My grandmother and uncle Jack. Found while going through some papers last night. I wish I was that stylish.
My mother will be horrified by all the kale. But it really is one of the more photographic leafy greens. And let's face it, the choices are slim at this time of the year ~ it is that or Brussels sprouts. While many of my friends can brag about attending inaugural balls and celebrity sightings of Val Kilmer, Oprah, and our new president, I found myself avoiding the crowds and rummaging for carrots at the farmers market with José Andrés (alas no, I did no ask him what he was making for dinner). However, I can tell you that I made Molly's carrot and fennel soup. So tasty, and very, very easy to make.
A cold walk. A grey day. And a wintery palette. I couldn't limit myself to just one image.
"We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness...." ~ Barack Obama, 20 January 2009
It is terribly distracting in Washington these days, so forgive me the delay in getting this to you. The second installment of the Washington neighborhood tour ~ Georgetown:
As you can imagine, Washington is quite a beehive of activity these days. Viewing stands have been set up along Pennsylvania Avenue, the inaugural platform has been constructed, and today five gigantic flags were hung between the pillars of the Capitol Building (one of my favorite sights!). Emails are flooding in from friends who will be here for the big day, asking me to suggest things to see and do that weekend. So, I have been thinking about places to visit beyond the Mall and away from the crowds. I thought it might be fun to share with you all some of the wonderful historic houses and small museums that make "unofficial" Washington such a great place. Since the list is rather long, I am breaking it up into neighborhoods, and will share it all over the next week or so. Today ~ Dupont Circle and Kalorama:
One of the things I want to do this year is challenge myself to look more carefully at things close to home. Sometimes I walk down the street and see something astonishing in the everyday mundane...like the way a particular slant of light reflects off of a window, or a little pop of color pushing its way in between the cracks in the sidewalk. As a couple of you may know, I carry my camera with me everywhere I go, which is a good habit. The problem is that I don't always stop to take the picture ~ maybe I am in a hurry, or maybe its cold and I just want to get home and pour myself a glass of wine ~ or worse, maybe I am just not in the mood. So my goal is to post at least one image a week in a "close to home" series. The only requirement is that it has to have been taken within a mile of home.
Stamped on the back: "Central Press Photograph / 110 Fleet Street, London." So fabulous and flirty! (click to view larger)
The past several days have been a bit dreary here in Washington. I am beginning to get my equilibrium back, but it is a slow process. I feel like the only views I have seen lately are the ones out of my window. But, I am working on a couple of fun posts and plan to have some things for you next week. Hint: the topic is "close to home" !!
I am still feeling a little under the weather, so you will have to forgive the lack of inspired posts. Hopefully I can ease back into the swing of things soon.
Found on eBay ~ a little birthday treat to myself. Not inscribed...but perhaps that makes it all the more intriguing!
The last day of the year is always such a strange day...and for some reason, it always makes me feel slightly unsettled. I much prefer new year's day, which always feels so fresh and full of possibilities. And generally I do not make resolutions...or at least not very realistic ones. But this year, I resolve to cook more at home (there's a big pot of spicy chili waiting at home for me tonight) ~ and to read more. In 2008, I read much less than I normally do and I am not sure why. But, I am off to a good start, armed with a pile of new books:
Home. Mmmmm. Doesn't my mom make a cozy bed!? I spent a lot of time in that warm sunny spot, curled up reading books and fighting a chest cold. There was lots of snow in Maine...making it look like a picture-perfect Christmas card! Because we were all sick, it was a quiet, peaceful holiday, filled with books and good food. The way it should be I think. Here are some of our simple joys:
I found these recently on eBay and couldn't resist. I would love to know the back story ~ Christmas decorations somewhere on the Mediterranean coast (!?) ~ and the sassy woman in black (click to view larger). Mmmm...I leave it to your imaginations.
While much of the United States is being blanketed by snow and ice, this is as close as we've gotten to seeing any flakes! Is it wrong to love snow so much? Maybe it is because I am a winter baby. I will content myself with Abby's gorgeous photographs ~ these lovely "flakes" (via Camilla) ~ and few in wax (too sweet!).
Two images of the interior of the Northeast Outhouse at Stratford. The light in there is so wonderful...even on a short December day...it's like a Dutch still life. I would love to spend an afternoon there...potting bulbs and misting orchids.
It was a glorious weekend in Virginia for saturday evening's holiday festivities at Stratford Hall (complete with music and dancing)! To see the house lit only by bonfire and candlelight, looking much as it would have in the eighteenth century, is an amazing sight. I did try to capture it by camera, but it was virtually impossible.
Found several years ago on eBay ~ a photograph by Lothar Rübelt of the Austrian figure skater, Willy Böckl, at the 1926 World Figure Skating Championships in Berlin. I really love the playful nature of this image.
As promised, here are some of my favorite holiday destinations in Washington (and beyond!):
It is beginning to lot a lot like Christmas around here. This past weekend was full of the lovely little things that make the holiday special ~ eggnog and homemade cookies, paperwhites and Christmas trees, warm fires and friends...and a dusting of snow. I am trying to keep things really simple this year ~ and it feels good! A couple people emailed to ask about my gift-giving ideas, so I am hoping to get a little list together this week. And also a post about some of my favorite museums in Washington (in response to a comment on friday's post). So, stay tuned...and stay warm.
Found in Maine this past weekend at one of my favorite haunts ~ the Big Chicken Barn. It is not inscribed, but there is a photographer's studio stamp on the back from Albany, New York. I love that this humble little scene has been mounted on such a formal cabinet card.
It gets dark so early in Maine at this time of the year ~ this image was taken at Cleonice, where we stopped for lunch (mmmm...lamb burgers) on the way to the airport ~ so cozy and warm in there.
Backyard details from my parents house in Maine ~ things were looking very wintery. We had a lovely holiday full of warm fires and happy laughter. I hope all of you in the states did too. My heart is a bit heavy today as we lost our sweet dog this morning ~ I am thankful we all got to spend one last holiday with her, but am glad now that her valiant heart doesn't have to work so hard. She will be missed terribly.
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