The Hills Are Alive

Winter weather equals many things for me. Comfort food, re-reading my favorite books, catch-up phone calls, clean closets, mittens and hats scattered all over my house, forecast obsessing, craft projects previously beneath me . . . . and when the novelty of being "stuck" wears off . . . .I seek solace in good TV. Movies, especially, trip my trigger when snow days dawn. And when this happens, without fail, the hills do indeed come alive.

There is no real discussion to be had for me here. Julie Andrews and the pure magic of the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music is indisputable, making it THE PERFECT MOVIE. I want to be Maria setting out to "find herself." I want to be Kurt running into Maria's room in a thunderstorm and singing about "my favorite things." I want to be Liesl coyly falling in love with a Nazi. No film before or since has ever grabbed hold of me and never let go like this one. Yes, Breakfast at Tiffany's is delightful. I agree, we all grew a bit after watching Shawshank. Of course, the Lord of the Rings Trilogy was mesmerizing. But, when Captain Georg (pronounced Gayorg) von Trapp evolves into a protective, affectionate father, I'm done. When the children perform a puppet show with goats, I laugh. When Maria admits her love for the captain, I cry ("I must have done something good"). When Maria makes play clothes out of drapes, I dance. When the family takes to the hills running from Hitler's army, unwilling to relent, I soar. I have recreated "So long, farewell" from every set of stairs I can find.

I sang Edelweiss to all of my kids while rocking them to sleep (they didn't have a choice). I have taught my daughter all of the songs from this beloved movie (and you all said I didn't have a heart). Gretl, Marta, Brigitta, Kurt, Louisa, Fredrich, Liesl move over, there's a new von Trapp in town.

Somethin' in the Way She . . . .Compliments

Some people have a way. A certain je ne sais quoi about them that draws you in. In their presence is a delicious place to be. To hear them laugh is a gift and altogether infectious. They feel much, love much and in turn suffer much. They bring so much fervor to every part of the world they touch. They have the ability to reach people on levels they didn't know existed. They SPARKLE. Let's be real, though, "some" people is being generous, "few" is much more accurate . . . .because in my estimation these attributes are brutally and utterly rare.
To have a sister that fits this description is glorious and pretty gosh-darn lucky. And I do and I am.
My sister Christina (referred to only as "Kiki" in our household, so she shall be called henceforth) is the loveliest, kindest, sharpest, funniest sister this side of the moon. She is a friend of premium, top-notch caliber. As and aunt to my kids, she is the bomb.com. (no, you may not have her contact info).
Kiki recently sent my oldest son, Gavin, a birthday card for his 10th birthday. She lived with us for a bit when Gavin was a baby and they fell deeply and madly in love, giving him the distinction of being one of her "people." This is an enviable title, believe you me. She has the uncanny ability to make this unsure child feel like King of the World.
Gavin's birthday card itself on the outside read "Guess what?" opened to read "Chicken butt!!!" This, in and of itself, is The Perfect Card For a 10-year-old Boy. But on the inside of the card, she wrote something that exemplifies the very essence of the aforementioned qualities she holds. She didn't say "Happy Birthday." She didn't say "I love you." Instead, she said what I reckon to be THE PERFECT COMPLIMENT. She said "Loving you makes me be a bigger person, Gav."

Take that, lame compliment givers and card writers alike!!!

Mad Men All Day Long

I am all about being a girl. "Girl?" you ask. Not the kind of girl associated with age, but the kind or girl that forever inhabits me and that is quintessentially female. While being "woman" is fine and good, it comes with all kinds of burdens and responsibilities. A woman loves, cries, works, wipes rear ends, evolves, runs a household, adapts, suffers. I have to be a woman all the live long day, but still there is my inner "girl" who is untouched by such maturities. Girl is good. To be female is profound. You know a woman who doesn't love her inner girl. She is overly sentimental, mushy, icky or she is bitter, cruel and crusty.

I would have loved to have lived when women had no rights (yup, I said it). In that environment, our wiles were valued, not devalued. Utilized, not criticized. Feminine wiles are hard to come by these days. We don't HAVE to sharpen these skills in our society, so we become lazy. We act like we have something to prove instead of just "being" the creatures we are intended to be (powerful, vital forces in this world).

So, every once in a while I come across an item that strikes this cord with me. Something that I need to have to remember and be reminded of the gifts I have been given in being a girl. This line of aprons does it. Incontestably feminine with an an air of "and you better like it." And with that, I give you THE PERFECT APRONS (could double as the perfect hostess gift, or present for anyone out of touch with their inner GIRL). Jessie Steele is a knower, that's all I know. There are so many to choose from, one for any and every GIRL on the planet.

http://www.jessiesteele.com/index.php (living)

ooooh, and don't forget the inspiration to this inspiration . .. . actual girls' aprons!

Don't Try This At Home

I enjoy and demand efficiency in all endeavors in my world. For the most part, it's "let's go or get off the train, people." The only person in my immediate family who truly understands this concept is my four-year-old boy wonder Luke. Luke loves to "go". His no-nonsense, get 'er done attitude warms my heart (most days). There is such a pure, un-tortured, unencumbered energy in everything he sets out to accomplish . . . and for the love of all that is holy, don't dare to get in his way.

In a recent conversation with his best buddy, Zach, Luke was appalled at the notion that we would ever need to "talk" and not "do". They were eating cereal and Zach commented that one of the pieces of cereal looked like an "N". Luke looked at him as if he had 4 heads and said "It's not a letter Zach, it's CEREAL".

When Luke had eye surgery a few months back and woke up in pain, he looked at his petrified nurse straight in the eye and said (with a growl in his throat) "I'm gonna CRUSH THIS PLACE!!!!"

When I used to (stubbornly) attempt to occupy Luke by telling him fairy tales and made-up stories, he finally got fed up with my silliness one day and said "Mom, I want something REAL!!!"

Luke displays such astounding efficiency in all things he attempts (and he attempts more than an average 10 humans in one day), it warms my heart, though he would be annoyed if I said as much. Michael and I have always marveled at his method and speed when descending the stairs. He has been doing it since he was 13 months old. It is something to behold. So, enjoy THE PERFECT DESCENT as Luke is off today to EAT some cereal, TERRIFY some nurses and do something and everything REAL!!!

Let us try this again . . . .

SO, I came into such close contact with a shining example of "perfection" this morning that I decided it is indeed time to have a go at this blogging thing again. The world needs to know, right? Anybody, anybody? I am notoriously easily bored by anything and everything and this blog ended up in that pile. HOWEVER, in an effort to turn over a new ecosystem (a leaf just doesn't work here), I am going to attempt some stick-to-it-tiveness in this endeavor. With that said . . . . .

Sometimes perfection comes not in a single object or experience, but in the blending of two things simply meant to go together. Peanut butter, meet Jelly. Magic. Cookies and milk, cold mornings and heated car seats, long airplane rides and an engaging book (well, anything and an engaging book), Bert and Ernie, Fred and Ginger, red wine and dark chocolate, french country and vintage chic . . .wow I could go on. Anyway, today's example of this happened during my morning workout.

Working out as a rule is still a pretty novel thing to me. In my personal history, it has never stuck until now. I have given up (with much resistance) on the notion that I can get away with not doing it anymore. So, of course this acceptance came with a new set of challenges (intrigues) for me. Once the where and "wear" were conquered, I then discovered what to listen to while engaging in said torture (as I have determined it will forever be). And this is where today's magic lies.

One word.
Glee.
The show is beyond. Just beyond. Fantastic barely touches it for me. The soundtrack to this refreshing and discreetly sardonic show is THE PERFECT WORKOUT MUSIC. Upbeat, lively, sarcastic, real. I hated my workout today less. Thats sayin somethin is all I'm sayin. Try it, you'll like it.

Mane

I have, until this point, been lackadaisical in addressing a core part of our female existence. Something that can make a good day or a bad day. Our crown of glory. One of our defining elements. Our Hair. (you think I'm exaggerating think Medusa, Rapunzel, Delilah . . . . .)

I have recently discovered a key to making my crown sparkle. The perfect line of hair products. Now that is something.

Pureology

It is a line created for color (or colour if you're feelin fancy) treated hair that actually works. My colour lasts literally twice as long before fading with these products. I have found this line in my grocery store lately, too. This makes them doubly appealing as I don't have to be at the salon to purchase more. There are several variations within this line and its up to you to find the one that best suits your mane-type. I use the moisturizing line and it doesn't fall flat (neither does my hair as it has in the past with most other moisturizing products).

Lastly, this is a vegan product. Go figure.

I'm All Aglow

"I'm all aglow (hmmm hmmm) and now I know (hmmm hmmm) . . . . . . .the key to all heaven is love."
Brownie points (betty crocker classic fudge - the perfect boxed brownie and the recipe for my mom's quick brownies the perfect homemade) to those able to place these song lyrics . . . . .not you suzanne

so we all know love can give you that special glow . . . .pregnancy does it too . . . .and sometimes a low-grade fever. for those of you looking for a way around these . . . .I have the solution. looking "fresh" is a goal to have. its one of mine. I hate the "made up" make up look. hate it. dewy and fresh is the way to go. i have found that most compact powders and loose powders give you the "made up" look. will never do.

Clinique makes a perfect loose powder called Gentle Light Powder in Glow 3 Neutral (works for most skin tones but can go to a lighter or darker "Glow" if needed). Its sets without caking. And more importantly, gives you that "he just kissed me!" glow without actually having to be kissed. has subtle particles that catch the light without making you look like you have glitter on your face. Use with caution as people always gravitate towards those with the glow.

*will need larger brush than the one provided to best apply