I Carry Your Heart

A combination of illness (Giulia's - now resolved), the Inauguration, & plain old life have conspired to prevent many posts lately & for the next few days. Please have a wonderful weekend wherever you are...and know this.

You could get started with Valentine prep, you know. xoxo

Update - Wednesday, 23 January 2013 ~ Due to illness posts will not be starting again for a few weeks at least. 
 

(photograph by David et Myrtille)

Winter Ballet in Cinema

The winter-spring season has begun (though The Sleeping Beauty has now played mostly everywhere, there are a few cities that will see it next week) & the line-up is wonderful. The Ballet in Cinema website has all the details & links to cities & theatres (including in Canada & Europe). 

If you'd like some more active inspiration, Ballet Beautiful has new streaming videos (or you can buy DVDs or, get this, take a class via your laptop.) Highly recommended. xoxo

(photograph of Svetlana Zakharova by Nikolay Krusser via The Daily Ballet)

A Day of Service

No matter where you live, you can participate in the first official activity for the Inauguration. That is, a day of service to honor Dr. King on his official holiday, 21 January 2013 (today is his actual birthday). Search here for an event in your area (or just do something on your own). If you have or will be looking after small children for the holiday, here is last year's post. (photograph via Pinterest)

Skating Under the Stars

If ice skating is not part of your routine, you probably only think about going during the holidays or during an Olympic winter. If so, it's time you thought about a session by month's end. It's national ice skating month in the States & many ice rinks & arenas are having special events, plus lower rates for a session. If you go, we'll go. Deal? (Our neighborhood has a small outdoor rink, open November through March. No excuses; we walk by it on the way to the market. Gulp. Photos, um, maybe:) If you're coming to Washington, DC for the Inauguration festivities, you should visit the National Gallery Sculpture Garden & go skating, too. If you live near an outdoor rink, try it (or go again). There's something special about skating at night under the stars that makes up for the cold.  xoxo

PS: Reward yourself with this. Or this, if alcohol isn't your thing.

(photograph by Clara Lidström)

Something Sweet - Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

This is an old recipe that faded out of popularity (with some of us). Who knows why because it is genius. These are light & airy, you will not miss the flour; it's not only for those who are gluten intolerant. 

1 cup peanut butter (any kind)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. baking soda

sugar for the top if desired

Mix everything together. You don't need a mixer. Just one bowl. Scoop out tablespoonfuls onto a non-greased baking sheet. (A nice touch is some demerara or turbinado sugar sprinkled on top, after the traditional crosshatching by fork.) Heat the oven to 350F. Bake 11 minutes (times will vary, keep an eye on them). Cool at least 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack - they are fragile until cool. 

If you require more photographs, hand-holding, etc.instructions, see here. Variation here. Photograph (crop) via PBS Parents as have lost will to take any this evening. xoxo

Put Pen to Paper

So who knew it was National (or World - reports vary) Letter Writing Week & why weren't we informed? Coincidentally, letter writing is happening here again, slowly & not all that sparkling with wit, but it's happening. We all know that the personal letter (or postcard) means so much to the recipient, so make time. What holds many back, including yours truly, is the idea that this letter must make up for months (years) of their lack. No, no, no. A short note or postcard is just fine. Think of how you feel when you receive any sort of personal correspondence. xoxo

How to write a thank-you note. A helpful review. (h/t to Lori)

Letters of Note - see how brief a missive can be so effective, there are scores of examples. Here's a favorite.

 After the children have written their thank-you notes, let them play at the online National Postal Museum Activity Zone as a treat.

(Vintage Royal Mail poster via Retronaut)

La Pluie

Unexpected rain here today & would that we were in Paris in the rain (or shine). Here's some good advice on how to handle Paris rain. A favorite song always helps, here or elsewhere. Don't forget to review your French, weather terms included. xoxo (photograph by Susan Sermoneta)

Everyday Luxury - Hyacinths

Are you angry & bitter because you did not force bulbs like Concha's (above) for the post-holiday blues? That is terribly unattractive, so snap out of it! Instead, look at your neighborhood market's floral department. A single potted hyacinth can be had for $3-5. If you can afford more, great, but one is all it takes to lift one's mood. (If it flops over, just cut it & place in a small jar or vase.) Heavenly. xoxo

PS: Lovely primroses are also in markets now & there are deals for 2-3 plants for $5.  Daffodils & narcissus will be available soon.

(photograph by Tiago Cabral)

Have a Fun Weekend

Still only links to give, sorry to say. Some day there will be a return to longer posts but onward is the idea, today & every day. Have a wonderful weekend & if you're near or in snow, lucky you! (We say that until the third day after a snow & we complain like the rest of you.) xoxo

Fabulous video of the northern lights in Norway.

Beautiful snow (also via Norway).

More auroras. Gasp.

Now you need to warm up, so here's a favorite roast chicken recipe that feels just right for this weekend. Then promise you'll make these beets, even if you think you hate them. Read the post & then decide. So good.

Irish coffee sounds good right about now, too.

Here in North America, Downton Abbey's third season begins on Sunday. Get caught up or refresh your memory, here. And join the Twitter party on Sunday. The perfect reason to join Twitter. Yes. Do it.

(photograph of Hitchcock & grandchildren via Kottke)

We Are Made Out Of Stars

Loving Meera Lee's illustrations, especially the one above. You can find her work for sale here, & there's an interview with her on the Poketo blog (along with the illustration above on a pullover). xoxo

(illustration by Meera Lee; hat tip to Lori)

Happy New Year!

Have a wonderful first day of the new year. xoxo

Some poems for New Year's resolutions, if you do that sort of thing.

What we make every year for New Year's Day (& throughout the winter).

Why some foods are considered lucky for New Year's. (Never question this!)

(photograph by Sharon Montrose, a favorite. For purchase here & also here as notepad.)

Year's End Giving

Just a reminder that you have until tomorrow midnight (in the States) to give to charities for the 2012 tax year. There are many worthy organizations to choose from & that we have some favorites is no secret. There are more worthies in the right sidebar under Who, What, Where, Why, How to Help. There are acute crises & long-term challenges. Whatever you choose, it will surely make more of a difference than you probably know. xoxo

Some of our favorites (alphabetically):

FEED Projects

Heifer International

Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)

Mitzvah Circle

 No Kid Hungry

Washington Animal Rescue League (in DC but helps animals everywhere)

Women's Centers International

(photograph by Beth Frueh)

Winter Butterfly

Idea for today. Here's an origami butterfly that's easy to make. Teach it to bored children & then go outside & take photographs like the one above. Start with a large piece of paper to learn the folds. Use leftover holiday wrapping paper for a colorful grouping. Clear instructions & a helpful video, here. So pretty. xoxo

(photograph by luminous grey)

Best Photographs of 2012

The year isn't over yet but lists are being compiled as we type. (Most will be updated by year's end.) So if you cannot move because once again you ate too many sweet & spicy almonds, erm, some links below. (Top tip: make the almonds, just give most of them away. xoxo)

Kottke is an excellent source for photography in general; year-end lists specifically.

You can get lost in National Geographic's Photography section. Galleries galore. Fantastic.

The Guardian's best photographs of 2012 is a small but good list; not sure if it's a final cut though.

 (vintage photograph via From London with Love)

Merry Christmas

From us to you, have a happy Christmas. xoxo

Santa Tracker

There's a new Santa Tracker this year by Google & it's very cute.This will keep little kids occupied for awhile & you can always use it as an encouragement-threat-bribe (that is a thing, yes). Doesn't work on cats, be forewarned. If they're driving you mad, the children, here's the National Gallery's free Kids Art Zone, coloring pages, & last-minute fuss-free crafts. Breathe! xoxo 

PS: NORAD's Santa Tracker is up & running, too.

(illustration from Miracle on 34th Street via LA Times) 

Winter Solstice

Winter in the northern hemisphere arrives today with the solstice. There is nothing we can do about it; take heart that this means the days begin to get longer with every passing day. So you can fight it, or you can celebrate. Don't curse the darkness, light some candles. xoxo

A winter poem section with essay via The Poetry Foundation.

Everything you need to know about the winter solstice.

This photograph reminds us of a winter fairy tale, so here's a Czech version of a familiar story.

(photograph by Lissy Elle Laricchia)

Something Sweet ~ Jam Kolaches

It's down to the wire. Are you panicking? Been there, am there. If you've not done much baking yet but would like to, kolaches are super-easy & taste divine. Plan to make about three times the number you need. Seriously. Then give many of them away. xoxo

PS: Another delicious, easy cookie & it does not need decoration. Also, buy some prepared cookie dough (there are some decent ones at Whole Foods or similar stores, without a ton of additives), take out your cookie cutters & use up what time you have with decorating. This can occupy several children (& teens) for quite awhile.Still need ideas? GG Pinterest board with links to recipes.

(photograph by Brooke of Crackers on the Couch)

Hand-tied Bouquets

Hand-tied bouquets are not just for weddings; they are for Christmas, too. So pretty & who wouldn't love one as a gift? (Yes, that was a hint.) xoxo

A tutorial (the font is small but it is quite clear so give it a go).

A good video tutorial.

(photograph by Amy Merrick via design*sponge)

Holiday Hair

If your hair needs some help for the holidays or any day (especially now that static has arrived - boo), don't pull it out. Don't twist it into knots (or do, come to think of it), see these links. This one & this one are go-to hair for us lately. This one is on the menu for Christmas.

 Ten-minute holiday hair tutorials by Rubi.

In the thick of it, 3 fancy hairstyles for thick hair.

Pinterest-to-reality hair challenge (it worked out better than expected).

Pinterest board for more looks including lovely short hairstyles.

Now go play with your hair! xoxo

(photograph by Nishe)