Happy St. David's Day from GG

Dodging red dragons, leek-wearing hockey fans (we remain neutral in public), & poets declaiming Wordsworth (it's a pretty interesting neighborhood), we're off to purchase party supplies. Giulia remains in loaf mode, mooching about the house. She has appointed her editor as chief organizer of GG Central's St. David's Day Celebration (1 March 2010). This is not very sporting of her but she does not care because she is a cat. Therefore, without further ado, we present a gorgeous shot of two lovely daffodils & must run to the store.

Ciao-meow & cariad to all our friends, Welsh, Welsh-North American, or otherwise. See here for a GG's editor's St. David's Day memory in Italy. Si.

[lovely photograph by the brilliant Jan/brynmeillion via flickr]

GG Nests - Week's End

The present was an egg laid by the past that had the future inside its shell.-Zora Neale Hurston

As GG's editor tries to catch up, clean up, read, write, & rest, here are some pretty pictures of the future. It seems far away today. (Giulia, being a cat, remains unconcerned & asleep.)

ciao-meow/the Mgmt.

Update: Posting will resume by March 1st. St. David's Day!

[photographs via end of march/tumblr & ashley spirals loves/tumblr ,via we heart it]

Carnevale di Venezia - Arancione

We're late! We have excuses! You don't care? OK, great. These brightly colored photographs are from last year's generous (& mysterious) waxOr. Hope you had a great time if you celebrated. We called friends in Louisiana & lived vicariously. Maybe next year we'll visit again. (And no, GG will definitely not be going to any Mardi Gras/Carnevale/Fasching festival. Never. Rome, si. London if they'd have her--fume. Strasbourg, oui. But not on a certain Tuesday in February. We must draw the line somewhere.) Buona sera, buona notte, bambini...

ciao-cheeky-meow/GGCM

Flowers in a Wine Bottle - DIY Project

GG & her editor are back home after a week in exile from a freezing apartment. We're looking to spiff things up around here, mainly through sewing curtains & such. However, this project from design*sponge caught our eye. The idea is made all the more attractive by the impossibility of GG Vandalism. (OK, it was a mistake, those purple tulips all over the floor last night...fume). Go here for all the details. By Lindsay & Tayor of purr design, can you stand it? Wait until you see their logo. It was meant to be, GG. [photographs via design*sponge, by purr design]

ciao-meow/GG's interior decorator

Happy Valentine's - Week's End

If you're in the Washington, DC area, Catapalooza II at the Washington Animal Rescue League is ON for Sunday. Stop by even if you're not adopting because the shelter is a great place to meet people, too. GG needs a lot of consoling today because she's had a very difficult week. Even her ears are drooping. Her editor will try to take her home very soon. (We promise, GG!) Meanwhile, she's lying on a sofa watching The AristoCats (at her friend Hermione's house) & pretending to be French.

ciao-meow & bon week-end/GG Central In Exile

[film still of Duchesse & Marie from Walt Disney's The AristoCats via we heart it]

GG - Do Not Have a Cow. Please.

This is what GG's editor told the feline in question about our lack of heat & so on. Her little paw pads were nearly frozen & she was squealing like a cornered rabbit. We were rescued on Monday evening & are in an undisclosed location. So far with power, coffee, books, & other amusements. Four days of below 40 degrees can leave two girls feeling mighty cranky & upset. (You have no idea.) We'll be posting on GG's editor's blog later & you can comment there if you like. Don't forget Haitians & Sudanese (among others, including your neighbors)!

ciao-snowy-meow/GG Central Management in Exile (Weather Related)

[photograph by msgooner via we heart it)

Vanilla Snow Ice Cream - Week's End

GG Central is awaiting a snowpocalypse. We've imported mass quantities of GG food, tulips, & other necessities. Also, the ingredients for snow ice cream which we've not made for at least a decade. We'll report back over the weekend (if the power stays on). GG is asleep in her little house, wrapped in a Pringle of Scotland cashmere pullover. (Of course, she is, the lil devil.)

Here's a recipe for Vanilla Snow Ice Cream from the Peppercorn Press. It requires a Dutch oven full of fresh fluffy snow. The blue Le Creuset is by the door & ready to go.

ciao-shiver-meow/GG's editor

[A Winter Love Story by D Sharon Pruitt/Pink Sherbet Photography]

Catapalooza II

If you're in the Washington, DC-area (or will be on Valentine's Day), you might want to stop by the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) for the Second Annual Catapalooza Celebration. See here for last year's (longish) post. It was so much more fun than we thought it would be--it was very funny. Maria Caterina di Perugia, a friend of GG Central, even won the gift basket raffle. A great time was had by all. It's during the day, so you can attend to your Valentine later. Ahem. [photograph by Ralph Crane via LIFE Archives]

ciao-meow/GG Central

PS: There will be more than black cats at Catapalooza but we love this photograph of cats awaiting their film auditions.

Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)

So Long, Farewell, auf Wiedersehen, Tai Shan (from DCist).GG & her editor tried to avoid posting about this but we can't help it. We're big panda fans (forever!)...check out the link to see lots of terrific shots from the National Zoo farewell party for Tai Shan. He leaves for China Thursday morning on a special FedEx "Panda Express." Farewell, Butterstick.

ciao-sulk-meow/GG Central

[The top photograph is courtesy of the National Zoo.The second is by keviikev via Dcist. He has lots of terrific shots via flickr for Dcist. ]

Blue Paris - Week's End

If you've not visited Carol at Paris Breakfasts, you must, you absolutely must. We look forward to her Washington, DC exhibit in September 2010. (Is that enough lead time?! We'll remind you again, no worries.) Also, Tina at The English Muse has just returned from a Paris getaway. Here are some marvellously moody Polaroids she posted yesterday. [Beautiful photograph by Johnny Santo Domingo]

Have a wonderful weekend.

ciao-bonjour-meow/GG Central

Look into My Eyes, Darling

GG & her editor love this cool customer. He can pull off a vest, for sure. Makes us want a gin & tonic--if we drank G&Ts. GG continues to long for a playmate. This is as close as she'll get anytime soon.

[By generous Nick Bartoletti in Seattle]

Made4Aid Week - Bags for Haiti

While GG is busy attending to her ailing editor (lap sitting), we bring good news. Now go away. OK, a little joke. Please visit Made4Aid & see a number of lovely & varied bags for sale to benefit Haiti, via Oxfam, this week. This is a bit of a detour from their Darfur WFP project & a worthy one, of course. There is a very cool stripy laptop bag that beckons. There are also gorgeous photographs available for a set price. Please do visit & perhaps make a bid. It is easier than you can possibly imagine. We can vouch for them completely, having made three transactions last summer & autumn. All these auctions end on Sunday 31st January, 9pm New York time.

ciao-meow/the management

[photographs via Made4Aid & used by kind permission]

GG Wants a Petit Mouton

While we are (still) under the weather, we're still grazing for images. This little lamb is so cute (of course) but the amused facial expression sets it apart from other cute lamb photographs. GG still wants a little lamb following her about...it's not going to happen but she will meet a little lamb later in the spring. There will be photographs.

Several networks will televise the Hope for Haiti Now telethon tomorrow evening. If it takes an MTV dog & pony show to reach some people, so be it. We know well how the interjection of celebrities into disasters can make, frankly, a mess. Don't get us started. But when a recent study asserts that many of your children spend 7+ hours (!!!) a day connected to electronic devices (& we don't mean vacuuming the house), & you seem unwilling or unable to remedy this appalling situation (you know who you are), well then. And anyway, George Clooney (the telethon ringmaster) does walk the walk. You just don't always see him doing so.

Please don't forget Darfur Peace & Development, Made4Aid (they are directing money to Haiti at moment instead of Darfur, updates as they are available), & the various Haiti aid links on GG, bricolage, & other blogs you visit regularly. Many thanks.

ciao-still-cheeky-meow/GGCM

[adorable Yorkshire lamb photograph by Karnaphuli via flickr]

Yéle Haiti - Week's End

Yéle Haiti has announced a partnership among several organizations, including AmeriCares, called Haiti Earthquake Alliance. This is to avoid duplication of effort. Here is text from today's website (Friday, 15 January):

"Yéle Haiti has pulled together a group of like minded organizations and first responders in order to help coordinate the delivery of emergency services and materials needed by victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Each or the organizations will undertake their own fundraising and on-the-ground operations, but have agreed to share resources, collaborate when it makes sense and avoid duplication....Just formed in the last day, the Alliance has already pulled together four airlifts of medical supplies, food and other emergency supplies – along with teams of doctors. These airlifts will go out beginning Saturday. Keep checking back to this website for details."

GG Central asks that you continue to support your favorite organizations. Do not fall prey to scams. Do not open e-mail from sources you do not know. Doctors Without Borders is a good place to start as well; more on them next week. Today they are expanding surgical facilities on-the-ground.

We like to highlight Wyclef Jean's Yéle Haiti because it is very important that Haitian citizens are involved in development & rebuilding--real rebuilding-of their country. There were concrete efforts, planning, & progress being made. Many people do not know this fact. We are already hearing uninformed people criticizing Haiti. Not helpful, people. If you want to be involved for the long haul, please visit the William J. Clinton Foundation.

[GG collage from photographs courtesy of Mia Farrow & Haitian paintings by P. Brantle & Valmidor via American University & MedaliaArt--also raising money for earthquake aid]

Help for Haiti

Here is a release from the White House a few moments ago with regard to Haiti. [Vintage photograph in Haiti, via LIFE Archives. By John Leonard] THURSDAY UPDATE: Thank you to Maria Caterina for a Red Cross e-card:

Ciao
Susanna and Giulia,
I was inspired by your posting and have made a donation for the relief effort. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
xoxo

Help Haiti

Many of our friends around the world will awake to news of the major earthquake in Haiti on Tuesday, late afternoon. News is still trickling out & there are few photographs yet. This photo was sent out from the AP, via Twitpic. Please go to World Vision, the Red Cross to see what you might do to help. More organization links as things become more organized. Here is the latest BBC link, & the latest New York Times link. UPDATE: Yéle Haiti Foundation now has a donation page.

Remembering Miep Gies

A great woman & hero died yesterday at age 100. Please visit the Miep Gies & Anne Frank websites. You can leave condolences here. (Yes, we know that Miep famously said that she was not a hero but did what was necessary. We think otherwise because most people did not do what was necessary.) [photographs via Miep Gies & Anne Frank websites]

GG's City Townhouse

GG received this wonderful holiday gift on Saturday from her friends Maria Caterina & Hermione the Cat. She's ever so busy making a wish-list for furnishings, looking at swatches for wallpaper (well, she's lounging on Elle Decor at the moment), & generally making a nuisance of herself (when she's not sleeping on one of her two new floors). Thank you MCat & Hermione! (*Below is a description & link to the new & non-embarrassing cat item to have 'round the house via DrsFosterSmith.com)

ciao-meow/GG's interior decorator

*City Place boasts an urban brownstone design at a small town price. This durable cardboard hideaway is ideal for cats that love open boxes. City Place is a petite version of our popular Cat Cottage, with three levels to explore (including roof). City Place features three, double-thick cardboard levels, two windows, and two entrance cutouts. Assembly is required, and full instructions are included. For cats up to 20 lbs. 21" x 23-1/2" x 27" high.

Elegance on Wheels - Week's End

Have an elegant weekend. Here's a great photograph from one of our favorite blogs, Cycle Chic from Copenhagen. We have the Italian red gloves..& that's about it--for now. [photograph by Mikael via flickr.]

ciao-rushed-meow/GG Central

Athletes for Animals

We interrupt our tiresome complaining about the cold weather to tell you about a great new program; it's starting in Washington, DC but will be expanding nationwide (perhaps worldwide--wouldn't that be great?). GG collage of Chip & Dale, Lily, Taylor, Floyd, Hazel, & Zoey (with their humans) via Athletes for Animals.

ciao-cheeky-meow/GG's editor

Athletes for Animals Mission:

Raise funding and awareness for humane education programs that connect kids with animals to teach kindness, compassion and respect for all living beings. The program is starting in Washington, D.C. with the Washington Redskins' Chris Cooley, the Washington Capitals' Shaone Morrisonn, DC United's Clyde Simms and the Washington Mystics' Nakia Sanford. The charitable beneficiaries are The Washington Animal Rescue League and The Washington Humane Society. Nationwide expansion is coming soon.