A Seredipitous Day

Serendipitous: making unexpected and fortunate discoveries; the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not looked for. 

Drinking my tea this morning to the sounds of taxi cabs honking and the site of people scurrying to work under umbrellas in the rain brings back memories of me doing the same not so many years ago. The sights and sounds and smells of the city are unlike any other. Not that I would trade the smell of trees and quiet solitude of my country home to come back to this on a permanent basis but it’s fun for a visit. 

We took our time getting ready and out the door this morning in hopes of the rain stopping. There was just a light drizzle as we left the hotel in search of a light breakfast. As we walked toward Central Park, we noticed this little bakery/cafe and decided to try it. 

A gingerbread muffin and cinnamon challah bun. They were amazing! The best gingerbread muffin I’ve ever eaten. It had pieces of crystallized ginger and walnuts. As we were reading about the bakery, we realized that we had been to one of Amy’s locations in Chelsea when our mom was here with us we both looked at each other and said, “a serendipitous moment”. 

Leaving the bakery and back on the way to the park, we enjoyed the smell of freshly cut Christmas trees from Canada. Another serendipitous moment. They were also selling maple syrup from an area close to Quebec. 

Thought this sign was just too good to pass. 

Columbus Circle at entrance to Central Park. The following pics are in Central Park.  

Our favorite bridge in the park. If you’ve ever watched a Hallmark movie you’ve probably seen it. 

Jo Anne was taking a pic of me at the top of these stairs when a young lady asked if we’d like her to take a photo of both of us. 

We were talking to her before we left and she said she was in an off-Broadway play called, “Night of the Iguana”, a Tennessee Williams play. We had been looking for a show to go see on Wednesday evening and as it turns out, this theater is one block from our hotel. Another serendipitous moment. We will try to get to the box office tomorrow and get tickets. 

The carousel. 

And yes, we decided to go for a ride on it. 

I’m standing on top of the rock in the middle of this photo. Hard to see with the sun behind me. 

Here’s a close up. 

The Christmas markets at Central Park finally started to open up about 11:00 am. 

After wandering through the markets, we walked over a couple of blocks to eat lunch at the infamous Carnegie Deli. 

My corned beef on rye that I ate off rye 😁. 

Jo Anne’s turkey club and fries.  

The old juxtaposed with the new. 

Radio City Music Hall. We’ll be back here tomorrow for the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular. 

The tree at Rockefeller Center

Skating rink at Rockefeller Center. 

St. Patrick’s cathedral

The next pictures are of the Saks Fifth Avenue Christmas window displays. Glare was horrible, so sorry about that. 

The tall thing with the red top is a tube of lipstick. 

The tree at the Plaza Hotel. 

A display in Bloomingdale’s

Our plan today was to go to Serendipity and have their famous frozen hot chocolate. We always go when in New York. Mother absolutely loved their chicken pot pie (no longer on the menu) and we’ve tried to get the recipe for it. They actually searched through some of their cookbooks to see if they could find it the last time we were here, all to no avail. 

It’s a very tiny eclectic cafe 

Had to take a photo of the Pegasus on the wall, since I worked for Mobil Oil at one time. 

And here is Jo Anne’s Christmas special frozen hot chocolate. It’s called the Rockettes. 

I got the vegan frozen hot chocolate made with coconut milk. Yummm. 

We then walked to Grand Central Terminal to go through the Christmas markets there. This is Jacques Torres chocolate shop. 

Sip, savor and sightsee. You can step out of the cold and into the cozy. This is a world of sight, sound and of course taste as it turns New York into a moving tea room with fine teas and treats; an oasis of warmth in the middle of New York winter. 

Walking into the Christmas market at Bryant Park. 

The tree at Bryant Park. 

Ice skating at the park

More lights as we walk back to our hotel after a long day of sightseeing and shopping. Our feet are tender from many steps and miles on pavement today. 

26,490 steps

12.4 miles

14 floors

I want to close today with an excerpt from the C.S. Lewis Institute Handels Messiah advent devotional that I read this morning. I have been convicted, moved and humbled by this advent over the past several days. 

“And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8

“God targeted these humble shepherds for an exalted assignment. He dazzled them with His own glory, commissioned an angel and the heavenly host to announce their Savior’s birth, gave them a sign and a command not to fear.”

“Feeling like a mere stepping-stone? The God of the shepherds is also your God. He tells a different story—be faithfully watchful and discover His purpose.”

Lord, help me to attend to the tasks You’ve given me with humility and

grace. May I encounter and worship You in my daily labors.

Amen.

by Steve King