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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Look for the Helpers

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” - Mister Rogers

Some resources (PDF) from Sesame Street for parents & caregivers to speak with children about Friday's Newtown school murders.

Some ways to help the Newtown, Connecticut community.

The photograph of Fred Rogers was taken by Jim Judkis. His daughter Maura's thoughts in the Washington Post Arts blog about what it means to her & to her father. Lovely. xoxo

Easing into Christmas

It's been unexpectedly difficult to do (so far) this season. If you are feeling similarly, here is some inspiration via London & Toronto. Depending upon where you live, many of these ideas will transfer easily.

Annie warms up to Christmas in London, including ice skating at Somerset House.

Sasha's super-easy & delicious Nutella palmiers. Three ingredients!

The Clever Pup's Guide to Making Christmas Work. Hazel is so wise.

Here's hoping you are faring better in the Christmas spirit department. Decorating the tree this weekend surely will help. If nothing else, it is always fun to watch Giulia vs. the fairy lights. xoxo

(photograph by Gideon Mendel)

Happy Lucia Day

To our friends in Scandinavia & around the world (& our niece Lucy), happy St. Lucia Day. For all sorts of what she calls "traditional-ish Swedish" recipes, it is hard to beat Anne's down-to-earth style & simple instructions. You don't have to make the more complicated saffron buns to be authentic (but if you do, let us know), there are three excellent pepparkakor recipes to choose from. It would be nice to use these Dala cookie cutters this year. 

So go do something Swedish. Maybe just go to IKEA & pick up a soft toy for the aid campaign? Then pop it into a Toys for Tots box (or another holiday collection local to you). xoxo

(photograph via Pinterest; still looking for attribution)

The Annual Christmas Bird Count

The 113th Christmas Bird Count begins in the Americas on Friday & runs through 5 January 2013. This is important business & it burns holiday calories, too. (This is an important motivator for GG's editor:). Read here & if you won't be able to commit to this or don't live in North America, the Great Backyard Bird Count is in February. ciao-cheep-meow/xoxo

"From December 14 through January 5 tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in an adventure that has become a family tradition among generations. Families and students, birders and scientists, armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists go out on an annual mission - often before dawn. For over one hundred years, the desire to both make a difference and to experience the beauty of nature has driven dedicated people to leave the comfort of a warm house during the Holiday season." ~ Audubon Society

(photograph by Michael Taylor)

Something Sweet - Soft Caramels

You can do this. (Stop sassing, yes you can.) Buy the thermometer you always say you will & then make these caramels for gifts or for a holiday party. The first batch we made are absolutely perfect for taking to a party this weekend. xoxo Via The Kitchn. (photograph by Emma Christensen)

8tracks

We've found (or re-discovered) so much great music the last month by using 8tracks. Lately, in addition to classic rock, flamenco, French pop, & holiday music are in heavy rotation. You won't be sorry. (We're just using the free service, so far.) As of today, there is no special GG mix-tape but we'll let you know. xoxo

"Algorithm-powered "personal radio" services like Pandora are all very well. But they don't feel nearly as personal as 8tracks, a music site where real people do the choosing of tunes. Members pick at least eight songs (hence the name) from their own collections, upload them and share them as handcrafted mixes that seem like a happy throwback from the cassette era. You can find mixes created by your Facebook friends or simply follow other members who share your tastes. And it's legal — the 8tracks people pay the necessary licensing fees to the music companies." ~ TIME's 50 Best Websites of 2011

(photograph by Nick Bartoletti)

Handmade Holidays

Yes, yes, one more thing to worry about for the holidays. Make stuff. Oh please, nooooo,  you squeal as you plug your ears. Don't stress out; don't worry about making something complicated or a lot of something complicated. Find something simple that appeals to you & try it. It can be relaxing. On our menu are these heart-shaped felt ornaments. If you're the Valentines-type, they can do double-duty, too.

Here are 101 Handmade Christmas Ornaments - go to it.

Keep up with Lori's lovely Handmade Holidays label for inspiration.

Remember Laura's snowflake curtain? She is also a prolific ornament maker. Easy, cute, free tutorials.

xoxo

(photograph by Loreta)