But after all, everyone says that two kittens are easier! 🙂 I think they’re certainly happier…and we’re completely taken with these new members of the family. Introducing Mr. Wemmick and Master Pip… Philip says that everyone should have kittens at Christmas! 🙂
The season of Advent is all about anticipation. It is a looking-towards, a longed-for event. Children should not be the only ones who can hardly contain their excitement at Christmas. We are celebrating what hundreds of years of God’s people could hardly dare to dream about, and the excitement building up to this blessed time…
Dear Sallie at Two Talent Living has been an on-line mentor for me in many ways…from her first post that I read, Practicality and the Death of Beauty, I knew that I had found a true kindred spirit. Right now she’s running the loveliest contest over on her site, the ‘2005 Blogs of Beauty’ awards. …
There came a grim day in November with nothing at first to distinguish it from other days. But in mid-afternoon Gentleman Tom gravely got down from the cushion of Great Grandfather Nehemiah’s chair and looked all about him. Judy and Pat watched him as they made the cranberry pies and turkey dressing for Thanksgiving. He…
Just in case anyone has been waiting with bated breath for my impressions on the new Pride and Prejudice: We went last Wednesday night with two other couples, bearing high hopes for an enjoyable evening with friends, if nothing else. (And the fact that my mother tapped me on the shoulder from behind was…
I love Thanksgiving. Such a simple holiday, so unassuming and amazingly free of the mercantile trappings of other celebrations. As much as I yearn towards the Christmas season each year, I am always sad that a day set aside for no other reason than to say ‘Thank You’ to God is often overshadowed, if…
I am a big proponent of self-devised holidays. My friend Rachel in Australia invented the charming notion of ‘Blossom Day’ for her daughter as a festivity of their down under spring-in-November. Years ago ‘Joy Day’ was instituted by my sister and me as an excuse to celebrate one of our favorite friends; another of our…
Philip and I absolutely love this article by Sam Torode on the wisdom of Winnie-the-Pooh!
My mother read me a passage from the newest Jan Karon book the other day; it was actually a quote from an old and somewhat obscure volume of sketches that we both love very dearly: Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther. It was like hearing good news of an old friend and a warm sense of…
…this morning over the ankle-deep piles of amber leaves at the foot of my oak trees and the delicious autumnal wind that drives down yet more in its friendly gusts…over acorns with funny little caps like tiny brownie men of the forest and prickly balls of chestnut pods already raided by the squirrels…over the perfume…
As we turned off of Central Park West and drew near the green awning heralding Café des Artistes, Dave cast an uneasy glance towards Liz. “Ummm—am I dressed okay?” He peered in the window at the magnificent sprays of flowers and waiters in white coats bustling to and fro. “Well—,” Liz endeavored to be diplomatic;…
It was decided that my first real experience of the city should be a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge—I don’t know which I enjoyed more, the soaring views or the delight of talking ninety-to-nothing with my sister! On the other side, we stood on the pier and gazed across the water at the edifices of…
We’ve just returned from a trip to New York City visiting my sister and her husband who moved up there this fall to attend The Art Students League. Though Philip’s been there numerous times for business and pleasure, I’d never set foot beyond the bounds of JFK Airport. Not even when Liz lived there for…
Still trying to get my bearings again after traveling, I thought I’d just share one of my very favorite poems. I cherish the beautiful mercy of Christ that these lines express, and can relate so well to the feelings of unworthiness before such amazing love… Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,…
“Do you know what today is?” My Granddaddy leaned back in his chair and regarded me through partially closed eyes. August 18th—what Civil War battle took place on that date? My mind roved frantically through a jumble of generals and statistics field maneuvers that he was always parceling out to me like choice sweets. But…
[This is a guest post from Philip. Read it quick before Lanier sees it!] Lanier’s friend Rachel stopped by the other day for a little visit. After a few cups of tea, they moved to the piano and sang a few tunes. I got out my laptop and tried capture a little bit of the…
We had the first fire of the year yesterday. I’ve been checking the weather for weeks now, remembering with a sigh the years that the first earnest cold snap descended in late September. And I’ve been laughing inwardly at the thought of the night last fall when I invited one of my best girl friends…
I’m a self-professed Austen purist, and I’m a little concerned about the new Pride and Prejudice coming out…looks somewhat contemporized to me. Of course, I’d love to be pleasantly surprised. It’s been far too long since a captivating and lovely and worthy period film hit the theatres and I’m feeling rather starved. (So much so,…
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