Benvenuti!

Welcome…..it’s time for another International Photo Challenge!  2009′s project was SHADOWS & LIGHT and 2010′s was WALK WITH ME, both of which can be accessed by clicking on their names.  This year it’s IMMAGINI ANCORA (Italian for ‘Images Again’) and we’re going back to the 365 theme specific format. That doesn’t necessarily mean a photo a day, but hopefully 365 by the end of 2011.  We’ll see!!! I’m also planning to post some photos in monochrome in addition to color, although that isn’t part of the project.  You can check the archives for a list of all posts.  Enjoy your visit and please feel free to leave comments or critiques.

December 31, 2011

Thanks to those who visited my blog throughout this past year!  Next year’s project is “Images” and I hope you’ll continue to visit.  You can find the new site HERE.

Have a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year everyone!

190. Theme 304 ~C-Creche~

This is the creche (also known as the Nativity) at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC.  Did you notice there’s an animal in the manger that is usually not there? You’re not seeing things…….it’s a yellow Lab! You can read the story about it HERE.

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189. Theme 84 ~Emotions~

Sorrow…..

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188. Theme 104 ~Fish~

Tropical fish CHELMON ROSTRATUS also known as the Copperband Butterfly Fish and Beaked Coralfish. So beautiful….

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187. Theme 78 ~Drink~

Shaken or stirred…..I’m not fussy!  ; )

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186. Theme 240 ~Religion~

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City……I can’t think of a better representation of religion particularly since this was taken during Mass.

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185. Theme 212 ~Overcast~

I took this photo last month on a very overcast day.  I like the pop of color the barge adds to the shot.  The monument left of center is the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park, Manhattan.

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184. Theme 51 ~City or Town~

Technically, this is supposed to be New York City but I think it could be almost any big city with a train station.

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183. Theme 222 ~Plastics~

The New York Transit Museum creates a Holiday Train Show each year where Lionel trains journey through a miniature New York City from Grand Central Station to the North Pole.  It’s positively magical! Anyway, I think this particular engine is made of plastic.

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182. Theme 163 ~Kitchen Utensils~

These have to be the largest utensils I’ve ever come across!

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181. Theme 302 ~A-Angel~

This beautiful angel is in in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.

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____________

When I am no longer with you

Let no tears fall or sorrow prevail

When you see your reflection shimmer in the water

Smile and know that I see your smile

When you feel the cool grass beneath your feet

And the sun’s warmth upon your back

Know that I feel it also

When you hear the leaves rustling in the wind

Know it is my voice softly whispering to you

When you see a butterfly dancing among flowers

Know that I am dancing also

When you gently touch a puppy’s soft fur

Know that I too feel your touch

When the wind swirls across your skin

Know that it is I who caresses you

When you love another

Know that I too feel your love

These words are truth, my love

Have faith, my love

As long as beauty lives upon the earth and in the stars

And love lives in every beat of every heart

So then do I

So then do we all.

                                         Author unknown

                                                                                                                  

180. Theme 359 ~White~

This is one of the famous Holiday display windows from Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC.  Each year, the windows are more creative and beautiful than the year before.  This season’s theme is taken from the childrens  book “SNOWPEOPLE”  by Rick and Ryan Zeeb.  It’s about, what else, people made of snow!  Saks has partnered with St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital this year and you can hear Marlo Thomas reading the story HERE.

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179. Theme 165 ~Large~

This is one VERY large Nutcracker at the entrance to S.P.Q.R. Restaurant in LITTLE ITALY, Manhattan. Oh, and here’s an offer you can’t refuse……check out this video for a tour of Little Italy where “Wise Guys Got Whacked.” Disclaimer: not all Italians or Nu Yawkah’s tawk like this!   Badda Bing!

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178. Theme 10 ~Art~

Art at Chez Josephine.  Love it there! 

Check out THIS article about Chez Josephine from the NY Daily News.  Fascinating!

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177. Theme 312 ~K-KISS~

KISS is a heavy metal rock band that was formed in the 1970′s in New York.   Gene Simmons was one of the founding members and is still a member.   I’m not a fan but one of the songs I can tolerate is “I WANT TO ROCK AND ROLL ALL NIGHT.”  Who knows, you may love them!  Photo was taken at the Hard Rock Cafe.

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176. Theme 174 ~Lunchtime~

Pizza and Pepsi, “no Coke! Pepsi!”  Anyone remember that from SNL – John Belushi?  Hilarious!  HERE’S the skit found on hulu.

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175. Theme 178 ~Metals~

This small car was sitting on some part of the engine under the hood of a regular sized car.  I don’t know what part it was but I do know they were both made of metal and very cool looking!

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174. Theme 307 ~F-Ferris Wheel~

This is what the Steel Pier and ferris wheel look like after Labor Day.  No seats and pretty much deserted.  HERE’S a short video I found on YouTube showing Atlantic City in the summer from the wheel.

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173. Theme 294 ~Symbol~

Corvette symbols have changed many times over the years.  I don’t know what year this one is from but if you’d like to read more about the differences, you can do so HERE.   And here’s The Corvette Song performed by George Jones.

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172. Theme 255 ~Seaside~

Off-season seaside…..

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171. Theme 251 ~Sandy~

This is one of THE BOARDWALK CATS OF ATLANTIC CITY. He/she had just finished lunch and was lounging in the sun on the beach.  Try as I did, I couldn’t get it to turn its head.

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170. Theme 191 ~Music~

This photo was taken at the Hard Rock Cafe.  The Hard Rock is known for its collection of rock and roll memorabilia and fried ice cream!  A bizarre but delicious concoction.

The plaque under the shadow box reads:

This violin was used to record the violin solo in “Don’t Pass Me By” (written and sung by Ringo) from the 1968 “White Album.”

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169. Theme 333 ~Together~

Meet Teri and George.  They were kind enough to pose together for this photo!  Thanks guys!  =D

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168. Theme 211 ~Ornamental~

Part of the roof detail of the Taj Mahal Hotel  in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Definitely ornamental.  HERE’S  a video of ‘On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City’ sung by The Lennon Sisters accompanied by a slideshow of 1930′s images from the Atlantic City boardwalk. It doesn’t look anything like that anymore!  Well, except for the rolling chairs….they’re still being used.

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167. Theme 309 ~H – Hibiscus~

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Hibiscus and Sparrow

it’s just a moment

with the hibiscus in bloom

and the sparrow in flight

chirping as it does, perhaps;

just in a moment, perhaps all of it

in the stream of being and existence:

and me, just getting up from my chair

                                                       Raj Arumurgam

 

166. Theme 188 ~Movement~

Quick, if you blink you’ll miss him! I captured this gentleman as he was moving across the room.  Actually, I can’t tell if he’s floating or gliding or walking!  Maybe it isn’t a man at all……perhaps it’s a ghost!  Hmmmmmmm………the building IS over 100 years old. I wonder………..

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165. Theme 180 ~Misty/Foggy~

Usually, a view of the New York Skyline is one of my favorite things.  When the weather is like this…..not so much.  I do think it has a certain ethereal beauty though.

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164. Theme 72 ~Depth of Field~

This image has a shallow Depth of Field (DOF).  It was the last leaf hanging from a branch of a weeping cherry tree and I loved the way it looked it against the mottled green background of the hedge.

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163. Theme 289 ~Stuffed Animals~

There are a couple of stuffed animals mixed in with these whimsical dolls.  I think they’re the extinct square-headed, pink bowed teddy bear!  

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162. Theme 356 ~Wet~

Just about everything in this photo was wet……including me [although I'm not actually in the photo, = ) ] the ducks and that jogger on the other side of the lake.

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161. Theme 146 ~Holidays~

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I have it on pretty good authority that this handsome fellow was not part of anyone’s dinner!  : )

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May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

                                                            Author Unknown

160. Theme 311 ~J-Julius~

Don’t forget to watch for Julius the Monkey tomorrow as he makes his first appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!  I’d never heard of him before but apparently he’s the next big thing in cartoons, or at least he hopes to be.  He’s kind of cute!

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159. Theme 197 ~Neglected~

I’m not sure what this structure was, but I was immediately struck by the lighting…….it certainly is neglected though.

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158. Theme 36 ~Candy~

Hmmmm…….I wonder if this would be classified as a protein?  lol  A treat for the eyes as well as the sweet tooth, courtesy of THE CANDYMAN from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

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157. Theme 348 ~Vegetable~

Really?  Pizza?  Under the theme for vegetable? Yes, it’s true in case you havn’t already heard. Congress has decided that PIZZA is a VEGETABLE!  There goes the government, in it’s infinite wisdom, concluding that the tomato paste on frozen pizza makes it a vegetable. Unbelievable! I thought they had more important matters to concentrate on…..silly me!  Therein lies the power of corporations.

I can’t seem to figure out what Families of Vegetables the dough and cheese fit into though….neither can Jimmy! 

Edit: I wonder what The King of Pizza would say?  A friend of mine wrote this book about 15 years ago.  I had forgotten all about it but it’s a wonderful children’s story and it does include a recipe for VEGETABLE pizza.  = )

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156. Theme 202 ~Nuts~

“Nuts said the Queen, if I had them I’d be King”…….. I always get a chuckle from that! I don’t know if this squirrel is a King or a Queen, but it is carrying a nut in its’ mouth which you can catch a glimpse of when the photo is enlarged.  I was walking past and was amazed that he/she stopped and posed for a photo.  Thanks little squirrel!

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155. Theme 83 ~Elegant~

This is the elegant Palm Court Restaurant at The Plaza Hotel in NYC.  In addition to serving Afternoon Tea, they also serve breakfast, brunch and lunch. Of course, 24 hour room service is available for all hotel guests.  You didn’t expect anything less, did you?  = )

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154. Theme 232 ~Raindrops Keep Falling~

It’s been dreary and rainy around here but one thing that can guarantee lifting a soggy mood is a performance of “SINGING IN THE RAIN” by Gene Kelly. Enjoy!    I’m singing in the rain…….

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153. Theme 183 ~Motion~

While this hood ornament from a ’37 Chevy is not actually in motion, I like the feeling of movement it conveys.

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152. Theme 39 ~Celebration~

Birthday, anniversary, special occasion? We found THE most perfect way to celebrate! Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.  It was a friend’s birthday (I can’t reveal her age, she’ll kill me lol) and the celebration included the afternoon tea.  It was delightful!  By the way, that’s Joe in the background…..public defender by day, tea aficionado all other times!

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151. Theme 237 ~Refreshing~

Thirsty?  How about a cool, refreshing drink of water? This ornate water fountain at the NY Public Library provides H2O in a most beautiful way.

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150. Theme 313 ~L-Library~

One of the many rooms at the New York Public Library.

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149. Theme 159 ~Interior~

The interior of a ’51 Ford……out of this world!   lol   It’s a HOT ROD BABY!!!

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148. Theme 80 ~Earth Tones~

Lot’s of earth tones here…….

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147. Theme 13 ~Autumn~

My favorite season!  Cool crisp air, beautiful colors, the smell and crackle of wood burning in the fireplace, pumpkins & cornstalks & bales of hay, apple picking and baking pies, squirrels gathering acorns, cider & donuts, scarecrows, jumping in neatly raked piles of leaves, chestnuts and butternut squash soup!  lol  I really used to love the smell of burning leaves but that’s not considered environmentally friendly these days.

An Autumn Day

~

Tell me when the days turn cold

And the crisp, bitter nights set in

I’ll bid adieu, adieu to the sun

And embrace the northern winds

Wake me from my restless sleep

For the trees will crackle soon

And shed their cumbersome coats and dance

Bare with me and the moon

My mouth how it waters in pure delight

Dreaming of scented dregs

Cinnamon, pumpkin, apple spice

Swirling in my head!

And on Halloween, I’ll await you where

The headless one rides by

Chasing after phantom fools

And so this night shall I,

September days may shorten in length

October evenings can fright

November rains may fall and freeze

Over the Saman night

But deep within the heart

Of the dormant Earth

The little buds await the Fall

To ensure them of rebirth

And so I sit much like them

Dependant in every way

Upon the plentiful harvest,

Of an autumn day.

                      B.R. Jording

146. Theme 340 ~Utimate Thrill~

I think the ‘ultimate thrill’ for me would be riding in one of these hot-air balloons.  Imagine floating above a beautiful countryside just as the sun is beginning to set on a gorgeous fall day.  I imagine it would be heavenly.

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145. Theme 116 ~Friendships~

Debra and Frank……two new friendships I have as a result of joining the Camera Club. We were out on our Annual Halloween Scavenger Hunt yesterday, which had been cancelled because of snow last weekend.  Hard to believe that the weather can change so drastically in a week…..it was gorgeous here!

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144. Free Theme 1 ~They’re Baaaaaaaack………~

Meet Sonic the Hedgehog…..one of the newest additions to the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. There are two other new balloons that will be introduced on Turkey Day. The AFLAC Duck and Julius.  I’m sure they’ll be making an appearance on the blog too!  Each year the newest additions are taken out for one final run before Thanksgiving and yesterday was the day.  It was a lot of fun!  You can find one of last year’s new additions HERE.

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143. Theme 193 ~Natural Framing~

For my fellow bloggers “Down Under” I present…….Slim Dusty, Australia’s King of Country Music, singing “Waltzing Matilda” .  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!  And here’s an old b & w cartoon of “Waltzing Matilda”  I found on YouTube.  Very cute.  I now think I understand the song a little!  HERE’S a short explanation of the song.

By the way, “Mathilda” is an 1898 steam tug boat that is now part of the Hudson River Maritime Museum.

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, Under the shade of a coolibah tree, And he sang as he watched and waited ’til his billy boiled “You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me?”

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me? And he sang as he watched and waited ’til his billy boiled, “You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me?”

Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong, Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,  And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag, “You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me”  Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda , You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.”  And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag, “You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me?”

Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred, Up rode the troopers, one, two, three, “With that jolly  jumbuck that you’ve got in your tucker bag” “You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.”  Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me “With that jolly jumbuck that you’ve got in your tucker bag” “You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, you scoundrel with me.”

Up jumped the swagman, and sprang into the billabong, “You’ll never take me alive,” said he. And his ghost may be heard as you’re passing by that billabong, “You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.”  Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.  And his ghost may be heard as you’re  passing  by that billabong, “You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.” You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me.”