Some Happy Scribbles...
Greetings! I hope you’ve had a good week.
We’ve had perfect fall weather here and I’ve been doing my best to savor it by spending the last hour of sunlight - aka golden hour - outside each day. There is something so special about watching the sun go down, and I always feel refreshed after a dose of fresh air and nature.
On the topic of savoring, it is a truth universally acknowledged that the first sip of wine (much like the first sip of morning tea or coffee) tastes the best, and whenever I pour a glass of wine and take the first sip, I think about the conversation I had with a friend, years ago, discussing this phenomenon. What I really think about is my friend, that conversation - which lead to a discussion about stopping at that first sip (never happens!) - and all our interesting chats; and because of my warm memories, the wine tastes even better!
Does this happen to you? I notice that certain activities, or places, or things can evince fond memories of particular friends, making me appreciate and feel closer to them, even though we’re not together.
Another example: a very stylish friend recommended this fashion and lifestyle blog, and when I receive e-mails from them, I am reminded of how much I admire her extraordinarily thoughtful and disciplined approach to clothes-buying and closet management.
And now it’s happening with…mascara! In my twenties, a makeup-savvy friend introduced me to the concept of layering white mascara before the typical coat of black. Lately, in an effort to plump up my rapidly diminishing 48-year-old eyelashes, I’ve started doing this again - and every time I use white mascara, I think of the two of us putting on makeup together before embarking on our single-girl adventures. Ah - the memories!
Somewhat related, I found this piece on “writing the acknowledgments” while you’re still in the process of working on a goal very interesting. As Caroline Donofrio said:
“Gathering my thanks had an immediate calming effect. I felt grateful, supported, acutely aware of the people who had helped me in some way…[This] hones my appreciation on a granular level. And I always feel better afterward.”
It’s a creative way of practicing gratitude, and I’m going to give it a try.
In other news, we have a busy weekend planned, with a fun dinner, sports, and Halloween costume shopping all on the agenda!
Speaking of busy, have you noticed how fast life seems to be moving again? I feel like we’re truly back to pre-pandemic activity levels and I’m finding it all a bit overwhelming. I know I’m not the only one: this week a friend sent me a link to an “organizing” app that promises to handle your bill-paying, scheduling (and rescheduling) appointments, online grocery shopping, etc etc.
Could the antidote to overwhelm be this upcoming Lindsay Lohan Christmas movie?! Doesn’t getting comfy under a blanket on the couch with some popcorn and watching an escapist-holiday-themed-amnesia movie sound just dreamy?
And maybe lighting this Ball Boy candle would enhance the experience: mixing up the cozy holiday feels with the sweet smell of summer days (and, apparently, sweatbands.)
If you need it, here’s more escapism: a gorgeous English garden tour and a colorful Notting Hill townhouse. There’s something so cheerful and soothing about British design! On that topic, I am thinking about taking this Create Academy course on garden design - I loved Rita Konig’s course on interiors.
Continuing the rest and relaxation theme: My ideal fall (and winter) Sundays are comprised of staying home and pottering: going for a walk, getting organized for the week, spending time outside by the fire pit, with something simmering on the stove.
This week I’m planning to make Frankie’s Sunday Sauce and meatballs. While I feel strongly that Sunday dinner should always be roast chicken, my children both claim they no longer eat chicken, and Teddy (11) has specifically requested pasta bolognese, lasagne, and meatballs. His preference for red sauce, pasta, and ground beef have been noted. Not sure if we’ll be hungry for dessert after meatballs, but I really want to try these genius cast-iron s’mores and we happen to have all the ingredients in the pantry…
In other cooking news, I made this roasted halibut this week. It was fast and super-easy, and baking the rosemary branches with the fish made the house smell delicious!
On the not-so-relaxing viewing front, I am itchy with anticipation for the finale of Bad Sisters. The show is essentially a whodunnit, and the last episode promises to reveal the cause of death of the dreadful JP - and the culprit (or culprits). Also, not relaxing, but very intriguing: Luckiest Girl Alive on Netflix.
That’s it for me this week. I wish you a wonderfully relaxing weekend - I hope you have as much fun as this guy!
xoxo
Amelia
P.S: thank you Tina, for alerting me to the Vacation.inc website, which sells the Ball Boy candle, along with Pool Boy, and Partial Ocean View candles. I am making a Christmas list, and these items are on it!
P.P.S: For more vacation vibes, allow me to present a montage of scenes from Cocktail set to Kokomo by The Beach Boys. Watch it for Tom Cruise’s awkward dance moves and oddly short shorts…