The Evening Star

If you’ve been watching the western sky after sunset, you’ve seen the planet Venus. It looks eerily bright now – brightest in the evening sky for all of 2012! If you haven’t seen it yet, look outside shortly after sunset, and you can’t miss this planet. It’s an eerie light in the western sky. Venus’ brightness will surprise you if you’ve never noticed it before. ~ From EarthSky Tonight

Our Venus fixation continues through June when the last Transit of Venus this century occurs. Until then, especially if surrounded by trees as we are, you can keep up with the brightest evening star on EarthSky. And you can read Louise Glück's poem The Evening Star. And we'll be back tomorrow at some point. Not the best of times.

ciao/GGCM

(photograph by Angélica Vis)

Something Sweet - Strawberry Lemon Tarts

It's really too early for local berries & so guilt sets in about buying them. But just a few, right? And then pop them on to lemon tarts (make the lemon curd, it is so easy). These are on the to-do list this weekend. Back later tonight...it's that kind of week (month). Cheers. Update - back on the weekend.

(photograph by Melissa Hartfiel)

Poetic Picture Wall

GG's editor is re-doing the home office space wall. While we admire the geometry of so many examples, the photograph above is more our style (click through below to see larger format). Tina's Decor link on English Muse provides more inspiration. (Anyone want to paint the wall for us? Clean the chandelier?) And if you'd rather eat peanut butter cookies than have anything to do with decorating, this is the recipe to make. It was a favorite even before Joanna featured it today.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Le Portillon)

Change

Change might be good but it is not always easy. When it feels forced,  it can be maddening. If you use Blogger, you know what we mean. Here Blog Guidebook's post on the matter. And here is a favorite poem (having nothing to do with the situation) by Neruda to divert your attention for a few moments.

Deep breathe. Like other changes, this might be a good thing. After all. Maybe.

ciao/xx/GGCM

(photograph by i.Anton)

Happy Birthday, Will

While we don't know William Shakespeare's actual birth date, he was baptized on the 26th of April (1564). Common practice had baptism at three days after birth, so happy birthday, Will.

For celebration & education:

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC has a wonderful site, including sections for K-12 teachers. If you haven't been, please do visit when you come to Washington.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company should also be on your DC to-do list.

The National Endowment for the Humanities has excellent links for Shakespeare.

Remember Becky's phrases we owe to Shakespeare?

Always, always keep your Shakespeare Insult Kit handy!

Cheers/GGCM

(illustration by Jonny Hannah via Design)

Writing in Bed

Writers like Orwell, Proust and Churchill liked doing it. Could it have been because writing in bed can help access the unconscious? ~ The advantages of writing in bed. The Guardian

How convenient to do a search on what afflicts & then fit it to particular, present circumstance. Sold. We'll take it. Back as soon as possible, most likely Sunday.

ciao/xoxo

(photograph by Maria Stigjer via lovely Pia)

Letters of Note

It's a rainy day (we need it!) & a sleepy one, too. Off for coffee & to write some letters. If you already read Letters of Note, you are dismissed. If you don't you might want to explore the archives. Here's a beautiful letter from John Steinbeck to his son, Thom, on the subject of love. It is worth bookmarking.

ciao-meow//GGCM

PS: Last year's Les Parapluies de Cherbourg post

(photograph by L. Weisse via heavens above)

August in April

Running (late), tax prep, all manner of annoyances on a Monday. And yes, we'll add another complaint: it is 87 degrees. Off to run about outside while Giulia hides in a box in a darkened air-conditioned room (she has asthma).

WWF's Climate change links. Iced coffee, anyone? If not, popsicles by Joanna.

ciao-rush-meow/the management

(photograph via English Muse)

Botanical Prints

Free botanical illustrations are available at The Graphics Fairy. There are two sizes, one for framing & another to make cards. It's true that ink/toner is far from free but the price is still right. The tulips are lovely but we are a bit stuck on lilies, as always.

xoxo/GG

(image detail via The Graphics Fairy)

You Belong @ Your Library

It's National Library Week. Visit the website to learn about activities surrounding the celebration. Maybe you've moved recently (or not so recently?) & don't have a card yet. The website is user-friendly & will help you find what you need. No matter where you live, visit the Library of Congress website. It's a resource that everyone with internet access can use, which is yet another valuable thing you can find at your library (most likely).

A little table pounding now: the freedom to read what you like is not a certainty. Visit the Banned Books Week link for information on challenges to books in libraries & schools. This is a list of the most frequently challenged books.

ciao-meow/GGCM

PS: A Funny Library Montage

(photograph via Classic Period Dramas)

Earth Day Prep

A gentle, early reminder in case you need materials &/or ideas for Earth Day celebrations. If you have a Flickr account, making NASA Goddard Photo & Video a contact is a good idea - whether you are doing any Earth Day projects or not.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph via NASA Goddard Photo & Video)

Metamorphosis

If you happen upon some larvae (or by this late in the spring, tadpoles) don't interrupt the process. (Check your local & state laws.) But if you see some danger to them, you could try to raise them. Giulia's editor raised three tadpoles to froghood some years back. They looked much like the teeny frog in the photo. They also had cute stripey legs that were très chic, honestly. (But that's not why they were adopted...catching all those insects was a total pain: you've been warned.) When they grew up, they were returned to their native area.

Here's a list of frogs & How to Raise Tadpoles. If you have a cat, make sure to fit a lid over the new frog home or tragedy will no doubt ensue.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Shannon)

The Fragrant Garden

We have a holiday overload situation. Just caught up with wonderful Adrian Higgins & last week's column about putting more scent into your life. If you don't have a garden, then make your cat work so she can buy you flowers. Preferably of the scented variety. Until tomorrow.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph via Lolita)

Happy Holiday Weekend

Have a wonderful holiday weekend, whatever you celebrate. If it's spring, that's good enough for us. We dye eggs, light candles, make a more elaborate recipe than usual (often baking, not our strongest suit), walk through blooming DC, watch movies. Who knows? Maybe this year we'll add burning sage & chants to the list in the interest of inter-religious pluralism. Have fun!

ciao-meow/GG Holiday Central

(The charming Sir Hopsalot available from Forest Blue)

Passover Prep (for Guests)

You're thinking, "It's a little late for that. It starts in a few hours." Calm down, this is for Passover guests, who may not have been to a Passover seder before (or it's been awhile). Not a lot of our fellow bloggers even realized it's Passover week. Everyone has (or will) say, "Happy Easter, if you celebrate." Then, while traipsing about town on pre-Easter errands, GG's editor overheard someone worry about going to his first Passover.

This is last-minute but a search brought up 3 good links:

Passover 101

Top 10 Seder Faux Pas via Gourmet

A Very Shiksa Seder by funny Ellen Snortland

Spiff up, be on time, take some flowers. Smile. Have fun. It's not that hard, peeps.

xoxo/GG

(photograph via Martha Stewart)

Photo Finish - Edit Your Photos

If you use Picasa & haven't updated lately, you ought to. There are many new features & if you don't have Instagram, these (& Pixlr-o-matic) can prevent you from going crazy until you can have a smartphone like the other cool kids.

If you don't edit your photos at all, GG's editor encourages you to consider it. It's fun & easy & you can make a good photograph out of a less-than-stunning original. We see lots of photos on Facebook & Twitter (& some blogs) that could be so much better with some (free) editing software.

While these photographs aren't terrific, the originals are, in fact, awful. But slap a few effects on & they're presentable. The effects used on Giulia's photograph are Lomo(ish) & a drop shadow. On the human servant: an Orton(ish) effect & drop shadow. Those are 3 of 24 new features, including cinemascope, infra-red, Holga, posterize, & duo-tone.

ciao-cheese-meow/GGCM

PS: Here are 9 great photo tools for new & occasional photographers.

Tea Break

We'll spare everyone about how the world conspires to keep us from posting until late in the day (of late) & even then, just a link or two & a photograph.

Interesting (& brief) travel article on tea: The world in six cups. After that, while you sip your tea, read up on the latest in Google's Art Project. A virtual tour, take it. Then you can laugh yourself silly at this tumblr and this new-to-us "historical" website.

ciao-meow/GG's beleaguered editor

(photograph by i.Anton)

Easter Eggs, Naturally

Poke around the fridge & pantry before you replenish egg dyes this year. You just might have everything you need on hand or you can add items to this week's market list.

Here at GG, we're going to try some new-to-us natural dyes. We do use beets & onion skins but Two Men and a Little Farm have inspired us with their terrific chart of multiple possibilities. (TheKitchn also has a good post with concise instructions & photographs.)

It's always fun to hop over to Martha Stewart's site; no one else has such a round-up for holidays & Easter is no exception, including last-minute ideas.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph via Two Men and a Little Farm)

Faire la moue

Monday is not going so very well (& it is early evening). So GG & her editor are blasting a Françoise Hardy playlist & trying to stop pouting (faire la moue). Do pop over to YouTube & play Noir sur blanc. Lovely. Top tip: Visit Rachel at Black Eiffel for Music Monday (& much more).

ciao-meow/GGCM

(Françoise in Venice by Jean-Marie Périer via Pas Une Autre)

Enchanted April

It's Sunday & that means Mad Men but we watch it on Mondays via iTunes. So what to do? Especially if you're not feeling very well? Watch Enchanted April (1992) on Netflix Instant (or in a pinch, on YouTube). It's a rather leisurely film & there are complaints about that but it feels quite right today. Honestly, we aren't feeling well enough to write much but if you're not sold by Italy + 1920s + amazing cast, read this review.

If there's puff pastry in the freezer, you could make these, as GG's editor did. Serve with cold white wine & begin looking at flat rentals because that's what you'll want to do immediately after it ends. *sigh*

ciao-meow/GGCM

(film still crop via Beauty Dart)

Let's Go Fly a Kite

If you're in the DC-area, the Blossom Kite Festival is tomorrow. Whether you plan to fly a kite or watch, we can tell you from experience that it is a beautiful sight (like this photograph).

Wherever you live, perhaps you'd like to make your own kite. And do you remember this song? It's National Kite Month starting tomorrow. Have fun!

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Andrew/Cuba Gallery)

Flower Power

Whether you wear flowers on your head or elsewhere, florals are big this season. GG's editor suppresses a giggle, though, at breathless declarations that flowers are making a comeback. Really? Where did they go?

The influence of Mad Men is also everywhere in style & fashion this spring & will continue as the fifth season airs here in the States. There are plenty of beautiful pale lipsticks available for those tired of red lips or who are convinced (incorrectly) that they cannot wear any shade of red. Megan Draper wore Nars Belle de Jour in Sunday's MM premiere. Bella. If that is too expensive, Revlon has some great pale shades. (For those wanting an eyeliner tutorial, here's one. It really is not difficult.) Finally, a short post with thoughtful comments on mod fashions in "A Little Kiss."

ciao-meow/GGCM

(Jean Shrimpton by Bert Stern)

Hatch Hope for Spring

The Easter & Passover holidays will be here before you know it. In fact, they're earlier this year than we thought. This is quite possibly because we forgot to buy 2012 wall calenders & are making do with Sharpie-scrawling over last year's. Oops.

For alternative gifts & cute free Easter cards, visit Heifer International's Hatch Hope campaign. We include Passover, not only in the spirit of inclusion but because eggs are a significant part of the Passover seder plate, too.

No one's saying not to buy chocolate & other gifts for baskets (well, we're not!), but for a little bit extra (or buying a bit less) you can make the gift of a lifetime for a family.

ciao-meow/GG's editor

(vintage illustration via Agence Eureka)

Birds Up Close

Here's a good question from a friend. "What if I don't have transportation out to the country for these birding jaunts so many people talk about? I'm not about to rent a car & all of that. We feel left out."

No worries. We're urban birds ourselves. Honestly, no one is seeing birds any closer than watching a bird cam. Giulia has shown little interest (yet) but her editor swoops in to see Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Red-tailed hawk cam every day. Another daily stop is the very popular Decorah Eagles cam. These are amazing resources for anyone - with or without children to wrangle. Even if you have a passing interest in birds (we aren't major birders), you'll love to peep in. And you'll find yourself wanting to learn more.

For more up close (& colorful!) birds, we highly recommend looking at the weekly Top 25 Wild Bird Photographs.

ciao-cheep-meow/GGCM

(Paris café bird by liivia)

The Moon & Venus (with Jupiter)

You’ll find two bright objects near the moon tonight (March 26, 2012) in the western twilight sky. The brighter one – closer to the moon tonight – is Venus. The other one is Jupiter. Enjoy this spectacular sky scene! And don’t forget to look for Venus tomorrow, when it’ll be at its farthest from the sun on the sky’s dome for this evening apparition of the planet. ~ Earthsky/Tonight

We won't even try to explain what's going on in the sky. Or underneath it either. We're reading up about the last Transit of Venus this century. That will be in early June. We missed it in 2004; this will *not* happen again.

Back tomorrow, much earlier.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Gordon M. Robertson)

Mad Men Prep

Giulia's editor has heard from more than a few people this last week, all confessing Mad Men ignorance. They want to jump on board but are afraid it is too late. People, people. It is never too late. It is good to catch up, though, because these are not cardboard characters; you will find their sometimes awful behavior less upsetting if you like them first. Like in real life.

So here's what you do. You catch up on Netflix, where the four complete seasons stream. (Or Hulu or iTunes. But seriously it is a much better deal via Netflix.)

If you don't have time or patience for that, catch up in your own time & follow these links:

AMC's Mad Men page for newbies.

Rolling Stone's Season 4 recap

One of the best Mad Men blogs is Basket of Kisses with cultural guides & episode reviews. We still loathe the new design but the material is excellent.

Vulture's Mad Men section. Go & read.

If you have some more time:

Ezra Pound Cake's Mad Men week with easy recipes (bonus: funny writer)

AMC's Mad Men Yourself for those avatars you keep seeing on Facebook & Twitter

Rolling Stone's Ultimate Mad Men Playlist

If you do not have a television or cable: do not despair. We watch it on iTunes the next day. The season pass is available now & individual episodes are usually available for purchase the day after the show airs.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(Betty & Don in Rome by Carin Baer for Lionsgate)

Origami Flapping Bird

Here's something fun. Giulia's editor just folded her first origami bird. Ever. Successfully. There are heaps of (free) origami resources on the internetz so here are but a few. A quick search will reap more.

Origami central (unofficially); birds, other animals, flowers, boxes. Really nice.

The video tutorial we tried first. It worked. So here is the origami channel. Next up: a flower to celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival (which is ongoing here in Washington, DC).

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Angélica Vis; more origami photos)

Persian Buttercups

We discovered today that ranunculus are also known as Persian Buttercups. The things you find out when you're supposed to be working:) But it does give us another forum to say Happy Spring, Happy Nowruz*to our Iranian (& those of Iranian descent) friends.

There is nothing quite as intoxicating as walking home with an armload of flowers. While not exactly an everyday luxury, ranunculus are a good value right now. Some ways to arrange them if you want fancier than a jam-jar-on-the-table (though that is really wonderful, too).

ciao-meow/GGCM

*also: Norouz, Norooz, or Noruz

(lovely photograph by Jessica Nichols)

Welcome, Spring

Whether you've had a difficult winter or not, how can you not be happy for spring to arrive? GG & her editor are both sneezing like mad but do we complain? (Why yes, yes we do. Mimph.) Anyway. While we try to get back to a regular schedule, here are some spring things we're up to today (& this week):

For the first time in 15 years (!) defrosted phyllo dough is in our fridge. Time to make something.

Spring poems

Pretty long spring skirts (especially the top photograph)

EarthSky's Tonight remains a favorite visit. Here's the poetic title for Saturday night.

A batch o' foster kittens has finally arrived at Charlene Butterbean's house.

A bald eagle cam (via Jennifer Ehle)

Teddy Bear Toast (for kids of all ages:)

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by i.Anton)

Une Petite Pause

There is no way around this: we have to take a little break. GG will be back in time for St. Patrick's Day. (There will be tweets & pinning, though; you didn't think we could give those up, did you?) Have a great week! Update - Enjoy St. P's & your weekend. We'll not be back for a few more days.

ciao-meow/GG Central

(photograph by kimmika)

Japan, One Year Later

To dear friends & relatives in Japan, our hearts go out to you on this anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake & tsunami. For an excellent comprehensive update, see The Japan Times Online 3/11 anniversary page.

For a more personal update, read Sapphire's One Year After the Disaster. She has lovely photographs, as always & an introduction to alternative energy sources now that nuclear energy's future in Japan is (finally) under intense examination.

xoxo/GG & her editor

(lovely plum (ume) blossoms by moriyu)

Sweet Paul's Spring

The spring 2012 issue of Sweet Paul is live today. As always, it's photographed beautifully with good ideas, recipes, tips & easy (not tacky, ahem) crafts. Of particular interest for those planning trips to Paris: 5 days, 10 meals by photographer Ellen Silverman.

You can download any (or all) of these 5 pretty computer wallpapers available on Paul's blog.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Alexandra Grablewski for Sweet Paul)

International Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day (or buona Festa della Donna)! You'd think we would be ready with all manner of links, bouquets of virtual mimosa & more. Nope.

No matter. Here's the official website with lots of great links & ideas. There are so many wonderful organizations celebrating today. Feed Projects is running a Twitter contest through Friday for a beautiful bag. Tweet them the name of a woman who inspires you. The only difficult aspect of that is choosing amongst many--a welcome problem if ever there were one.

For some ideas--fun & more serious--here's a list of 10. Add your own. There's no right or wrong way to celebrate.

Bouquets of mimosa to our friends& sisters around the world. xoxo

Giulia & her editor

(Bouquet de mimosas by Bonnard)

One Hundred Years of Cherry Blossoms

While the centennial National Cherry Blossom Festival does not begin until March 20, it's time to start thinking about it now. Whether you live in the DC-area or will be one of the million (yep) visitors at the festival, you'll be pleased to know that the website is vastly improved.

If you're so inclined, there is a photography contest ongoing. If you enter by March 11, the entry fee is discounted by 20%. Check here for details.

ciao-meow/GGCM

PS: The photograph is a detail from Zoohiko. Here are two more photographs from the cherry blossom shoot. Giulia is tapping her paw-pad for a chance copy this chic Japanese cat. We're seriously considering it.

Little Elephants

Two sad words: orphan elephants. But there's something we can all do. First, become informed. Second, take action. Third, stay updated. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust runs the world's most successful elephant orphanage in Kenya's Nairobi National Park. Though the reason for the orphanage's existence is utterly depressing, it is an inspiring story nonetheless.

If you're child wrangling, National Geographic Kids' site has a nice African elephant section. And for good measure, here's an easy way to make elephant ear cookies.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Michael Nichols via National Geographic. Read his notes on which elephant photograph means the most to him & why.)

French Cursive

Sacre bleu! No, no, silly. French handwriting. Visit Carol at Paris Breakfasts for her latest post on French handwriting & her (successful) efforts to incorporate it into her artwork. A fairly good search has not turned up a lot in the way of free online resources but here is one (you can translate it through Google). You can always buy a cahier d'écriture or some French ruled paper & practice.

Or maybe writing cursive is the least of your worries when it comes to French. Eh? Perhaps it is time to take a quick test & brush up.

ciao-bonjour-meow/GG's French teacher

(photograph via Writer's Bloc)

Have a Great Weekend

It's raining here but that's no excuse to be bored. Do something new or something you've not done in a while. Some fun links:

Amnesty International presents The Secret Policeman's Ball on Sunday. For the first time, it will be in NYC & guess what? You can watch the Radio City Music Hall show online. (The show begins at 7pm Eastern.)

To make this weekend: Pineapple Crisp (with ginger & lime). Bonus: low-sodium

The Red Balloon is streaming on Netflix Instant. How long has it been since you watched it? It's only 34 minutes.

How to draw elephants (for kids of all ages).

All the Downton Ladies (hilarious gifs)

Cute, fast, DIY mini salt & pepper shakers for picnics, your office.

Farewell, Davy Jones.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph via IMDb)

Everyday Luxury - Daffodils

Yes, it's true. GG's editor is so lazy that she'll leap at two remotely connected ideas, find a photograph & there's a post. ;) Not really. It's St. David's Day & we're flower-less (except for one primrose, valiantly hanging in for over 5 weeks now). But for anywhere between $1-2.50 you can buy 10 stems of daffodils or jonquils. There are also plenty of daffodils/narcissi in pots for fairly low prices. This happy state of affairs lasts usually through May. Go for it!

ciao-cariad-meow/GG's Florist

PS: A true St. David's Day in southern Italy tale from Giulia's human servant

(photograph by Carrie)