
Saturday, December 31, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White
Friday, December 30, 2016
Skywatch Friday
As usual, I'm hopping a plane and heading a bit south to ring in the new year in a peaceful place very far from Times Square. Hope you'll be wherever you want to be too! [To see more Skywatch pics, go here.] |
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Thursday Challenge—"celebration"
I'll be wearing this fetching little chapeau day after tomorrow at our otherwise relatively quiet New Year's celebration. Hope you're planning some fun for that evening. [To see more of the Thursday Photo Challenge, go here.] |
Labels:
2016,
New Year's Eve,
selfie,
Thursday Photo Challenge
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
ABC Wednesday—Y is for "yuletide"
Two of the magazines in our group had a friendly gingerbread-house smackdown recently on Facebook. And the winner was . . . this cute little log cabin made by a couple of the folks at FamilyFun magazine. (I guess it was okay to use no gingerbread whatsoever in the making of your "gingerbread" house.) Whatever. It's so cute. [To see more ABC posts, go here.] |
Labels:
abc wednesday,
FamilyFun,
gingerbread house,
Parents,
Y,
yuletide
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Holiday fun
I have some of those glasses that let you see your Christmas lights in various shapes, including reindeer, Santas, wreaths, gingerbread men—and these stars. [Linking back to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.] |
Monday, December 26, 2016
Happy Boxing Day . . .
to all my far-flung friends who are celebrating today! [To see more Macro Monday pics, go here.] |
Labels:
Boxing Day,
gifts,
macro monday
Sunday, December 25, 2016
inSPIREd Sunday
This pretty little church was established back in 1842, in Rocky Mount, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Some of my VA cousins sing in the choir here. {Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all who are celebrating today!} [To see more churches from around the world, go here.] |
Saturday, December 24, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White
Did some last-minute Christmas shopping downtown. When I turn the corner and am greeted by this sight . . . well, it never fails to impress me. [To see more b/w images, visit Dragonstar's meme.] |
Labels:
Christmas shopping,
downtown,
Oculus,
One World Trade Center
Friday, December 23, 2016
Weekend Reflections
A very Merry Christmas &/or Happy Hanukkah to all my fellow reflection addicts and blog pals wherever you are and however you celebrate at this time of year. Are you all ready for the festivities? I'm not! [To see more Weekend Reflections, visit James's meme.] |
Labels:
Christmas 2016,
Christmas tree,
weekend reflections
Thursday, December 22, 2016
signs, signs
Back in the (18th-century or so) day, if your footwear was better than your reading comprehension and you needed to have your boots repaired, I guess you'd just have to look for a sign like this to know you'd found a cobbler. (I spotted this one in the heart of Bordeaux.) [To see more signs, go here.] |
Labels:
Bordeaux,
cobbler,
rue Ste. Catherine,
signs signs
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
ABC Wednesday—X is for "extra X's"
There's a plaque on the mast that commemorates their accomplishment. [To see more ABC posts, go here.] |
Labels:
abc wednesday,
Amundsen,
North Pole,
Ny-Alesund,
Spitsbergen,
Svalbard Archipelago
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Where are you?
This is Lady (according to her tag), who was waiting patiently for her human outside our local food co-op. Despite her fur-trimmed coat and blue rubber boots, she was shaking from the cold. Not to worry—her owner was paged and she was soon on her way home. [Linking back to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.] |
Labels:
Blue Monday,
Lady,
Our World Tuesday,
Ruby Tuesday
Monday, December 19, 2016
Monday Mellow Yellows
These yellow and orange flowers shone through the snow and added a spot of bright color to my Brooklyn neighborhood. [To see more Monday Mellow Yellows, go here.] |
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Shadow Shot Sunday
Here's a quiet corner behind the scenes at Paris's most beautiful opera house, the Opera Garnier, where it's mostly ballet that's performed these days. [To see more Sunday shadows, go here.] |
Labels:
Opéra Garnier,
Paris,
shadow shot Sunday,
window
Saturday, December 17, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White
Did you want something? [To see more b/w images, visit Dragonstar's meme.] |
Labels:
Joey,
the weekend in black and white
Friday, December 16, 2016
Weekend Reflection
Rue Théophile Roussel, right at the entrance to the Marché d'Aligre, is reflected in the window of Le Baron Rouge (oysters, anyone?) and in all those wine glasses too. [To see more Weekend Reflections, visit James's meme.] |
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Thursday Challenge—"everyday"
This may not be an "everyday" sight for many folks, but I have this view of the Chrysler (my fave NYC) Building every night on my way home from work. And I never take it for granted. [To see more of the Thursday Photo Challenge, visit Dale's meme.] |
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
ABC Wednesday—W is for "wall o' water"
Are you thirsty? Or I should say, T'as soif? If you're in Paris, you're in luck. (First of all, the tap water's just fine.) Or you can choose from among many, many brands of bottled water—as in this display at Bon Marché's Grand Épicerie. [To see more ABC posts, go here.] |
Labels:
abc wednesday,
Bon Marché,
Grand Épicerie,
W,
water
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Away in a manger
The biggest menorah you ever saw has not been set up yet, but the nice crèche is there at Grand Army Plaza. Not so sure about that tree, though. [Linking back to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.] |
Labels:
Christmas 2016,
crèche,
grand army plaza
Monday, December 12, 2016
Whirlybird
One morning recently as I took my usual walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, I was accompanied by this police helicopter that circled the bridge the whole time. It was hovering in place when I took this shot— must say, it made me feel safe . . . and also creeped me out. I kept wondering just what it was looking for. [Linking back to Blue Monday at Backyard Neighbor.] |
Labels:
Blue Monday,
brooklyn bridge,
helicopter,
Manhattan Bridge
Sunday, December 11, 2016
inSPIREd Sunday
This is the church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris. The current building dates to the 17th century. The façade was renovated in the 18th century; the north tower (the one on the left) was renovated, but then the French Revolution halted the renovations and the southern tower never was replaced. (It's always bothered me that they don't match.) [To see more churches from around the world, go here.] |
Labels:
6th arrondissement,
inSPIREd Sunday,
Paris,
Saint-Sulpice
Saturday, December 10, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White
I think it's beautiful in color, or all lit up after dark—or like this, in good, old-fashioned black and white. [To see more b/w images, visit Dragonstar's meme.] |
Labels:
Eiffel Tower,
Paris,
the weekend in black and white
Friday, December 9, 2016
Weekend Reflections
I look forward to this every year: For about a week before Thanksgiving, all the trees across from my office get wrapped with thousands of little white lights. And when I leave work in the dark the next Monday, they're all lit up. [To see more Weekend Reflections, visit James's meme.] |
Labels:
Christmas lights,
Third Avenue,
trees,
weekend reflections
Thursday, December 8, 2016
cubbies
I recently switched allegiance to a new nail salon. These little drawers for regulars' personal polish reminded me of the restaurant Chartier, in Paris, where some faithful customers would get to store their own napkin in a cubby much like these (although, granted, a bit more elegant—it's Paris, after all). [Linking back to signs, signs.] |
Labels:
brooklyn,
cubbies,
nail salon,
Park Slope,
signs signs
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
ABC Wednesday—V is for "vineyards"
And also for this spectacular view of those vineyards and the rooftops of Saint-Emilion, where some of the best wine in the world comes from and where every square inch of land is given over to the vines. |
BTW, when these photos were taken, it was almost time for the harvest. [To see more ABC posts, go here.] |
Labels:
abc wednesday,
Bordeaux,
Saint-Emilion,
V,
views,
vineyard
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Deck the halls with . . .
berries and bulbs and . . . orchids. I pass this flower shop near Grand Central Terminal nearly every day. They always have orchids on display, but for the holidays they add all this plus |
glittery white branches and poinsettias too. Their windows are always a bit over the top—in a good way. [Linking back to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.] |
Monday, December 5, 2016
Greece? No . . .
This is in Paris's 14th arrondissement. I got a kick out of the Greek-themed mural filling a 5-story wall next to a Chinese take-out joint—in France. [Linking back to Blue Monday at Backyard Neighbor and Monday Mural at Oakland Daily Photo.] |
Sunday, December 4, 2016
inSPIREd Sunday
In the foreground is the Tour Pey-Berland, the belltower of the Cathédrale Saint-André, in Bordeaux. The church was consecrated in 1096. Here in 1137, 13-year-old local girl Eleanor of Aquitaine married the future Louis VII. Most of the current structure was built in the 14th and 15th centuries, and as you can see from the scaffolding at right, upkeep is ongoing almost 1,000 years later. [To see more churches from around the world, go here.] |
Saturday, December 3, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White
I love these beautiful ballerina lamps, which can be had (for a price) at the gift shop at the Opéra Garnier. [To see more b/w images, visit Dragonstar's meme.] |
Friday, December 2, 2016
skywatch reflection
Reflected in a Louvre pyramid: fluffy French clouds in a beautiful blue sky. [Linking back to Weekend Reflections and Skywatch Friday.] |
Labels:
Louvre,
Paris,
pyramids,
skywatch Friday,
weekend reflections
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Thursday Challenge—"rare"
On our Arctic expedition a couple of months ago, on a day when we found ourselves in the midst of a herd of reindeer, we were also lucky enough to spot this Arctic fox. Our guides told us that is very rare indeed! [To see more of the Thursday Photo Challenge, visit Dale's meme.] |
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
ABC Wednesday—U is for "up the stairs"
This beautiful staircase is in the Musée Marmottan Monet. The museum is off the usual beaten (tourist) path, in the 16th arrondissement. In addition to the impressive (pun intended) collection of Monets and other works, is the building itself—a former hunting lodge at the edge of the Bois de Boulogne. {Note: no picture-taking allowed here. As if!} [To see more ABC posts, go here.] |
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
after-school snack
French kids like to enjoy a little gouter after school. Looks like this boy decided to share his with the pigeons in the Jardin du Luxembourg. [Linking back to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.] |
Monday, November 28, 2016
"Tanglewood"
That's the name of this self-supporting (!) sculpture by Shayne Dark at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. It's made of reclaimed and painted cedar logs. (Do you suppose that when it's time to un-install it, they'll just pull out one strategic log and the whole thing will come crashing down?) [Linking back to Blue Monday at Backyard Neighbor.] |
Labels:
Blue Monday,
Brooklyn Botanic Garden,
sculpture,
Shayne Dark,
Tanglewood
Sunday, November 27, 2016
inSPIREd Sunday
Here is the Chapelle du Saint Sacrement, in the church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, which I also featured here. This was the parish church of the kings of France when they lived in the Louvre. [To see more churches from around the world, go here.] |
Saturday, November 26, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White
Here's what's happening in the garden
right now: beautiful in all seasons.
[To see more b/w photos, visit
|
Friday, November 25, 2016
Weekend Reflections
If you're ever lucky enough to get to Cap Ferret and you don't have a meal at Chez Hortense, you'll really be missing out. And if you don't have their world-famous mussels, then you're just nuts. [To see more Weekend Reflections, visit James's meme.] |
Labels:
Bordeaux,
Cap Ferret,
Chez Hortense,
weekend reflections
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Thursday Challenge—"bright" (#2)
It gets me every time! {And a very Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends.} [To see more of the Thursday Photo Challenge, visit Dale's meme.] |
Labels:
bright,
Eiffel Tower,
Thursday Photo Challenge
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
ABC Wednesday—T is for "tusks"
These creatures are so cumbersome on land, and yet strangely graceful in the water. Oh—and they're kind of nasty. Just sayin'. Still, I'm glad I was able to see them up (fairly) close. [To see more ABC posts, go here.] |
Labels:
abc wednesday,
Kapp Lee,
Spitsbergen,
Svalbard Archipelago,
T,
tusks,
walrus
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
This old wine press . . .
is at the entrance to the caves of the Chateau de la Rose Brisson/ Moulin Galhaud winery. |
They were dug out with pickaxes under the streets of Saint Emilion many years ago, and there's lots and lots—and lots—of excellent wine stored here. Cheers! [Linking back to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.] |
Monday, November 21, 2016
Hot!
These are Gold Bullet habaneros, which added some bright yellow color to all the wonderful Thanksgiving-type veggies for sale at our local greenmarket this weekend. [Linking back to Monday Mellow Yellows and Macro Monday.] |
Sunday, November 20, 2016
inSPIREd Sunday
This 17th-century angel Gabriel (by Gian Lorenzo Bernini!) lives in l'eglise de Saint Bruno, Bordeaux's first baroque church, built in 1611. [To see more churches from around the world, go here.] |
Labels:
angel Gabriel,
Bernini,
Bordeaux,
inSPIREd Sunday,
Saint Bruno,
sculpture
Saturday, November 19, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White
This statue, in the northeast corner of the Tuileries, is called Retour de Chasse (aka Home From the Hunt), sculpted by Antonin Carlès and completed in 1888. It depicts a young man returning from the hunt with a deer that he has killed with a bow and arrow. [To see more b/w images, visit Dragonstar's meme.] |
Friday, November 18, 2016
Weekend Reflections
Thank you, city of Bordeaux, for putting a reflecting pool across the road from the Palais de la Bourse, and lighting the building to make this lovely reflection for me to post here. [To see more Weekend Reflections, visit James's meme.] |
Labels:
Bordeaux,
Palais de la Bourse,
weekend reflections
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Thursday Challenge—"bright"
This week's "supermoon" would have been a
perfect subject for this challenge.
Unfortunately, it was too overcast where
I am for me to get a good picture.
However, I was in France on September 14
and was able to witness the
penumbral lunar eclipse—and take a
picture of the very bright moon that night.
[To see more of the Thursday Photo
Challenge, visit Dale's meme.]
|
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
ABC Wednesday—S is for "stream"
And also for the island of Spitsbergen, and Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago where it's located. And for surprised—I never expected that the Arctic would be as beautiful as it is. [To see more ABC posts, go here.] |
Labels:
abc wednesday,
Norway,
S,
Spitsbergen,
stream,
Svalbard Archipelago,
tundra
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