Top 10 Books of 2016

I live for these lists. Seriously, when all my favorite authors and bloggers start posting their end of year reading lists I am just giddy. For some reason book talk never gets old. Often I don’t read much more than ten books anyways, so a list would be silly. But this year I’ve read almost 50. My kindle was my best friend over those long nursing sessions after G was born. My reading has slowed down now that he’s not a newborn, but it is still the one thing I do for myself. This year more than ever I’ve kept up with the new releases, and the “hot” books for each season. I’ll be honest, in non fiction this really paid off. My top book of the year was a 2016 release (Roots & Sky). But in fiction, I found a few gems and I also read some stuff I wish I hadn’t. I think for my fiction reading next year I’m going to focus more on books that have stood the test of time. Anyways, without further ado, here’s my top 10 list of books I read in 2016, in no particular order. 

1) Roots & Sky by Christie Purifoy

This book was on my radar, but then I won it through a giveaway on the Grace Table blog and read it as soon as I got it. Wow. I don’t know what I expected, but I just adored this. It follows the four seasons and is the story of Christie’s family moving into an old Pennsylvania home and making it their own. I’m such a sucker for an author that manages to capture a firm sense of place. She does that and more - reading this really helped me connect my home and my life to the larger story of God’s work in the world. I can’t reccommend it enough. 

2) This is Awkward by Sammy Rhodes

You may know Sammy of his mixed twitter fame. He’s an RUF campus minister and has been a frequent voice in my earbuds for years. Whether or not you mesh with his sense of humor, his candor in this book is outstanding. He touches subjects that few people like to talk about with incredible honesty and it is all bathed in grace. 

3) All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

I know this was on tons of 2015 lists, but I’m a little late. It absolutely lived up to the hype, and then some. I found the story engaging, creative, and just presented in the most beautiful way.  I felt so connected to two people with whom I have nothing in common. This one has stayed with me long after I finished. (I also read the Nightingale, which is also set in WWII France. Some people say they prefer it. I really enjoyed it as well, but as far as literary merit Doerr wins by a mile in my opinion.) 

4) The Antelope in the Living Room by Melanie Shankle

This year I read everything written by Melanie and her friend Sophie Hudson. Basically I just want to be their friends. I listen to their podcast and it is a glorious 30-45 minutes back in the south. I picked this one for my top 10 list because it made me laugh the hardest. I can’t say it offered any really transforming insight into marriage, but I seriously laughed until I cried and I cannot say that about many books. 

5) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

I started this in 2015 for the Modern Mrs. Darcy reading challenge “A Book You Should’ve Read in High School.” Why I waited until now, I have no idea. I thouroughly enjoyed it. I really admire Jane, and I definitely understand why she is one of the greatest literary heroines of all time. If you’ve been turned off by other work of the Brontes, don’t be afraid of this. (I’m saying that to all two of you that haven’t read it.)

6) The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

This one made it to many best books this year. Her sequel just came out, so lots of people were intrigued to read the first one. It’s heart wrenching and a rough ride, but it is so worth it. I love historical fiction, and I was fascinated by the story of an immigrant girl raised with slaves in pre-revolutionary Virginia. It's often easy to get lost or disengaged in books that span decades, but this is so well done and I felt like I knew the characters. I won't be surprised if this book is read in high school English classes in 20 years. 

7) Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

I decided to start here before reading her new book, Rising Strong. It wasn’t the kind of book that you can’t put down, but I really enjoyed her insight. She explores shame and the concept of living a wholehearted life. This may sound like your average nonfiction self help book, but it is actually researched based, which made it fascinating. She articulated so many things that I think need to be heard, and I won’t be surprised if Brown continues to become one of the most respected voices of clarity in our cultural moment. 

8) Jesus Outside the Lines by Scott Sauls

This was probably the most transformative book I read this year, and it could not have come at a better time. I seriously wanted to order a case of this book and give them to everyone I know. (Plus mail them anonymously to some people in my facebook feed...) The premise is hard to explain, but Sauls basically addresses various parts of culture and dispels the myth that Jesus fits neatly into our human camps. He doesn’t compromise on truth, and most people will feel uncomfortable at some point. He holds fast to the Gospel and is such a needed breath of fresh air in this divisive season. 

9) The Inspector Armand Gamache Series by Louise Penny

This is kind of cheating. Because really this is a series. But how could I not include Penny when I’ve dedicated 3000+ pages of my life to her novels this year? I never would’ve picked up these murder mysteries on my own. That’s not my genre, and I typically don’t really like series. (Unless we’re talking Harry Potter or the Chronicles of Narnia. Duh.) However, after hearing Anne Bogel gush about them on her podcast What Should I Read Next, I decided to give them a try. To say I’m sucked in would be an understatement. I’ve finished 9 out of 12 and won’t be surprised if I conquer the other three in a matter of weeks. The murders themselves are rarely gorey. The characters are so unique and endearing and Penny has such insight into the human condition. Technically you could pick up any of them, but I’d recommend going in order. 

10) The One in a Million Boy by Monica Wood

This novel is a new release, but it’s flown a little bit under the radar. I’m not going to say anything about the premise, because it sounds super boring. But it is actually incredibly creative and insightful. The characters are quirky in the best kind of way. In a world where sometimes I feel like we read the same things over and over again (fiction wise) this was such a delightful breath of fresh air. The subject matter isn’t light, but it is done in such a way that you can’t help but finish it with a smile and a some warm fuzzies. 

Because this list was so hard and I can’t help it... Honorable mentions. 

-Giddy Up Eunice by Sophie Hudson

-Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (audio version recommened!) 

-Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

10 Things I Learned in October

For months now I've been wanting to link up with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky to discuss what we learned in the past month. I have always been one to feel overwhelmed if I don't have time to process and digest. I love how light hearted her list always is, and I loved the idea of doing it for myself. Miraculously, I have a few free minutes - so here goes!

1) Up North they call the Civil War "The War of the Rebellion." 

I had never heard this before! It made me laugh a lot because as a child I got in trouble for calling it "The Civil War" and had to say either "The War Between the States" or the "War of Northern Aggression." It's funny how many cultural differences I still discover living north of the Mason-Dixon. 

2) "Always be killing sin or it will be killing you." - John Owen. 

Ouch. My pastor challenged as many of us as are interested to read through Owen's The Mortification of Sin together this fall. I read about halfway through this book as a freshman in college, but never finished. This time it is tearing me apart and convicting me in ways I didn't know were possible. It's been extremely uncomfortable, but I am incredibly grateful for it as it brings me out of apathy in my walk with the Lord. He is hard to read, but I highly recommend it. 

3) They weren't kidding when they said pregnancy messes with your emotions. 

This month I cried because:  
     A) my sheets were stained blue by some unidentified article of clothing that I apparently   
          slept in
     B) I misunderstood something David said and thought it was mean, when it was really 
          just funny
     C) I did not have a pleasant experience at the grocery store
     D) All of the above

4) Shutterfly has awesome customer service. 

I make a "yearbook" for each year of our marriage. (That is less impressive since I've only been married two years, so don't worry.) I like the idea of having one book of pictures with the highlights. It is way easier to keep up with and way smaller than a bunch of prints in albums. This year, I ordered the wrong size because I was overconfident and didn't measure the one we already had. Fortunately, Shutterfly let me ship it back and they refunded my money so I could order one the right size. Even though it was my fault. Awesome!

5) Getting rid of stuff is incredibly freeing. 

This month I read Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up in one giant gulp. I'm slowly working through all the stuff in my house, and my pile to donate is HUGE. I can't say I'm on board with everything she teaches, but the overall principle that having less stuff and being surrounded only by things that bring you joy makes your life simpler and more peaceful has already proven true in my life. 

6) It's okay to know your limitations and ask for help when you need it. 

This past week, I talked to my boss about going down to 32 hour work weeks. I have really been feeling overwhelmed physically, emotionally, and spiritually by the lack of margin in my life, so I decided to ask. She was more understanding and supportive than I could've imagined. I was embarrassed, because I know that I really do have lots of margin when I compare my life to that of others, or what my own used to look like. When I was talking to one of my best friends about this, she told me she was really proud of me for asking for help, and that it took a lot of courage. Those words were exactly what I needed to hear. I am learning to feel freedom in knowing my own limitations and embracing them - rather than comparing myself to a bunch of "shoulds". 

7) Apparently fall is the new summer when it comes to weddings. 

We have invitations on our fridge for six weddings in October and November alone. I love weddings! Too bad they are all in Alabama and we live in Pennsylvania. 

8) Taking notes in church might not be the best thing for me.

Someone recently shared this article on Facebook and it gave me a lot to think about! I have always said that taking notes helps me concentrate. However, since reading this I have been skipping out on writing down every point. Instead, I've been concentrating more on the overall impact of the sermon and on the sermon as a piece of the overall worship service. It's been beneficial. I may go back to taking notes - but for now, I think I'll leave the pen at home. 

9) The Bush's vacation in Kennebunkport, Maine. 

We stopped here for dinner on our way from Acadia National Park to Merrimack, New Hampshire. This was one of the last legs of our week long New England road trip. It was a wonderful trip, and worth a blog post of it's own. But we'll see about that. In Kennebunkport we got the most expensive take out dinner ever and ate it looking out over the water. It was nice. And swanky. Which is probably why the Bush family vacations there. 

10) Feeling a baby move is simultaneously the most amazing and most bizarre feeling ever. 

If you haven't experienced, imagine how weird it must be to have another human living inside you who randomly decides to karate chop your insides. At the same time, imagine how awesome it is because THERE IS ANOTHER HUMAN LIVING INSIDE YOU! Baby Oli is an active one. He/she definitely likes to go crazy when watching football, and when mom is trying to go to sleep. 

Oliphant Update

I think it's about high time for a good old update. I'm not a big one for Facebook status' unless they are sharing a thought provoking article or asking for travel tips, etc. And I don't have any big news - no home ownership, puppies or babies over here! But I do know that some of you who read this blog may be interested in a little snap shot of what our lives look like these days. And heaven knows I need more than a few sentences to do that!

For starters, we moved! We're no longer Southerners transplanted to the midwest. Now we're hanging out with the sho' 'nough Yankees in the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We live in no man's land. Which pretty much means our address says Elizabethtown but our gas station is in Hershey! We have a lovely place on the bottom floor of a house that was built in the 1800s. But it's been remodeled multiple times since then and is complete with all the mismatched blinds and stark white walls you'd expect in a rental. Just the creepy basement is left. That's the one great improvement over this place from our third story suburbia cookie cutter apartment in Des Moines - the man cave. David can go down there and fix things and take things apart to his hearts content.

Actually, there are many more improvements to this place. One is the mailbox - have I mentioned that mail is one of my very favorite things ever? How nice not to have to put a key in it and to be able to raise the red flag! I also appreciate the porch that is larger than two feet, and the window above the kitchen sink. (Is that worth the trade off for no dishwasher? I'm not sure.) The neighbors and stray cats are pretty fun too.

Other than that, we've really enjoyed living right between Chocolate and the Amish. Hershey is full of touristy commercial chocolate things. And Lancaster County is full of adorable small towns, gorgeous farm landscapes, and plenty of the plain people.

David is working on a project on the site of Hershey Medical Center. His project is going pretty well. He's a champ, and is always willing to go the extra mile. Last week the extra mile included transporting two (full) port-o-potties down Bullfrog Valley Rd. on a forklift. Told you he's a champ. His project manager here is the same one from Des Moines - which is fun since I really enjoy his wife and kids. There are also a couple other wives on this project, which is fun for me.

I am working at Water Street Mission in Lancaster City. I never would've been one to talk about my "heart for urban ministry" etc. But here I am working in the inner city in the second consecutive state! And I can't say that I could dream up a better job if I tried! Water Street is a homeless shelter that has been around for 110 years. We take up an entire block, and can house up to about 250 guests at one time.

I could spend a whole day telling each of you all about the Mission and all I'm learning there. I'm getting to work with some of the most incredible people I've ever met. It is so refreshing and so healing for me, after what I experienced with another non-profit. I've had my preconceptions about homelessness shattered, and I am seeing God work in big ways. I never thought I'd be excited to go to work!

My particular position is Volunteer Coordinator for Programs. There are actually two full time volunteer coordinators at Water Street since we have SO many. I get to work with the volunteers who come on a regular basis and have direct guest interaction. This includes any volunteers who work in children's ministry, the homeless day shelter, the front office, the career center, or residential ministries.

I spend most of my time screening and on boarding new volunteers. Each of my volunteers goes through a preliminary interview, an in-person interview, shadowing, an application, two references, two criminal clearances, and an orientation. When I'm not doing that, I get to do a variety of super fun things. Some of those have included being the "baby" of the family and being told to take a nap by a 4 year old, ironing curtains for 4 hours straight, and writing copy for a newsletter.

In other news, we've found a church we love! It's called Proclamation and is a PCA church plant in nearby Mount Joy. The congregation is welcoming, and the teaching is fantastic. You can listen to the latest sermon series here. We're in a small group, and I teach 4 year old and Kindergardeners the Kid's Catechism.

We're trying to take advantage of all the nearby places to travel! Updates on this to be continued.

Well, I think that about sums up the questions people usually ask.

Spring is Coming

I wrote this post on February 28, 2015. I was a little too self-conscious to share it at the time. But I found it again today and decided that I would put it out there. Praying that sometime small would be a glimpse of grace for one or two of you. 

...

I think God has given us writing as a way to wrestle swirling thoughts. A small peace in the chaos, even though what ends up on the paper is still often chaos. For me at least, there are times when I know it's the only thing that will release and define some of those emotions I feel I cannot contain. Sometimes when I let the words out I feel a little lighter having released them, and other times I am sure I carry them even more completely.

Today is one of those days. I've been thinking a lot about the winter and the spring lately. I've read that Lent is the springtime of the church, and I feel inadequate to celebrate that because my soul has been in the depths of winter lately. This one, and the last, have been long. And not just because they've been the first ones I've experienced above the Mason-Dixon. But that's a story for another day. I've been struggling with how to long for spring when I can only see the snow and feel the biting wind. Today, I think I learned a little bit of that.

I got the phone call this morning and it left me without words. You know the kind. The kind where for the rest of your life you will be able to close your eyes and picture the exact place you were standing. I'm building a photo album of those, and I know many of you are on to your second or third volume.

Sweet Camille, she'll never enjoy another leisurely cup of coffee or crunch the leaves of fall or laugh over dinner with friends. Not here at least. I don't have any reason to believe we won't do those things in eternity. I walked around numb for a while, and then just lay in the bed for a few hours. My mind replayed a roll of memories, like the old fashioned film tapes. Giggling with anticipation and a little stage fright as we waited next to each other in caps and gowns, waiting for our turn to go get those diplomas. The point where we separated on the walk home from class and waved a see you tomorrow. Birthday parties, weddings… The end of the tape though, took me all over the country. I wanted to shut it off but I couldn't. I saw so many people who loved her, those with thousands more memories than me. I imagined flashes of friends curled up on couches and slumped on floors in Memphis, Chattanooga, Oxford, Birmingham, East Asia. I felt foggy.

Eventually I got out of bed and wandered around the house a little. I looked at the kitchen covered in almost every dish I own - remnants of cookie baking with a couple high school girls from my new church. The royal icing has cemented some of the spoons to the counter. I felt useless to comfort, to speak, to understand. So I put into practice what I've come to trust and did the next thing, the daily task. For God promises to meet us there.

I turned on the Auburn RUF CD, wanting to pray for all those faces that I came to know and love in Dudley B6. I didn't really have the words, and I filled up the sink with suds. I longed to just sit in the grief with one in particular who is so dear to me, and I can't even share a hug because of this damn distance. I grabbed the sponge and started to scrub.

Life with trials hard may press me, 

heaven will bring me sweeter rest.

Oh tis not in grief to harm me 

When Thy love is left to me; 

Oh twere not in joy to charm me, 

Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

One by one the familiar hymns washed over me. Each of us sang those week after week. Some weeks we felt the truth of it, others we didn't. I sang many through tears that I desperately hoped no one around me saw.

Heaven's eternal day before thee, 

God's own hand shall guide us there.

Soon shall close thy earthly mission,

Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,

Hope shall change to glad fruition,

Faith to sight and prayer to praise.

It hit me, in a way that I'd never really paid attention to before, how well RUF prepared us for death. I doubt that's something you'll find in the mission statement of many campus ministries. And I don't even know if it was something Richard thought about trying to convey specifically. Knowing him, I'm sure he did. Don't get me wrong, I don't think any measure of preparation can lessen the sting. Something deep inside of us knows that this isn't the way it's supposed to be.

In the solemn hour of dying, 

In the awful judgment day,

May our souls on thee relying,

Find thee still our rock and stay.

By thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

By thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

I'm completely aware that I am speaking from my own experience and friendships here, and that there are probably many similar churches and communities. But I am grateful that I found in RUF a place where the hard questions and the hard struggles were not ignored. The sin that fills with shame was able to be brought into the light and the Gospel of forgiveness was proclaimed week after week. The struggles like this one, that blindside us, were able to be talked about, wondered about. I met broken people. I saw much of their sin, and they saw mine. But we found unity in the truth of the Gospel, in doing the journey together towards that wholeness that we won't yet know on Jordan's stormy banks.

We expect a bright tomorrow, all will be well.

Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all is well.

On our Father's love relying, 

Jesus every need supplying,

Yes in living or in dying, all must be well

It was in RUF that I first learned that I'm allowed to come to God with my anger, my confusion, my doubt, and my desperation. So many of these hymns that we sang first gave me words to be able to do that. I encountered a God I'd known for a long time, but one I was still often trying to impress. I began to give that up because he already knows. And more than that, he loves me. He loves me so much that he sent his son to suffer and die in my place. Even more than that, he gave me his righteousness, and I am perfect in his eyes.

Underneath me, all around me,

Is the current of thy love

Leading onward, leading homeward

To Thy glorious rest above!

RUF is also where I talked and learned of heaven more than ever before. My eyes were opened to this vision of an eternal city, and I began to see everything we do here on the earth as having an eternal impact. I understood with deeper intensity the meaning of the phrase "Behold, I am making all things new." (Rev. 21:5)

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 

Revelation 21:22-24

I paused there, with my hands in those yellow rubber gloves, and the drying rack slowly filling. I felt something begin to creep in on the nausea and the ache of my heart for that thing I can't comprehend. It was gratitude. I closed my eyes and imagined that contagious smile of Camille's, beaming without ceasing in the presence of the one whom she trusted with every ounce of her being. I think I understood in a fresh way today what Paul meant when he said we are "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." (2 Cor. 6:10)

Rock of ages, Cleft for me

Let me hide myself in thee

I don't know if this Lenten season will feel like spring to me. But my feelings don't change the truth of the Gospel. I know, and Camille knows, and so many of us that are reeling today know, that the first winter was shattered with the coming of Christ. The whole of history hinges on that point. The Israelites long years of hope, struggle and faithfulness all pointed to it. I've often thought in this season about that 500 years of silence, the darkness which would be pierced with the voice of one crying in the wilderness "Prepare ye the way for the Lord." Can you imagine living your entire life without one prophet, one word from God? Imagine that hope and that faith. How much more secure is our rejoicing because we know the whole story. We can know the one who came, who suffered, and who reigns.

There's a reason that the last verse of the great hymns are about heaven. The winter is long, but eternal spring will come.

I am bound for the promised land.

2015 Reading Challenge

Many of you know I love to read. Sometimes I think I love the idea of reading more than I actually love reading. I love having a good night's sleep and an income and clean clothes and dishes and sometimes those are mutually exclusive to a hefty reading list. Can I get an amen? This year one of my friends showed me the 2015 Reading Challenge from the Modern Mrs. Darcy blog. I've never read her blog before, or even actually heard of it. But after looking at the list, I thought it was such a fun idea and a great way to set practical reading goals that include books I might not normally read. So for fun, here's her list with the books I've read included. The picture below is my stack of all I've read in 2015. Not all of them fit into a category. My goal is to read one book off the list every month, and fill in with others! 

1) a book you've been meaning to read

2) a book published this year

3) a book in a genre you don't typically read

4) a book from your childhood

     The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

5) a book your mom loves

     After the Boxes are Unpacked by Susan Miller

6) a book that was originally written in a different language

7) a book "everyone" has read but you

    Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

8) a book you chose because of the cover

    The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

9) a book by a favorite author

10) a book recommended by someone with great taste

      Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

11) a book you should have read in high school

12) a book that's currently on the bestseller list

I'm hoping to write a quick review about each of the one's I've finished. I'll link to it in this post. I love to hear suggestions from others about what to read next so I don't waste my time on something that isn't worth it. So hopefully, my suggestions will be helpful to you!

I also really want to know, what should I read next? I especially need help coming up with a book that's currently on the bestseller list. (Although I realize for most people that's the easiest!) I hope some of you will join in on this challenge. And please oh please leave your suggestions for my missing categories in the comments below! I can't wait to hear!

Grateful

I'm going to quit apologizing for my lack of blogging. It'll happen when it happens. And when it doesn't - just assume that my life is full of things like work, turbo kick classes that make me laugh while I work out, laundry, back yard lounging with the neighbors, more work, dishes, and novels read in giant gulps while neglecting all other responsibilities. 

But for today, here are some things I'm grateful for... 

This simple reminder on an ancient gravestone. 

These lovely magnolia and cotton wreaths on James Madison's house. I guess I especially loved the front door since we got there too late to go inside. 

 This sunrise each morning outside my kitchen window. 

 The long awaited, highly anticipated, and much celebrated first spotted blooms of spring.

This awesome scene of blurry cherry trees when we drove to DC and couldn't find a parking spot so we drove home.

Seeing this rather unimpressive piece of classic 'Merica with my own two eyeballs. And knowing all the sweeter what it represents when I get constant reminders of the way Christians are treated all over the world. 

Welcome to New York

If I quote a Taylor Swift lyric as my post title does that make me trendy and relevant? I didn't think so. Anyways, one of my favorite things to do over the past few years is travel. I guess studying abroad the summer before my last year of college really gave me that wanderlust bug. I also learned a lot about how to travel from some of the girls I went with. David and I have gotten the opportunity to visit a lot of places over the past year and a half. I feel like we've gotten into a good groove of knowing what works for us and what kind of stuff we want to do! It has been awesome for our marriage, and we've made lots of memories. I've posted a few snapshots of travel on the blog before, but I think it would be fun to share more detailed travel posts for those of you who may be headed to the same area sometime soon and could benefit from the information. I know NYC is probably not a good place to start because many of you have spent far more time there than I have, and others have even lived there. But that's ok. I'm just sharing what we loved! 

Our first trip from PA was to New York City! Neither of us had ever been before, and I have always wanted to go at Christmas. So, with just a few days of planning we headed to the city. It really was magical! We rode Amtrak which was incredibly convenient and easy. You could not pay me to drive there. I would take the train again in a heartbeat! We got a super good deal on Groupon for the Holiday Inn Express Times Square. I am definitely a fan of clean and comfort. We don't stay in $45 a night hotels because I want to be able to rest peacefully without fear of contagious diseases. However, we also don't splurge on super fancy or iconic hotels. We would much rather spend our money and our time at attractions and restaurants! This hotel met all of those requirements nicely. It was convenient, clean, and comfy. And tiny. Because everything in this city is crowded. Now that we got those details out of the way, I'll start with..

Christmas-Specific Things to Do in the City

1) Rockefeller Center at night - Duh. It's so iconic and with good reason. It was packed, but it is gorgeous and magical and it was just simply so fun to be standing in the place you see on TV so many times!
2) Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes - Incredible! I didn't really know what to expect, but everyone kept telling me it was a "must see" at Christmas, and I'd have to agree. The whole show was so  entertaining and enjoyable. The live nativity at the end was definitely the highlight! I got tickets ahead of time on their website and I ended up getting a great deal on orchestra seats because I waited for a good promo code.

3) FAO Schwarz and 5th Ave. Shops - this you can obviously do any time of year, but it was especially fun during Christmas. We only actually went inside the iconic toy store, Macy's and Tiffany's, but simply walking down 5th and seeing all the stores and store windows decorated for the holidays was a treat. 

NYC Any Time of Year

1) A Broadway Play - We saw Wicked at the Gershwin Theater. It was incredible. I didn't even know the storyline, so we really enjoyed it. I will say, sitting on the second to last row wasn't ideal in a theater that size. We could hear everything and see all the action, but we couldn't see facial expressions, etc. I think next time we will plan ahead and try for tickets in the front mezzanine, even though it is more expensive.

2) Metropolitan Museum of Art - I am still daydreaming about The Met. It is hard to pick a favorite activity, but oh my was this one incredible. We went late, and only had about 2 hours until close. We spent almost the whole time in European Paintings because that is my favorite. I would turn a corner and see a Vermeer across the room and practically drag David with me. I saw so many classics that I've only studied. I don't even know what else to say. I get excited just thinking about it. If you are an Art History nerd like me, you'll be in heaven. And even if you aren't, it's worth a couple hours of your time. One thing I didn't know heading in is that entry is "Pay what you wish." I know money makes museums run, but just keep that in mind and don't let the $25 entry fee deter you from going!

3) The 9/11 Memorial  - We didn't have time to do the museum, but I am glad we made it to the memorial itself. There are two of these pools on the footprints of the original towers. It was breathtaking to stand there and look at it, and to see the names all around. The people who maintain the memorial place a single white rose in each name on that person's birthday, which I think was a really special touch that really drove home the fact that so many lives were lost that day. 

4) Top of the Rock  - I really like to find a high point in a new city and be able to look over all of it. There is debate in NYC over whether to go to the top of the Rockefeller Tower or the Empire State Building. We decided to go for this one because reviews said it was a more well run experience, and it was convenient. We also thought it would be neat to see the Empire State Building from the top. We had a great time and really enjoyed the way things were set up and the view. If we go back, I want to go up at night! That just didn't fit in this time.  

This view of Central Park in all it's enormity from above is a perfect segway into number five..

5) Central Park - I feel like wandering around Central Park gave me a better glimpse of what life as a New Yorker. It was really relaxing to wander, watch the ice skaters, watch kids walking home from school with their moms, and playing at the park. What a gift to have this refuge in the middle of the concrete jungle!

Excuse the poor picture but another highlight of the trip is that I FOUND THE BALTO STATUE!! We walked through the park to the Met after the Rockettes show and just stumbled upon it. David was clueless, but I know some of you watched the 1995 movie. Talk about one of my childhood classics. I even had a giant stuffed husky by the same name. At the end of the movie it switches from animation to a real girl who reads the plaque on this same statue. It all came flooding back to me, and I was embarrassingly excited to find it.  
6) The Subway - I'm sure that there is no way you could go to the city without doing this, but if you do have a good way to get around without taking it, be sure to ride it at lead once. Very stereotypically NYC, and worth it! 
7) Statue of Liberty - We were going to take the Staten Island Ferry but we got there right after it left and instead of waiting around for the next one we decided to walk around Battery Park and get a view of the statue and Ellis Island and then make it over to the 9/11 Memorial. I'm glad we did that, for time's sake! 

8) Times Square - Iconic, incredible. It was so fun to step into view of all the crazy screens and signs. That's part of when it really hit me - "I'm in New York City." We didn't actually do any shopping or anything there, but it was so fun just to take in - during the day and at night.  

Food
(Last but never ever least)
1) Shake Shack - it's isn't popular for no reason people. Yum Yum Yum! Simple hamburger, fries, and a milkshake that were surprisingly delicious. Not to mention fast and cheap (by NYC standards.)
2) Capizzi Pizza - We ate at this tiny family owned pizza place in Hell's Kitchen before seeing Wicked. It was a nice atmosphere and good wood fired pizza with very fresh ingredients!  

3) Junior's Cheesecake - We ate here late after the Met. The hamburger was fine, but OMG THE CHEESECAKE. Having a piece of real New York Cheesecake was on my list because I am a huge fan. The raspberry one on the left was the best. It was great. Also, we saw Bradley Cooper through the window coming out of his play. No big deal. 

4) Vive la crepe! - We ate lunch here in the food court below The Plaza. It was awesome! The crepes were filled with quality ingredients, not just some lunch meat ham and bagged cheddar. It was the perfect quick stop - but good luck finding a seat! 

5) OddFellows Ice Cream Co. - If you've read this blog before you know that we have a married goal to eat ice cream in all 50 states. So, even in freezing weather we had to find our ice cream, and we traveled to an entirely different part of town for this stuff. And I'm very glad we did. This is specialty ice cream, so the flavors were a little odd. But I had an Oatmeal Cookie Dough with hot fudge and I am still thinking about it. So if you're in the neighborhood, check it out! I really enjoyed walking around the East Village as well because it gave us a much better feel for what it would be like to live in New York, rather than just to see all the tourist things. 

6) Mighty Quinn's Barbecue - The hipster who served our ice cream gave us the tip for this East Village BBQ place. It wasn't my favorite of all the meals I had, but that's probably because the meat was the star of the show and I like the sides to be the star. If you are a man, or you just love meat, it is definitely worth a stop. 

7) Ellen's Stardust Diner - This place is a BLAST. The breakfast was average, but the experience was one of our favorites. The wait staff are all aspiring to be on Broadway and they take turns singing while you eat. Some of them even pour coffee while belting show tunes or pop songs. It was so much fun there is no way to leave there without a smile!