Little Ruthie

Christmas at our house

We trimmed the tree last Sunday night

 

That took one night and then we added our stockings the next day

and we even put out Ella and Gershwin's stockings

 
 
We placed some holiday cheer here  and there

  

The construction paper link was made by the boy for a countdown to Christmas.  Each morning he rips off one of the links  We needed to find just the right place for it and the boy determined that this was the right place.

 
 We even have some gifts under the tree.  Grandma is always early.

It's starting to feel like Christmas!
 
 

  
 

Another thing I want that I don't need

Is this too scrumptious or what?  Vin Burnham is a costume designer who has worked with the Royal Opera House and designed for opera and ballet along with films and television.  She is now making these gorgeous costumes at quarter scale, using crystals, sequins, tulle and silk.  The Little Costume Shop sells these guys for about 2 to 3 thousand each.

We'll take two.

My favorite is the snowflake costume.  Would have posted the pic but couldn't get it to save correctly.

I need these

Are these just too beautiful?  Little leather birds on espadrilles.  Do you like espadrilles?  I have always liked them.  I remember in high school at some point they were fashionable and I wore the heck out of my tan pair.  These are so not my tan pair.  Much better, I think.

It's supposed to snow today but these shoes make me think of summer.  Why is it that you want whatever season has just passed? 

Little Luxuries - Part II

  

What about the little luxuries that you just don't have the time to give to yourself?  I thought about some that I love but simply just don't do.  For instance, I love it when my pajamas are ironed.  I love the way the smooth cotton feels and looks.  But seriously, I have no time to do it myself. 

 

Growing my own basil is another little luxury I've missed, but not really for lack of trying.  Here in Colorado they are definitely an annual with a short life span.  My friend, Noelle, reminded me today of this amazing basil plant we had planted in our yard in CA.  It fed at least three families all summer and into the fall.  I miss that plant.

 

Manicures are another area that seem to be so low on the list that I never really do them.  I don't like going to a salon for a manicure.  Other than the hand massage, it's never really done it for me.  But I do like to have a nice polish.  I used to do it but when I started taking art classes all those years ago, I always managed to have paint all over my nails so it seemed pointless.  Now?  I run out of time.

So what about you guys?  I know each of you is time deprived.  What do you never get around to doing for yourself?

Little things that make the day special

The husband bought me a lovely silk scarf that I'd been wanting.  It's sort of an early anniversary gift but it got me to thinking about little things that make me so happy. 

For instance, I've recently begun adding to a vintage charm bracelet that was given to me by Auntie.  The charms are so tiny but I always get happy when I see them.  I purchased a perfectly campy charm of the Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings that we saw on our camping trip.  It was in the store next to the commemorative spoons.  Do you remember the spoons and the thimbles?  A friend's mother used to collect those spoons and even had a little rack on which to display them.  Must have made her happy.

This soap is made by L'Occitane and it's my favorite.  They make the best milk and shea butter soaps.  Each time I use one it feels like a tiny little luxury.  I need to go out and get more.

Right now, I'm drinking some white tea from my sister's catering company, The Denver Tea Room (remember, she caters tea parties and is a pastry chef).  It the Wedding Tea and its delicious.  I catered a gig with her yesterday and came home with some stash.  I've been writing this afternoon and it's always nice to have a pot of tea going. 

Do you have any litle things that just pick you up?