Skyfall

 A few nights ago, I went with my guys to see Skyfall, the third James Bond movie performed by Daniel Craig.  We agreed a few years back, that Craig after Sean Connery, was the best James Bond.  We especially liked Casino Royal, less so  Quantum of Solace.  With this last movie, we were tickled because of the numerous references to past James Bond movies.

My son T. called the references: Easter Eggs.  I'll give you only a couple: the movie goes to Scotland (nudge, nudge, wink, wink Sean) and Moneypenny resurfaces.  Need I say more?  We liked this more- sedate-than-usual Bond thriller because of its sentimentality:  filial loyalty towards M, the non existent love interest and the good job of directing us backwards to the past are all aspects of the movie that we appreciated.  We walked out more touched than shaken and stirred if you know what I mean.

If you have a chance this holiday season, see it.  With the men or the women in your lives.  Those who have liked JB will like this one.

Bisous,

Stella

P.S.  I enjoyed Looper.  Bruce Willis is a little less his movie self and a little more himelf at the same time.  I like seeing him with the grey hair, wrinkles and a still-fit body.  Clearly, aging doesn't seem to bother Bruce.  I first liked him in Moonlighting 1985-1989 with Cybill Shepherd.  Remember?

Post Christmas Post

One week into the holidays and I am already feeling it.  It, the need to stop, to slow down, to have a blank agenda for a day or three.  With T. in the house, we are whipped up into a frenzy getting him to the doctor, the dentist, the masseur, the clothes store, his favorite restaurant, the movies, etc., etc.
Now that most of the have tos have been looked after, this second week will bring time to get back in touch with the self.  Since November, I've been doing a little lot of knitting.  I have 5 pairs of Toast in my gift-giving drawer.  The yarn used is Classic Elite's Portland Tweed, a mixture of virgin wool and alpaca with a little viscose.  It knits up beautifully and I love the colors.  Here is a shot of the pile.  I just have to weave in a bunch of ends and they are ready to go.

I also made two of this lovely Marian cowl by Jane Richmond using Rowan's Splash (no longer available but you can try to get it on ebay or Ravelry). This colorway is called Seascape and I love the muted tones that remind me of the beach in Florence, Oregon.  One cowl for me, one for the darling girl who does my hair.

Once I get a pattern down, then I am not too stressed to make it for someone else.  I just have to get it down perfect pat  before I dare to offer it as a gift. I remember too many times I wanted my Mom to knit me this or that and she would always do her best but sometimes... it didn't turn out well for me and I felt guilty that I had her do all the hours of knitting required to get the thing done and badly about the money spent on the yarn.  That's the rub with all things hand made.  They CAN turn out not-so-good despite one's best efforts.

I am looking at making this caplet with a ball of yarn that has been hiding in the window seat for a couple of years.  The pattern is versatile, it can make a caplet or an infinity scarf, so popular nowadays.  This knitting thing, it's really good for me. It's a hobby that travels well and calms me.  I usually knit before I go to sleep, thus avoiding the ever present screen (TV, computer) that can sometimes overstimulate the mind and make sleeping even more of a challenge than it already is.

That being said, my three guys are waiting for me to watch a movie on Apple TV called Looper, starring Bruce Willis... 

...I am definitely bringing my knitting.

Bisous,

Stella

Joyeux Noël

I want to wish everyone who passes by the merriest of Christmases.  Let me qualify that:  I wish you peace, I wish you love, I wish you serenity, I wish you joy, I wish you quietude, I wish you good sleeps, I wish you hugs and kisses, I wish you good food and good movies, I wish you long walks, good drink, fire in the fireplace or on TV, I wish you loving family and loved seniors and babes.  I wish you a full heart.

Love,

Stella

I'll be Home for Christmas...

T. and D. at the airport early this morning

Our boy is home.  I should say our man.  He is so grown up and in charge and sweet and smart and witty and fun all rolled into one.

We had to bundle him into a winter coat and boots as the difference in temperature with Anguilla was 50 degrees at 1 am this morning.  So we did, we bundled and coddled and cooed and took our treasure home where we unbundled him and coddled and cooed some more, all three of us, until we were sure that he was for real and that we could let him go for a bit.

Listening to him I wonder what V. and I did to give birth to such a force of nature.  He is so passionate about medicine, about people, about poverty, about racism about humanity.  I love his ethic, his ideals, his view of life.

Needless to say, I am overwhelmed with love and am trying hard not to: hover, question, meddle, kiss, hug...  But he is the one making the first move. Every few hours, he opens his arms and holds us tight.

I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree

I am a sappy, happy sentimentalist.  I asked for one thing for Christmas, and I got it.

Bonsoir,

Stella

Tonight

Tonight, tonight
The world is full of light
With suns and moons all over the place

                                                            - excerpt from West Side Story

My boy comes home tonight.  How will he be?  Will he weep, shall I? I'll take my camera and catch his brother hop into his arms.

We are tightly knit this family of mine.

Bisous,

Stella

Snowman Humor

Via Pinterest

Two More Sleeps

The last week has been frenetic.  Yes, frenetic just about sums it up.

fre·net·ic

/frəˈnetik/Adjective

Fast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way: "a frenetic pace of activity".


Although the «uncontrolled» is not quite right.  I did have one foot on the ground. 

So here's the rub:  Why do people insist on adding Christmas activities at the last minute during the two weeks before the start of holidays?  Last week I had three social events in a row, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Saturday found me completely out of commission, flat on my back, silent and recharging a dangerously low battery, what with going to work AND socializing and all.

Why didn't I say no?  Because in the first case, I was leading the activity, in the second, I was the first in a long list of invitees (not a good reason, I know)and in the third, I had already said no to said person the last time I was invited.

So, after spending Saturday in semi-comatose state, Sunday I was up and at it and had a lot of catching up to do.  We put up the tree and decorations, I still have to do the railings.  I did laundry, still have a load to fold, made supper and  knit on the scarf I want to offer my beautiful fantastic yoga teacher.

Still to do:

1. Railings as aforementioned
2. Tourtières with my sons
3. Lee Valley Tools for some stocking stuffers
4. A couple of Christmas cards for my colleagues
5. Finish work on a necklace
6. Put a few things away in T's room that has almost become a dumping ground
7. Put wreath and garland on front door
8. Get boys to wash cars
9. Get boys to pick up fondue meat
10. Get boys to buy Maman a great big gift for being such a pearl (well, it sounds like a good idea)

Talk to you later,

Bisous,

Stella

10 More Sleeps

Our big boy is coming home for Christmas.  We haven't seen him since January 5th.  In 10 sleeps, I can hold him in my arms and give him a big hug.  I can kiss his cheeks and squeeze his arm.  I can cook for him and laugh at his jokes.  I can share a glass of red wine and talk by the fire.  I can go for a walk when it's dark outside and talk about life. I can roll my eyes at his less funny jokes.  I can wake him up by tousling his hair and kissing his forehead.  I can smell where his neck meets his shoulder.  I can weep with joy. 

I can watch he and his father back slap.  I can watch him put his arm around his brother.  I can watch them wrestle.  I will see him talk passionately with his godfather. I will watch him watch the little children.  I will receive compliments for the good food.  I will be asked for advice.  I will be full of love and wonderment at this person who shared a sacred space with me for 9 months and is now, completely an adult.

Bonne journée,

Stella

Boob Scare

Two weeks ago, my left breast had a thickened mass in it.  It hurt.  I was afraid.  I had an appointment with my doctor within five days and she sent me straight to the Breast Center.  Five days after my appointment with my doctor, I was lying on the table for an ultrasound after my mammogram.  All clear.

Bless our health system.  Bless my friends and family. I love life and I get more of it.

Love,

Stella

Fleet Foxes

My boy T. introduced me to the Fleet Foxes a few years back.  I am listening to them as I write this and still find them good.

Listen to their White Winter Hymnal.

Avec amour,

Stella

Winter Solstice by Windham Hill

It's a tradition now. Every December 1st, I dig through the bins in my crawl space and retrieve my Winter Solstice music.  O.k. it is not technically winter, that arrives on December 21st somewhere in the world but not in Canada. Here, winter has been comfortably ensconced since somewhere around the beginning of November.  We had that blizzard on November 7th dumping 20+ centimetres of snow and it (winter) has been here to stay since then.

So anyways, back to my favorite going into winter music. It is a series of yearly CDs released by Windham Hill , one per year since 1989.  I think that there are at least 6 CDs in all.  The music, provided by various artists,  can be lyrical and sad, evoking the frozen landscape and the return to darkness and tug at your soul or  festive and joyful and make you want to dance a jig. Before Christmas, I like the mournful tunes best.  It's the darkness before the light when the air is pensive and anticipatory.

 The collection is still available at Amazon here or you can purchase it on iTunes.  

For me, the start of winter and preparation for the Christmas season always starts with this music.  None of my men complain about it so I guess they might even like it too.

Try it, you'll like it.

Here is a taste from YouTube.

                     

Bon dimanche,

Stella