Of course the behind did not actually freeze off (alas), but it got mighty cold. And dark, a little out-there, occasionally woo-woo, at times awesome, and in the end wonderful. Warning: This is not a typical post, but as the dawn of a New Year is a quiet time after the storm of holiday mayhem, it seems a good time for musing about life and one’s place in it. Otherwise just enjoy the pictures. That is every bit as good.
Grace & Wit
Now Is a Good Time to Let Yourself off the Hook
I know you’re busy, but take 30 seconds to read this. You’ll be glad.
What was I thinking to take off the week before Christmas? I mean take off as in leave, check out, join 24 strangers to sit outside in the dark, meditate, and freeze my bottom off thousands of miles from Bergdorf Goodman. It had nothing to do with Christmas, and yet everything …
Great Gift Books About Beautiful Lifestyles
You can’t go wrong with a book, that’s the good news as we round the Christmas clubhouse turn. Here are a handful of design books, a history-style-picture book, a royal historical novel, and a charming how-to-live-a-lovely-life book by a fellow blogging friend.
Making a Little Space for Life
Have not forgotten you, nor fallen off ladder while decorating, nor been engulfed in Yule log flames, figurative or otherwise. Just been trying to make a little space for life. I’ve been out of the habit so long I honestly don’t know quite how to go about it, especially here at Christmas time.
Mabel, Mabel, Strong and Able, Keep Your Cell Phones off the Table
Keep phones not just off the table, but not anywhere near it. In this week of Thanksgiving, as we gather together, let’s be there, with one another, eye to eye. Much as I want to see the picture of your cat in her pilgrim costume, it can wait until after dinner.
The World Is a Great Mirror
The world is a mirror. I always say that whenever something in life goes off the rails, first thing to do is look in the mirror. I say that. Sometimes it takes a while to get to it… but the answer is always there.
Start the New School Year With “The Alchemist”
“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too,” says the boy to the sun, in Paul Coelho’s The Alchemist. If I could teach children anything, it would be that. Well, that and manners.
Tea Towels Make Great Gifts (We Love These Lily O’s)
As we are still in high season for hostess gifts, it is especially thoughtful to give things people actually want. A fresh, pretty tea towel gives any kitchen or bar a lift, and life’s little lifts add up. These “Lily Os” were sent me by a friend and I love ’em. Bright and cheery and based on the charming watercolors of artist Thomas Vieth, who, with wife Susan, founded the company.
Attacked by Aliens! Srsly!
Dear Readers, There has been a devastating attack on the hosting site for this blog and others. Countless images have been lost. Hundreds of hours of work. I want to kick and scream and cry like a big fat baby. But I won’t. Enh, it’s just a website. But it is going to take a minute… Continue reading Attacked by Aliens! Srsly!
Bees and Thank You
Dear Readers,
Your response to A Book Deal for Bee Cottage has gob-smacked me, and I am so grateful to you I could bust. If you were wondering, I absolutely do read every single-dingle comment and treasure every word. Yessiree Bob I do. And I really appreciate your feedback on the book’s subtitle (to be continued). I’m not always able to respond individually, but trust me, hun, you are forever on my Love List. These simple bees and bouquets are for you especially. From my house, my garden, and my heart, thank you.
Bee Cottage Has a Book Deal!
Ladies and gentlemen, we pause from our more or less regularly scheduled blog to bring you an announcement. Yours truly has signed with Skyhorse Publishing for a book about Bee Cottage. I am tickled and terrified.
Reading This Book Will Make You Happier–and Less Cluttered
You cannot read Everything That Remains without changing how you think about your life–and your stuff–and without doing something about it, which will make room for more joy in your life. I promise, or you can return this post for a full refund. But first, if you are eating or drinking, be careful lest you choke when… Continue reading Reading This Book Will Make You Happier–and Less Cluttered