Saturday, January 25, 2014

Let the Bells Proclaim! Let Trumpets Declare! All is Done!

Before this distinguished assembly and the world, the bells today proclaim the joyous tidings of the completion of this quietly soaring tower.
Earl Warren, American judge and politician (1891–1974)

Drum roll please . . . or perhaps a rousing round of Handel's Hallelujah chorus. Before this distinguished assembly and the world, I am pleased to announce that the kitchen of my little abode is complete. Hallelujah! Ilhumdulila!

The five-month long enterprise concluded on Friday when Dad met the carpenter so that he could restore the cabinets that had been damaged during installation of the granite backsplash. Even with all the drama, I am thrilled with the Torroccino granite and my lovely little kitchen.

With workmen out of the way, I now get down to the business of creating some order out of the chaos. I aim to be in residence by Groundhog Day. Stay tuned!

Saturday, January 18, 2014

A Toast to Memories

God gave us memories that we might have roses in December.
J.M. Barrie, Scottish author, dramatist and creator of Peter Pan in Courage (1922)

Wonderful memories of sitting under a courtyard pergola of a Greek taverna, dining al fresco on feta, olives and lamb on a balmy evening warmed my soul on this cold and gray January day. I am blessed to have had the opportunities that create such delicious memories and to be taken out for an impromptu lunch that inspires their recall. Yasas!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Vintage Lace

Lace and crochet the colour of clotted cream have a feeling of summer idylls . . .
Fashion News blog (2012)

An old cigar box full of vintage lace made for such a pretty tableau. It was my special 'find' today from among the boxes stored for 18 years and moved across country a couple of times. This precious yet simple, re-cycled box seems to hold so many untold stories. How I wish the lace could talk!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

The Colourful Year Ahead

The world is your kaleidoscope, and the varying combinations of colors which at every succeeding moment it presents to you are the exquisitely adjusted pictures of your ever-moving thoughts.
James Allen, British writer and poet (1864 – 1912)

I wrote to a friend yesterday saying that I envision 2014 to be a canvas full of great splashes of bright colour. Today I looked up from my subway seat and found the image that epitomizes my optimism in an advert banner. How radiant. How vibrant. How positively variegated. Today is day two and I'm looking forward to each of the next 363 days! 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Looking Backward and Forward

NEW year, forth looking out of Janus’ gate,
Doth seem to promise hope of new delight:
And, bidding th’ old Adieu, his passed date
Bids all old thoughts to die in dumpish spright;
And, calling forth out of sad winter’s night
Fresh Love, that long hath slept in cheerless bower,
Wills him awake, and soon about him dight
His wanton wings and darts of deadly power.
For lusty Spring now in his timely hour
Is ready to come forth, him to receive;
And warns the earth with divers-coloured flower
To deck herself, and her fair mantle weave.
      Then you, fair flower! in whom fresh youth doth reign,
      Prepare yourself new love to entertain.
Edmund Spenser, English poet (1552?–1599) in Amoretti and Epithalamion. Sonnet IV. "New year, forth looking out of Janus’ gate"

Alas, I did not celebrate the New Year in my little abode due to a mishap during installation of the granite countertop. I am taking Michelangelo's philosophy to the creation of a masterpiece: "It will be done when it is done."

Nevertheless, I have begun to unpack boxes. As each box is opened, my mind ventures along the intersecting paths of memories. Today's 'find' of Portmeirion tea cups purchased at the Kew Gardens gift shop 20 years ago had me smiling as my mind traveled from the Gardens to a little house in Fishbourne and its kindly gent with his own impressive collection to an ancient church and even more ancient mosaics. The journey launched by a tea cup took me on a lovely ramble through past pleasures.

And like the two-headed god Janus, who looks backward and forward at the same time, my tea cups joined with recent acquisitions on a shelf made ready for a new future in my little abode.

Like Janus, I am smiling looking in both directions.


Happy New Year Everyone!