A Bit of Spring

Last fall I was at Husband’s happy place — aka Home Depot — and as is typical, his eyes glaze over as he slowly wanders through the tool section. Just a wee bit bored, I went over to the garden center and selected a bag of very pretty daffodil bulbs, which we planted a few weeks later.

These different daffodils didn’t come up with the other daffodils a few weeks ago, so I thought I got a bag of duds (serves me right for buying bulbs at Home Depot I thought to myself). But look, just look what popped up? I rushed out to cut them between storms.

Aren’t they beautiful? I’m in love and will definitely find them again this fall. (In our climate, we have to replant bulbs each year).

A bit of spring between storms

Now back to books ~~

I was very happily enjoying these two books (yes I sometimes switch back and forth between reads — especially if they are very different).

Then — I had to drop everything as this came in from my library holds.

Taa Daa – the new Deborah Crombie.

Long time Book Barmy readers will know that like Louise Penny, I eagerly await each new book in the Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series. My other Deborah Crombie reads HERE.

It’s been four years since her last installment, so I am trying to savor this one, but am already half way through.

There’s another big storm coming in tonight, even a possible bomb cyclone predicted.

But not to worry, we’ll batten down the hatches and, if our power holds, we’re planning to snuggle in to watch the new Luther movie on Netflix.

Then some bed time reading — it’s all party, party, party, here at Book Barmy headquarters.

Field trip anyone?

I’ve just recently been made aware of this hotel in New York City…

Husband and I were in NYC last May, but alas, didn’t know of this book lovers paradise. I’ve happily browsed their website and have to share some lovely images.

Books abound — in the bar, in the lobby, in the hallways, and of course there is a dedicated reading room — where I would order my food and drink delivered.

From their website:

The Library Hotel’s collection of over 6,000 books is organized by the Dewey Decimal Classification Each of the 10 guestroom floors honors one of the 10 categories of the Dewey Decimal Classification and our 60 rooms are uniquely adorned with about 50-150 books and artwork exploring a distinctive topic within the category it belongs to.

Isn’t that something? Be still my Book Barmy heart…

And here is a typical room with books, of course, provided. The Library Hotel is pricey, but not out of line for New York City

So who among you barmy book lovers would like to join me on a field trip?

I promise we will explore the city but only after we’ve gotten a fill of the hotel

Library Hotel Website HERE

N.B. It won’t ruin it for me, but it does rankle me that they charge a $25 per daily resort fee which covers a range of so-called extras (when did WiFi become an extra?) – one of which is access to their library 24 hours a day. It seems a bit chintzy of them, but I guess they have to cover any losses, you know, those that may try to smuggle books home in their luggage …

not me ~~ but I’d be sorely tempted.

Forty-Four Years

We can hardly believe it, but we celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary yesterday. I use the word celebrate in our own low key context, on which I will expand shortly, but first let me just share the amazement.

First, it’s been 44 years and how can that be? It seems just the other day we were starting out in a drafty apartment in an old house and both working entry level jobs. Barely scraping by and saving money however we could. Turning down the heat (in New Hampshire – brrr), coming up with budget saving meals (my lentil recipe experiments were not fun), and yet, happy as could be.

These 44 years have been wonderful and neither of us would change a thing. I guess that’s what love does to you.

So back to our celebration. Our weather has cleared so we decided to drive just a short distance down the coast on Route 1 to Devils Slide. They had to build a tunnel to provide cars with an alternate route as the original Route 1 was starting to erode — being right on the coastal edge. They turned this old section of the road into a little trail for walkers and bikers. I was able to hobble along, despite my knee (cortisone shot on Tuesday, fingers crossed). We had great weather for the majority of our walk, but then the clouds came in and it got chilly – so we hurried on our way back.

Afterwards, we traveled a little further down the coast to a favorite restaurant – Moss Beach Distillery — a historic landmark with great seafood.

And unbeknownst to me, Husband called ahead to book the best table.

We don’t exchange gifts, just sappy cards — which our waitress noticed and brought us a piece of cake on the house to celebrate. Very nice and completely unexpected.

So there it is, the use of the word celebration is a relative here…we had a simple, lovely, low-key time together – just our style.

I came across this the other day – and I think it says everything…

Stormy Weather

Our weather out here has received national media coverage and yes, we’re getting slammed with rain and high winds. But, compared to nor’easters back East, tornadoes in the mid-West, and hurricanes in the Gulf – well you must think us wimps. And, you’d be right, but folks, remember this is California, and we don’t actually get real weather. Okay, there are fires and the rare earthquake, but mostly it’s 300 days of sunshine. Here in San Francisco – it’s usually fog or no fog — so bear with us if we’re freaking out a bit.

All this rain is great for our drought, but so much at once is saturating the ground and causing mud slides and flooding in Santa Cruz and low lying areas. (not us we’re on a hill in the city)

And we’ve had lots of power outages.

We lost power last night and after lighting some candles, we snuggled under an afghan, and after a long lovely chat, Husband went to bed early and I decided to read.

How romantic I thought, I’ll read by candlelight — imaging every Jane Austen novel.

We unearthed our trusty candle holder we’ve had since living in New Hampshire, an ingenious Yankee design.

And so I picked up my current book which I’m almost finished.

And it worked for awhile, but I soon realized these old, aged, mature eyes would need many more candles to read any longer.

Well aware of the sham, and with the candle as ambiance, I turned on my Kindle at full light setting, and started this from Dean Street Press. Mine is a digital advanced reader in black and white, so I’ll show you the lovely cover in full color.

I read three delightful chapters by screen and candlelight before retreating to bed.

This morning the storm has passed, power is restored, and it’s 58 degrees and sunny. Such is life here in California.

A friend who walks his dog down along beach sent me this photo of the surf a couple of evenings ago, just before the storm. Taken from a safe distance, he didn’t venture on to the beach with these enormous waves. The sound of the surf is loud even up here — blocks up from the beach.

We will get another big storm on Monday, after that, the worst is over.

Our weather forecasters are experiencing the high point in their careers of boring weather reporting. Never heard them talk so fast.

We’re safe. We’re wimps. We’re Californians.

Holiday Advertising

As is tradition here on Book Barmy, I give you the best Christmas commercials of 2022  As an old ex-advertising gal, this is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season.  Once again, a majority are from the UK ~~ those British ad agencies work hard to bring us some of the best seasonal advertising.

So on this Christmas eve, get yourself a cup of warm cheer, turn up your sound, expand to full screen and enjoy these ads – from me to you!

Wishing you a cozy holiday filled with love, family and friends ~~ and of course some new books.

For all you classic car fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhfaBfuaq8E

Amazon helps a father bring magic to a boy missing his mother.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQWLKhhWBTs&t=22s

A lovely ad of chance encounters and winning more than the lottery.

A new twist on the tin man from the Wizard of Oz

A tribute to food made with love over the years

A wonderful surprise is the best gift of all.

This depicts a man preparing for his new role as a foster father.

Be ready with a tissue near by – this one’s a tearjerker.

A Forever & Always Christmas Tree

It’s a sad state of affairs out here when it comes to Christmas trees. Due to the fires and our on-going drought, the available live trees are a very sad looking lot and frightfully expensive. You may remember the year when we went without a tree. We didn’t want to do that again.

Balsam Hill recently opened a factory outlet down south of us, so we decided to go look before Thanksgiving. We had to find the right size, as we can only fit a small tree in our bay window/window seat. Surprisingly, we were impressed, these were some beauties and we realized artificial trees have come a long way, and with the factory outlet price, we brought home our forever and always tree.

Much to Husband’s delight, the tree comes with lights already affixed (cheering by Husband) and once the two pieces are fit together, and with special gloves provided to protect the finish on the needles, one bends the branches down and out until there are no gaps (whew, that took some doing).

We finished decorating it the other night and stood back to assess the new kid…and although I entered into this dubiously cranky — well we think it’s pretty darn good.

The tree looks quite realistic, even close up —

Some favorite ornaments which we have been collecting for years…click on photos to see clearer.

So as much as I hate to admit it, this tree is as beautiful as any we’ve had. It comes apart back into two pieces which fold up and supposedly fit into a cheerful red storage bag (hmmm, I will report back on if it fits…).

Now about the lack of real tree smell – my sister sent me Balsam incense from Maine and my brother, a pine candle — so we even have the proper scent.

We’re almost ready for Christmas…just one last baking project for the neighbors.

Then it’s my favorite time of cozy nights, fire in the fireplace, schmaltzy Christmas movies, and, of course, books.

Hope you are enjoying your holidays – stay well, stay warm and especially be safe out there.