Lavender Hill

Dearest Izzy,

Where do I begin? Your gift arrived this week and brought me happy tears. I was completely surprised! Suffice it to say, I will think of you every time I see it. It’s such a magical thing--- how it instantly floods my memory with wonderful thoughts of you and Syd. Thank you… Thank you for the permanent reminder of my “happy place”, our home on Linwood: Lavender Hill.

Embraces,

Holly

God already granted my wish for a magical Christmas.

Another Chapter

Another chapter of our time here. With Thanksgiving behind, Christmas (as it always seem to be) will be fast approaching and I'm determined to make this yuletide season a calm and cozy one. Thanks to my husband, this morning was a good start as we went to see our old friends, the Flatnoots (you remember them from last year) and took home our Christmas tree.

The night closed with an impromptu pajama movie date with Lucia and family. I read Harry Potter this week (year 1) and enjoyed it. I challenged myself to read these series of books this coming winter and of course to watch the movie at every end of each book. So far so good. (Can you believe I managed to shield myself from Harry Potter all these years? It's a good thing because I'm getting a fresh approach to the stories. So please no spoilers.: )

Here's to wishing for a little magic this Christmas...

Thank you Bob for a nice morning together, wish you were here for the lighting of our tree. I hope you enjoyed seeing it here tonight. I miss you! Thank you Lucia, Betty, Bruno, & Louis for a fun and cozy night. Betty, I can see why you're such a gourmet at making popcorn. It was yummy!

Twilighters Anonymous

My Name is Michelle and I have a Twilight addiction. (LOL!!!)

TWILIGHTERS ANONYMOUS

HELPING ADDICTS

SINCE 2008

BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT A CURE

Remember that picture above from a year ago? I've been spoiled once more by my loving sis' Len, founder and creator of Twilighters Anonymous (TA). TA truly feeds my addiction.

A very thoughtful package filled with goodies from the TA New Moon Release Party.

Len, I couldn't thank you enough for this fun surprise in my mail!

I was dazzled...

... and "imprinted"?!

Gus, my jeep's very own bumper sticker.

A new book too--- to keep me warm and cozy this coming winter.

Hmm, I read somewhere that this book is, "A must-have that will give Bella and Edward a run for their money." : ) I spy a wolf.

How cool is that? I'm one lucky TA fan! This definitely satisfied my thirst for more... Thank you, thank you, thank you for thinking of me. Much love!

For everything Thy goodness sends.

Sharing our Thanksgiving celebration...

i was inspired to make this chocolate-glazed chocolate tart;

featured on the table from a parisienne flea market.

it turned out perfectly.

our annual menu with the standard main course

and ever-changing appetizer and dessert courses.

organization in the small lavender hill kitchen is key

in successfully executing thanksgiving supper

and makes for an enjoyable cooking time.

setting the table

special occasion calls for special wine

wine from our french famille

dates wrapped in proscuitto and drizzled with honey

hostess gift from carrie

such a lovely wrapping

such a lovely gift

carrie's first turkey carving

still life

with mom and dad who surprised us

before their holiday weekend getaway

with sweet carrie

carrie & mark

Blessings to all of you this Thanksgiving and always...

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Meat & Potatoes

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I'm anxious to get cooking again. Our kitchen has not been as busy as it used to be with the daily preparation of supper reduced to a few times a week since the Mr. began his studies. So it feels somewhat special nowadays when the kitchen fills up with the aroma of sweet butter and red wine, the sound of meat sizzling on the pan, the sight of cheese melting atop potatoes in the oven, and best of all my husband's look as he anticipates eating his favorite meal: meat and potatoes. Since this was my first try at this particular menu I just had to document it here. Suffice it to say, I think it turned out quite well. Bon Appétit!

There is no sight on earth more appealing than the sight of a woman making dinner for someone she loves. ~Thomas Wolfe

creamy potatoes au gratin

& beef cooked in red wine sauce

topped with sauteed mushrooms and shallots

I had to let go of one of my rosemary bush this fall. It did not survive the transfer from outdoors to indoors in preparation for winter. Not to worry, with the cold season ahead it will serve well in our pot roasts and pot pies.

For our neighboring friends, let me know if you'd like some rosemary. I'd be happy to give you a bouquet.

The Coven vs. The Six Pack

Leaving the coven...

for the pack?

Oh, were we girls torn... We came for Team Edward and left cheering for Team Jacob. Could it be that Edward was not styled as handsomely in New Moon than he was in Twilight? (The vampire seemed to lack that magnetic charisma.) Could it be that Jacob was not styled at all? (I mean the wolf walked around half-naked.) Gaging by the scream-o-meter in the theater, I would answer yes to both!

We had so much fun attending the midnight showing of New Moon. Our verdict: We loved it! For two reasons, the movie stayed true to the book and the graphics were amazing. They are the two things that made this movie better than Twilight. Oh, there was a third reason--- the six pack, I mean the wolf pack. LOL!!! My husband, a true member of the wolf pack (*wink*) was teasing me the whole time for switching teams.








P.S. I should mention that one of my favorite scenes from New Moon was Bella's comatose state in her bedroom; looking out the window as the months pass her by. The acting was well done.

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

JANUARY

WAKING UP... Time Passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does. Even for me.

Bella Swan, New Moon

All-American Look: Edward Cullen

My heart hasn't beat in almost ninety years, but this was different. It was like my heart was gone-- like I was hollow. Like I'd left everything that was inside me here with you.

Edward Cullen, New Moon

Gorgeous Edward Cullen. I, like many of my girlfriends definitely prefer images of Robert Pattinson in stylish magazines as oppose to the teenybopper ones. Such is the case of the December issue of Vanity Fair--- Robert Pattinson sporting the classic all-American look. I think the photographs illustrate an ideal portrait of the Twilight character.

Shirt by Boss Selection- Hugo Boss

Sweater by Ralph Lauren

Are you ready for New Moon? I am. Twenty-four hours and counting...

A Twilight birthday gift awaiting someone.

I was quite impressed at how my gift wrapping turned out.

Vanity Fair Photos by Bruce Weber

On The Road Again

"If you live to be one hundred, I'd want to live to be one hundred minus one day, so I'd never have to live a day without you." Winnie the Pooh

A month ago today my oldest dearest friends journeyed the 2000 miles route to Lavender Hill, a now given name to our Linwood house. Although we make it a point to visit one another as often as life permits, it's been seventeen years since our last road trip. Imagine that. All grown-up after all these years, it's pretty amazing how our friendship remains --- kindred spirited as ever. Still sharing laugher, love, and happiness.

With the boys on the side, we had one fun slumber party!

On the road again -

Just can't wait to get on the road again.

The life I love is making music with my friends

And I can't wait to get on the road again.

On the road again

Goin' places that I've never been

Seein' things that I may never see again

And I can't wait to get on the road again

On the road again-

Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway

We're the best of friends

Insisting that the world keep turning our way

And our way is on the road again. (Willie Nelson)

Our first road trip way back when consisted of a car with snacks at the most. No check list, no phones, we can't even remember if we had a map to guide us. This road trip however, well we were equipped with two iPhones and a laptop. Can we be anymore connected?

Even on a cold cloudy day, the autumn colors were glorious!

Rows after rows of red, orange and yellow trees paraded our way...

all the way up north.

Returning to Hotel Iroquois. This hotel never disappoints.

The sweetest lakeside room. One can't help but be mesmerized.

A place where everybody knows your home's name.

Hmm... Lavender Hill is about to be born.

Can this be anymore picture perfect?

A room with a view indeed.

The start of what would become the infamous three-mile walk to nowhere.

Officially lost, we attempted to call for help.

The hotel concierge asked, "What is the name of the closest house to your location?"

The carriage would take an hour and a half to get to our location.

Note to self: Learn how to ride a horse or drive a carriage, for next time.

We opted to brave the long walk to home base and took refuge at the library when rain began to fall.

I wish all libraries had this feature.

Our original destination...

... was apparently, just a couple blocks away from our hotel.

(Are you laughing? It was funny!)

Somewhere In Time

Murder Mystery Dinner was about to begin.

An empty grand hallway.

Not for long.

Everyone was so wonderful here,

especially the lovely "kababayan" working during teatime.

Returning to the lakeside for a cozy night in...

... of storytelling.

Breaking dawn.

Loving this picture of Jean.

The island is known for its famous fudge.

Loving this picture of Sonia.

Somewhere in the lobby are our coffees and tea

which we accidently left when we rushed out

to catch our ferry back to the main land.

Another cozy night at Lavender Hill.

Just like old times-- Thursday nights at Jean's house watching Friends.

(except this time we had a scary movie night too)

Waking up to what's been called the B & B service.

Parting gifts: pure Michigan maple syrup

Lovely happy guests.

I will miss them so.

Jean & Sone: I hope this post was worth your wait. I know there's many, many more memorable moments I didn't capture here which we'll make sure to remember. Let's not wait seventeen years for another road trip. (Medocino- check!, Mackinac Island- check!, Where to next?) Do come again...

P.S. Special thanks to Rebeckah and Kiran for inspiring this magical vacation. (*wink*)

Photos on this post taken by yours truly, Sonia, & Jean too!