December 31, 2016

A Blessed And Happy New Year


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Have a safe and blessed New Year my friends. See you next year ;-)

December 30, 2016

Friday Foto Friends #60

For the last Friday Foto Friends post of 2016 I thought you might enjoy these four snow animated winter scenes. Except for the last photo, animations are by Art Senses who I found on Facebook. The top one is definitely Central Park in New York. The other two are just lovely scenes. The last one of cardinals and bird feeder. I love animations and sometimes I'll create animation in my own graphics.

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Hope you enjoyed the animated photos. Have a day of blessings my friends. I'll see you tomorrow with a special New Year greeting card posted here.

If you're interested in joining the Friday Foto Friends you can visit Debbie by clicking on her name. Until next time dear friends have a lovely weekend.

December 27, 2016

The News

I hope you all had a blessed and happy Christmas celebrating the Lord's birthday with your loved ones. We get together on Christmas Eve and mine was spent with my son, daughter-in-love and my younger sister and her family. It was wonderful. Christmas Day was quiet as I spent it alone this year.
For today I thought I would post my Tuesday 4 Meme. My meme will always have just 4 questions each week. I hope you enjoy doing this one along with me and you can always answer in comments or copy and paste and answer on your own blog.

The News

1.   Do you read an actual print newspaper? If so, how often?: No, not much. TV news reporting in this day and age have become too secular for me.

2.   What is your main source of news?: Right now it's my laptop and cellphone.

3.   Do you believe that it's possible for the media to be unbiased?: Not anymore. Years ago they had to hide their opinions and feelings or it meant losing their jobs. Today the activist and non-activist media lets you know how they really feel.

4.   Who is/are your favorite TV News Reporter/s?: Don't really have any favorites anymore and usually only turn on the news when I'm in the mood. I learn more from Facebook as to what's going on in the world..LOL!

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Today being my birthday, my two sisters and I will go out to lunch. I'm treated every year on my birthday and I always look forward to it and especially spending time with them. We are very close and I can't imagine my life without them. As different as we are personality wise we have always gotten along and never get angry with one another. I just can't get over how fast the years go by and how I age another year each December 27th. LOL!! The "middle" sister is on the left, the youngest is in the middle and I'm on the right and oldest of the three.

With all that said my friends, have a day of blessings.

December 21, 2016

Santa's Christmas Eve Prayer

Another tradition of mine is to remind the world that even "Santa Claus" knows the true meaning of Christmas and so each Christmas Season I post this special entry.


Santa's Christmas Eve Prayer

The sleigh was all packed,
The reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt
By the side of the bed.

"Dear Father," he prayed,
"Be with me tonight,
There's much work to do,
And my schedule is tight."

"I must jump in my sleigh
And streak through the sky,
Knowing full well
That a reindeer can't fly."

"I will visit each household,
Before the first light,
I'll cover the world,
And all in one night."

"With sleigh bells a-ringing,
I'll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter
Of each little hoof."

"To get in the house
Is the difficult part,
So I'll slide down the chimney
Of each child's heart."

"My sack will hold toys
To grant all their wishes,
The supply will be endless,
Like the loaves and the fishes."

"I will fill all the stockings
And not leave a track,
I'll eat every cookie
That is left for my snack."

"I can do all these things Lord,
Only through You,
I just need your blessing,
Then it's easy to do."

"All this is to honor
The birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us ...
Your most Holy Son."

"So to all of my friends,
Least Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them
Who gave me this job."

~ Warren D. Jennings © ~

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I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I have writing it. And now dear friends until Friday when I'll post the Christmas Story, have a day of blessings.


December 20, 2016

The Word Christmas Meme

It's been awhile since I posted a meme list and this being the holiday season I thought I would post a Christmas meme list so here goes..
"What do you think of when you think of “Christmas?” Using the word “Christmas,” list one thing you think of per letter.


C- Christ Child
H- Holidays
R- Relatives Visiting
I- Ideas For Gifts
S- Sending Out Cards
T- Trimming The Tree
M- Manger For Nativity Scene
A- Angel For Tree Top
S- Seasons Greetings


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Please join in by copying and pasting your answers on your blog or here in comments. I'd love to know what the one thing you think of per letter. So dear friends until next we meet have a day of blessings.

December 18, 2016

Treasures of New York: Holiday Train Show

When I lived in the Bronx I would take my children to the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo  (they were across the road from one another)  often. The past few years the Garden's Conservatory has put on a Holiday Train Show that has to be seen to be believed. So I decided to take you on a virtual video trip to see this show. If you have the time about 28 minutes, please take time to watch the whole show.


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Hope you enjoyed the trip, I know I did. ;) And now it's my time to "take the train back home." Have a day of blessings my friends.

December 16, 2016

Friday Foto Friends #58

I thought a virtual fun trip to New York City's Radio City Music Hall to see the 2016 Christmas show would be nice for today. When I was younger, my family and I would go to see the show. After we would stop at the "Automat".  (see below for photo and short history)  Not being able to go anymore I can only view it in photos or a special on TV. This is part of the 2016 show. I love that they always keep the Nativity in the show every year. Here we go viewing in front row seats :)

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Horn and Hardart's Automat was one of the wonders of New York. The last New York Horn & Hardart Automat (on the southeast corner of 42nd Street and Third Avenue) closed in April 1991. For nickels and dimes you would get sandwiches, soup, desserts, etc, on regular dishes, silverware, cups, glasses. We always stopped there every time we went to Manhattan.

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We are finally getting a true winter type weather with temps below zero and blustery winds to make it feel like 25-30 below zero. Today is predicted to be the coldest day of the year. The weird thing is by the weekend it will be around 35-40 degrees along with a snow storm. Crazy isn't it! Oh well! It doesn't pay to complain as I'm hibernating until next week along with my books, coffee, movies and music. Here's wishing you all a day of blessings and a wonderful weekend.

If you're interested in joining the Friday Foto Friends you can visit Debbie by clicking on her name. Until next time dear friends have a lovely and blessed weekend.

December 14, 2016

My Own Christmas Gift

Every year I buy myself one Christmas gift that I really want. This year I spotted this on QVC and with a 6 month easy pay and free shipping I was able to afford it and ordered it instantly. I received it yesterday and have enjoyed finally able to listen to the radio and playing my CDs which I haven't been able to in a couple of years. The idea of being able to listen to vinyl again also intrigues me. I've also listed all the specs so you can see how special it was for me. Here's what it looks like:


THE AVIATOR 8-IN-1 WOODEN MUSIC CENTER

Features:

• Record from Vinyl & Cassette to CD & USB! NO Computer Needed!
• CD Player + Recorder
• USB Player + Recorder
• 3-Speed Turntable (33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm)
• Cassette Player
• AM/FM Radio
• Stream Music Wirelessly from Your Smartphone, Tablet, and More via Bluetooth
• 3.5mm Aux-In & Headphone Jack
• Remote Control
• Built-In Stereo Speakers

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I'm feeling much better and will finally get to visit your blogs. Thank you all so much for visiting mine. Have a day of blessings dear friends.

December 12, 2016

Winter In My Area

Thought I would post winter photos from my surrounding areas for you to look at as there isn't anything special going on right now with me. Hope you enjoy looking at them. Click on them for full view.

Ice Storm photo I took from my old apartment window in Philmont, NY

Sking on Hunter Mountain in the Catskills  (No not me LOL!).

Part of Main Street in Hudson NY

Older photo re view from Rt. 9-G in my town of Germantown, NY

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I love looking at old and new Winter scenes even thought I'm not a lover of the season or the snow and ice. As a child I loved it especially growing up in New York City, but as a grown up like a bear I hibernate in the winter. LOL!! Until next time have a day of blessings my friends.

December 9, 2016

Friday Foto Friends #57

I took these photos with my cellphone from my first floor apartment bedroom window early Monday morning at 5:15 AM on December 5th. It was the first snow fall. We ended up with 2 inches of snow when it was over. I face the parking lot and as you can see a view of the rear of a Reformed Church. Without the parking lot it makes for lovely photos. My header photo was from last year from my living room window with the parking lot cut out of the photo.


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Sorry I haven't been around to visit as I've been laid up with a wrenched back. Tuesday I bent down to pick up a plastic gallon container and remained that bent over in pain. I'm still in pain and it hurts to sit or walk but at least I'm more upright now. I promise to visit you all in a day or two. Thank you for understanding.

If you're interested in joining the Friday Foto Friends you can visit Debbie by clicking on her name. Until next time dear friends have a lovely and blessed weekend.

December 6, 2016

An Hour, A Day, A Month, A Year

Here's this week's Tuesday 4 Meme. This meme will always have just 4 questions each week. I hope you enjoy doing this one along with me and you can always answer in comments or copy and paste and answer on your own blog.


An Hour, A Day, A Month, A Year

1.  How many hours a day do you watch TV?: After the normal housework chores I watch a few hours.

2.  How many days in a week do you cook at home?: Living alone I don't cook as much as I used to, maybe twice a week.

3. How many times a month do you go to the movies?: This time of year, never. In the summer usually once or twice a month.

4.  How many vacations do you take a year?: None. Usually 1 day trips with family in the summer. Mostly going to towns with little craft and coffee shops, family barbecues at my niece's and lunch out and drives with my sister Phyllis.

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Tonight I'm going to my adorable great niece's first birthday party. Here is a photo my niece Joelene took of her when my sisters, me and two nieces went out to lunch this past Thursday at Applebees. I loved how cute she look with a "food face". We usually do that once in awhile having a Girl's Lunch out. You can click on the photo to see the full size.
That's about it for now, so my friends have a day of blessings.

December 4, 2016

Unconscious Mutterings #8

Here's this week's Unconscious Mutterings meme. It's fun and all you do is answer with the first thought that comes to your mind for each question. Usually one word answers will do, although I usually add more. Most of the time I answer tongue in cheek. :-)


I say ... and you think ...?

1. Frustrated ~ Disappointed
2. Plaid ~ Skirt
3. Chips ~ Mister (old movie)
4. Wonder ~ Of All Wonders
5. Coat ~ Of Many Colors
6. Trust ~ In The Lord
7. Shelves ~ Book
8. Sharp ~ As A Tack!
9. Lotion ~ Hand Or Body
10. Anxious ~ ly Awaits

Now you try either on your own blog or answer here in comments.

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I hope you all had a great or are having a great weekend. Until next time dear friends, have a day of blessings ahead.

December 2, 2016

Friday Foto Friends #56

A few years ago we had an ice storm that covered everything including the trees outside my window in an apartment where I was living in another town. Usually that doesn't get my attention except for the fact It's beautiful to look at but I wouldn't dare go outside until it was safe to walk. But as soon as I spotted what was on the the tree I snapped the following photo. Just to see one that time of year floating around had me wondering as the town I was living in was really rural so who knows where it flew in from. By the next day it was gone. I was glad I took the photo from my window while it was still there.


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If you're interested in joining the Friday Foto Friends you can visit Debbie by clicking on her name. Until next time dear friends have a lovely and blessed weekend.

November 30, 2016

To Decorate Or Not...

There are times each year I basically have to talk myself into decorating for Christmas. Living alone and always invited over family members for the holiday I sometimes feel like it's a lot of work especially since I can't move around like I used to. But then comes a day in late November or the first week of December seeing Christmas lights and homes decorated by others, I will suddenly get back in the mood to decorate. Do you ever feel that way?
Here are photos of my 4 ft. tree and Nativity I took at 10:00 AM this morning after decorating at 4:00 AM. The photos were taken with my cellphone which I wasn't happy with but I thought I'd post them anyway. The Nativity figures are 8 inches tall. You can click on them if you care to see them full view
I usually post my poems on my poetry site but decided to add one here.

Trimming The Tree

It's that time again
Time to trim the tree
Boxes of many decorations
Means a lot of work for me

Tree is up with colored lights
Ready for the decorations
Make it pretty and inviting
For my friends and relations

And to celebrate Christ's birth
Beneath the tree the nativity
With angels hanging high above
The season's reason for you see

Light the candles in the window
Hang a wreath upon the door
Then stand back and look around
As the lights and candles glow

Now work is done and boxes empty
Put away until the new year
Just sit back and relax
Enjoy a glass of eggnog cheer

Toni Taddeo © ~ 11-4-2015

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Well dear friends, until next time, have a day of blessings.

November 27, 2016

Senses And Wishes

Here is an old meme I had spotted on an online friend's blog a few years ago. Skimming through my old entries on my flashdrive I thought I would post it again. Besides the senses I thought I'd include 14 wishes for you.


5 Delights for Each Sense

I love the taste of…
Freshly Made Coffee
Lemon Meringue Pie
A Good Pizza
New York Cheesecake
Fresh Warm Italian Bread

I love the sight of…
Children Playing
Sailboats on a Lake
Autumn in New York
Soft Rain Against my Window
Our Family Get Together's

I love the feel of…
A Newborn Baby in my Arms
A Soft Breeze
Hugs From My Kids & Grand Kids
Silk Sheets & Pillows
The Shore & Sand Under my Toes

I love the smell of…
Fresh Coffee Brewing
Warm Cookies Out of The Oven
New Blossoms in Early Spring
The Air After a Soft Rain
Wood Buring in a Fireplace
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My Wishes For You

I wish for you the warmth of the sun
I wish for you peace when day is done
I wish for you the joys of life
I wish for you freedom from strife
I wish for you twinkling stars at night
I wish for you they always shine bright
I wish for you no ailing days
I wish for you no moody ways
I wish for you a childlike curiosity
I wish for you through their eyes to see
I wish for you true friends galore
I wish for you to always meet more
I wish for you a close family's love
I wish for you a faith from above

These are my wishes for you my friend
And of course I wish they'll never end.

Poem By Toni Taddeo ©

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I hope you enjoyed my senses and wishes as much as I've enjoyed sharing them with you. So, dear friends until the next time, be blessed.

November 25, 2016

Friday Foto Friends #55

Hope your Thanksgiving was a blessed one. Mine was filled with loving family and lots of good food. Being it's Friday I thought I would post a photo taken on November 20th when a lot of the northeast experienced snow. But not in my part of the valley. It was all around us. The photo was taken just down the road at a local horse farm with a view of the Catskill Mountains where there was plenty of snow. Conrad Hanson a neighbor in our town who snapped the photo did a great job, as it almost looks like a painting. Please note it's copyrighted.


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If you're interested in joining the Friday Foto Friends you can visit Debbie by clicking on her name. Until next time dear friends have a lovely and blessed weekend.

November 21, 2016

11 Things I'm Thankful For

In honor of the coming Thanksgiving day this coming Thursday, I thought I'd name some things I am thankful for in my life. Feel free to write on your blog the 11 things you are thankful for.

Psalm of Thanksgiving: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples".
1 Chronicles 16:8


1. My Whole Family i.e; Children, Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, Siblings, etc...
2. The Roof Over My Head.
3. The Food In My Pantry.
4. The Clothes On My Back.
5. The Beautiful Land Around Me.
6. The Online Friends I've Made.
7. The Freedom We Enjoy.
8. My Independence.
9. Memories I Can Fall Back On.
10. To Wake Every Morning To A New Day.
11. But Most Of All, Our Lord Who Makes All The Above Possible.

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I think I'll make myself pancakes with pumpkin spices for breakfast this morning as I woke up a little hungry and I haven't had them in a couple of weeks.. With nothing else more exciting to talk about, I wish you all a lovely and blessed day ahead.