Shorter locks and Snow

There is a rare sight outside today: snow. It won't stay for long, as has been the case this winter, but I am resolved to revel in its prettiness while it lasts. Oh, and early last week I visited my favorite salon out-Albany-way and had my tresses trimmed. After sporting a side braid for most of January it was time for something new. I'm loving the fun that comes with a fresh haircut, but I know one of these days I'll absentmindedly reach back to braid it and won't find much to work with.

What else is new? Just the usual cycle of working, reading (The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Remains of the Day), and watching TV on DVD (mostly Downton Abbey and The Vicar of Dibley). I did take the train to Boston this past weekend to visit with my dear friend Erin. We had a marvelous time adventuring along both the south and north shores, namely shopping in Braintree and wandering around Salem (on quite possibly the coldest day this winter thus far, mind you). I did not, however, capture any of these moments on camera which was rather uncharacteristic of me, I know. It is good to note, though, that photographs aren't always necessary to remind us of the fun we have.

P.S. I am aware that all of my entertainment choices of late are of the British variety. Sometimes that just happens.

Lately

1. I recently discovered another stash of well preserved family treasures including photographs, postcards and letters my great-grandfather wrote home to his sisters and sweetheart during World War I. I have delighted at this glimpse into my family's history and sorely wish I had taken a greater interest in it all while my grandmother was still alive. When I think about the conversations we could have had I can't quite tell if it makes me happy or sad. I end up resolving my feelings by knowing that she would have eagerly shared her wealth of memories and that, ultimately, is a comfort.
   
2. The majority of my January weekends have been spent making homemade soups and stews - the best winter meal, if you ask me. Pictured above is my second batch of mushroom barely stew. It's hearty, fragrant, savory (and flavored with thyme and cumin - mm!) and, most importantly, easy to make.
   
3. Maple sugar hard candies. Enough said.

Wallet-friendly Wednesday

It's been quite a long time since I shared a Wallet-friendly Wednesday post (or any type of regularly featured post, for that matter). On and off throughout 2009 and 2010 I would chronicle my Wednesday Salvation Army thrift store hauls (Wednesday being half price day). Even though I fell out of doing this, today's loot was too good not to share!

I was feeling good about today's thrift trip even before setting foot in the store, but really couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this green wool blazer. And in my size, too! I almost bought one from L.L.Bean last week, but didn't want to part with so many pennies. This one only set me back $2.50. Pictured next to it is the newest addition to my cardigan family: a slightly over-sized, tweedy merino-cashmere blended, elbow-patched specimen of coziness! I happily forked over a few dollars for it.

My dad has a nice collection of both blue and clear glass bottles and while he usually just finds them (in the ground, in old houses, at the dump, etc), I don't mind spending a little bit when I come across nice ones such as this. For 20 cents, I'll probably use it as a vase. What about those porcelain puppies, you ask?

One is a pencil holder and the other a pencil sharpener! 98 cents for the pair. I know, it takes a moment for the awesomeness to sink in.

Kitten time

When I first introduced our new kittens back in the fall this little love was named Molly. Over time it became clear that a girl's name wouldn't do as this little kitten is, in fact, a boy. So, Molly became Dexter. And yes, he was named after the title character from the TV series Dexter. It suits him well. If you are unfamiliar with the show, Dexter Morgan is both a police department bloodstain analyst and a serial killer. Hah! Let me tell you, this cat is a little terror. He jumps and bites and at times, I'm convinced, thinks he is a dog. I've also taken to calling him Fang because he always goes after the tops of my feet with his little razor-sharp teeth. Now, there isn't much skin on the top of one's foot to grab, but he manages. Oh, how he manages. That said, he can also be a sweet and loving little companion. He and his sister, Callie, are always getting into some kind of mischief (as all kittens do) from stealing peanuts and almonds from the counter-top to jumping inside the washing machine. They certainly are silly critters and supply daily laughter in ample dosage.

Black tea and Robert Burns

"Cauld blaws the wind frae east to west, the drift is driving sairly,
Sae loud and shill's I hear the blast - I'm sure it's winter fairly.

Up in the morning's no for me, up in the morning early!
When a' the hills are cover'd wi' snow, I'm sure it's winter fairly!

The birds sit chittering in the thorn, a' day they fare but sparely,
And lang's the night frae e'en to morn - I'm sure it's winter fairly."
-Robert Burns

I caught myself thinking of this poem today and how, after a storm blew in last night, it surely feels like winter now. There hasn't been much in terms of snow since the season began. A little here and a little there, but it's always been quick to go. While it's felt like some sort of pseudo-winter, I think perhaps now the sham has been replaced with reality. And, like Burns' line "up in the morning's no for me...", I could have easily stayed asleep this morning while the snow fell, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

My days of late have blended together much the same: up in the morning for work, sipping tea and reading in the afternoon, visiting with my grandmother in the evening. I find it a triumph when I can recall what day it is without thinking too hard or looking at the calendar. There's a certain peace to these cold, semi-lazy winter days that, even though I grumble through them sometimes, I wouldn't trade for the splendor of spring or the brilliance of autumn. They're quiet, predictable and ultimately comforting especially when tea, scarves and cardigans are involved!

For auld lang syne

I am not sharing any of my Christmas Eve or Christmas Day outfits on my blog this year. I planned on it, but the photos my sister and I took came out either too blurry or grainy (and I wasn't really up for trying to re-do them as there were more important things to worry about - visiting and eating, for example). That said, my family's Christmas was nice and merry; I hope yours was, too!

Even though my blogging was more sparse this past year, I have managed to compile my favorite outfit photos as per usual. So, without further ado:

January

February

February

March

April

May

May

May

June

July

July

August

September

September

October

October

October

November

{2010 review}
{2009 review}

Thank you for continuing along on this journey with me for another year, dear readers! See you in 2012. Happy New Year!

Good Tidings

I couldn't resist sharing this sweet inscription from inside one of my great-grandmother's books. A book she received for Christmas in 1898, no less! I only happened upon this just recently and apart from how delighted I was at the discovery, it was rather seasonally appropriate.

Merry Christmas, dear readers. I hope your celebrations are happy and joyful. To those who may not celebrate Christmas, I wish you joy and peace all the same. Good tidings to you!