Almost There

Wishing you cozy last days of this decade.

Smacksy Sunday Links

Changes to make home life simpler.

The essential zen habits of 2019.

Public libraries scrap late fines.

I'm somewhat obsessed with Ivy Kitchen.

Paris or Egypt?

And puppies yawning. 

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo That's Really a Video: The Ghosts of New Year's Past

A little chat about some memorable New Year's Eves. 

On the Bookcase

We've got a lot going on here.

Another Rite of Passage

This was the first year Bob gave Mr. Rosenberg and I gifts without our help or presence and with his own money. Bob told me he went to one of my favorite stores, told the clerk his budget, what he was looking for, and that my favorite color is green. From what she showed him, he picked this beautiful bracelet out for me, handmade by a local artist. Mr. Rosenberg received a pair of dress socks with a drawing of Dwight Shrute on them. He was enamored with his gift also.

Gift of Guys

Jeff commissioned this painting for me of the guys, from an artist he met at the park. He even paints them on, and frames them with, reclaimed/repurposed wood. I'm in love.

One of My Favorite Views in the World

Including pajamas.

The Sun Peaks Through the Clouds

So blustery and windblown, there were even too many leaves for the gardener.

Smacksy Sunday Links

Choose joy.

The $100 billion reason not to return gifts this holiday season.

100 years of friendship. I love them.

Plan a reading day.

The emotional lives of animals.

Vintage snap shots of mid-century women matching their Christmas trees.

And wild and elegant horses.

Happy Sunday. 

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Just the One Antler

"Someone" nibbled the antler off of this reindeer/Teddy bear ornament and reindeer/Teddy bear does not seem pleased. (We're all looking at you, Levi.)

Garland

A few of my girlfriends and I got together to make these garlands out of oranges, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves for the holidays. I originally planned to hang mine inside the front door but I got carried away and it's way too long. It now adorns the piano. It smells delicious. And that's my garland story. 

Reporting In

Update on the single lemon growing on our new tree. It's happening. 

I'm Fine

I'm feeling "fine." How about you? A little video.

Another Thing I Made

Third Eye

Glorious

Tree leaning in a jaunty (alarming) manner? Check.
Lower third of tree left in the nude? Check.
Two glittery, low-hanging ornaments on tree eaten by dogs? Check.
Garland applied to tree in crazy pattern? Check.
Best tree ever? Check.

Sunday Links

Easing anxiety at the holidays.

Go outside.

How to spend Christmas alone.

The Queen's miniature things.

The best comedy sketches of the decade. I want to check more off of this list.

And a cat and a squirrel.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

It just baaarely fit.

April 8, 1944

Irene Manning

April 8, 1944
England

Dear Puss,
Irene Manning was the latest of the pinup gals put out to stimulate the imagination, but now I have a pin up that I have wanting. O' course it is the picture you sent a few days ago and it looks very nice here too - but sometimes I have to take it down because I get to thinking how very swell it would be to be on a bus entering Borger and then getting off. I would know that it wouldn't be too long 'til I passed through the white fence, open the door, and once more I'd be where I belonged. We'd stay there not for long so the three of us would go and find a spot to call our own where we could build our nest and watch the rest of the world go by. You are so nice to come home to and love. And it would be tea for three.

Big hugs and kisses galore. Save them for me, Puss, 'cause I'll be there to get them one of these days.

I love ya, Puss.
Lee

Tannenbaum

Some of us are workin' here.

He's Camera Shy, A Series

Giving a Pass

Here's my video about giving people a pass for the holiday season.

10th Annual Bob's 99 Cent Store Holiday Shopping Trip (*spoiler alert for immediate family)

Bob's Annual 99 Cent Store Holiday Shopping Trip has now taken place for ten years running, folks. No, I can't believe it either. Here's what the list looked like this year. 

Me - A mug of unknown decor. "Mom! Don't look! Are you looking? Don't! You'll totally ruin the surprise of your present!"

Mr. Rosenberg - Large Reese's Peanut Butter Cup package. 

Bajan (Mr. Rosenberg's mom) - Package of chamomile herb tea. "This doesn't have caffeine, right? Bajan always likes things that are decaf."

Aunt Jill - Pink notebook decorated with silver polka dots. "I think Aunt Jill probably has to right down a lot of stuff at her work."

Aunt Jen - Green ceramic serving dish. "Hello? It's green!"

Our Friend Dawn - Glass mug in the shape of a snowman with a built in straw cap. "Does she like snowmen? I bet she does. And she can take it in the car."
Pops - Mega Twix Pack. "Pops loves sweets so much. And all of the other food."

MeeMee (my mom) - 6" Reindeer figurine covered in red glitter with white glitter antlers. "Mee Mee will totally put this on her mantle. It's a great decoration. Super sparkly. Like Christmas."

Smacksy Sunday Links

About reader's block.

Great gift guides.

The ultimate productivity hack is saying no.

A miniature mermaid's dollhouse.

Elegant streamliner trains. 

About reindeer.

Happy Sunday. 

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Bed Made

He didn't bat an eye.

april 3, 1944

sorry. still don't have capitalization capabilities.

april 3, 1944
england

dear puss,
the letter and pictures of yours came and they were plenty okay. i have definite hopes of receiving a good deal more similar to those so don't quit writing. and when you get the roll of film developed after taking the pictures, send me a print of each. i certainly don't want to wait 'til i come home to see them for it is liable to be a few months yet.

believe me there is no one anyplace who can hold any candle to you and i do believe that is has been proven. you can't imagine how i long to be with you and how very much i need you. one doesn't miss the happiness until he has known it so well. i do love you so much.

thanks a plenty for the promise of sending the cigs and blades 'n such. plan to see gone with the wind again when it comes here but it's awful lonesome going to the show by myself.

love and a couple of bear hugs,
lee

on the ferry

it's pretty breathtaking

this castle

this castle is made of sugar. you heard me.

ted bread

you've probably never wondered if bread can have personality, but now you know anyway.

little boats

like a little boat
anchored near the harbor
roll with the current
dark and bright
if you capsize
or lose your mooring
like a little boat
roll on to your back
float again

smacksy sunday links

my friend just showed me some of the work of artist malcom liepke. divine.

well. yesterday i dropped a cup of coffee on my computer keyboard. i currently can't capitalize anything but i keep hoping it will all work itself out. until then, i'm a lower-case lady.

german lessons - a lovely and poignant essay

winter is the season of my childhood

alison roman makes thanksgiving dinner in her very small kitchen

ew's top ten books of the decade. i agree with a number of these. the rest are sitting unread, next to my bed

if slim aarons came back as a painter

a murmuration of starlings - one of my favorite things

happy sunday

smacksy saturday photo - tangled

mr. rosenberg's current holiday task