A Christmas Kiss

I got kissed on Sunday! It was a very special kiss and I consider myself lucky to have been able to experience it. Here's a picture of me and my handsome fellow.

This is Pocus, a sea lion. I went to the Buffalo Zoo and discovered some mistletoe. Hmmm. What would happen if I stood underneath it? I decided to give it a try...with a little help. Lo and behold I got a Christmas kiss from Pocus. Isn't he cute? He was so gentle too. I think I need to visit Buffalo more often...and stop and visit Pocus!

The Elmwood Strip

A few weeks ago I went to the Elmwood Strip in Buffalo, NY. This Buffalo neighborhood is a stretch of Elmwood Avenue between Forest and North Streets (some say between Forest and Virginia) and is home to a cornucopia of eclectic shops and eateries.

Can you tell we're in Buffalo?

Penzeys Spices is a wonderful herb and spice retailer. They sell via a website and catalog, but also have a few stores in several states. They recently opened a branch on the Elmwood Strip and I paid them a visit.

Look at all these spices. I never knew there were so many different types.

Watson's Chocolates of Distinction has been making confections since 1946. I stopped in as I just had to try their Sponge Candy Ice Cream. Watson's is only one of two places that make it. Sponge Candy is a food specialty of Western New York and, generally speaking, you can't find it outside of a 75 mile radious of Buffalo, NY.

The Elmwood Strip is a great place to people watch. Many of the restaurants have outside seating areas to help you do just that.

Look at this lovely mimosa I got at Cecilia's-one of the many restaurants located here.. Just the thing for our day on the Elmwood Strip. Yumm.

Nottingham Mansion In Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, NY has some amazing architecture, from the Art Deco City Hall and Central Terminal to gems designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and more. The area around Delaware Park has some gorgeous homes. In fact, they are mansions. Recently a mansion on Nottingham Terrace was sold. They were having an estate sale, so I stopped by. I didn't go inside, but snapped some great pictures from the outside.

Originally built for Annie Lang Miller and completed in 1933, the mansion is known as The Annie Lang Miller House, as well as The Snowden Mansion (another owner).

Look at the architectural detail.

I love fountains.

They don't make homes like this anymore.
If you're in Buffalo, NY make sure you drive around to see some magnificent homes. You can drive by and see this mansion in person too, at 175 Nottingham Terrace. However, it is a private home-so no peeking in the windows!