Our daughter’s business
took us to New York City last night. She had a trunk show at the River House,
so we loaded up her wares in Greenwich and headed in to the bright lights of New York.
Husband is celebrating a BIG birthday so once we helped with the off loading, we decided to hit some favorite haunts, and that always means stopping by our first home together on East 73rd Street. Time seems to have stopped on that wonderful street and I could imagine myself with the baby buggy and the afghan hound taking our daily stroll.
Our old friend, Calla, is still parking her bike in the same old spot.
The children who lived in this home used to ride their hot wheels up and down the street; wonder where they are today?
Who could help but be envious of their garage? I had to abide by the alternate side of the street parking in those days, and had to take the newborn and a good book to sit in the car until it was safe to leave the car parked on the right side!After a walk down Memory lane, we headed to the Frick Collection, another special place, passing by the sparkling holiday lights of Park Avenue. Signs of holiday parties were in evidence along the way.
We both love the Frick, and found it magical as dusk was settling over Central Park, barely visible through the heavily draped windows. First we viewed the Picasso drawings on the lower level. Next, as we are owners of Cavalier King Charles spaniels, we wanted to see the Fragonards, as we know he often included a King Charles spaniel. What a surprise to open the Wall Street Journal today to a review of ‘The Path of Progress.’ (pg. c-7). The history of the Fragonard paintings is the subject of a small book by the Frick’s Associate Director, Colin Bailey. I must have been in a dream state, because I totally missed the book in the Museum store, but strangely enough, I purchased a book mark with the painting, because it was the one painting I wanted to “take home” with me.
This was one of four paintings commissioned by Louis XV’s Mistress, the Comtesse du Barry. Besides the besotted lover, I was drawn to the dog (spaniel!), a symbol of fidelity and the romantic setting in a beautiful French garden. DuBarry rejected the paintings upon their completion, and to find out more….READ the book! (Or at least the WSJ review!)
Then we were on to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Steichen exhibit is well worth the cost of admission (I let my membership lapse – forgot how pricey a visit can be!)
There is more to the evening, but how long do readers linger on one post – there is so much to review in blogland! Dinner at Le Perigord preceded the long drive home …. mulling over another chapter of our Christmas stories!
Glad you enjoyed your trip sounds it sounded most enjoyable – I have never been, I only know it from the movies I’m afraid, but I am a country girl and cities just don’t do it for me.
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I know what you mean, Elaine. WOuld be difficult to go back in time, after 30 years in the country! Though we had the pleasure of all pleasures for city dwellers – a garden behind the brownstone! As I was just starting out, it was not one for the garden tours, but I did love having an outdoor space amidst the bustling city!
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Sorry Jayne – I messed up there – lost my concentration for a minute.
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I would have lingered!! Loved your wonderful day full of the best of New York and so many wonderful memories!! I’m a Frick lover as well. I’m heading in today to have lunch with friends but won’t have time for museums – hope to do with my girls over the holidays!
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Hey Jayne,
Thank you sharing such a beautiful day with us. I really enjoyed the surrounding neighborhood images.I’ve only been to NYC twice but with the barrage of NYC based TV dramas over the years, I think euphorically, we are all citizens of NYC. Your daughter must be very talented to get the offer from such a store for her own trunk. Glad you enjoyed your day.
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Dearest Jayne,
What a WONDERFUL story and trip down your memory lane! Oh, to live in NYC. I almost did years ago, while my husband was considering doing his Ph.D at Columbia. But we stayed in Boston, and I am grateful that we did. I love the thought of your daughter having a business involving PAPER. I am a lover of paper and have an Etsy shop where I am no featuring paper mâché creations. So good to see you come by for a visit! Merry Christmas to you and yours! Anita
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Loved hearing your post about New York. We came to America about 10 years ago and stayed near Washington and visited there and had a great time but never got to New York. The buildings are beautiful and it looks a fascinating place. I’m with Elaine, I prefer the countryside but I like to visit galleries and nice shops and restaurants too, so I do like a bit of both. We’re lucky where we live we’re not too far from Bath and Cardiff so I can get my city fix occasionally and then come home to my small village for the peace and quiet, the clean air and no traffic. Have a great Christmas.
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Hi Jane..what a perfect day!! Does your daugher have an online store? Let me know, I love stationary!! Hope it was a success. Seeing your recap made me miss NY so much, I havne’t been able to go in for a while now and normally I am there at least a few times around Christmas loving to take in all the sights and sounds…its so magical! But am planning to go in for the Picassos drawings exhibit with my parents right after Christmas (fingers crossed I can squeeze it in before moving). Sounds like a wonderful time!
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Hi Tina, Thank you for asking! My daughter does have a business blog, http://www.smallfieldpapers.wordpress.com and can work through the internet with clients. She brings her wares to trunk shows, but will also make home visits for her clientele. She helps the Moms and execs, who want to peruse the real thing but dont have the time to shop. Though it is very time consuming, I think that is the part she enjoys the most…giving individual attention and putting the personal in personalization! Yesterday she was out and about making home deliveries, and missed a favorite annual Christmas party. I wasn’t happy but I am sure she made her customers happy! Merry Christmas TIna, and hopes for an easy breezy moving day!
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Hello Jayne, it is so nice to meet you. My goodness, you brought back so many wonderful memories for me. I grew up outside of NY and then in New England. I also lived in NY as
a young adult. You have mentioned all the places that have such great meaning for me. I
was hoping to get back last month as my nephew was part of an exhibit at the Metropolitan
Museum of Art. But work kept me home in California. I’m not so sure I could live in New York any-
more but visiting is wonderful and at Christmas I think it’s the best and most magical city in
the world.
Thank you for stopping by so I could find your lovely blog. It’s so nice to meet you.
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Came back to wish you a very Merry Christmas.
Hmm, I don’t know why my last comment broke up like it did. Oh well, I hope you can make sense of it.
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What a wonderful day…love NYC and there is nothing more thrilling than the city at Christmas…so beautiful!!
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