A new guy in my life......

...no silly, not HER...this is the Utah chocolate moose named Cocoa I brought to Ella..

It's her shelf-mate, Farley.

We met at the airport and the attraction was........... immediate..well, for ME anyway..

So, into my bag he went...for his first trip to New Jersey & New York...and a fine companion he was.

This day, we left Ella's condo in Jersey...snow on the ground, but sunny..misleading one to think it was warmer than the 12 degrees it was.

But first a stop at Dunkin Donuts for good coffee and a flat bread egg white sandwich..YUM-O

Short jaunt to the Path train to Penn station for the train to NYC..

Before you know it, we were at Crumbs - the cupcake shop in "the village"..Yep! THAT Village..

(can't spell Greenwich village..see??)

Now this is something we don't see in Utah..you can summon the police or fire department from the street- with a speaker..kinda like ordering fast food, huh?

"We're sending an officer...and would you like fries with that?"

Well, this shop says it all....Oh, La La! I think we embarrassed Farley...Sorry, Bud.

Washington Square Park..beautiful park in the snow - and the home of the copy of the Arc de Triumph you see in the opening scene of Friends..

See, they DO pick up the trash in the city!

Hey, he is an Irish bear you know....

We saw an actual automat! They still have them..well as least the ONE we saw...put your money in - turn the thingy and choose you food...

We still don't know what a egg cream is...but I wanted to show Farley the sign anyway..

Well, how rude! (Farley is not one to be intimidated by mere signage..)

On to Chinatown...we're walking, we're walking....

"What IS that?? Oh, never mind..I don't think I want to know.."

"Hey, put me down - this is SO not funny!"

"Psssst..wanna buy a purse? A Gucci for few dollars?? Follow me..."

Seriously, we were approached on the street by a young Asian woman and told to follow her..through the traffic, weaving in and out of the cabs ("Hey! I'm walkin' here!") into a small shop..no purses ??...UNTIL, she opens a secret door into a back room (and yes, we were nuts to actually follow her- but, hey we're only in New York for the day, right??) and AHHHH! Can it be?? Gucci, Prada, Coach..for..what? $2o?? OK, count me in!

Yep, me and Farley, Farley and I scored a real-honest-to-goodness-faux-made-in-China Gucci purse, proudly sayn on the front of the bag"Gucci - Italy"

Riiight...

On to Little Italy...ah the sights, the smells.....the Italian men! Sorry Farley, I digress...

Oh lookie, a large Italian pup with kisses for Farley!

Into the subway..and to .....OK Farley...that's NOT funny...MOVE over!

OK, that's better...it's Canal Street...you crack me up Farley...

I get it..."Where in the world is Farley?" Duh....Union Street???

Just get in and sit down, OK We need to go for another ride...

Oh my...Ground Zero....Look Farley..this is a precious place...a place of hope and incredible strength..a holy place...

Can't end the day without some GrEaT pizza - Ricotta Cheese and Tomato..hmmm..good :-)

Farley, do ya gotta "go" before we head on home??

Statues in the subway...art in surprising places...

Farley in surprising places...

Get out of her purse, Farley...Geesh! Some bears...

OK, yes, it would make for a cute photo...OK, smile...

Home, well almost. Just a quick walk from the station to the house...Didja have a good day, Farley??

I think he did - he was quiet for the rest of the night.

Hope you enjoyed meeting my new little guy. Have a fun Saturday and if you don't have a bear of your own...why not??

-me