Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Vee's Note Card Party!


Vee, from the delightful blog A Haven For Vee asked us to join her in a special Linky blog party where we would chose four photos we would like to make into greeting cards, from the many we have published on a blog posts in the past.  It was not an easy task for me, as my blog is photo rich, and choosing just four photos out of the thousands I have used in blog posts over the past five years was going to be hard. Naturally, since my blog is a journal about my experiences in New York City, I had to chose one iconic view of the city out of the many I've taken.  This view above was taken a couple summers ago from my blog post about Governor's Island.  Governor's Island lies in New York Harbor, and the island was once a military base. It is significant to me as my father and mother both lived there when my father was on active duty in the United States Army.


The next is a photo collage I did from photos I took of the Statue of Liberty, which stands on Liberty Island which is also in New York's Harbor. I blogged about Lady Liberty on this post.  She is a very important icon for me as my maternal grandmother sailed by her on a ship in 1912. She then went through immigration on Ellis Island.  I wish I knew what her experiences on Ellis Island were like. All my Mother knew was that my grandmother came with papers that instructed where she should be sent, and she was put on a train to meet her sponsor in Pennsylvania, with those instructions pinned to her back. I can't imagine how brave my grandmother had to be to leave her homeland at nineteen years old, see the ocean for the first time in her life, and then get on a ship and cross that ocean.  Happily, her decision to take that chance would give her, and her future family, many opportunities!



The next photo I wanted to use was one that was an iconic view from Brooklyn -- the New York City borough where I've lived my entire life. This view was taken from my blog post about the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge Park.  The Brooklyn Bridge connects the borough of Brooklyn to the borough of Manhattan, and is well traveled both ways. There is so much to see and do in Brooklyn, and I hope you will look at some of my many posts about my borough to see why I love living here so much!



The last photo is of the construction of the new World Trade Center One -- also known as The Freedom Tower -- that I blogged about in December.  Everyone in New York City is watching this building at Ground Zero rise above the Manhattan skyline, floor by floor, until it will eventually be topped by a spire that will reach a symbolic 1776 feet above the ground.  The events of 9-11 will never be forgotten by any New Yorker. The 9-11 Memorial that lies in the footpaths of both towers that were destroyed are a poignant sight to see.  I visited them in autumn of 2011, but I still have not found the emotional strength to blog about them as yet. The new tower, however, brings a vision of hope and resilience to the New York City skyline.  America will never forget, but it tells us that we can, and will, rebuild and remain a strong and free country!

I hope you enjoyed my selections and that you will visit the other participants over on Vee's blog to see what photos they chose as their card selection.  Thanks, Vee!


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62 comments:

Pondside said...

You have published so many beautiful photos over the years that I imagine you must have had a very hard time choosing just a few!

Sue said...

Enjoyed these so much thank you for sharing.
Sue

Barbara F. said...

Your photos should be put in a book, Pat. I would gladly buy post cards from you! xo

Sarah said...

Photo rich is putting it mildly. Your bog is a wealth of gorgeous images. I couldn't begin to pick favorites.

Kris said...

Those are awesome pictures Pat! Your photos are always wonderful!!!

Mamma che dolce said...

Hi Pam, nice to meet you....your blog is very absorbing....i follow you!!kiss.

Lynn said...

Sounds like a different and fun party! All great choices Pat, I love the Brooklyn Bridge shot:@)

Sandi McBride said...

One of my favorite cities in the whole world! This is a great representation of a beautiful city. Thanks to Vee for holding this Note Party. It is note worthy to be sure
Sandi

Jojo said...

I love being a tourist on your blog! What a fun blog party!!

Sandy said...

Wonderful site seeing tour here, the Lady Liberty is my favorite. Thank you for sharing.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

oh, i love New York. i've been there several times. such a great place to visit. i love lady liberty & the sailboat with the brooklyn bridge in the background. i love how so many are picking different photos from their blog for the note card link up party. so cool. happy to find you. take care. (:

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

You picked some good ones.

The Statue of Liberty is on my bucket list of course. Most of my Mother's and Father's ancestors went through Ellis Island. I'd love to know what there is experience was like but may not ever know. I have an Uncle's Diary where he talks about being on a ship leaving New York harbor on a convoy to Africa where he served duirng World War II. Then years later, he came back to the USA and noted the statue again in his diary.

Vee said...

I have been so curious about which photos you would choose. You did well, Pat! I know that it was a challenge. I couldn't even choose one from these four. Perhaps you will consider making these up into note cards as they are all worthy. As one commenter said, you could publish a book of photos. Thank you for participating!

Old Kitty said...

Pat! You take beautiful pics! Really really lovely and these are postcard perfect!!

I think the story behind your Statue of Liberty is the best! Your grandmother sounds a most amazing, strong and fantastic woman! What a brave brave woman! Can you truly imagine what went through her mind and heart when she sailed past this beautiful statue?!!? Brave, brave woman! Wow!

Take care
x

My name is Riet said...

All your photo's are beautiful Pat but I can see you chose these four. What a lovely idee from Vee. I must go and have a look there.
Have a nice day.

Becky K. said...

Being from the country it is often hard for me to imagine living in the city....but these photos have a definite attraction to them. I love the sailboat on the river....gorgeous, all of them.

From the Kitchen said...

When I saw what your post was about, I wondered how you would every select a few photos from so many beautiful ones on your blog. You've certainly made meaningful choices!! Lovely.

Best,
Bonnie

Lisa~A Cottage To Me said...

Beautiful pictures! I've never been to NYC....thanks for picking these to share!

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

Beautiful photos! This really makes me want to visit NY. It's on my list. Thanks for sharing the lovely inspiration!

Happy@Home said...

I can imagine it was a challenge for you to narrow down to 4 photos, but you did really well and I enjoyed the information you shared too.
I really like the collage you did with the Statue of Liberty. I agree with you that your grandmother must have been a very brave lady.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I just knew you would have the most wonderful photos for Vee's party. They gave me goose bumps...

podso said...

I love the choices you made, though I know it was hard. Each one shines with your love for the city! I could not say which was a favorite.
Have you ever done a blog book of your blog?

Debbie said...

I have really enjoyed the gorgeous note cards from this blog party. I've seen so many beautiful things.

But THIS one tells a story. That makes it so very special. I love them, especially the collage and the Freedom Tower.

Wonderful.

Angela said...

I enjoyed these! My favorite is the first one. Even though the city is so busy, the photo gives it a serene feel.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

All the photos are great but I love the first one of the harbor and the sailboats!

Deanna

ellen b. said...

Lovely Pat. They would all make great note cards. And BTW I took very few photos at Katie's wedding, my family gave me their memory cards to upload and sent me links to their photos. I'm excited to see the professional photos in the near future. Thinking of you and the whole wedding process....

Beth said...

Pat, The photos you chose are stunning. I love them all!
Beth

happyone said...

Terrific photos and would make great note cards.

Unknown said...

Pat,

When I saw that you were participating in Vee's party, I thought how can she possibly decide which one to use. Not only is your photography stunning, you take photos of such interesting places. I can see a whole line of travel cards produced from your lovely work.

Have a a beautiful day.

Karen

Anonymous said...

Pat,
Love your blog. I will joining your blog through Linky and GF connect. Pat

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Great photos Pat...I love the mosaic of Lady Liberty!
♥, Susan

Beverly said...

Pat, I knew you would have wonderful selections for this - and I was right. I don't know how you chose because your photos are always great.

When is the big day?

Paula's Postings said...

Another great post with fantastic photo's. One of my mothers favourite memories of Brooklyn (Aug2010)is watching rear window in the park a fantastic evening.

Pamela Gordon said...

Pat, I have been enjoying your blog for the past few months and all your beautiful photos you share about NYC. These are wonderful photos!

Donna said...

These are all terrific selections! How brave your grandmother must have been. Braver than I would have been, for sure! Thank you for sharing these lovely photos with us new visitors!

Jenny said...

How could you possibly choose only four photos from your blog?

I bet you're getting excited there!

Sheila said...

These are great choices Pat! Blue skies make such beautiful backgrounds for your favorites!

Anonymous said...

Your photos are *spectacular*, there is something to like about all of them. I thought the Statue of Liberty collage was lovely, but the Freedom Tower picture won my heart.....

Thank you for visiting my blog today and commenting, it's always fun to meet new blogging friends. :o)

Denise said...

These are fantastic photos, Pat! I do like the Freedom Tower Photo. Our family enjoyed a holiday trip to NYC in December 2006. My first and only visit; it was lots of fun! :)

Visiting from Vee's Note Card Party. Have a great day!

Denise at Forest Manor

bj said...

OOO, if you DO have these made into cards, please let me know. I would buy them. :0
Beautiful...and thanks so much for sharing.

Claudia said...

I love that the photos you chose (stunning) are also those that you have emotional ties to - it makes them very special. I will be going through your blog tomorrow trying to decide what to see in Brooklyn! I need a few months!

Loui♥ said...

all so very beautiful!!
would love each and every one in my mailbox..addressed to me~!
hugs!
Loui

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I can see why you'd have a hard time choosing Pat, but that collage of Lady Liberty - she always makes my heart skip a beat.

The Gathering Place said...

Any of your beautiful photos would make wonderful cards. I think you have a real talent with a camera. (Your location doesn't hurt, either!)
Nice Job!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I knew yours would be really special! You are such a wonderful photographer! ♥

Betty said...

Your photographs are always so good and I enjoy reading your wonderful descriptions. I didn't realize you've lived in Brooklyn all your life. Were you born there too? And where did your grandmother come from? I've been fooling with the genealogy again...after a long break. Now so much is online and I've been writing down all the addresses where my relatives lived in NYC. Back in the 1980's I found the place in Greenwich Village where my grandmother was born. I love doing that kind of thing.

Linda said...

Love NYC I soooo hope to visit there one day, many of my friends and family who have been there love it and would go back any day. Your just sooo far away (I'm in Australia). Glad to of found your blog.
Cheers

Anonymous said...

Great selection. It's been 40 years since I visited NY, so I really enjoyed this series.

Catherine Holman said...

I love them all! I have to get back to NYC soon. It's one of my favorite places to visit.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Gorgeous! Each one of your photos are spectacular!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful choices Pat...I believe my favorite is the view of the Brooklyn Bridge...I will never forget Don and I walking under it on the Manhattan side! A happy memory!

annie@mostlovelythings said...

I am so happy to have found your blog today. I think your choices are perfect and especially the last one. We will never forget. We are living in CA and moving back to the NY Metro area this summer and we couldn't be more thrilled to be coming home. I've been reading several of your posts and when we get back this summer I'm going to be doing a lot of things you've mentioned. Grimaldi's first! They do NOT know how to make pizza in California! I wish I had not missed the documentary on Brooklyn on the 7th!
annie

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I love them all, Pat! When are you going to make a photo book (hard cover) of NYC photos?

I would buy it in a heartbeat!

Jeanie said...

Well, I can see why you would pick those -- I like them all very much.
When I get a bit more time, must skip over to Vee's!

La Petite Gallery said...

Really a neet thing. yvonne

Brenda said...

Beautiful pictures, Pat. But then all of your pictures are beautiful. And I must say one more time: I LOVE your blog!

Betsy Brock said...

Oh yes...you have chosen some wonderful ones!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I can imagine how difficult it must have been to choose 4 photos. Wow, considering how many you have Pat it would have taken me days. You have enough fabulous photos to fill a coffee table book, which would be a great idea by the way.

Great choices though. I'm fond of the sailboats.
Sam

Cathy said...

I can imagine how difficult it was to select just 4 photos from the many beautiful pictures you have taken. Your choices are perfect, Pat, and I particularly like your collage of Lady Liberty.

steviewren said...

Great choices Pat! Your selection reveals much about the things you hold dear about your life, personal history and birthplace.

GailO said...

I think you could take every single one of your pictures to make a postcard! What a challenge to choose just four:)

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Pat, a beautiful selection, but all your photos are beautiful! I'll pop over to Vee's and check 'em all out!

Have a great week!

Mary