Monumental

Can't wait…The Monuments Men is opening this weekend.

via here

 Monumental?  Me actually going to an adult movie…Annie, The Lorax, and a menagerie of Disney characters play on a constant loop at our house.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND

UPDATE
Well…it was more Ocean's Eleven than Saving Private Ryan.  I think I'll try renting the Rape of Europa, more information here

Clean and Bright

"Better keep yourself clean and bright;

you are the window through which

you must see the world"

George Bernard Shaw

Taking some time to clean up the clutter and dust of 2013…

preparation for a clean and bright 2014

BE BACK SOON

Peace, love, and cookies

Williamsburg, Virginia circa 1979

Every year, we make gingerbread cookies for our friends and neighbors…and every year, I try to recreate the gingerbread I first tasted at Colonial Williamsburg as a child.  Not a cake, not a cookie…something in-between.  I continued to visit into adulthood while living in Virginia…never missing a trip to the bakery.

This year, success…I found the recipe!  Direct from the Raleigh Tavern, find the recipe here

A modern spin to an old recipe…a cookie cutter I found that looked a bit like my girls….short bob, little dress and all.  Peace, love, and cookies….with a little Mischief and Mayhem this season.

A lot of mountain dew and a little George Bailey made wrapping and tagging a bit easier.

Mischief helping make deliveries.

Back home and ready for Santa Claus.

Sorry Santa…I ate your cookies.

Paperwhites

via here

A winter still life, including paperwhites,

created by florist and stylist Amy Merrick.

Based in Brooklyn, NY her website as

beautifully designed as her floral creations.

A favorite of mine on instagram, follow her here

Mayhem helped me force paperwhites for this year.  Planted in hurricane vases, a candy jar, and even a champagne chiller…the tall containers provide built-in support.  Anchored with only pea gravel, a cleaner and more attractive alternative to dirt in these transparent planters.  Planted in stages to take us through the entire holiday season.

These past their prime, but I still love the texture and green they provide.

Blooms in a sunny window.

About to bloom in the foyer.

This little guy a little slow, he needs some Santa magic.

Naughty Elves

via here

Andrew Wyeth

(1917-2009)

ink drawing of two drunken elves

While we enjoyed a family outing...two mischievous elves installed Santa's village in our front yard.  Paralyzed in the driveway...I gulped, the girls squealed, and Ebenezer mumbled about the electric bill.  

Special touch….a glittered sign that has prompted honks and even a siren, the later courtesy of our jolly  Mayor.

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER

so say Mischief & Mayhem

"It wouldn't be as funny, if you weren't so uptight"

My Mother

True….thank goodness for fun friends!