A DINOSAUR AND A WISH

 and a HAPPY, comfortable, peaceful HOME for 2014.

(Words and drawings borrowed, with admiration, from Neil Gaiman)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

           

Favorite Things

It's the week before Christmas, and I won't keep you long. I feel quite organized, but also as if there aren't enough hours in the day for what I want (need/would like) to do. Maybe you feel the same way?
I actually think we should plan special things more often, but on a smaller scale, instead of saving it all up for one day. Christmas often feels to me like a wedding; you plan for months, obsessing over every careful detail, when all people remember is that it rained, they had fun, and you had lipstick on your teeth. It's about memories, not perfection.  

Anyway, this blog is brief, with just a few of my favorite things that I wanted to share in the middle of the joy, peace and panic of the Holidays. Just because.....

 My favorite dessert ever. A Pavlova looks impressive, but is sooooo easy. Promise. Filled with fresh whipped cream and lots of fruit, it feeds a crowd of people. (Click for Recipe).

One of my favorite quotes.

This is one my favorite things, because the seriousness of having a Falconry Companion Kit just makes me laugh.
(from Neiman Marcus in case you needed it ).

No-one can be un-cheered if they blow bubbles! And, did you know that if you blow bubbles outside, and it is 32 degrees or less, they will freeze?

Elvis, Martha and a Notepad

Years ago, I would have given Martha Stewart a run for her money. My Christmas was signed, sealed and on it's way by the end of October. Now, not so much. Like many of you, it is December 2nd and I am scrambling to put together a holiday that is filled with friends, food, presents, Christmas cards, a tree, decorations, and, oh yes, peace and joy!

So, I admit I am a little behind (and I will never be Martha again) but I do have a plan. As always, it begins with a cup of tea and a notepad, the rest is easy....

• Holiday CD blasting (Elvis, of course).
• A list of absolutely everything that is spinning in my head; from paying the electric bill, to ordering that orange thing that I have never even heard of.
• Prioritize the list. (If I don't pay the electric bill the other things won't really matter).
• Put as many things as I can onto my calendar, and out of my head. (eg. Bake cookies on December 14th, call Auntie B, mail off Christmas presents etc).
• Make another list of who I want to buy presents for (with ideas of what I would like to get them).
• Divide the list into on-line purchases, and in-shop. Try my hardest to consolidate, so I am not running all over the place, and paying seven separate shipping fees. (Look for coupons and specials on-line).
• Think of a budget (this will disappear very quickly, but it always makes me feel better in the beginning).
• Eat a cookie, and heat up my tea.
• Put Blake Shelton's CD on, then switch to Aretha Franklin. Go back to Elvis.
• Decide on a definite day, or two (or three) to get all of this done.
• Plan where I will go for lunch, or an extra-nice coffee, in between my shopping.
• Remind myself to be flexible, and expect things to change. (If I can't buy it, find it, afford it, or order it, I'll come up with another idea).

Maybe you write lists as well, or perhaps this is still too early for you to be thinking about it; whatever you do, I would love to hear your thoughts on prepping for the holidays. Leave a comment, or post directly to my Wendy at the Blue Giraffe Facebook page.             

p.s. Am hoping neither Blake or Aretha were offended during the writing of this blog :-)

How to be a Good (not perfect) Guest

I know there is a deluge of posts right now on how to be the perfect host, make the best gravy, and plan a stress-free Thanksgiving, but what about being a good guest?

For some people, the only time they visit other homes is around the holidays, and while the host is rushing around, it's always nice to know that their guests have arrived, are enjoying themselves (and are behaving). Whether you are staying for dinner, or popping in for dessert, here are some ways to get you invited back again:

• Let them know you are coming. If they ask you, answer them; don't wait for a better offer, or until you are parked in their driveway.  
• Always ask what you can bring. If they tell you not to bring anything, ignore them. It's the thought that counts; something they can enjoy/share, but don't have to cherish forever (flowers, plants, wine, pie, cookies, chocolates etc).
• If you want to bring someone who wasn't invited, just ask. (They will always say yes, but ambushing your host is unfair, and makes everyone feel uncomfortable).
• Before you leave your home, make sure you have your phone, the address and phone number. (Just in case you get lost, are running late, or there is an emergency).
• Don't arrive early. Plan on within half an hour after the time they said. (No-one wants the doorbell ringing when they are still in their underwear, trying to baste the turkey).
• Turn your phone off. (It annoys everyone, and you will be talked about later if you are texting under the tablecloth).
• Control the gossip. (Large groups mean lots of ears, and big mouths; you can't assume that what you say will be confined to the table).
• Be aware of how much you drink. It's stressful for everyone if you are arguing with the cat, and trying to unlock the neighbor's lawnmower with your car key. 
• Offer to help, or, at the very least, stand up and move some dishes around. (It's a lot of work hosting, and even if they say no, a little effort is always appreciated).
• Know when to leave. If you're hosts are yawning, putting on their fuzzy socks and turning off the lights, you probably should have left an hour ago....

Too Many Legs

The cardinal rule of design is that if we decorate with what we love, it will all somehow meld together into this glorious pile of harmony. Would it be horrible to say that sometimes that can also be our downfall? Not to shoot myself in the foot here, but if we get caught up in a loop, buying the same things over and over, our home can start to look a little like an uncomfortable theme park.

I actually did this a few years ago, and while I knew I was doing it, I didn't think it was a problem. But, apparently, I have a bit of a metal addiction. New, old, worn out, useful or not, I don't really care; I can always find a reason to bring a piece home with me. It can be sanded, painted, lacquered, or just left outside to rust. (I know, I am trying to justify my addiction to you, but there is something about metal that I find very hard to resist).

One day, after I had dragged a rusted garden chair into the Living Room, I went outside (very pleased with myself) to have a cup of coffee. When I came back in, I couldn't believe what I had done; I was surrounded by a sea of iron. The rusted garden chair was the least of it; I also had a rusted coffee table, a rusted end table, a brass daybed, an iron mouse, an iron elf, a terracotta pot filled with old silverware, iron wish stones, and a cast iron lizard. Gulp. There was a lot of metal in that room, and it suddenly felt very cold.

Because the Living Room is my reading/listening-to-music room, I had gradually placed many of my favorite pieces in there, ignoring that they were so similar. I should have known better, but they kind of sneaked up on me when I wasn't looking.

Taken aback by my evolving decorator's junkyard, I reluctantly took out the garden chair (after-all, it could still be very useful in the garden) and replaced it with my favorite 1960's green armchair (gifted to me by my friend, Jenn). I rearranged a few more things, removed the lizard, and made the room feel warm and cozy again.

Usually my home evolves with an idea in mind, but occasionally, like this time, it morphs into something else when I'm not looking. I think it happens to us all, and before we know it we are living with a collection of things that we didn't even know we were collecting.

(p.s. By the way, my addictions are far from over; at the moment, I have three vintage chairs and two stools in my home office, which is far too many legs for a 10 x 10 foot space).

Photograph from Molly-Meg