5 Favorite Places during Holiday Season in NYC



Disclaimer: This is my post from the archive but certainly remains valid for this beautiful holiday season :).


Saks Fifth Avenue
Fabulous Holiday Lightshow from Saks Fifth Avenue :)

Such a merry and festive ambience we have here in the Big Apple!

Holiday season is here.
And NYC, as aways, has its own unique, sparkly way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year for most of us.

Well, we ourselves don't celebrate Christmas but we do respect those who celebrate and enjoy the festivity.
The great vibe dan the feelings of togetherness with your family and loved one. 
And of course, all those sales, right :).

Of course, the best place to spend some time during the holiday season is with your family and your loved ones. Nevertheless, despite all the temptations to check each and every sales, there are some favorite spots that we love to check for its lovely ambience, fantastic holiday displays, the wonderful aroma *and (again) the sale ;)) here in NYC. And many of them are free! 


Here are our 5 Favorite Places during Holiday Season in NYC, which are located on the Midtown Manhattan.
Of course there are so many great places with fantastic holiday feelings and attractions all over the city, but here are some of our favorite spots which we manage to visit :).

Rockefeller Center

Well, I know this particular place is always packed with tourists and those specially flying and flocking to NYC during this holiday season. Thanks to the famous giant Christmas tree in the middle. everyone, celebrating Christmas or not, is surely attracted to it. I guess this tradition has started in 1931 and continues to bring joy to New Yorker and everyone. The tallest tree being put there reached 100 feet tall! it was back in 1991 and the tree was originated from Killingsworth, Connecticut.



the famous tree :)

This year, as always, Rockefeller is packed with those onlookers and admirers willing to squeeze one another just to have a decent look at the tree and those angels. 
Yes, I am talking about me and my kids >_<.
But being there, with family and friends, feeling the vibe is indeed exquisite :).

The Rockefeller Center is located on the 50th street and 5th Avenue, NYC.


happy holiday!

Bryant Park

This beautiful park adjacent to the New York Public Library is another favorite, as it annually hosts Winter Village. 


Which one is your favorite?

Winter village means Christmas market filled with beautiful artisanal and food corners. 
Lovely accessories, souvenirs, arts and crafts and many more are available to those hunting for holiday gifts or just adding personal collections, like me :). We even have Facebook corner with virtual reality being offered to those who want to see the future! 
Not to forget the ice rink and the Christmas  tree!
Although it's slightly smaller compared to the one in Rockefeller, but it's beautifully lit as well.

Bryant Park is located on the 5th Avenue and 40th - 42nd st.


ready for a session of iceskating?

5th Avenue

Oh the famous 5th Avenue! 
Even before the holiday season, people are flocking around to this elegant promenade adorned with famous brands, fancy department stores and chic boutique.


Saks Fifth Avenue
My favorites are those big Department Stores which have dedicated some money, time and energy for one-of-a-kind-entertainment on their front window.
One of them that seems to attract many  spectators is Saks Fifth Avenue with its Light Show.
I can not describe it..you just have to see it yourself!
The lights, the music..the magic! 
The Land of 1000 Delights is the theme for the year :)
Many of those admirers are flocking right in front of the Department Store to wait for the light show and clap their hands after it finishes!
How fun..



Another beautiful holiday window is Bergdof  Goodman at 58th st. and 5th Avenue.
Check it out :)


Bergdoff

Herald Square


Who doesn't know Macy's and all its fantastic annual holiday window!
I have always been a big fan as I always pass this lovely place on my way to the office.




After Snoopy last year and colorful Trolls, plus the magic of celebrating love, togetherness and giving, this year Macy's is back with FAO Schwarz, the legendary toy store in NYC, back to live and is now housed in Macy's Herald Square.
Fun indeed and right on time!
That's what holiday season is all about, right :)
Go ahead..check it out yourself.


The magical display!

Central Park

Never get tired of this beautiful park!
Stretching from 59th st. to 110th., you surely have a lot to choose.
Our fave is still Bethesda Terrace, although we have many people enjoying the ice rink!
Wollman ice rink has been everyone's favorite since I don't know when. With under $20 for the ticket excluded the rental, you can enjoy the endless fun with your loved ones. And of course, it will be a perfect photo op for you!

There are two choices of the rink, Wollman Ice Rink on the east side, near the Central park Zoo and Lasker Ice Rink in mid park between 106th to 108th st.

Again, as I said earlier, of course we have so many other places offering great vibes in NYC and around. I haven't managed to explore other cool neighborhoods like Brooklyn, Williamsburg, West and East Village, and others. Hope I can do that soon :)

So, which one is your favorite?


Happy holiday to you all :)



Happy Happy Birthday Abang Bo


Look who's turning 11!



To our dearest Abang Bo...
May Allah SWT always grant what's best for you in your live, sayang.
Here's to all those smiles, hugs, and love you have shared and will share again in the nearest future.

keep that smile always, love :


Barakallah selalu ya Abang Bo



Wonderful Wednesday with Oh My Heartsie Girls

Time for my weekly recap at Wonderful Wednesday with Oh My Heartsie Girls.
7 days just flew and we are getting closer to the end of 2017.


Macy's Holiday Window
Holiday window at Macy's Herald Square

As always, NYC is getting more interesting and colorful during this holiday season.
Festive ambience is clearly seen here and there.
We are not celebrating Christmas but we do share the joy and fun of this wonderful moment.

I love to stroll around the city.
Enjoying the vibe, the smell, the noise, the ambiance.
The joy as well as the feeling of accomplishment. Rounding up another great year. 
We went to the Rockefeller to see lighting tree. What a crowd!
We saw the holiday display at Macy's as well in Herald Square.
And it was cute as well.

Holiday Light show at Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC

I have to admit that sometimes I have so many stories and pictures to share, but again my time is limited and I have other priorities at home and at works :).
So many interesting events that I want to write in my blog but I just haven't got a chance.
Well, I guess I just have to let it flow.
Just write them and post them and feel goof about it.
Hoping that this blog will bring some benefits to its readers.
Sounds like a resolution for 2018 :).



But the highlight of the week is indeed my boy's birthday :)



My dearest Abang Bo.
Happy, happy birthday, love.
Here's for 11 great years full of love, laughter and joy, and way more to come.
Love you to the moon and back :)).


Pramudita Frakarsa


So now, allow me to wish you all 
a Joyous Holiday Season and A Wonderful 2018!
And let's party!

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WW: Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show 2017

The joy of holiday season!
We were enjoying the Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show 2017 again last Saturday.
Awesome indeed!
This is the 4th light show we have seen and we never get tired of it.

Saks Fifth Avenue 2017







It was, as always, packed by spectators like me. Most of them are tourists from different parts of the world, judging from their comments while admiring the light show.  
And the Holiday Window Display this year is featuring the 80th year celebration of Snow White! Super cute indeed.
Will get back with more stories on that.
Here's a little peek :)



Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun linking up!





Semur Daging dan Telur - Egg and Beef Indonesian Stew


It's been quite sometimes I did not post any recipes here.
Well, haven't had enough time to take pictures of all those food I have cooked should not stop me for sharing more Indonesian food recipes indeed.
And winter is here!
Surely I have many favorites Indonesian food that my family love to enjoy in cold, winter days. Including those delicious ones for your festive day!



semur daging dan telur :)

And this time, I have semur daging dan telur - egg and beef Indonesian stew.
It's more like a free translation of it.
So if my Indonesian friends have better term or translation for it, please let me know :).

We love semur because of its exquisite taste.
A combination of beef or chicken broth with palm sugar, sweet sow sauce and traditional spices like nutmeg and coriander is indeed delicious. 
I don't know exactly where this menu is originally from but I guess almost every Indonesian is familiar with this. Either you cook it with beef or chicken, and add some extra eggs, tofu or potatoes, it all blends very well and you can get everything ready to eat it together with rice. Of course, slow cooking is best because all the spices will be well blended and the meat will be soft and tender.

So, enough with the introduction and let's cook. 
Let's start with the ingredients.


Ingredients:

Beef - 2 pounds, cleaned and cut into cubes or as desired.
Eggs - 4 or less, hard boiled and peeled.
Garlic - 3 cloves
Shallot - 2 medium cloves
Coriander - 1 teaspoon
Candlenuts - 3 pieces
Nutmeg powder - as desired, just a tiny pinch to give the extra aroma
Worcester sauce - 1 teaspoon
Sweet soy sauce - 2 spoonfuls
Salt and pepper - as desired
Palm sugar or white sugar - as desired
Vegetable oil

Spring onion - all serves as garnish and my fave is cilantro and spring onion
Fried onion.
A bowl of steam rice.

Just a little note that in some recipes, they use coriander, some do not. 
You are indeed welcomed to use it as it brings an exquisite aroma to the soup and it blends very well with the beef. I. But I make sure that nutmeg is added as it is delicious!
Some also like it with extra soup, while I love it with less watery soup but more like the thick sauce after the slow cooking. Whatever you prefer, they all taste wonderful!

Here's how to cook:

First, we get all the spices ready. 
Using mortar and pestle (traditional way is the best way for me :)), grind the garlic, shallot, coriander and candle nut. Of course you can and are welcomed to use your food processor.




Then heat one spoonful of vegetable oil and sauté the ground spices until it's well cooked and fragrant. The spices will look gold and you can tell when it is adequately cooked.

In a large pot, boil the beef, together with the spices, until it is soft. I takes around 3 hours or less to get it tender, depending on the type of beef you are using. Once the meat is tender, put the hard boiled eggs and boil it together for 15 - 20 minutes to ensure the spices are well blended with the eggs as well. 




Don't forget to add the Worcester and sweet soy sauce along the way. Make sure you have enough soup and add the water as you boil the stew together. Once the beef is tender, you know Semur Daging dan Telur - Egg and Beef Indonesian Stew, is ready.


eat with a bowl of steam rice and it's yuuum!

The best way of eating it is together with a bowl of steam rice.
It will be great to enjoy this for your holiday dinner or lunch. 

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do and bon appetit! 

Saint Lucia from Above

Okay, you caught me red handed.
I just can't move on from my last trip to Caribbean (while enjoying the snow and freezing wind here in NYC)  and I have only shared some memories from St. Lucia here! 
Hanging there and bear with me as I still have stories and tons of photos 
from Antigua and Barbuda.
But this time, for Skywatch Friday, let me show you how beautiful St. Lucia is, 
even from above.
Enjoy!

St. Lucia
From above..
Saint Lucia from above
crystal clear..







Join us on Skywatch Friday and embrace those fluffy, magnificent sky from many corners of the world.