Trying something new.

The other day I decided to try and make a leg of lamb. I have never eaten leg of lamb, much less made it, but I thought I'd give it a shot. A bit of an expensive folly, perhaps, but what is life if not an adventure. I also decided to have roasted fennel (from the farmer's market), even though I've never eaten that before. And I made carrottes vichy (spelled something like that--cooked carrots) and good bread and good wine. I bought a lemon bar for dessert. (My husband said, who are you and what have you done with my wife--I don't go much for lemon.)

At any rate, I'm so glad I tried something new. I'm not sure that any of the above will be my new favorite thing (or trump good bread and good wine) but a small victory was the look on the baby's face when she tried fennel and the 3 year old asking for more meat so he could be like T-Rex. The elegant part was eating it in our formal dining room with my great aunt's china and candlelight. To new adventures!

Resolutions

I have given up on resolutions that I can't keep. Instead, the past few years I've made resolutions that I know I can keep and that are fun to keep, but that also, perhaps, serve ulterior motives. Two years ago, my resolution was to not buy any more boring shoes. Quite honestly, that's the best resolution I've ever had and I've kept that one well. It does snowball, though, because if you aren't buying boring shoes, then you aren't buying boring clothes or jewelry or other things in life. Hence, the ulterior motive of improving the style of my life.

This year, my resolution is a bit more decadent: good skin care. Good skin care translates to taking better care of myself, which as a mom and a busy lawyer can get hard to do. So far so good. I think this is a resolution I can keep.

I believe...

...in Santa, singing carols, candlelight, warm fires, going out to look at Christmas lights, crying at least 3 times during "It's a Wonderful Life," champagne, baking smells, the cat curled up by the fire, twinkle lights, scarves and sweaters, bundling up and going for a walk, being nice while Christmas shopping, and getting people what they want. I believe in giving of yourself, your time, your money, your stuff, and your love. I believe in dreams, good books, Rudolph, Charlie Brown Christmas, and Bing. I believe in undivided attention, peace, love, and peppermint bark. I believe in ringing bells, wreaths and greenery, and funny socks. I believe in wishing Joy to you!

Nat, Bing, Frank, and Dean

For me, it's the sound of Christmas, that really gets it started. Bing Crosby's "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" usually does the trick. Frank Sinatra's "Hark the Herald Angels" works as well. The Christmas season starts to descend.

The next step, is, of course, to get the Christmas tree so the house smells like Monterey pine. And little twinkle lights. And cocoa or champagne. And a fire.

When I get out the Christmas decorations I feel like I am greeting old friends. There you are, dear snowmen, dear angels, dear Santa.

But for me, slowing down and almost imperceptibly loosening the tight knots of the year are also as crucial. Thank you boys, you help a lot.

Cashmere socks...

...and Chai. So the Chai is very 2000s (whatever this decade is called). But I bet Cary Grant wore cashmere socks although I have no evidence to prove it. Regardless, it makes for a cozier evening.

Loungewear

Lately I've been wanting to upgrade my around-the-house wear. It usually consists of an unfortunate mix of sweatpants and socks because I live in a drafty old farmhouse and it can get cold even in this temperate climate. If I were Audrey Hepburn, I could wear a blue robe a la Charade. If I were Ingrid Bergman, perhaps Cary Grant would walk in on my using cold cream while in a dark robe. In the 50s, it appeared like there were nice matching sets of robes, slippers, and pyjamas to wear while being cozy in front of the fire. So much more elegant.

Last of the summer roses

I pruned our roses yesterday--well, at least about a dozen of them. In our mild climate, I have no idea if I am early or late. It just seemed the right time. We added some mulch and now they seem like they each have little blankets to shelter them until next year.

Amidst the prunings were some perfectly good roses, which I gathered and brought inside and put them in containers. They smell heavenly and old-fashioned. Near my kitchen sink they are homey and comfortable. As it should be.