Pagodas here and there

On my pagoda obsession--still don't know why that shape appeals to me. I have read material on the significance of the shape but that is within the context of religion. I just like the shape and the serenity of them.

One of my Christmas gifts to myself was a Charlotte Moss Virginia candle. She has made them for years but recently changed the packaging--with a pagoda top!! I can use it to hold something when I am finished with the candle. It is just those type of details that sets good product packaging and decor apart from the ho hum.

And I think when you really like something ( pagodas, pastries, pink , Paris, French cabbages) you must unknowingly notice that item more and then other people around you look for it too and an obsession is born!

Life is such a short ride- why go with a plain lid?

My Christmas House

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!! Our house is ready to have people come and enjoy the decorations and food. The dogs are dreaming of what Santa will leave them--they love to open gifts. Each dog has taught the next one how to do it!

I always hate to take the tree and garlands down seems so empty-doesn't it? We already have plants for next years decorations -another pink tree, more lights on outside- more swans on bedroom tree and more patience and love to go all around.

I like to do all the wreaths and door things myself. A creative outlet as is the wrapping.

My favorite Christmas music on the CD player and some eggnog and I am a happy elf.

Peace and love to all

The best Christmas gift this year

Amid all the dreams and traditions of the holiday season my favorite things are things that do not cost money. Tonight will be homemade hot chocolate and a tour of the twinkle lights in neighborhoods nearby. I will be singing, way off key, along with the car radio Christmas carols.

The best gift this season is the on going recovery of Sophie-Marie our 7 year old Maltese. She suffered a stroke in November and seizures before we learned she has a fatal illness. She will be in a period of recovery for awhile and may get back to almost normal.

Today she wagged her tail for the first time in almost 4 weeks and took several steps toward me. She is now partially blind and has some balance issues but we think that will all fade away as her brain heals.

That tiny tail wagging is the best gift I could wish for this year.

Can you be homesick for a place you never lived?

Homesick for Paris- it usually hits me at Christmas--even though I have never been there at that time of year. I imagine the windows and the church bells and the hot chocolate at Angelina's and I want to be there.

Paris is my favorite city--even though city living anyplace can be a hassle and especially in such a paper burdened society as the French-- I still want to live there someday. It is a million little things- the dolphin downspouts, the lions in the big fountain in the sixth arrondessement, the clever little signs and the allure of the perfume shops that make me sigh every time I think of the city.

Paris doesn't stand still yet it does not fundamentally change either. I think that is true for much of France. There is a respect and an adherence to the traditional ways of doing things and then just when you think it will always be just that way- Laduree comes up with a new flavor of macaroon and breaks the pattern.

So I am sure that on December 25 I will be sitting in front of my French fireplace in Georgia and for a few brief, dazzling moments I will be in Paris.

Swans and simplicity

Swan are so special- their serene demeanor, that glide motion, the down that makes such decadent powder puffs. They mate for life--which is more than most people do now .

I have used swans for decorating for holidays for many years. The large tree that we didn't put up this year has about 26 swan ornaments. I did however, find these wonderful simple cotton batting ornaments from Goldbug Studio this season. In the master bedroom I just did green on the mantel and the pearls and white twinkle lights and two of these precious swans. Less is sometimes more.

With all the holiday hustle and a sick dog I wanted to keep most of the decorations simple . I love to sit near the fireplace and enjoy the scent of the fresh pine garland and look at my two swans floating in a sea of white and green.

Take some time and relax, look around enjoy the beauty that is in everything. That is a true holiday gift.

Bedroom serenity

As much as most of us dislike the idea of working in the bedroom on computer or telephone ringing in the bedroom it is just a part of the hectic life we all lead and lack of space for most of us.

I have my little office in the corner where my vanity table used to be- trading vanity for work but you do what you must.

However, you don't have to work in the bedroom in an un-stylish way-- I use my pink phone, sit at my pretty pink and green desk and look at one of my pink peonies on my screen saver. We may all have to work or encroach on bedroom but it can be stylish and somewhat serene.

The pink phone works well and is from Pottery Barn Kids !! I turn the ringer off when not working- helps keep some sense of quiet.

Les Girls et Joyeux Noel

There was a wonderful old movie called Les Girls from 1950's or early 60's Rex Harrison and Gene Kelly and Kay Kendall were in it. One of my favorites since is about dancing and musicals and Paris- some very pretty costumes and of course Gene Kelly dancing-- just divine. What makes me think of this is we call our dogs "The girls" or Les Girls in French.

I have my own version of Les Girls- three beautiful Maltese- I have a mother and daughter Simone-Marie and Sophie-Marie and another one Sydney-Marie. They love to have adventures, go places , go for stroller rides in their pink dog stroller and all time favorite activity is opening Christmas and Birthday gifts. We had another Maltese Zsa Zsa for 15 years and she learned to open gifts from Mother-in-laws dog Muffy. She taught next Maltese and so on . They caught on really fast when they opened their presents that first time. I wrap them in pretty holiday tissue so they can tear into it easily. It is so fun on Christmas day to watch them. We refer to them as the girls( Les Girls in French) and they lead a pampered life. I like that their skin is pink and they are all white ( Maltese are always all white) and we decided to get a dog when we were in Paris the first time. We saw all these Parisians with their tiny dogs and sometimes not tiny dogs going everywhere and we loved it.

So I always associate my girls with Paris because that pushed us to getting our first Maltese baby. My girls all love pink and have many pink accessories and blankets and toys. they are sturdier and smarter than many people expect- just because they are tiny doesn't mean they aren't just as smart as a big dog.

I am not the only one counting the days till Christmas in this house