“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.
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!
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice.” ― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets
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.
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!
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!
“Even though sugar was very expensive, people consumed it till their teeth turned black, and if their teeth didn’t turn black naturally, they blackened them artificially to show how wealthy and marvelously self-indulgent they were.” ― Bill Bryson, At Home: A Short History of Private Life
I’m not good at trends, kittens. I enjoy watching other people follow most of them, and enjoy my friends who are better able to keep up with them than I, but I’m perfectly happy to take my time in jumping on bandwagons. This goes for food, music, fashion, and most things in general. It has saved me a lot of bother, money, and time waiting through an initial craze period to gauge genuine interest.
I just barely got around to reading Eat, Pray, Love, which I found deep and poignant in many places, very highlight-able, and self-indulgent in the extreme. (I’ve also just barely discovered Goodreads reviews, or rather how to write them. I’m probably having too much fun.) I still like darker and more color saturated, nail polish colors even though pastels have been all the rage. Most films I’m willing to wait to rent rather than see in theatres – though of course there are exceptions. I still haven’t read The Hunger Games trilogy. Et cetera.
But on a recent Saturday I finally got to try a cronut (after the minor culinary frenzy earlier this year). And I’ve got to say, those suckers are seriously tasty! I’m wouldn’t queue up for them in NYC for hours at a time, but now that the furor has died down and they’re actually findable in London…I think I shall indulge, very occasionally.
Perhaps I should have jumped on this particular bandwagon sooner?
How about you, ducklings? Are you a trend observer or follower, and of what sorts?
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” ― Oprah Winfrey
It’s the last links post of the year and I’m feeling nostalgic. (It’s also my brother Brig’s birthday – fam shoutout!) Old friends, olden times, or just 2013 throwbacks…walk with me, kitten, we have much to remember. I’ll do a roundup of my own posts from this year closer to New Year’s Eve, but currently we’re in a food induced coma and planning our attack on various museums and sites we want to visit while Jeff’s off of work. What’s been your favorite thing about this past year, and what are you looking forward to most in 2014?
Great find from Amanda, a lovely university pal from our days in a (really odd) course on Shakespeare taught by a professor named…William Shakespeare! Can’t make this stuff up. Can’t say I loved his class but for Amanda and a few other mates when we banded together to earn extra credit by acting out major scenes, but on the subject of semi-doppelgangers and tributes…
Holy. ****. The worst part about this is, we’re not actually not that far removed from them, and the attitudes behind them are still very much alive and well. I had a rather nasty experience with racism in a cultural space I value lately
How else shall we measure the inexorable march of time?!
Although, I prefer this one. I’ve always been a big reader but this is the year I really started keeping track of my books (holla, Goodreads!) and I’ve noticed my amount has gone up. I’m either snobby, competitive, or really just like making lists. (Possibly all three…)
Um, did these ever truly go out of use? The Small Dog clan employs them regularly (we prefer “tisn’t” to “tain’t”, personally, and they didn’t even include my favorite grumpy go-to response, “Shan’t”). Clearly “N’art” needs to be brought back into everyday conversation, though. Let’s make this happen, people.
Beyonce ended the music year on a bit of a high (and surprised) note, but there have been other albums that dropped sneakily and changed the music game.
Christmas tree in Covent Garden.Someone has a very shiny nose…A Christmas market along the Thames’ south bank.The view.A tree decorated in spices and dried fruits.Borough Market’s arboreal offering with a gorgeous topper.More goodness from the John Lewis window – kettle penguins!Regent Street.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jermyn Street stands ready to deck you out in the best of men’s holiday tailoring. Gentlemen of taste and discernment welcome. Fops, dandies, and coxcombs encouraged!
“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!
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.
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.
“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.
The atmosphere.The food stalls (with predictably cheeky names).The Dials.
“But before any of the small appliances who may be listening to this tale should begin to think that they might do the same thing, let them be warned: ELECTRICITY IS VERY DANGEROUS. Never play with old batteries! Never put your plug in a strange socket! And if you are in any doubt about the voltage of the current where you are living, ask a major appliance.” ― Thomas M. Disch, The Brave Little Toaster
And…the freezer is acting up. It switched itself off somehow (we hope it just got jostled in the Great Washer Wrangling), defrosted itself and we just had to clean up thaw spillage from all over the kitchen floor.
Crisis managed. Back to the To Do list. I will not be thwarted by domestic appliances!
Small Dog Syndrome 