“We spend January walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the room of our lives, not looking for flaws, but for potential. — Ellen Goodman
READING:
North: How to Live Scandinavian — “Full of inspiration and ideas, how-tos and recipes to help you experience the very best of Scandinavian design, philosophy, cookery, and culture, this honest behind-the-scenes look at the culture provides an invaluable insight into the wonderful and visually stunning world of Scandinavia” (Goodreads).
The Chanel Sisters — “Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel know they’re destined for something better. Abandoned by their family years before, they’ve grown up under the guidance of pious nuns preparing them for simple lives as the wives of tradesmen or shopkeepers, yet the walls of the convent can’t shield them forever. When they’re finally of age, the Chanel sisters set out together with a fierce determination to prove themselves worthy to a society that has never accepted them” (Goodreads).
WATCHING:
Audrey (More Than an Icon) — Filmmaker Helena Coan examines the remarkable life and career of actress, fashion icon, and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. She really was such a beautiful person, inside and out.
Schitt’s Creek — We are definitely late to the party on this one and we’ve had a bit of trouble getting into it, but we’re sticking with it and it’s getting funnier.
LISTENING TO:
The Earful Sweden podcast — As you know, I’m a big fan of The Earful Tower podcast. Recently, Oliver and Lina created a spinoff that explores the wonderful history, culture, and traditions of Lina’s homeland. It’s a veritable fika for the ears. I am so eager to travel again. Aside from a long-awaited return to my beloved Paris, Scandinavia is at the top of my travel bucket list.
My newly curated “Sappy 70’s” playlist — It is sweet, nostalgic, and yes, very sappy (songs by ABBA, The Carpenters, John Denver, Olivia Newton-John, and others — not to mention my favorite, Shaun Cassidy). Sappy, yes, but this music from my childhood is nice (in the truest sense of the word) and a respite from the troubling news that seems relentless these days
ENJOYING:
The weather: I love snow and we have had consistent, intermittent dustings to keep things fresh and pretty. The temps have been mild and we have even enjoyed several sparkling mornings of rime ice — a weather term that I hadn’t heard until this year. Let’s hope the lovely snow sticks around through February and then spring comes quickly.
A little less structure when it comes to my own self-imposed “rules” for photography and blogging. Of course, I will still follow certain patterns. There will be monthly Currently and Links I Love posts. I will still curate photos by color each month, but I intend to retire a few other habits. For example, you may or may not have noticed that for the past two years, my Currently posts have featured a photo based on an annual theme. In 2019, I highlighted coffee and tea. In 2020, I featured books. This year, I’m choosing any photo that supports the content of my current post. I have also decided not to participate in an online photography challenge. Having participated in the Dogwood Challenge in 2018 and 2019 and Capture 52 in 2020, I have certainly learned a lot, but I have also been increasingly disappointed in both the prompts and submissions of the other participants. It is time to take pictures of what I want when I want.
PLANNING
An interior refresh: When we moved into our house in 2015, we painted and replaced the carpeting in our bedroom, removed window treatments, and painted the kitchen. And then we put up with the previous owners’ choices for the rest of the house. Having spent a lot of time at home this past year, we decided that it’s definitely time for a change. Bye-bye Bungalow Beige. We’re brightening things up with white paint (Sherwin William’s Alabaster) and Chapel Ridge carpeting in brushed ivory which isn’t as scary as it sounds. Our projects should be finished by the first week in February. Before and after pictures to come.
