this and that

Hello, dear friends.  This week whipped by for me.  On Wednesday, we celebrated my bff, Anne's birthday in Boston.  It was bitterly cold but we warmed up sitting fireside at lunch before braving the streets to do some power shopping.

We dined at the Fairmont, which is one of my favorite hotels in the city. 

I chatted with Carly, one of two of the Fairmont's resident canines.  Her sister, Katie, was off having her nails done.  In my next life, I want to come back as one of these lucky girls.

It was a delightful afternoon and lovely catching up with Anne.

*****

Here is a recap of some movies, books, and some of my latest favorite things.

Spotlight

Great cast and screenplay.  
I highly recommend this one.
It received lots of Oscar nods. 

Truth

This film didn't get a lot of hype but was very good.  As much as I love Robert Redford, Cate Blanchett stole the show.

The Big Short

I thought this movie was pretty good.  The writer did a fabulous job putting a humorous spin on boring, complicated subject matter.  Christian Bale gave an outstanding performance and is nominated for an Oscar. 

Sisters

Huge disappointment.  

I had such high hopes for this one.

We ended up leaving early.

The Danish Girl

Loved this Oscar-nominated movie.  

Eddie Redmayne deserves to win the Oscar.

He looks better as a woman than I do on my best day.

Brooklyn

Couldn't be happier that Brooklyn was nominated for an Oscar.  It was by far my favorite movie of 2015.  You can read my review here.

*****

Amazon

Beatriz Williams can do no wrong in my book.  After I finish one of her novels, I feel that I have met every character personally.  Williams' attention to detail and her charming story lines make for a most entertaining read. 

Amazon

If you like Gone Girl, you will love this twisted tale.  

I couldn't put it down.

Amazon

I thought this one was awful.  Part of the problem with this book is that the main character is an ego-driven narcissist that does not have one redeeming characteristic.  If I wanted this much abuse, I would tune into The Kardashians. I spent way too much of my valuable time reading this one.  By the way, they are making book this into a movie.  Can hardly wait.  

Amazon

Winter Stroll is second in Hilderband's trilogy that debuts consecutive Decembers.  It is light reading which I prefer during the hustle and bustle of the holidays.  The story centers around a somewhat normal, lovable family and an inn that they run in Nantucket.  

Amazon

I am halfway through this book and am enjoying every page.  Catherine Ryan Hyde has written several books - none of which I have read before.  I look forward to reading a lot more of her novels.

*****

Choate Studio

Last Fall, I commissioned Terry Rourke to paint a house portrait as a Christmas present for the Mister.  We were positively thrilled with the outcome.  Chili and Chowdah were happy with their portrayal as well. 

Sublime Chic 

My dear friend, Sally, from across the pond, has begun a blog on Tumbler.  If you love to look at breathtaking photos and read insightful, poetic words, you will love her site.  Stop over and see Sally and tell her Katie sent you! 

Eliza Rosen

Eliza contacted me and introduced me to her digital portraits.  Her website of darling portraits will capture your heart.  This is my favorite one.  Hmmmm... I wonder why.  

Last but not least, I leave you with something sweet.  These bites of deliciousness are only 80 calories and get me through the afternoon slump 'til my first of glass of vino. 

Enjoy your weekend. 

Until next time...

Thanksgiving Weekend

Hello, dear friends.  If you've been wondering where I've been lately, I was on my death bed.  Not literally, but it certainly felt like it.  Wednesday morning, I woke up in a web of fever, chills, and every bone in my body ached.  I hoped it was a 24-hour virus, but I was not so lucky.  I called the Doctor on day 3 and she said that even though I had the flu shot, it could be another strain or it could be  some other virus.  In any case, her prescription was to take Advil - but not too much because it could turn toxic.  Yikes.  I wanted to ask her if she had any good news for me.

I watched every Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel and two seasons of my #1's favorite show, Fixer Upper.  Gotta love Chip and Joanna.

The worst part was missing out on the Concord Home Tour with my buddy, Mary.  Oh well, there's always next year. 

This post covers our delightful Thanksgiving weekend with our girls.  

 

Before the big arrival, the pups headed to the groomers for a sweet smelling bath.  Can you tell how thrilled they are to be on their way? 

Apres bath kisses.

Our #2 arrived home first.  She spent plenty of time catching up with Chowdah and Chili.

Our #1 arrived with everyone else in the world on the day before Turkey Day.  Can you tell that Chili has a fondness for belly rubs? 

Happy pups to have their sistas home.

I won the battle of the Christmas cards this year.  For the past couple of years, the girls refused to do a picture.  But this year I utilized a healthy dose of mom guilt.  Every time one of my girls would ask me what I wanted for Christmas, I would tell them in a sad voice that I wanted one last Christmas card with featuring them and Chowdah and Chili, of course.   They finally relented.

Here are a couple of out-takes.  I have been threatening and bribing these two for a natural smile for the card for over twenty years.  Now I just have to work on Chowdah and Chili. 

We spent Black Friday on Newbury Street.  Our #2 stayed home to work on two ten-page papers.  If I didn't know better, I would think she was adopted.  We lunched at one of our favorite restaurants, Paparazzi.

When we got there, I went to the ladies room and came out to find the Mister flirting with the hostess. I can't take him anywhere.

We stopped during our shopping expedition to satisfy the Mister's sweet tooth.

I thought Black Friday would be crazy on Black Friday but it wasn't at all.

Our #1 offered to help us decorate the outside of the house.  So we grabbed her, jumped in the car and sped away before she could change her mind. 

The fruit of our hard labor.

We took in two movies; my favorite and least favorite of the year. 

You know how much I love Diane Keaton.  I was very excited for Love the Coopers and had high hopes for this flick.  I was hoping for another movie like Family Stone.

To put it politely, it was a waste of great talent.  It had a mish-mash of plots and subplots that were ridiculous.  I hope Diane has someone with taste pick her next film.

I positively adored everything about Brooklyn.  The love story was beautiful, without being over done.  I highly recommend this movie if you are looking for enchanting escapism.

Until next time...

An Oscar Worthy Hodgepodge

Hello, dear friends.  Happy day-after-Super Tuesday.  This seems like the longest election year in history.  And it's only the first of March.  I hope that you are having a good week. 

1.  February ended with an extra 24 hours in 2016.  What did you do with your bonus day?

On Monday, it was almost 60 degrees here in Massachusetts.  I donned my favorite walking outfit and took an hour walk.  I don't mind telling you I received a lot of cat calls and beeps from men.  When you look good, you feel good. 

I also used some of those hours playing ball with these two characters.

2.What's something in your life that's grown by leaps and bounds in recent days, weeks, months, or years?  I'm giving you lots of room to come up with an answer here, so no fair passing on this one.

This one is a no-brainer.

3.  Do you read reviews about a film before deciding if you'll see it?  Did you watch The Oscars this year, and if so your thoughts on the programs?  How many of the Best Picture nominees had you seen prior to the broadcast?  (Spotlight, The Martian, The Big Short, The Revenant, Mad Max: Fury Road, Room, and Brooklyn).  If you watched The Oscars who gets your award for 'best dressed?' 

Anyone who has read my blog for awhile knows that the Mister and I enjoy going to the movies.  I usually check out Rotten Tomatoes if we are trying to make the decision on which movie to see.  

But if I have my heart set on a particular movie such as the sequel to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which is coming out this month, I don't usually check out the reviews because I'm going to see it anyway. 

As far as the Oscar nominees go, I saw every movie except Mad Max and The Revenant.  

Chris Rock's monologue was funny at times, but I felt that he overdid the diversity thing. 

I loved the fact that Chris Rock took advantage of the situation and raised a lot of dough for the Girl Scouts. 

 

For me, it was a tie between Priyanka Chopra and Olivia Munn.

According to the Mister, Alicia Vikander took home the prize when it came to best dressed.

4.  When did you last have overnight guests?  Give your top three tips on being a houseguest.

The last houseguests that we entertained were our two girls.  I consider them "guests" because they never lived in our present home.  

That, and the fact that they think they are guests and expect their poor little Mom to wait on them hand and foot.

*****

I don't know about other people, but these are the strongly suggested tips that I have for my houseguests.


Top 3 Tips for being a Houseguest 
at the home of the 
Preppy Empty Nesters

1. Bring the beautiful hostess a very expensive gift.  Don't forget to compliment her every 15 minutes.

2.  If you have little kids, leave them at home.

3.  While cleaning up after yourself, feel free to keep going and clean the rest of the house.   

5.  March 2nd is Peanut Butter Lover's Day.  Will you be celebrating?  If so, would you prefer a homemade peanut butter cookie, a Reese's peanut butter cup, an old-fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or shall I just hand you a jar and a tablespoon?

I adore peanut butter.  Now, the only one that I inhale is a low cal version called Better n' Peanut Butter.  That way I can eat twice as much. Pass the tablespoon, please.  And if you have any Nutella, pass it my way, too.

6.  Why is failure important?  Or isn't it?

This quote says it all.

7.  Share with us one fun thing on your March calendar.

This month, we are having my bff , Anne and her Mr. and my new bff, Annie and her Mister over for dinner this month.  I am so excited because Annie and Anne have never met.  I think they will love each other because they have so much in common.  Also, they won't have trouble remember each other's first name.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Do you ever have a recurrent dream?  At least once a month I dream that my wallet or purse are stolen.  This week's dream took place at an airport and centered around my purse and phone being taken.  Some very handsome good Samaritan lends me his phone but I can't call anyone because I don't know anyone's number by heart.  (This is true.)  So, I just give up and move in with the handsome stranger.

What's your top tip for a houseguest?

Until next time...