March 2024 in Pictures

“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises” — Pedro Calderón de la Barca

Currently • March 2024

“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.” ― Henry Van Dyke, Fisherman’s Luck

READING:

• Wine People by Michelle Wildgen — “A rich, intoxicating escape into the hedonistic and cutthroat world of wine and what happens when two ambitious women, opposites in every way, join forces to succeed in a competitive male-dominated industry” (Goodreads).

• A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway — “Hemingway's memories of his life as an unknown writer living in Paris in the twenties are deeply personal, warmly affectionate, and full of wit. Looking back not only at his own much younger self, but also at the other writers who shared Paris with him - James Joyce, Wyndham Lewis, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald - he recalls the time when, poor, happy, and writing in cafes, he discovered his vocation. Written during the last years of Hemingway's life, his memoir is a lively and powerful reflection of his genius that scintillates with the romance of the city” (Goodreads). What better way to prepare for my own return to Paris? I have read this book countless times, yet each time, I discover something new to love — just like Paris herself.

WATCHING:

• Death and Other Details (Hulu) — “Detective Rufus Cotesworth and his protégé, Imogene, dig for the truth on a Mediterranean ocean liner where everyone is hiding something” (IMDb). This Agatha Christie-esque series was entertaining at first, but lost my attention in after about four episodes. We did hang on until the end though and the final two episodes were more satisfying.

• Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (FX) — “The second installment in Ryan Murphy’s FEUD anthology, FX's FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans is an eight-episode limited series based on the bestselling book Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era by Laurence Leamer. Acclaimed writer Truman Capote (Tom Hollander) surrounded himself with a coterie of society’s most elite women – rich, glamorous socialites who defined a bygone era of high society New York – whom he nicknamed “the swans.” Beautiful and distinguished, the group included grande dame Barbara “Babe” Paley (Naomi Watts), Slim Keith (Diane Lane), C.Z. Guest (Chloë Sevigny) and Lee Radziwill (Calista Flockhart). Enchanted and captivated by these doyennes, Capote ingratiated himself into their lives, befriending them and becoming their confidante, only to ultimately betray them by writing a thinly veiled fictionalization of their lives, exposing their most intimate secrets. When an excerpt from the book, Answered Prayers, Capote’s planned magnum opus, was published in Esquire, it effectively destroyed his relationship with his swans, banished him from the high society he so loved and sent him into a spiral of self-destruction from which he would ultimately never recover. The series also stars Demi Moore as Ann “Bang-Bang” Woodward, Molly Ringwald as Joanne Carson, Treat Williams as Bill Paley, Joe Mantello as Jack Dunphy and Russell Tovey as John O’Shea.” The cast is phenominal — reason enough to watch. I also read the book but this series was more disturbing than I anticipated. Eric bailed after the first episode, but I stuck it out — perhaps out of morbid curiousity.

• Napoleon (Apple TV+) — “An epic that details the chequered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine” (IMDb). Nope, not good. I did enjoy this line (Napoleon to a British diplomat): “You think you’re so great because you have boats.”

• March Madness - I watched Marquette in Paris, Prague, and Venice, and although the season didn’t end as I had hoped, I am a forever fan.

• Our favorite Paris movies: Amélie, Funny Face, Charade, and Midnight in Paris. While we were in Paris, every evening, we would take a walk to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle and then return to our home for the week to enjoy a movie and Champagne. Not a bad way to end a day!

LISTENED TO:

• Classical Music — Our trip to the classical music capitals of Europe inspired me to revisit Beethoven, Bach, Straus, Vivaldi, and Mozart…and of course any mention of Mozart inspires a little Rock Me Amadeus (Falco).

• March Instapuzzle Mini Playlist:

  • Snowdrop (Daisy’s Garden)

  • Le temps est bon (Bon Entendeur, Isabelle Pierre)

  • They Say It’s Spring (Blossom Dearie)

  • Better Together (Jack Johnson)

  • Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles)

  • Lovely Day (Bill Withers)

  • When Irish Eyes are Smiling (Bing Crosby)

  • Little Birdie (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

  • Spring (Antonio Vivaldi)

ENJOYING: Home sweet home after two weeks in Europe — Eric and I spent a four days in Paris before flying to Prague (via Beauvais) to join the school trip. After a week traveling from Prague to Vienna to Salzburg to Venice, we are very happy to be home. I have lots of pictures to edit and share — coming soon.

February 2024 in Pictures

“I believe in pink… I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” ― Audrey Hepburn

Currently • February 2024

“February is short and very sweet” ― Charmaine J. Forde

READING:

• Books:

  • Sylvia’s Bookshop by Robert Burleigh — “Told by the bookstore itself, Sylvia’s Bookshop tells the story of the legendary Shakespeare and Company, its owner Sylvia Beach, and the many great writers who gathered there to meet, read, and remind us that books are more than the words on the page” (Goodreads). I have often admired this children’s book in a colleague’s office and was happy to have the opportunity to read it. This might be my next Shakespeare and Company purchase. Why is it that I continue to buy lovely children's books that I can’t share with children? Maybe someday I’ll be a great-auntie…

  • Audrey in Paris by Caroline Young — “Both classic, both inimitable, both fashion icons - Audrey Hepburn and Paris are a match made in heaven. Falling in love with the city at a young age, Audrey returned to Paris again and again in some of her most celebrated films (Sabrina, Funny Face, How to Steal a Million, Charade) wearing outfits from her favorite Parisian couturier, Hubert de Givenchy, and creating some of the most significant fashion moments of the twentieth century. Audrey in Paris brings together over 100 stunning photographs of her most iconic moments in the city, from film stills and behind-the-scenes shots to candid images of Audrey enjoying the city as a visitor. The book also includes a bespoke illustrated map showing her favorite spots” (Goodreads).

• Links:

  • Legendary Paris Restaurants That Live Up to the Hype (Food and Wine)

  • A Walk Through Chanel's Perfumery Gardens in Grasse, France (CN Traveler)

  • Paris 2024 Olympic medals to feature iron from the Eiffel Tower (CNN Style)

WATCHING:

• The New Look — “The story of how fashion icon Christian Dior and his contemporaries including Coco Chanel, Pierre Balmain, and Cristobal Balenciaga navigated the horrors of World War II and launched modern fashion” (Apple TV).

• Marquette Basketball - It has been another very exciting season. Marquette is ranked #5 in the nation this week and #2 in the Big East (behind 2023 NCAA Champs U-Conn). Bring on the Madness that is March.

• Some of my favorite movies — It is my birth month after all.:

  • Pretty in Pink — Who doesn’t love a John Hughes movie with a great 80’s soundtrack?

  • Wind — Dreaming about sailing in February.

  • Lots of Paris-themed movies in anticipation of our trip next month:

    • Midnight in Paris

    • Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

    • Funny Face

LISTENING TO:

• February Mini-Playlist:

  • Oh l’Amour (Erasure)

  • C’est si bon (Emilie-Claire Barlow)

  • Dancing Queen (ABBA)

  • Pretty in Pink (Psychedelic Furs)

  • La vie en rose (Edith Piaf)

  • C’est bon la vie (Nana Mouskouri)

  • Sugar Sugar (The Archies), Formidable (Charles Aznavour)

  • La vie en rose - English version (Emily Watts)

ENJOYING:

• Wine tastings with family and friends at Waterford Wine in Delafield: Valentine’s Champagne Tasting and Napa vs. Bordeaux Cabernets on February 29th.

• February — I loved curating 29 days of rosy hues, hearts, and flowers. I have marveled at every possible change in the weather this month, culminating in a 24-hour shift from sunny and 74º in the afternoon of February 27th with thunderstorms in the evening to snow and a wind chill of -1º on the morning of the 28th.

• A long weekend filled with birthday treats, texts, emails, messages on Facebook and Instagram, GChats, phone calls, and celebrations — I’m a lucky girl.

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Our trip to Europe in less than three weeks — As I mentioned last month, Eric and I will be chaperoning the PHS music trip to Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, and Venice. I am excited to visit these beautiful European cities, to see Alps again, to rediscover Venice (one of my favorite cities when I first visited Europe), and most of all, to do The Sound of Music tour in Salzburg. But before we join the PHS travelers in Prague, Eric and I will be spending four days alone in Paris with no definite plans beyond enjoying Paris in the springtime. I do hope to see or do something new everyday and, as always, I plan to take pictures of “the little things”. Sure, I’ll photograph the iconic monuments when we’re nearby, but I really want to focus on the little things that make Paris, and the rest of our trip, special.

January 2024 in Pictures

“I believe every day should have at least one exquisite moment.” — Audrey Hepburn

Currently • January 2024

"And I said, ‘What about Breakfast at Tiffany’s?’” — Deep Blue Something

READING:

• Books:

  • Njuta: Enjoy, Delight In: The Swedish Art of Savoring the Moment by Niki Brantmark — “Njuta, which means ‘enjoy’ or ‘delight in,’ is the Swedish art of savoring the moment. Focused on finding happiness in even the smallest things, njuta can be applied to every area of life — daily rituals, creating a comfortable home, nature and friluftsliv (open-air life), meal times and fika, adapting to the seasons, celebrations with family and friend — relishing a quiet moment of comfort to enjoying the beauty of nature or even just reveling in the deliciousness of a favorite snack, you too can do like the Swedes and open your eyes to all of life’s pleasures, no matter how simple” (Goodreads). I like to start the new year with some simple, Scandinavian wisdom.

  • Photography: History · Art · Technique by Tom Ang — “This fascinating all-in-one guide shows you how to take better pictures. A comprehensive guide to all things photographic, Photography opens with a gallery of more than 30 of the key figures in photography… [and] such diverse genres as art photography, reportage, portrait, and wildlife photography. The book then tells the story of photography, from its beginnings to the rise of the "selfie" today. The second half of the book introduces cameras, accessories, and software, explaining what they can do and how to use them, then shows how to take bettEverer photographs by mastering the technical aspects of your camera; experimenting with composition, color, and light; and digitally enhancing your photos. Inspirational masterclasses covering all genres of photography--including landscape, portraits, wildlife, architecture, and art--also provide you with an opportunity to apply your new skills in a clear and practical way” (Goodreads). I did a cursory read of this beautiful book, but I’m eager to delve deeper into it when I can concentrate and practice — perhaps this summer.

  • The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abe — “This riveting novel takes you inside the scandalous courtship and catastrophic honeymoon aboard the Titanic of the most famous couple of their time—John Jacob Astor and Madeleine Force” (Goodreads).

• Links:

  • The Earful Tower’s Ultimate A to Z Guide — “This year on The Earful Tower, it has been the ABC season, affectionately known as the ABCson. In alphabetic order, we’ve taken a deep dive into Paris and sometimes beyond.” BONUS: Guide to the Best Park in Each Arrondissement

  • How the Chanel Flat Became a Fashion Icon (InStyle) — I love mine so much that I get them re-soled every summer.

WATCHING:

• Breakfast at Tiffany’s — A trip to Chicago with a stop at Tiffany and Co. along with a Breakfast at Tiffany’s narrated re-watch on the final day of winter break inspired this month’s color palette. Last January’s blue was icier; this year, I’m warming it up a bit with a hue that can only be described as “Tiffany Blue”.

• Mamma Mia and Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again — I was hyper-focused on all things turquoise so two movies set in the Greece caught my eye. And, of course, the movies are great excuse to listen to ABBA. (Do I need an excuse for ABBA?)

• The Boys in the Boat — The Boys in the Boat, directed by George Clooney and based on the 2013 book by Daniel James Brown, follows the University of Washington rowing team and their quest to compete in the 1936 Summer Olympics. As rowers, Eric and I were both eager to see this film. The scenery, the boats, and the fashion from the 1930s were beautiful, but the story was underdeveloped. We would have liked the movie to be longer.

• Happy Days (Prime) — Milwaukee Magazine featured an article about the 50th anniversary of Happy Days, the 1970s sitcom, set in Milwaukee in the 1950s. As a little girl, I loved Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley so much that I begged my mom to change my ballet lessons from Tuesdays to Wednesday so I wouldn’t miss the shows. For the past couple of weeks, we have been revisiting a couple episodes each night.

LISTENING TO:

• My Jimmy Buffet Playlist is always the perfect palate cleanser after a month of Christmas music.

• My January 2024 Instapuzzle Playlist:

  • Happy New Year (ABBA)

  • Everyday I Write the Book (Elvis Costello)

  • These Are Days (10,000 Maniacs)

  • Skating (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

  • Moon River (Audrey Hepburn)

  • My Girl (The Temptations)

  • Music Box Dancer (Frank Mills)

  • Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (Jimmy Buffett)

  • Theme from Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Henry Mancini)

ENJOYING:

• New Year’s Eve at home — Rather than drive to Milwaukee and dine out on one of the busiest nights of the year, we decided to stay home and make Julia Child’s boeuf bourgignon. There are 44 steps and the recipe takes five hours to complete. That’s what makes it a such special treat. We do substitute beef tenderloin instead of stew meat which makes it even more decadent. While the dish simmered for the requisite three hours, we drank wine, and watched Julie and Julia and A Good Year. It was a lovely way to spend the evening.

• Snow Days (sort of) — On Tuesday, January 9th (Piper’s 9th birthday) and again on Friday, January 12th, all schools in the area were closed due to inclement weather (although Pewaukee held virtual classes). Tuesday was manageable and the temps were pleasant. Piper was happy to play in the snow and enjoy extra snuggles and Grandma’s pupcakes on her special day. Friday’s snow was another story. We got over a foot of snow on top of the 6” that fell on Tuesday. The snow was heavy and wind was fierce. Eric spent most of the day clearing the driveway, sidewalk, and deck and blowing a path for Piper to go out into the yard. We lost several large tree limbs and had to rescue many young trees and shrubs that were bending under the weight of all the snow. We cleaned up as much as we could before a week of sub-zero temps and and dangerous wind chills set in. I love snow, but we don’t need to get a winter’s worth in one week. I’m hoping for gentler, lovely snow in February.

PLANNING:

• Some January touch-ups — After the Christmas tree and decorations are down, I enjoy our clean, Scandi minimalism. Yet as much as l revel in the winter sunlight reflecting off the brilliant white snow and love how it brightens the January blues, the light also illuminates a year’s worth of dinginess and dings that require some attention. It’s time to clean out cabinets and closets and rid ourselves of things we no longer want or need. I want to touch up the trim and Eric will repaint our kitchen cabinets with a fresh coat of creamy white paint. I always feel better in a clean, uncluttered space.

• Our spring break trip — In March, Eric and I will be chaperoning the PHS music trip to Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, and Venice. I am excited to visit these beautiful European cities, to see Alps again, to rediscover Venice (one of my favorite cities when I first visited Europe), and most of all, to do The Sound of Music tour in Salzburg. I love The Sound of Music so much that I even walked down the aisle to The Processional rather than Here Comes the Bride. Here is the full trip itinerary. But before we join the PHS travelers in Prague, Eric and I will be spending four days alone in Paris. I suggested that we extend our European holiday with a little excursion on our own and let Eric choose where he would like to go. I was surprised that he chose Paris. I thought that, since we were ending our tour in Venice, he might like to explore another region of Italy (Florence, Rome, Cinque Terre, etc.) or visit la Côte d’Azur and our friends in Provence. I suggested that, since he has been to Paris twice before, he might like to go someplace new. But he pointed out that he will be visiting four new places on the tour and would like to relax and enjoy some time together in Paris. Who am I to argue when, in fact, I was secretly lamenting the fact that I would be so close to my beloved Paris without paying her a visit? We have no definite plans beyond enjoying Paris in the springtime.