Freshen up

As much as I love Christmas Bits around, I'm totally ready to get rid of them promptly, and I actually love the sparse freshness when all the accouterments are removed and stowed for another year. This year, I could hardly remember what I had in the way of Bits to fill the spaces. One thing that I have done is removed the curtains in the living room. They needed a good cleaning, plus with the new sectional sofa, they were a bit squished in behind it, and didn't hang well. Once they were down, the window didn't feel right. It looked far to small behind the weight of the big sofa, and a bit unbalanced because the sofa went right into the corner on the one side.

I started searching for a pair of old French paneled doors or antique shutters to use instead of curtains, however the prices of such items (around $450) was just way too much money for me to spend. Trolling through Home Depot the other day, I happened on a bi-fold paneled closet door in clear pine. It was $59 and I thought it would make a good pair of shutters for my now bare living room wall. So, I unhinged the pair, dry brushed on some paint called Pigeon from Farrow and Ball that I had in a sample tin, then a coat of flat white, and then took my mama's old camping style tin opener and bashed it full of little holes to take away the newness. Since they weren't authentic old shutters, I decided not to go overboard on the distressing, just enough to take away their freshness. They balance the space behind the sofa quite well, and are much tidier and simpler than the curtains there previously. 

Above my old pine cabinet, I've hung an old tin ceiling tile that has been framed in some old wood. I like it there with the books as it doesn't compete with the stacks of books that are housed here like the painting I had here did before.

Today, I'm going to purge at least 25 items. Yesterday I gave away a painting that I bought on a whim and shouldn't have. My kids, who are furnishing their own homes, like it when I do that.

Bed

 "If kitty gets to sleep on the sofa, then I'm gonna sleep in the cat bed. She may only be 7 lbs to my 75lbs, but somehow I'll fit"

Frenchie...

Prepared

I'm truly a slacker in the area of Winter attire. I am also a true hater of wearing socks, finally slipping them on out of necessity in early November, and shedding them in March if the weather co-operates. Until a few weeks ago, I've gotten by wearing Frye boots most of the Winter and donning Uggs in extreme weather. 

We all know that Uggs are best worn by teenage girls to the shopping mall, with a TNA faux fur trimmed Parker with black leggings underneath, or by late night dog walkers wearing plaid flannel pajama pants. They look awful on large feet, and I feel quite frumpy in them, plus my feet flop around with no support and even less grip. So this year, I'm donating my Uggs and have purchased my first really sensible pair of Winter boots. People who wear Sorel's tell me they last for 20 years, and so despite looking a bit like a man boot, I have succumbed to their warm, waterproof, sturdy gripping comfort, as well I am wearing as a wool hat, something I have never worn in the 40 years since I arrived in this country. I just don't have the right head for a hat....but 2013 sees me throw caution to the wind.   

With me finely attired in my new Winter wear, Frenchie and I set out this morning for our walk, and what to his wandering eye should appear? but a little plastic bag of weed, lying on the sidewalk. He snatched it with lightning speed and I, in turn snatched it with greater lightening speed from his chops before he could devour it and become a very HAPPY pup.

Eucerin Cream used to be only available from the pharmacist. It was the base that other creams are mixed into, such as cortisone. My California friend used it for her kids eczema, and recommended to me for my kids. Now you can buy it from the drug store shelf. I use it all year long and also put it on my face at night. I swear it fight wrinkles. That's my secret tip for you today.

Moving Forward

It's time to pick a word. 

A word to define the goals of 2013. What come to mind? 

Success, money, prestige, travel, love, adventure, excitement.....????? not at all....

I'm not seeking anything in particular for 2013 other than a settling in of myself, a step back, a quietness and simplicity of the day to day, my home, friends and family.

Where once I would have shuddered to be called simple or to crave simple things, I now accept and embrace the basics of SIMPLE. I actually really like the definition of SIMPLE. It reflects me, describes me and defines me quite well.

SIMPLE

"Having or composed of only one thing, element or part (pure)

Being without additions or modifications

One element or part

Not involved or complicated

Little ornamentation or adornment

Not elaborate, elegant or luxurious

Unworldly or unsophisticated

Not guileful or deceitful, Sincere

Unassuming, unpretentious, not affected

Humble or lowly in condition or rank

Ordinary or common"

My goals are pared back, re-defined

yoga

knit

read more biographies

felt

learn to paint

kayak

swim

walk the beach

bicycle

cook

rid the house of 100 items

spend less

save more

ask everyone I meet at least 1 question

make handmade gifts

garden

pare back my wardrobe to 33 items each season

buy natural products

rid my vocabulary of embellishments with adjectives such as sea, low fat, cashmere, organic, extra virgin, vintage etc. from now on it's salt, milk, wool, coffee, olive oil and used.

photograph daily

watch movies

listen to music without lyrics

shop local

pick a new charity

make a toy for my soon to be born grandchild 

wear natural fibers

drink more water

mind my own business

see more live theatre

learn a little Spanish

join a book club--this has been on my list since last year. I found one but did not "Qualify" because I was over 40...this surprised me...my 51 years of devouring a book a week, especially Canadian Literature, gives the wisdom NOT to be insulted by this.

better health for those that struggled this year

encourage people to join a bone marrow registry

Hold a newborn and memorize the joy of an infant

Simple is sounding quite delightful

Remembering those we lost in 2012

Ed Malone

George Holland

Craig Boyle

Mauvais Chien

 

 

These are my Christmas gifts. Some good reads, a gorgeous book on Hacienda's (which have me obsessed at the moment), an old rosary, a wooden fish block print carving, candles, hand cream and some beautiful soaps. One called Sugar and the other Sugar Plum. Frenchie took a liking to the Sugar Plum and proceeded to remove it from the table and tear it open, taking a nice chunk off the corner and proceeding to lick, lick, swallow and lick some more in disgust at the taste. I had to give him a large slice of last nights Grey Poupon glazed ham to get the taste out of his mouth. He has no concept of the word NO in French, English or any other language.

Packing up

This light at the Red Eye Cafe came from a New York City subway

I believe that's a cookie with a melted marshmallow on top...kinda like a smores cookie.

This Christmas was an odd ball for us. We have had every Christmas except one in our home town celebrating with family that live close, and neighbors and friends. This year we changed it up and landed in New Jersey staying at my brothers home. Boy Child's in laws are all in New Jersey while a family member receives medical treatment. They have a rental flat, but a traditional Christmas dinner for a crowd was not in the cards for their family this year, so we hijacked my brother's kitchen and hosted part of the family here. DIL and her family have certainly put their best foot forward and made the best of it all. We've tried to make things festive for them and offer them moral support. They've all done remarkably well getting through this past few months. 

We've had great visits with nephews and in laws, Girl and Boy Child get to hang out for a while, and we've met new people to celebrate with. We've been able to pat the pregnant belly and debate the best baby names. We've been trying out new cafe's and perusing the local shops, late night chatter and lots of laughter. We head home later today with happy memories and look forward to future gatherings of these 3 families.

Christmas Eve in New York City

TIFFANY WINDOW

Christmas Eve 2012. New York City. Tiffany window Bergdoff Goodman, Rockeffeler Place Christmas tree, random Santa's and champagne. And then it started to snow. Pure magic.

And I do believe I caught a snapshot of Santa in his sleigh.

Happy Christmas

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas. 

Craig Boyle December 19, 2012

My Beautiful friend Carol lost her husband yesterday.

I remember when she met him.

I remember when she married him.

Her joy and love for him radiating from within

God Bless you Craig.

For the second time this week, this hauntingly beautiful poem is fitting.

W. H. Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,

Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,

Silence the pianos and with muffled drum

Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. 

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead

Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,

Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,

Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. 

He was my North, my South, my East and West,

My working week and my Sunday rest,

My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;

I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;

Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;

Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.

For nothing now can ever come to any good.

FUNNY, Funny and NOT Funny

I was grocery shopping this evening and my check out clerk was a young man, a bit awkward and a bit ill at ease with himself. He had a ring of eczema around his mouth and was shy and blushed when I spoke to him. He struck me (and I may be very wrong in my judgement) as the type of boy who would have difficulty with social situations and making friends, perhaps teased a bit and labelled a nerd or geek. Having been a real geek myself, and teased in school, I have a soft spot for those that don't fit in. I could be way off in my assessment of him, and hoped I was. But, I was more aware of him than I would have been last Friday morning. He caught my attention in a good way. He had a sweet smile and nice manners. 

He made me think of those young people who are ostracized, loners, misfits, depressed or struggling with mental and social issues. I asked him if he was affected by the current teachers strike, and then we struck up a conversation about his college and his studies of Pop Culture, and how he loved the debate about education going on right now and followed it keenly. He had such worthwhile opinions and ideas about the schools system. Once he got talking he was on a roll, actually holding up the line for a minute. He bade me a jolly and zealous Merry Christmas and smiled a big cheerful grin at me. It almost made me cry. There's something good and interesting in everyone regardless of social skills and appearance. He made me happy and sad at the same time.

On the home front a lovely weekend was had by all. Although I didn't get to feel the baby move, Girl Child felt her little future niece or nephew kicking and got that thrill you get when you first feel a baby moving in a mums tummy. We were able to get Sweet Mama out of the nursing home twice. Once to a garden center that was beautifully done up for Christmas. She helped me carry this large reindeer on her lap as we browsed the aisles. She was giggling all the way. She also came for our early Christmas dinner with the Raz Kids and Auntie. 

I love this photo of Sweet Mama....(she insists on socks and sandals and despite the cold weather we don;t argue any more.) I call her Sweet Mama because she has the sweetest and kindest nature of anyone I know.

My sweet little feral cat Hannah seems to be not well. She lost a bit of weight after she had an incident with a Foster Dog I took in, but seemed to get over that and was eating well again. Boy Child noticed she had lost a lot of weight and when I weighed her today she is down 2 whole pounds. So now I am worried. Vet tomorrow at 3 pm. Please be nothing serious!

Back to the spy cam.....this white suited man in my Florida kitchen is a Mold mitigation Expert. Seems we had a leak under the dishwasher that has destroyed our lower cabinets and they have all been removed. Back splash torn out, counters removed and now cracked.

The mold elimination is done, air quality tests expected tomorrow and cabinet rebuild starting after Christmas. We had Blue Eyes granite, a hard to obtain and pricey granite (came with the house) that is now cracked so we get to pick something else. I am thinking of Carrara Marble instead. But I really need your opinion. Here's the kitchen as it is.

and here's a pic of a house with Carerra and dark cabinets

A kitchen with Carerra ...photo from www.maorhousekitchens.com

What do you think????

and because we all need a chuckle right now  here's your morning funny

(please don't take offense to the swearing)

 A SHORT LOVE STORY
>
> A man and a woman who had never met before,
> but who were both married to other people,
> found themselves assigned to the same sleeping room
> on a Trans-continental train.
>
> Though initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing a room,
> They were both very tired and fell asleep quickly,
> he in the upper berth and she in the lower.
>
> At 1:00 AM, the man leaned down and gently woke the woman saying, ...
> 'Ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you be willing to reach into the closet
> to get me a second blanket ? I'm awfully cold.'
>
> 'I have a better idea,' she replied
> 'Just for tonight, let's pretend that we're married.
>
> 'Wow! ... That's a great idea!', he exclaimed.
>
> 'Good,' she replied. ... 'Get your own f*cking blanket.'
>
> After a moment of silence, ... he farted.
>
> The End
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Stop The Clocks

Image from http://bewitching.tumblr.com/post/1079567144

Below are several lines I have copied/taken from W.H. Auden's poem Stop the Clocks. Although it was written for a lost love, I find these lines hauntingly beautiful and fitting at the moment.

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,

Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.


Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,

Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. 

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.