Scots we like...Amy MacDonald

GG loves Amy. GG's editor is late to the party but finally caught her on American television last week. She sang Mr. Rock & Roll from This is the Life. Amy looked great in a plaid mini-dress with black tights & short boots (we can't find a photo). Boo on snarky UK "fashion" blogs critical of her. We should all look so great wearing plaid...a wee bit jealous?

Nigella's Honey Cake

Speaking of bees & beekeepers (Friday's post).... If you have time this afternoon or evening, you could do worse than make this lovely cake using Nigella Lawson's recipe. Lots of people have half jars of honey about; others have fresh honey from this summer/autumn farmer's markets.

The chubby marzipan bees are fun to make but not required for a tasty cake. It's something to do to keep busy while worrying about the world & please people at the same time. Lots of tea brewing here at GG Central -- when nervous, put on the kettle. The photo is from a terrific blog Food for Thought. The recipe, again, not from scanning our cookbook, is from an NPR site; an article & another honey recipe by Michael Petrucelli. Thanks to both of them.

Cheers.
xo, GG's editor

St. Francis of Assisi & Blessing the Animals at the National Cathedral

Hey cats & dogs...wake up! You're going to miss the Blessing of the Animals at the Cathedral today. Ah well, GG's editor didn't get GG to the church on time either & she's disappointed. Next year. Meanwhile, there's some sort of do-it-yourself ceremony that can be done at home.

Don't forget the Walk for Animals tomorrow on the Mall.
bisou, GG Central Mgmt.

27th Annual Takoma Park Street Festival

GG's editor will be at the always fun Takoma Park Street Festival on Sunday, 5 October. Visit us at the Amnesty International table. Lots of music, dancing, food, & general merriment from 10am to 5pm (rain or shine). Check here for schedules & so on. Take the Metro--it's just a few blocks away. Photo from 2007 festival by Rosie Keller.

bisou,
GG Central Mgmt.

Beekeepers for Obama

We're back on the campaign buttons again. Yes, it's lazy, we're busy (as a bee). Here is an article, a poem, & a recipe pertaining to matters apian.

Ciao, bisou, GG

Vintage Knitting, New or Old

If you don't want/can't knit something, visit Etsy & have someone do it for you. Either way, it's a good investment. Vogue Vintage Knits has great patterns; the blue knitted scarf/shawl (with flower pin) is by tijusai on Etsy. She's made it in other terrific colors & combinations; we're fixated on the gorgeous blue. GG is sticking with her order of four bunny slippers.

GG Central

The Paris Review, No. 186

A nod to Maitresse, in Paris. Yesterday's "Links on Wednesday" post is excellent. One important item is the Marilynne Robinson interview in the current Paris Review. The post mentions that the interview is making the rounds, true enough; but one more is just fine with GG's editor if more people read it.

[No autumnal photos available on TPR web site, so here's a summer-y one; we're sure that our pictured TPR reader has tucked away her white sandals & shorts. Buy your tote here; it's only $15.]

Ciao, GG Central

Blue Bunnies

GG needs two pair made-to-order...GG's editor wants some, size 7. We've never had bunny slippers & are certain it would make all the difference this winter. From Etsy shop, Magination. Many adorable slippers in all colors, & other cuties. (How to resist Glow-in-the-Dark Chocolate Bunny Slippers?)

Ciao, bimbe

Autumn's clutches...

GG cannot believe her pink-tipped ears: is her editor (her employee, after all) recommending luxury purchases? Look at the news. What about her Premium Feast cat food?! No, no. We can't buy a thing but... if we could, these (& many more) handmade clutch purses from Red Ruby Rose on Etsy are lovely & tempting.

bisou, ciao, GG's editor

A moment in Paris...

Not sure what kind of moment. We're still looking for the photographer. It's titled Alex & Adele at the Bar. We just like it. Make up a story.

Scarf Chic, la quatrième partie...

GG's editor had this in mind for a while & then it was on A Cup of Jo yesterday. Ah well. Garance Doré has a terrific selection of photos & text under 'foulard'. This look is lovely but definitely for a jeune fille. (The jeune fille here is Jessica in London & we love her style.) bisou!GG Central

Notre Dame at Night

GG's editor is very upset & worried about the economy...we are very angry, too. C'est bizarre, le monde. So we're trying to calm down by looking at photographs. Oh to be looking at this in person! Ciao. (c) Free pictures of cities

Top 10 Paris Blogs

GG's editor recommends this article by Lauren Elkin. Visit her site, she's very funny & smart. Photos by the great Patrice Panfili.

A Cat in Paris

We're busy & photographer Patrice Panfili saves the day with laugh-out-loud pix. Most of his shots are people, streetscape. This is the only cat, but what a cat. GG is in love. What a puss on this puss. Patrice calls him (in French) "king of the town."

bisou
GG Central

Paul Newman, 1925-2008

Oh we are sad about the loss of lovely Paul Newman. We'll put in the link to his foundation soon. At the moment, there's so much traffic that the site is unavailable in its entirety. Above is a photo of Newman at the UN in 1979 as a representative. An unabashed liberal humanitarian, he always said that his single highest honor was inclusion on Nixon's enemies list. Here is the BBC's obituary.

We love, love, love him & our condolences to Joanne Woodward & their children, the rest of the family, & their friends.

xoxo,
GG Central

Happy Birthday, Bon Anniversaire, Trina!

GG's editor wishes her very dear friend Trina, in Germany, a wonderful day & year. They were university students together in Strasbourg (let's not say how long ago) & share a birthday week. Above are Trina's darling pups, Rocky & Termi. We hear storiesa about their hijinks--quite a handful. GG would fit right in. A French-Italian redheaded cat with (real) German dachsunds? No problem. We are all friends, now.

xoxo, GG Central

Une femme d'un certain age

Well, no we didn't start out with their looks in the first place...but still...it gives one hope!

Bon weekend, nos amis.
xoxo, GG's editor

Do I dare to eat a peach?

GG acknowledges T.S. Eliot’s birthday today. After all, he did love cats. (The musical is certainly not his fault.) The poem is especially à propos as there is a natal day at GG Central soon.

Remember September's Darfur Heroes

A reminder to read Suliman Giddo's inspiring story on the Save Darfur web site. He is a good & wise person & GG's editor is proud to call him a friend. Suliman was also given an award recently from Strayer University in Washington. Strayer is contributing 50 computers to DPDO in Sudan; it will be the first computer center in Darfur.

Suliman is President & Co-Founder of Darfur Peace & Development Organization. DPDO is partnering with Tents of Hope for an event on the National Mall, the weekend after the election. Please visit the links, even if you can't be in DC. Tents of Hope isn't only a humanitarian project, but serves an artistic purpose, as well. What more could one possibly want?

More news as the event approaches & the tents make their way to Washington.

Ciao- meow/GG Central Mgmt.

Welsh Duffy

Giulia & her editor have had fun listening to Duffy, the Welsh pop/soul singer this last year. Here's a link to Warwick Avenue. Did you know that she grew up speaking Welsh? That's rare these days. GG's editor is inordinately proud of Duffy's success & Welsh-speaking origins. Sort of silly as she can choke out but a few Welsh phrases & sing songs (learned phonetically) for St. David's Day (1 March). Recipes for Welsh goodies (there are some!) forthcoming. It's raining & very Welsh-y. GG eagerly awaits tea time.

Good evening!
cariad, GG Central