Honeysuckle Confusion

Stockholm's been experiencing the warmest November in over a hundred years. Maybe ever. And things are cooking in the garden that really shouldn't. The honeysuckle and I are equally confused.

Happy First Sunday Of Advent

We've had a good one. (The camera did not, my apologies.)

Anticipation Angst

First of Advent is only three days away, the countdown will begin. And I love this season. I think about what's to come. I daydream and plan and ponder. I anticipate. It's always been this way. I remember being a child and enjoying the waiting for Christmas more than Christmas itself. In Advent there was always the promise of that Perfect Night. When my presents would be wonderful, the snow thick and white and the magic surrounding us.

I like to think that I'm wiser now (dear Lord, I know that I'm older). That what I dream about today is simpler and therefore easier to accomplish. Family, good food, going to church, being together. I'm not into perfection these days (well, I try not to be – and at least my definition of perfection has changed a lot these last five years).

But then I listen to my son and realize that he's just like me. Like I was. He has a vision of Christmas that is very clear and very perfect. And I find myself struggling with wanting to give him everything and wanting to tell him that no, there probably won't be any snow on the 24th and no, he can't possibly get everything he wishes for and does he realize how lucky he is and there are children starving in the world and can't we all just share an orange in front of the fireplace and be happy with that?

There's a part of me that would very much like to celebrate Christmas Little House On The Praire style. And there's a part of me who want to wrap every present possible, buy snow and fifteen reindeers and build a lifesize gingerbread house with helipad for my son to sleep in.

So there. Total anticipation angst and a tad confused. How about you?

Fellow Proustians/VF-ians

Have you seen this? If you're anything like me or new web acquaintance (damn, that's some difficult spelling) Jennie you're going to be very happy spending your day with this. Turns out I have a lot in common with the Governor of California. Who would have thunk it?

You Know It's A Good One

When ages 6 through 60 are fighting over air time.

Dear Angela Duncan

We finally framed it! And we love it. Sorry about the passepartout being a little tight, though. And don't be fooled by the really awful pictures, it actually looks very much at home in our living room. Thank you!

More of Angela Duncan to be found on Etsy or here.

Du Hast Mir Gefallen

Remember the Spametry siege I was under a couple of weeks ago? It's now Spametry The German Edition. Babelfish tells me that today's headline is "You pleased me". Suddenly I want to be fluent in German.

Hello Friday

It seemed for a while like you would never come.
But you did. And for this I am grateful, thankful, joyful.
Full of good things.
I want to go home now.
To chicken pox and itchy legs and tired eyes and MommyMommyMommy.
To Friday night popcorn and spaghetti and how was school and come here and kiss me.
I want this working week to be over and done with.
And it is.
Thank you Friday.
Tomorrow is Saturday. A whole different scenario. Another me.
Slippers and French toast. Friends and family.
But first. Thank you Friday.
You are good to me.

More Su Blackwell

Holy all things holy, this is pretty. If I were a rich man and so on.

Hello Su Blackwell

You have a new fan. In fact, you have several new fans as of the last five minutes. The office is singing your praise. Rightly so!