Celebrating Friends

 This week was one of "radio silence" (as my friend Laura would say) from Yours Truly.  I can't exactly explain why, except to say that "chatty" was not how I was feeling in the least.  Some friends and family members had some bad health news which had me feeling quiet, and contemplative.
 
Speaking of my friend Laura, tonight I'm hosting a dinner party to celebrate her birthday, well her belated birthday (which I missed when we had the Plague).  I've been working towards this all week, because I was determined to do a full spring clean of my entire house, and have the main floor prepped for the party, by Friday evening.

This feels like a really special celebration for Laura because she herself has struggled with her health since becoming ill last July.  She spent the summer in hospital and to say that we were all frightened is a real understatement.  What did we hold on to during those dark months?  The times we'd had together, the dinner parties and the vacations.  I'd visit her or phone her and we'd talk about being able to have dinner again, or plan a holiday.  Or even to get together for a glass of wine on a Wednesday, anything, normal things.  When we don't have our health the real stuff of life becomes apparent, and intensely appreciated.

So I began the spring clean on the third floor and worked my way down: windows washed, surfaces dusted, ceilings poked at with my lambswool duster.  I hauled the vacuum into every corner, mopped the floors with my favourite wooden floor cleaner (that smells of marzipan).  I went through MrBP's storage closet and dressing room as well, picking out clothes to be mended or dry-cleaned, washing and pressing the rest.  I scoured the bathrooms and emptied the pantries in the kitchen, tossing out the stale and scrubbing the interior of the cupboards with a natural orange cleaner.
It might sounds strange to say it, but this is my therapy.

By yesterday afternoon I was ready for the good bits: polishing the copper champagne bucket and setting up the bar, the dinner table and the dessert cart.

 I found this old Ikea tray (below, on the bottom shelf of the tea cart) at our office some time ago and brought it home.  I remember buying it thinking it would be handy to ferry coffee cups between the little kitchen and the boardroom but it was really never used.  It's very plain but the perfect size to hold ten coffee cups and a pitcher of cream.

Dessert cart in the dining room.
Ready to go.

 I have my dessert plates ready to go on the dessert cart, and left some room for the birthday cake Berna is bringing.

I set the table with my white dishes which is my go-to look for a dinner party.  I used these linens from Provence from one of my favourite shops: Pariscope.

 The tablecloth is really stunning, it is a cotton fabric very lightly coated with an acrylic finish (it does not feel plasticky) which is perfect for wiping up spills of coffee and wine.

 The napkins are cotton as well, without the finish on the fabric.  They wash up beautifully and only need a quick press with the steam iron.

 Laura's birthday present is also from Pariscope, a French market basket that I know she'll love to keep in her car for quick trips to the market.  I drove out to Pariscope in Elora yesterday (completely unsure of what I would buy as a birthday present) knowing that "just the thing" would present itself.

Laura's birthday present waits for her in the foyer.

So now for the menu!  I'll have to figure that out this morning, though as is the custom with our group of friends everyone is helping by bringing something for the dinner.  That makes it so much easier... and helps prevent Crying In The Kitchen.

I hope you have a really wonderful Saturday, whether you have something to celebrate or you're just doing the normal things... which can also be cause for celebration.
xoxDani

The Day After the Migraine

 On Friday evening I attempted to brighten up my black outfit with this Hermes scarf and some bright blue nail polish (on my toes).  I was just coming off a 24 hour migraine, and while the pain and nausea were gone I had that wobbly feeling of being slightly disconnected from my body.  It's a difficult feeling to explain to someone who's never had migraine before, but if you have (and I'm sorry you have) you'll know what I mean.
You might think I should have stayed home for a full recovery but we were visiting with friends at their home a few blocks away, friends who are quite literally world travellers and aren't here in Guelph with us very often.  I was so looking forward to seeing them.  Two of our other best friends were attending as well, and we ended up having the most interesting conversation.
Is started with this question: "what is the moment or activity when you are aware that you are experiencing bliss, the sheer joy of being alive?"  The answers were varied and interesting, from the obvious to the more philosophical and difficult to describe.  Strangely I had a hard time finding an answer immediately.  I often go through the world with a veil of anxiety clouding my perceptions, throwing off that veil can at times be blindingly good, shocking even.  But I have to allow myself to do it!
A day of productive work domestically, followed by dinner with my favourite people can bring the feeling.  MrBP calls it "an unusual feeling of well-being".  I often have the joy when I'm out walking and I'm just looking at the sky, the trees, feeling the breeze.  Winter weather gives me the feeling, oddly, as long as I've got the right gear so I'm not distracted by freezing my ta-ta's off.
Immersion in a great book can give me the feeling and always has.
I found the timing of this discussion interesting because even as I was sitting in the beautiful living room of my friends I was thinking ahead to the next morning with anticipation.  The day after a migraine is always one, for me at least, that brings clarity and joy.  It's like the cobwebs have been cleared away and I have a new appreciation for light, sounds, smells and just the joy of being free of pain.

 Experiencing the thrill of a new place can give me that feeling, especially when I'm with MrBP and some or all of the rascals.  I find the thrill of travel most beautiful when shared.

The Golem from Prague

 Just being cozy at home in the light of the afternoon, looking forward to dinner or seeing friends or heading out to a movie... it all brings the feeling.
When are you able to recognize the beauty of the world? Do you often get a glimpse of it?

In other news, MrBP's book club and my "serious" book club are both reading Jane Austen next month.

 I belong to two book clubs, one "serious" and one "fun".  One is comprised mostly of doctors and psychotherapists (and then oddly, me).  Surprisingly, that's the fun one!  Sometimes we hardly discuss the book for the chatting and laughing.

 I'm really enjoying my home this month, it's time to tuck in, clean up, de-clutter every cupboard and closet and generally prepare for the year ahead.

Speaking of joy, how about this picture of my rascals taken about a decade ago?  From tall to small:

Rock City, New York State

 These wooly dusters, one for ceiling mouldings and one for the wooden floors, are so effective and also pleasing to look at.  Not everyone finds joy in domestic tasks but I certainly do.  I'm not talking about piercing moments of bliss, rather it's a feeling of general satisfaction.

Wool duster things.

 This is the time of year to get into some major art appreciation, especially on a grey day.  My friend Pat painted this olive grove in France in such exuberant colours, it's one of my favourites.  It's in the kitchen so I get to see it often:

Painting by Patricia MacDonald

Pat is such a talented artist but don't take my word for it, you could check out her latest work on her blog right here.

xoxDani

Another Summer

My Office, decorated by Ellie.

 Time marches on and this summer marched quickly, with endings and beginnings, sadness and happiness, and all of the simple moments in between.

Ellie has gone and it happened at the end of the summer, which seemed so right for a California Girl.
I'll think of her often.  She helped me decorate my house with her incredible taste...which was a unique mixture of American style (courage, appreciation, flair) and a French sense for life as it should be lived.  I bought only a few things from her but they are part of my daily life and I appreciate them so much.
 I appreciated her, I'll always miss her.
If you haven't read the wonderful post written by her daughter Grace please go here.

My family had an ending of its own this summer: we placed my grandparents' ashes in their final resting place and said goodbye.  It was a lovely day and it was a sad day, all at the same time.

Grandpa Norv and Grandma Jean with their boat on the Detroit River.
We were on the river for our goodbye and the day was gorgeous.

Light of our lives, my nephew, flew in from the far far north for the occasion.  Here he is having a talk with Uncle Tom:

 Our daughter went across the pond on her own for the first time, she left for Switzerland the day after I took the photo below.  This was at the cottage of two of our best friends, Laura and David.  They've just sold this cottage so... another ending, we've spent so many fun weekends there over the years.  When the kids were small we'd go for a week and run a camp for them.  (Well, not really, but it seemed that way with the meals we'd dish up and the lifeguard duties.)

 She spent a month in Germany with side trips to Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.  Had a blast.

Then we dropped Lil' Rascal off at camp and hightailed it to the airport.

CHICAGO
MrBP and The Bean 

Bean Selfie

 This is the Bean at 8am, it gets much busier later, but we were so fascinated by it, it's actually so cool to see and walk around and study the reflections and perspectives.

Chicago was amazing, we spent seven nights just the two of us, what a great spot for a romantic hols.

Oh gosh the Ralph Lauren Grill was gorgeous.
We sat on the terrace, I highly recommend.

Went to a Cubs game which was awesome.
Ate some terrible nachos and drank some beer.

Loved the guys parachuting in with the giant flags!

 I thought Chicago was pure American Style.  One of my favourite building facades:

 Of course we spent a whole day at the Art Institute:

 If you go you have to go to the restaurant, so lovely:

Looks spare but it suits the feeling of the Institute, and the food is great.

 We flew home and headed north to Algonquin Park.  A little country to offset the city.

 I wore my Elmer Fudd dress from the now defunct LLBean Signature line.  Also I went barefoot for four days, my feet were killing me after walking miles and miles everyday in Chicago in low heels.  (Don't ask me about sensible footwear because I have much to learn.)

Elmer Fudd Dress
Bare Feet

 We must have been missing our Rascals because we adopted a very cheeky and greedy chipmunk, who we named Ivan The Bold:

Ivan The Bold
Always rushed in at cocktail hour.

 We picked up Lil' Rascal, headed home to have a reunion with the European traveller and then spent a perfect Saturday en famille helping Ole Rascal move into his new apartment.

Ole Rascal, does he keep getting taller?
With his partner who we adore.

 We made it to a Blue Jays game:

They lost.  But it was still so fun.
I love baseball, it's such a simple pleasure.

 Finally we had a weekend to end the summer, another summer, with our best friends on their island cottage.  Don't you think we all look pretty well considering we had massive hangovers?

The Morning After.
Party on Baby.

I hope you've had a wonderful summer (or Fall if you're in Aus!) and that your September is off to a productive start.
xoxDani