King's Speech

No, not any rubbish spewed from Gaddafi, but a 5 thumbs up for the movie that depicts the arduous, sometimes torturous work done by George VI of England and his speech therapist.  All performances were amazing.
The cohesive relationship developed between main and supporting actors Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush surpassed any individual award.

And I was invited by my mother to the matinee this week.  How lucky am I?

Christina Romeo

One of my new favorite contemporary artists on etsy, Christina Romeo
Such poignant little faces with the widely spaced eyes...a little vacant looking.

I need to snap one of these up, soon!

Teaser Tuesday

mouth blown amethyst glass vase * melmac *eames era swedish-made brass funereal lidded urn * genuine stiffel brass table lamps * moroccan grid wall sconces  * 2 tone moss green superior electric fan * monogrammed barware * bamboo design wrought aluminum * hammered indian brass tray and urns * retro orange iron shelf supports

come and get it here

a vintage office

My wonderful desk is overflowing with receipts from 2010.

It's time to get the proverbial year-end tax ball rolling.

Here are a few of my favorite picks that inspire me to get organized,

so come April 15th I won't find myself at the feet of my tax accountant.

Then She Dropped Down at His Feet 

antique litho from wildewud 

 

 The pigeon-hole desk cubby from amradio, 

trusty but rusty blue postal scale by kelleystreetvintage, 

faux bois and metal chair by hindsvik,

the ornate metal receipt holder is from saffroncoloredpony

 now where did I put that file folder...?

 

back from Ely

more skiing, less naps!

photography NewYorkTimes

One of the Wild Women, Kathy O. posted these shots from Camp duNord and the annual snow carving contest held in downtown Ely.  Thanks, Kathy!
 

Where is Willow

She answered to many names...
Willow
Willie
Bilbo
Puppy Girl...

My daughter grew up with her.
Caroline, at ten years old, scanned the pets for sale section of the Sunday paper for months.
She had her heart set on a West Highland Terrier and would not be swayed.   She had saved one hundred dollars as a show of good faith and investment.  Somewhere there are polaroid pictures of the day we brought her home, her little, triangle ears too puppy soft to stand up.

That first year she used my antique wash stand's legs for her teething.
Her tenacious terrier tendencies were not understood or appreciated...we'd only had big dogs.
But she became a family member.

When Willow was five or six, the father left.
The children grew and moved away from home. 
Willow was my friend and at times my consoler, her sturdy little body my respirator
at times I could not breathe, for grief.

She suffered in her mature years, with a slippery knee joint and food allergies that caused her to have skin lesions.  My Richard, who came to love her well, would buy her ground lamb to cook with rice and vegetables.  But her personality remained unflappable and her sturdy little heart still wanted to explore, chase squirrels, be with her people.

At 13 and a half years, the day before my daughter's birthday, Willow had a fall that caused a traumatic break in her thigh bone.  Xray showed a cancerous lesion.  We let her go.

Last week was the second anniversary of her passing. 
I have never considered another dog, as several cats have come into my life and it seems a cat suits my life well.  And there can never be another Willow.

My favorite photo of her is this one, just before sunset, doing what a white terrier does best.

Creativity Day

Last week, my daughter and I planned a creativity day.

She arrived in the late morning, we built a fire and put on our thinking caps.

We used a large newsprint tablet to brain storm...

Ideas came for a co-ventured book of poetry, 

a children's book for siblings of brand new babies, (she's a labor/delivery nurse)

a game that would help get family members to share history. 

We started a game of scrabble.

I kind of threw a wrench into the day when I offered to sub a last minute yoga class.  But she took the time to go for a snow-shoe.  We regrouped, had some appetizers and wine and started to paint.  She worked on a large collage using gold foil paper scraps.  I did a pastel on black paper of some willow boughs, that she had been asking for every since we lost our little Willow the Westie. 

It is always a treat to have my girl to myself for a day. 

Better yet, to have a creativity day!