Category: Holidays

Holidays, Humor, Linkstorm, Weekend

Friday Links (Kicking Off 2014 Edition)

“There will be always something old in the New Year!”
― Mehmet Murat ildan

Was it a holiday but two days ago? Did I really take the majority of last week off? Judging by my work To Do List…yes. It’s back to the grindstone, kittens. Jeff has homestudy and I have a scary amount of projects. After which we need to do some food shopping because our leftovers have officially run out, clean the house for the first time since Christmas, etc. It’s time to be civilized again, alas! Here are your weekly links, first of the New Year, and tell me what you’re getting up to this weekend.

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A preview of some of our holiday adventures…

Elizabeth Taylor (an actress whom I really like, every time her name is said I get a craving for the Taylor/Burton Taming of the Shrew), and a letter she once wrote to her cat.

Beautiful nature photos.

It’s pretty well documented that pregnancy, childbirth, etc. terrifies the heck out of me and I’d be happy to avoid it all by adopting a herd of orphans, but even I found Mary Helen Bowers’ pregnancy/ballet balance pretty awesome. I remember being flexible once…

Although, once she has that thing, good luck to her because it’s a minefield!

I have no trouble admitted that I am but a freelancing child and have largely only seen the good side of the industry. So much darkness to look forward to.

I know I would not be able to do what this guy did after losing his vision.

I’m not sure Rodgers is a profession. Does Woodland imply we’re going to live remotely in the forest, because I can tell you that we are NOT.

I have to admit I love the xoVain beauty site, but I think this “Smaug” inspired beauty post is a particularly nerdy favorite. I mean, Smaug is clearly the greatest character in The Hobbit – to quote Lois Long, “I will fight anyone who says differently,” – but the combination of fun makeup artistry with the story of the author’s exceptionally cool dad is a winner. My parents read The Hobbit to me as well, a vitally important childhood memory.

A great glimpse of 1970s kitchens, for the design minded amongst you.

Interesting parenting experiment, opening this one up to the minion commentary because I’m curious as to the thoughts of the parents in the readership. We always had plenty of toys growing up, but our habit of moving frequently meant that we routinely donated and reorganized the surplus and never really accumulated too much. At one point, my parents even significantly downsized Christmas (which I happened to like and plan on replicating with any hypothetical children) and while we are attached to our treasures, we’re not very attached to “stuff.” It’s what allowed me to go to university, and eventually move to London, with just two suitcases to my name each time.

Tumblr find of the week, theses boiled down to one sentence.

Britain, Expat, Family, Holidays, Humor, London

Charlie Brown Inspired

 “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.”
– Linus Van Pelt, A Charlie Brown Christmas

I’m officially done being a lazy, holiday enjoying, treat gobbling, hibernating slug. Back to work, back to job apps, back to responsibility! But I want to share a bit of our holiday fun, and hear about yours. So this week I’ll be covering our first proper expat Christmas, and hoping you’ll link to or comment about your own festivities – or alternate activities if you don’t celebrate.

Basically, what have I missed in the last week and a half?

Without further ado then, ladies and gentlemen, the first proper Christmas tree we’ve ever had.

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I find it absurdly cute. Normally in my family we take down our tree on Epiphany/Three Kings Day, but this guy’s already moved to the balcony. I think I’ll try to keep it alive for next year. As Jeff so lovingly put it, “Well, it’s an evergreen so maybe it will survive you.” Hope and holiday spirit springs eternal kittens!

Holidays, Humor

2013 In Review

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.”
― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

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The lesson of this year has been: just go for it. You’ll be amazed at what happens. (via)

I’ve been taking the holidays off of writing and even some time off work, but I’m looking forward to diving straight back into work next year – AKA tomorrow. I’ve got some great adventure tales coming your way! In the meantime I’m goofing off with Jeff during his vacation days, reveling in the unseasonably bright and clear weather, and eating the massive amounts of leftovers from our Christmas cooking.

2013 was a big year. First and foremost, we made it to London after years of work and planning finally paid off, Jeff started his job in the City, and I’m working for myself as a writer – the dream literally since I was a child. Frankly I have no idea what 2014 will hold, I’m not sure how the past couple of years can possibly be topped…but if I know the sneaky universe, they will. In spectacular style. So, here’s 2013 in review.

Early this year, we were thrown a massive wrench when we were told Jeff’s start date was not going to be in April…but in September. We rallied, but it did shake up the first quarter!

Even though I was really looking forward to moving onto the next thing, the last few months of my unintentional first career in law enforcement support afforded me a few opportunities to speak bluntly about some issues that need better and less sensationalized coverage than they often get.

Our annual Oscar Gown Review brought out the usual minion debate – which I adore! Not sure how it’s going to work this year, but it’s going to happen.

I got a chance to participate in a storytelling event!

I dove into freelancing, and got a chance to look back as I looked forward.

We packed up and moved out of the flat we lived in since we got married on the first leg of our long awaited move to London.

I went to Virginia to mind the house while my mother did a course in ancient Greek, and spent summer with my family in the East Coast Countryside. I got to introduce the minions to my clan a bit more, and did we frolic!

I contributed to a story for the New York Times, and got my first major byline in the Grey Lady herself!

Finally – FINALLY – we moved to London. After a year of waiting and so many hiccups, we were finally here. We wasted no time in enjoying the city together before Jeff started his job.

We celebrated our 4th anniversary.

We kept exploring the city and I loved introducing some of the best finds to you guys.

And finally, settled down a bit, both working and finally in London, we enjoyed our first proper holiday season on our own.

It’s been a whirlwind, crazy up and down, roller coaster of a year. Thanks, kittens, for sticking around through it. 2014 beckons, tell me what you’ve accomplished this past year, and what 2014 will hold for you!

Britain, Family, Holidays, Humor, London

A Little Night, Christmas Music

“I should be sorry if I only entertained them, I wish to make them better.”
– attr. George Frederic Handel, on being complimented for Messiah

Holidays for me are entirely bound up in my family’s traditions. What we eat, when we decorate, even how the decor looks is deeply meaningful to me. It’s also an at-home holiday for us, we hang out together (friends are very welcome if not required!) but we’d rather stay in eating our sugar cookies, rib roast (Christmas Eve meal) or special baked french toast breakfast (Christmas morning). One year we varied it up and went skiing in the Tirol of Austria, which was a great holiday, but the consensus of all the family afterwards that even though it was amazing, it hadn’t felt at all like Christmas.

Jeff’s family has their own traditions as well, and it’s been really fun getting learn and incorporate a new set of them – particularly breakfast at a particularly wonderful diner and getting to enjoy the excitement of nieces and nephews of Christmas morning.

For the four years we’ve been married we’ve been able to alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas with either family and it’s been a great compromise but this year…well, Thanksgiving turned out a bit unexpected. And as for Christmas, the Atlantic Ocean is not small and plane fare beyond us currently, plus we really like being in London! So Jeff and I have had a few discussions about the new phase we’re finding ourselves in about having to rely on ourselves to either perpetuate the traditions we want to keep and forge new ones for ourselves. We’re going to have to tweak this a bit over the next few years. I have to admit, it always feels slightly less Christmas-y without my parents, siblings, and friends around to spend hours playing games with, dinner at the big table, and lots of time and good conversation.

But as for building new traditions for just the two of us, I wouldn’t mind an annual repeat of Saturday night! Feeling just a bit detached from Christmas this year, in spite of the gorgeousness of London in full holiday splendor, I booked us a couple of tickets for a performance of Handel’s Messiah at St. Martin-in-the-Fields church, which makes up a part of Trafalgar Square.

Handel. By candlelight. No way we were passing it up.
Handel. By candlelight. No way we were passing it up.

St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields is an old church, it’s been around for nearly a thousand years, even though the present incarnation has only been around since the early 18th century when the building was discovered to be in desperation need of renovation. Plenty of significant people are buried there, and it actually serves as the parish church for the Royal Family, and Downing Street.

Supreme Head and all that.
Supreme Head and all that.

It’s still very much in operation as a church, but in recent years it has cultivated a role for itself as a major hub of classical music support as well. It puts on regular concerts and performances throughout the year, including some free ones meant to be taken in during a lunch break or afternoon out and about.

The justifiably famous organ.
The justifiably famous organ.

Jeff and I got dressed up and bundled against the wet and cold and took in an evening of the entire Messiah by candlelight.

We had a beautiful view of the organ, lectern, and even the conductor and soloists from a side box pew.
We had a beautiful view of the organ, lectern, and even the conductor and soloists from a side box pew.

The setting was lovely (garlands and candles everywhere), the music was beautiful, and I for one came away feeling much more seasonal. Sometimes you just need to hear something unabashedly Baroque! It was a lovely way to gear myself up for this week – when we shall be attempting the formidable Rodgers family feast with just two people in the kitchen instead of the typical six minimum. Because new traditions are important, but some old ones are vital.

Holidays, Humor, Linkstorm, London, Weekend

Friday Links (Wassail Edition)

“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.”
― Bob Hope

The weekend is upon us, kittens, the last before Christmas. Though I have to admit the weather is throwing most of us for a loop! It’s been chilly but bright and clear for days now. On Wednesday, Katie and I met up at Borough Market before wandering along the Thames and past the Tower in alarming perfect sunshine for this time of year. British weather, minions, contrary to the end!

Today I’m finishing up as many projects as possible so that I can take the vast majority of next week off to enjoy Christmas in London with Jeff. We’re going to try and find ourselves a pair of holiday jumpers in the thrift shops, take in some carol services at local churches, attend a Christmas Service at Westminster Abbey, and whatever else occurs to us at the time. Our last chore is figuring out what to do for Christmas Eve dinner (the culinary affair of the year) and buy the goods for our two person holiday feast. I’m sure I’ll figure something out, last minute adventures are something of a specialty. Here are you links for the weekend, tell me what you’re up to!

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Here’s an interesting art project. (h/t Jessica)

Buddy Caitlin Jacobs put together a short list of ideas for Christmas presents for writers that I think is pretty nifty.

I like Fair Isle sweater patterns, but they’re turning up on leggings everywhere this winter. And I…don’t hate them? What? Here are some cute, cheap ones if you are so inclined.

This exists and it pleases me immensely! (h/t Mel Thoughts)

Hm, what do we think of this? I’m genuinely curious. State your opinion from, “Fun and useful” to “That way lies Anthony Weiner.”

Would like very much.

More emphatically, WANT. Covet. Lust after.

Posh, about to spawn, and have no idea what to name your bundle of joy? Town and Country Magazine is here to help.

Um, we seem to have misplaced something…

How intriguing and gorgeous do these photography books look?

Finally, I finished my 101 in 1001 list and find it nicely ambitious! Have you read up on this idea? I think it’s a great idea…but then again, I like lists.

Holidays, Humor, London, Shopping

Holiday Shopping in Seven Dials

“The stranger who finds himself in the Dials for the first time…at the entrance of Seven obscure passages, uncertain which to take, will see enough around him to keep his curiosity awake for no inconsiderable time…”
– Charles Dickens

Seven Dials is one of my favorite areas of the West End. Like almost every section of London it’s gone through disreputable, slum, upscale, and upheaval phases (Covent Garden was of course the infamous haunt of Georgian prostitutes, and Agatha Christie set a murder mystery novel by the same name in the area) but it’s emerged nicely. Pretty shops, many retaining their historical facades and character, mix with restaurants and theatres. The hidden gem of Neal’s Yard is here, along with one of my favorite places to eat.

Last week the area shut down to car traffic and banded most of the shops together in discounts to kick off seasonal shopping. The lights were strung and on at full, twinkling brightness, street vendors sold ware ranging from food to millinery, and a band (called The Dukes of York) serenaded the revelers. It was a great night to wander.

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The atmosphere.
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The food stalls (with predictably cheeky names).
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The Dials.
Holidays, Humor, London, Work

Digging In

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”
― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt

Things that I MUST do today and MAY NOT avoid:

Mail off a bagful of Christmas presents already! (Seriously, how is Christmas only a week away?)
Complete another module in a training program I’m doing for a client.
Drop off an order at the dry cleaners.
Turn a draft of an analytics project into the final product.
Complete January’s content for three clients (and get started on February’s).
Finish my 101 in 1001 list, because it sounds much more interesting than Resolutions.
Start lining up year end tax information – blerg.
Laundry – double blerg.

Time to slap on some seasonal music and stay hydrated! Working from home, glamorous.

Holidays, Humor, Husband, London

Holiday Fair in Leicester Square

“In fact, my heart would break should you not take me to the fair.”
– Camelot

Last weekend my stir-crazy-ness caused me to pester Jeff nearly to distraction. I needed a reason, any reason, to get out of the house. But he was exhausted and my brain was broken from freelancing, so it took us an absurdly long time to come up with the most basic of date ideas: the movies. And thus is was that we saw Catching Fire, which we both liked.

But thus it also was that we got to take in an additional holiday feast for the eyes.

Jeff’s a Western boy, fairs in his mind are strictly warm weather affairs, but I remember seasonal festivities from my childhood in Germany fondly and was pretty thrilled to drag him through it – even though he mumbled a bit about the natural order being overthrown, etc.

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The carousel was delightful.
If Amy were here, I'm positive this chicken would be her trusty mount.
If Amy were here, I’m positive this chicken would be her trusty mount.
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I loved the lights designed to look like mistletoe bunches. If ever I give up my gypsy ways and have a house with a yard (unlikely), I’ll have to recreate the look.