Random NYC neighborhoods . . . .

Washington Square Park

5th Avenue South - this dog was DONE walking

Walking the kids home from school

Chelsea

The West Village

Book signing at SoHo Apple store

Lunch break - near NYU

Central Park

Flatiron

Near NYU

SoHo

Lower East Side

Chinatown

Astor Place

Photo's taken myself

Everywhere a sign. . . .

It was the last day in the city before heading home. It's so hard to leave a place that you love so much. I try to stay longer each time, and this time, even 2 weeks wasn't enough. Next time, a month perhaps. I must say, my feet are throbbing though. We walked through several neighborhoods looking for the word-of-the-day...signs.

Sharing just a few.............

Self-expression

All it costs him is his time, and he gets so much in return

"If there's any way I can help . . . . "

Wonderful assistance for students - photographed on a pole near NYU

Advertising his company

I also found this adorable short film entitled 'Signs' about communication, and I thought was worth sharing.

Photos taken myself

A Passionate City . . . .

While sitting at an outdoor cafe in SoHo, it didn't take long to load my camera with 275 additional images that described the word-of-the-day....Passionate. Another easy word to capture in this city...so much diversity.

A passion for life

A passion for fashion

A Passion for fun

Photo's taken myself

Never stop questioning . . . .

It was a very full day yesterday with my son's graduation, so needless to say, we got sidetracked with the photo exercise. I just wanted to take this time to congratulate Nick on receiving his BFA in Acting. We are so proud of you, and look forward to watching you make your way in this world. 

Nick, the reward in life is a feeling you will get at the end of the day when you have done something for someone who cannot repay you. Give, and you will get more in return than anything money can buy. 

We love you.

Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you. 

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

De-li-cious: adjective, highly pleasant to the taste; delightful . . . .

It was a Delicious day! . . . . hence, today's word. After walking so much yesterday, we decided to take a blanket, a picnic lunch, a bottle of wine & our cameras to Central Park. It was 84 degrees.....just lovely.

So how would you describe 'delicious'? My first thought was food! Something yummy. Something melt-in-your-mouth, scrumptiously delightful. I think of my son when he eats something that he loves. He closes his eyes and disappears in to his own tasty world. It makes me smile.

Another way that I view delicious would be anything that warms my heart, which is what I saw, and tried to capture in my photo's.

Here are my delicious photo's for today..............

In the eye of the beholder . . . .

The photo exercise continued today with the word Art. It is very easy in New York City to find art....it is literally everywhere. Some notice it, and others don't. What a shame to miss out! We walked several miles, and loaded our cameras with images that were just begging to be captured. I loved today's assignment!!

"Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it."

-Robert Motherwell

What do YOU love? . . . .

First of all, I love New York City. To me, it represents diversity, possibility and opportunity. I have been blessed to be able to spend quite a bit of time here over the past 4 years, and have made it my personal goal to spend even more time here.

My sister-in-law Jenni, http://pointofviewlens.blogspot.com, who inspires me to no end with her passion for life, has come up with a little challenge. For the next several days, we have decided to do a daily photo exercise. We will have a word of the day, capture that word in a photo, then blog about it. Our first word is Love.

Today, my photo's are about loving the moment. Loving family. Loving life.

I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.

-Arthur Rubinstein

What do you love?

Photo's taken myself

Put a lil' Love into it!

Today, I celebrate 25 years of marriage to my best friend. I cannot imagine my life without you, Reggie. I love more today than the day I married you! 

Happy Anniversary baby! 

"It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into the giving."

-Mother Teresa

Laugh it up! . . . .

How are you feeling? If your answer is "I feel good", that's awesome! Keep doing what you're doing! You are attracting more good things to you! It really is pretty simple. You have two sets of feelings: good or bad. If you are feeling bad, make a conscious effort to quickly change what you are thinking. Close your eyes, focus on your feelings inside, and smile for one minute. You can literally shift your awareness to purposefully elevate your mood! For me, it's as simple as  putting on my favorite music. Focus on what makes you happy. Focus on something funny. Laugh out loud. Make a list of 5 things you are grateful for. Say 'Thank You' out loud! It is guaranteed, if you can do this, you can make the switch to better feelings. Better feelings = more good feelings = even more good feelings. Keep it goin!

Looking at a photo like this might help!

Ooh, I feel better already!

Lovin' the ordinary. . . .

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in the quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

-Mary Jean Irion

Shakin' it up a bit. . . .

I had so much fun!!

It's always good to get away, but to me, it's always exciting to return home again. It always feels like a chance to begin again....start refreshed. If there was something that didn't feel right before you left, returning from vacation always feels like the perfect time to change that. I'm shifting gears in my mind now.....willing to take a look at my routine, and make any adjustments that might make my day a little more productive, organized, rewarding or creative. Time to shake it up a bit!

Here comes the sun, little darlin' . . . .

"Here comes the sun, do do do doo,

Here comes the sun, and I say, . . . it's alright!"

On our way to sun & relaxation in sunny Florida! 

I can already feel the sand in my toes, the sun on my face, and the warm breezes.

Happy, happy Friday!

Recipe for Love . . . .

Ingredients

2 hearts full of love

2 heaping cups of kindness

2 cups of friendship

2 cups of JOY

2 armfuls of gentleness

2 big hearts full of forgiveness

1 lifetime of togetherness

2 minds full of tenderness

Stir daily with Happiness, Humor and Patience.

Serve with Warmth and Compassion, Respect and Loyalty.

-Author Unknown

-photo by Babi_Santander via flickr

For beautiful eyes . . . .

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." 

- Audrey Hepburn

Capture the joy . . . .

People go through their whole lives chasing everything in the material world, and they fail to discover the greatest treasure of all, which is within them. You bring to you whatever you are feeling on the inside, so be the magnet of joy! Joy is a feeling inside you, and you can cause yourself to feel that no matter what is happening in the outside world. - Rhonda Byrne

Take a break from the outside world. Direct your thoughts and words to the inside of you. Capture that feeling of joy, and when you return to the realities of the world, notice the difference in how you handle your daily annoyances. Have a joyful Monday, my friends!

Just listen . . . .

The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.....a loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.

-Rachel Naomi Remem

photo by McAzadi via flickr

Word of the Day . . . .

Words . . . .

Every time words are spoken, something is created. Be conscious of what you say and how you say it. Use words that build up, appreciate, encourage and inspire.

-Lucy MacDonald

Being aware of what we say when we speak is difficult sometimes. Understand what you're saying, and think about the potential consequences of the words you choose. Slow down. Think first.

Mentor someone . . . .

If you are successful in any area of life, remember that somewhere, sometime, someone gave you a lift or an idea that started you in the right direction. Each of us can look back on someone whose simple acts of caring changed our lives - not just by teaching us, but by taking the time to be with us and to believe in us. Decide today that you will make time in your life to mentor someone - that you will give them the gift that only you can give. Don't just give what you know, give who you are.

from the book 5

Just add charm . . . .

Attn: Do-it-yourselfers! Here is an easy weekend project that will add instant character to an otherwise ho-hum walkway or a plain concrete wall. 

Easy instructions: 

1. Clean surface

2. Choose a brick-red latex paint and a small roller with a thick nap. Let dry completely and add 2nd coat if needed. 

3. Roll on free-hand, or use a brick patterned stencil. If using stencil, allow paint to set before moving the stencil.

4. For more character, mix lighter and darker shades of reds and browns, and dab it onto the bricks with a sponge.

Love, love, love this lady . . . .

"If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others."

-Audrey Hepburn

Good for your soul . . . .

The best blush is laughter. It puts roses in your cheeks, and in your soul.

-Linda Knight