The day after my company Holiday Party (above), I intended to meet friends for dinner in the Murray Hill neighborhood. First, I wanted to buy myself a new novel, but the bookstore was grossly crowded. My "inner voice" told me to skip it.
Manhattan is a walkable city, so I opted to walk from midtown east to Murray Hill. Like a boulevardier, I strolled southbound on Lexington Avenue, past grand buildings.
They were built during the 1920s and 30s, when architects enjoyed using ornamentation for the city's growth-spurt of steel construction.
Reaching the East 30's Streets, turn-of-the-century historical buildings survive in "pockets". Below is an old fire-horse station (see the cement horse head).
Arriving before the restaurant opened, I used my iPhone, searched online and found a cozy coffeeshop nearby. Called Perk Kafe, it was tucked in the ground-floor of a Victorian townhouse, seen below.
The plank "communal table" was empty, and a few folks dotted the other chairs. The friendly barista expertly pulled my latte, and I sat by a "Charlie Brown"-type Christmas tree.
The best part was that my "inner voice" was right: a lending library existed in an unused fireplace! I got a new book!
My friends, Diana and Gordon soon arrived, and we occupied the bar at a Shanghainese restaurant called Little Alley.
Above, a vintage phone booth added character.
Below, our second bottle of Riesling was delicious.
When Lewis arrived, we ordered classic soup dumplings, a "lion's head" meatball with duck egg inside, savory rice cakes, and cooked gourds.
Above, Lewis wanted to try their speciality giant soup dumpling. Below, I was excited to have their lamb terrine.
Kissing them farewell, Lewis and I returned to my apartment in Astoria. Under a full moon, we admired the climax of Christmas lights along the streets!
A parcel was under my mailbox: the vintage, hand-blown, mercury-glass "tree topper" that Lewis bought from Germany arrived! (although he looks like a Thai temple worshiper in the picture Ha Ha!)
*To see our journey to Germany, where we bought many hand-crafted ornaments, please use this link:
Before retiring for the night, we refilled the bird feeder on my bedroom fire-escape. That ensured brisk chirping to wake us in the morning... and some colorful cardinals and blue jays.
To celebrate the third Sunday in Advent, Lewis and I invited our friend, Michelle, to join us for glorious Nine Lessons & Carols at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Fifth Avenue.
We started with seasonal cocktails shaken up at The Modern, which is literally next door to the church on East 53rd Street. We enjoy lunching and dining there, and we take many friends there for after-work drinks. It won two Michelin Stars.
To celebrate the third Sunday in Advent, Lewis and I invited our friend, Michelle, to join us for glorious Nine Lessons & Carols at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Fifth Avenue.
We started with seasonal cocktails shaken up at The Modern, which is literally next door to the church on East 53rd Street. We enjoy lunching and dining there, and we take many friends there for after-work drinks. It won two Michelin Stars.
The juxtaposition of its architecture against the church couldn't be more contrasted.
My drink involved gin, pear liqueur, homemade ginger syrup, and burnt citrus rind.
Before we knew it, it was time for church... "high church" style.
Lewis and I sat in our favorite pew, and Lewis especially enjoyed the organ prelude, for which they opened/used the colorful rear organ, above the nave and beneath the Rose stained glass window.
An urban church built entirely of stone (in medieval style), this urbane congregation has a world-famous Choir School for Boys. The Parish House adjoins the church.
St. Thomas' Choir of Boys & Men sing at most services.
Below, we walked behind the prodigy organist using the computerized main organ in the front.
After the sublime musical service--and as if heading off to Harry Potter's castle--our trio visited the Choir School's Christmastime Bake Sale.
Thus, we ascended the century-old building, into a stately reception hall (used for Coffee Hours that serve complimentary wine).
I was on the list to reserve one of their full-size mincemeat pies--delectably true to its traditional recipe! From the Gift Shoppe on the lower level, Lewis bought a hand-painted wood ornament resembling a chorister. It was our "new ornament for the year"!
We stood on the "sets", admired the costumes and furnishings, and learned "behind the scenes" tidbits. Truly impressive! Now, whenever we watch episodes, we'll recall being there!
We savored Christmas Eve dinner with our Burmese friend, Kathy, at a Malaysian restaurant called Nyonya.
My drink involved gin, pear liqueur, homemade ginger syrup, and burnt citrus rind.
Before we knew it, it was time for church... "high church" style.
Lewis and I sat in our favorite pew, and Lewis especially enjoyed the organ prelude, for which they opened/used the colorful rear organ, above the nave and beneath the Rose stained glass window.
St. Thomas' Choir of Boys & Men sing at most services.
The notion of "singing carols at the end of the year" began as a pagan custom honoring the winter solstice. Many of the tunes applied to Christmas carol lyrics came from secular folksongs.
With British (Anglican) roots, the service is always grand: "high church" regalia and processions with Christmas Carols that are heartily sung by the parishioners. Each year, it's fun to see who gets selected to read the nine lessons: a youngster from the Choir School, a member of the Sunday School, a Warden of the church, the Verger a visiting Bishop, a member of the congregation, the Music Director, a priest on staff, and finally the plummy-sounding Rector, who is from "merry olde England".
Below, we walked behind the prodigy organist using the computerized main organ in the front.
After the sublime musical service--and as if heading off to Harry Potter's castle--our trio visited the Choir School's Christmastime Bake Sale.
Thus, we ascended the century-old building, into a stately reception hall (used for Coffee Hours that serve complimentary wine).
I was on the list to reserve one of their full-size mincemeat pies--delectably true to its traditional recipe! From the Gift Shoppe on the lower level, Lewis bought a hand-painted wood ornament resembling a chorister. It was our "new ornament for the year"!
In spirit of Anglophile euphoria, we went to see the exhibit of Downton Abbey, whilst it was in NYC from England. It remains one of the most popular British TV series that has Americans (and global audiences) enthralled. We felt like we were in Highclere Castle (ancestral home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, where the show is filmed).
We stood on the "sets", admired the costumes and furnishings, and learned "behind the scenes" tidbits. Truly impressive! Now, whenever we watch episodes, we'll recall being there!
*To see the first time that we went to England, please click this link:
We savored Christmas Eve dinner with our Burmese friend, Kathy, at a Malaysian restaurant called Nyonya.
Kathy is Buddhist but loves the festivity of Christmas... which makes sense since the best parts have polytheistic pre-Christian roots. She has Burmese heritage. Burma (now officially renamed as Myanmar) is a Buddhist nation. Yet, it was previously part of the British Empire, so it gained several Advent and Christmas rituals.
Beef Rendang, oyster omelettes, roti, chicken satay, "silver needle" noodles, and shrimp with okra. We clicked our teacups together and toasted to our good health. In Burmese, it is Pyawshwinparhcay!
*While Islam and Buddhism outweigh Christianity in Malaysia, many people enjoy Christmasy fun. (Also temporarily governed by the British, Malaysia remains part of the Commonwealth of Nations but has its own monarchy). Like the Chinese, they offer Red Envelopes of cash, in lieu of gifts.
Outside, it snowed, as we walked to our respective subways!
On Christmas morning, before opening our presents, Lewis went to the gym, and I had one final errand.
The sidewalks were empty, as I arrived at Leli's Bakery for Lewis' request of a Yule Log Cake. (Yule logs originated as a Norse-Viking pagan tradition from Norway. *To see when we learned about them while in Norway, please use this link: https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2023/08/our-trip-to-oslo-norway-karl-johan.html).
The cakes are named Bûche de Noël at fancy pâtisseries, my local bakery has the cream consistency and flavors that Lewis loves. So, I went to get a fresh one.
Cute Bakery Boy: How can I help you?
Me: Do you have a Christmas log?"
Cute Bakery Boy: That's a very personal question... but I don't mind you asking.
Me: It's for my boyfriend.
Cute Bakery Boy: So you have THAT kind of relationship! Tell me more!
Me: You're being sweetly naughty on Christmas.
Cute Bakery Boy: Hon, I work in a bakery, so I'm always sweet... and I'm always on the Naughty List.
I even had time to pause for a peppermint latte and strawberry Danish. I gave my favorite barista his (bonus) gratuity in a card, thanking him for yearlong smiley service.
If you think that Danish looks tasty, please click this link to see our trip to the Kingdom of Denmark, where we tasted real ones:
I also contributed some doodles to the public drawing pad.
Just like the puppy above, we were eager to return home and open presents! I double-wrapped Lewis' gifts, to build suspense.
Fortuitously, my "stocking stuffers" to Lewis were bottles of shochu and sake, which coincided nicely with Kathy's gift of a copper cocktail shaker. We made quick work of it!
Lewis cooked our lobster-tail dinner, we popped a sparkling red, watched Christmas movies, and we savored his log!
A divine evening, full of merriment and joy!
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