By now many of you know that I am a "cable news junkie". I'm not exactly proud of the title...nor do I want to justify the amount of time I spend consumed by whatever crisis is de riguer of the day. It's addicting. If I'm not catching up on the latest breaking news, then I'm… Continue reading Kindness…
Cashmere…
This past weekend I travelled to Vancouver with my daughter. Always in my carry on bag is a cashmere travel wrap just in case it's cold on the plane. Sure enough, the young man who sat beside me promptly turned on his air conditioning as soon as he sat down and kept it… Continue reading Cashmere…
Downton Abbey…the movie
Highclere Castle, in Newbury England (70 miles from London), is the setting for the fictional Masterpiece Theatre series and newly released movie, Downton Abbey. I, like millions of others, watched every episode (six seasons 2011-2016) of the Masterpiece Theatre series of Downton Abbey. To say, "I loved it", would be the ultimate understatement! Julian Fellows, the… Continue reading Downton Abbey…the movie
Forever friends…
This past weekend CNN did a special (Friends Forever) on the Friends TV show to mark the 25th anniversary of its first airing. My kids (especially my daughter) watched "Friends" religiously every Thursday night when she was a teenager, and loved it. I, too, often tuned in and soon had a favourite character (Rachel) and particularly… Continue reading Forever friends…
Retail Therapy…
The above definition may mock shopping, but I believe that we can all benefit from some retail therapy! I have been a shopper since I was a teenager! Some of you will know that I have spent a fair amount of time on both sides of the cash register. I started working in retail when… Continue reading Retail Therapy…
The most wonderful time of the year…
I'm sure you've seen the "Staples" commercial, (The Most Wonderful Time of the Year) that plays on TV during the back to school season. Parents gleefully wheeling their carts down the aisles, loading up on school supplies, barely concealing their enthusiasm about the kids going back to school! I, too, was always happy to see… Continue reading The most wonderful time of the year…
Summer…
Summer, the favourite season of many, is here along with lazy days, long, warm evenings, and family vacations. "Summertime", composed in 1935, (music by George Gershwin, lyrics by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin) was an aria performed in the opera, Porgy and Bess. The song soon became a popular jazz standard (Billy Holiday) and is considered… Continue reading Summer…
Espalier…
The technique of espaliering trees or plants against a flat surface originated in ancient Rome. In the northern hemisphere, a south-facing wall is best for espalier and vice versa for the southern hemisphere. South or west-facing walls (northern hemisphere) reflect sunlight and also retain heat which extends the growing season. Taking advantage of… Continue reading Espalier…
I Adore (J’Dore) Dior…
In 2017, the Musee des Arts Decoratifs of Paris, hosted a 6-month exhibition to celebrate 70 years of Dior. Since that time many cities around the world have held similar exhibits honouring "Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams". I was fortunate to see the exhibit at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary with my daughter.… Continue reading I Adore (J’Dore) Dior…
Family…
One thing that is certain in life is that we are all "part of a family". We have parents, grandparents, and possibly siblings, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Over the years, the appearance of a typical family unit has changed. Rarely are families as large as they were in our parent's generation, most people… Continue reading Family…
