Let's Hear It For New York

Raise your hand if you have been a very neglectful blogger as of late. *Raising my hand*.  So sorry for our complete LACK of posts lately, darlings.  I blame it on the crazy hustle and bustle of the holiday season (which, I must say, has been even more party and fun-filled than usual this year).  As Christmas is just a few days away, I figured I better write a quick post about my trip to visit Mary for Thanksgiving before it's completely a lost cause. ;-)  So, without further ado (and a 3.5 week delay), here it is:

 

Mary and I on Thanksgiving. This was my 3rd Thanksgiving to spend with her and oh how lovely it was. :-)

Our whole Thanksgiving group! Shout out to the fabulous Laura for hosting us at her lovely apartment.

We were legitimately concerned that we wouldn't have enough wine.  Fortunately, that didn't end up being an issue. ;-)

Duncan reunion in New York. I love it.

 hahaha... so many hilarious things happening in this candidly captured photo. Definitely my favorite photo of the trip (and possibly 2011 as a whole).

We passed around this festive hat and whoever was wearing it had to say what they were thankful for. Such a stylish and applicable accessory. 

We saw "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"... I think Mary put it quite aptly on her Facebook photo caption: "as a freakishly new Harry Potter fan, Annie LOVED Dan Radcliffe." It's true! He was so impressive with his New York accent and singing and dancing up a storm. Apparently I wasn't the only one taken by his impressive performance.  After the show, he auctioned off two of those famous blue bow-ties for $5,000 each...yowza! Here's my favorite song from the show: 

Garrett was in NY too! We met for brunch and a quick trip to MoMa. Hooray for the Snarky Trio.

The Snarky Trio reunited that evening for an evening stroll and coffee. 

The last supper at Hearth... SO good. 

I almost shed tears when when I had to say goodbye to Ray. (Okay, not really, but isn't she the cutest pup to ever live?!)

I love Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite holidays, for sure. And I love New York. And Mary. And Ray. ;-) And TOMORROW I will be flying home to be with my family who I also love for Christmas! They really weren't lying when they said this was "the most wonderful time of the year...." :-)

Currently listening to: The Civil Wars

Why: I saw them in concert at the Wiltern right before my trip to NY and I've been listening to them almost non-stop since! The amazing vocals of this blue-grassy/folky guy/girl duo are superb (as is their on stage chemistry. It is very perplexing to realize that they are in fact married to other people, not each other). They were recently nominated for two Grammys: Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Folk Album for their debut “Barton Hollow.” I highly recommend them (Mary is now a big fan due to my recommendation). My favorite songs on the album include: I've Got This Friend, To Whom It May Concern, Poison & Wine, and their cover of I Want You Back. You can thank me later. ;-)

Cheers, 

Annie.