Show your love of all things tea & do good at the same time. Pretty vintage teapot photography card at Made4Aid is $3.50 (with free shipping). Other cards, here. You can purchase through their Etsy shop or go to the Made4Aid blog & leave a message. (Rodney Smith photograph via Kristi Wright, Pinterest)
If your evening plans don't include going out tonight (it's too cold here!), the first two episodes of Downton Abbey are online (for US households, not sure about Canada) until 22 February. (You can also buy the episodes through iTunes.) 
This lovely project is by Olivia of A Field Journal for Victoria Magazine last year. There is a free download to get started, here. GG's editor thinks that lots of the Jane Austen blogeuses would like these.
A wonderful new book by Margaret Cardillo, with adorable illustrations by Julia Denos (she says she's also a cat trainer - we must ask her for some tips!). Here is the Facebook page. Visit Julia's blog The Cinnamon Rabbit. This is Audrey Hepburn as a little girl, an actress, an icon, an inspiration; this is Audrey just being Audrey.
It's January daydreaming here at GG Central. An Antipodean journey would be ideal right about now...
Giulia is snoozing, the icy rain is falling, & GG's editor remains, boringly enough, under-the-weather. If we could take a walk today, we'd be on the look-out for a bunch of tulips. Alas, it remains a virtual experience for now. (Isn't the bicycle a beauty?)
From the archives - This year, on Dr. King's birthday holiday, more people than ever plan to donate a day of service. Please remember our friends abroad, too. Dr. King considered himself an American & a citizen of the world. We are certain that he would be speaking out on behalf of prisoners of conscience. Please visit Amnesty International & see what you can do in a very short amount of time & for zero money. (Photograph of Dr. King, via Public Domain Clip Art)
What to choose what to choose: Golden Globe nuttiness or Downton Abbey. Oof. Have a little fun & dress up for the Golden Globes via E's Rock Your Red Carpet game. You'll see that Giulia's editor chose a classic look. (Some would say boring; we say 'keep it to yerself') And who are we with? A relation by law -- see Downton Abbey, these things used to be much more important. No we're not telling you who but he is very cool & will be at the Golden Globes ce soir.
Prairie Home Companion is collecting jokes for a show next Saturday. There's still time to enter, here. 
Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation. What a great idea - go for it! We'll be back later tonight or tomorrow. It's that kind of day. (illustration by Bob London)
Think ahead to a weekend market visit + prep for Meatless Monday. It's so cold at GG Central - no one wants to have a cold, "refreshing" salad. Here are some excellent comfort food recipes via Martha Stewart - all of them are meatless. (Giulia does not observe Meatless Monday. Nope.) Big-batch vegetable soup via Martha Stewart website.
The long-term recovery continues, one year after the earthquake. Read more about Haitian Metal Art, here. (painting in the Haitian Art Museum via United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti flickr stream)
Winter storm on its unwelcome way. Winter soup cooking; here are some recipes from Jamie Oliver. And here is the Poetry Foundation's winter poem selection. (Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward by Gordon Parks/LIFE)
While we remain under-the-weather & anxiously await Sunday's referendum in South Sudan, diversion via the latest New Yorker Carton Caption Contest is most welcome. You don't have to enter to vote. We bet lots of smart-alecky Twitterers would be good at this. That's a compliment. (photograph by Eleonore Bridge)
"American Duchess creates clothing designs that interpret the whimsical, natural, and feminine ideals of the past. I love all things of the past, and carry the lovely shapes, fabrics, and styles of these past centuries into my designs for modern wear. I consider myself "fashion backwards," and looks to what was trendy, beautiful, interesting from decades and centuries gone by." American Duchess interview, Garmz
GG's editor is under-the-weather. We'll try to be back later this week. Meanwhile, you can listen to your Beatles music. Nothing makes us feel better than that. You can read fun facts & play the video of their first concert in America (here in DC!). (photograph via Amy McGarrah on Pinterest)
Happy New Year! Sharon Montrose's darling Baby Bunny No. 1 from The Animal Print Shop. GG's editor is partial to writing important lists on a baby deer pad from Sharon's Etsy shop. Our pad & pen in hand, thinking about resolutions. Have a great weekend. (Go Pittsburgh Penguins!)
