Saturday, January 31, 2009

A Good Year = a good movie

A charming soundtrack, great surroundings, and cast produce a fine film in
A Good Year . Situated in London and the Provence region of France, Russell Crowe, Albert Phinney, Marion Cotillard, and Abbie Cornish weave a tangled web of love and decisions.

Who knew lavender truly does fend off insects?

After viewing the movie, choose grapes, location , barrel, age, etc. to generate your own interactive, virtual vineyard .

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

7,000 portable potties and 10,000 tourist buses...

...and I will enjoy the festivities from my sofa accompanied by my own ladies' room, a warm fireplace and good food.

The menu here today will be:

Chicken Salad with Rosemary Bread
Fresh Winter Fruit Salad: grapefruit and orange sections, blackberries and blueberries
Tomato Basil Soup
and toasting with Perrier-Jouet Champagne Grand Brut

Best wishes for a great inauguration to all!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

The Dancing Queen

.Last night I watched Mamma Mia! which is bursting with feel good energy. After seeing it at the Hippodrome in Baltimore many years back and again recently at The National Theater, the cinematic interpretation mirrors the stage edition remarkably well. Meryl Streep is great as Donna, more than ever in the Dancing Queen number. Thank you for the music, however the vocals are not what make the movie, Meryl or Pierce. Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson do mark up work as the producers!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Amazing Americans

I am always astonished by the determination and courage of Americans.

Safe and sound after a horrific incident.



Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Please don't forget your manners...

No one is excused from demonstrating good manners. Perhaps small children warrant a pass on some behaviors. For those who need a few reminders (and who doesn't), Newport Manners offers a list of do's and don'ts. Self-confidence radiates from those who display civility and courtesy to others.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Bruges No. 5




At home for the holidays from Luxembourg, my son brought along some loose-leaf tea from Bruges, Belgium. Delicately flowery and aromatic, it is a delight during these cold days.