NYC Christmas photo blast

I should have been posting these throughout the month but I got lazy. Here's a whole pack of holiday images from New York.

It's so easy to embrace Christmas in the city. There really are chestnuts roasting on an open fire! Turn a corner and you're hit with the scent of pine from trees and wreaths beings sold on the sidewalks (seven foot trees are +/- $70). The big tree at 30 Rock and the big star over 5th Avenue. The Cartier building wrapped like a pretty package. ALL the windows are dressed; not just the ones at Lord & Taylor. A lot of people (most?) think it's overkill and that it starts too early, but not me. I love it.

We still have these Salvation Army guys. This one was standing right in the middle of Times Square chaos playing Christmas carols on a baritone horn. You wouldn't expect to hear such a soft, warm sound rise above the cacophony. Comfort and joy!

Macy's: It's not just for Thanksgiving parades.

NOT a shopping mall Santa.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

Nothing says Feliz Navidad like a festive holiday street meat cart.

If you're coming to town and want to ice skate, forget Rockefeller Center. Get down to Battery Park. [Edit: This is Bryant Park. Not Battery Park. Some expert I turned out to be! THANKS, Sasho!] The rink there is larger, generally not a s crowded and the park is lined with stores selling fun holiday gifts. There's also a cool little restaurant/bar (the structure on the left side of the pic). I took Miss Daisyfae there and we had a fine time. That's the big public library behind the tree.

Streetlamps dressed with red bows and the Chrysler Building.

The Rockettes as ornaments. Step! Kick!

Truer words were never spoken.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone!