SCENE THIS WEEKEND...

A nice weekend if not a busy one. All told, a bit of a little of everything this weekend. Friday found me at the Capital Street Duo's for some visiting and cocktails on the lovely balcony which is off my guest quarters when I stay there. It's like a little oasis. They are only about a block from the Capital Building, hence their nickname on this blog, with views of the dome at night. Even their pup Flyer digs the balcony.

Then it was off too early in the AM for clan member Preston's birthday up in NYC. After a nice train ride up, it was off for a birthday cruise and some fun before heading back and getting in late last night.  I got to play New York tourist as we all pitched in and got a cruise for Preton for his birthday and thanks to Captain Todd, he spun us around the harbor and Lady Liberty while we drank and noshed. It's been years since I have been out that way. The weather was overcast but no rain. It was certainly a great time.

Today....nothing.! And it's been nice. 

The morning started out with breakfast out back in the garden and I surmise, the rest of the day, with exception to a rain that rolled in, will be spent outdoors relaxing.

Mind you, I should be making vacation preparations. 

But as Scarlet O'Hara said, "I'll think about that tomorrow. After all... tomorrow is another day."

BLOOMS

 

After the rotten dirty email Travel started my weekend off with yesterday...I had to go find some pretty and therapy to get the email out of my mind. It has been a glorious weekend weather wise...sun, nice warm temps, no gales, and today was spent getting the gardens empty of leaves, felled branches, and dead debris. Loosen the tanbark away from plants. The sun felt wonderful on the skin. I was happy to see many of the plants are all breaking the ground with little stems...peonies, bleeding hearts, spring bulbs, columbines, lavenders, dianthus and the herbs and delphiniums. I also can't wait to get more wildflower seeds in, especially since the garden will be expanded since the burning bush was removed. Yesterday I went to the Dame's lovely shop to place an order of some more daffodils, and to place an order for my arrangement for the upcoming Easter dinner, and another arrangement to be sent to the good folks at the dental oral surgeon and staff for their welcome, friendly and great process they assisted me with, and making me feel at ease, not to mention making me gorgeous again. I got myself a small nose gay. As always, his shop never disappoints. I hadn't been in since we did the windows.

I stayed and went out for dinner with the Dame and his hubby which was delicious. Of course his home was also looking like spring and Easter.

It has been another glorious weekend. Much to look forward too in the next few weeks. But glad the garden is now cleaned out and ready to go. My day even started out with a homemade breakfast burrito and potatoes this morning, along with a pot of coffee.

A treat I haven't enjoyed in three months!

DINNER AT EIGHT

Tis the season! I can't lie, cards on the table...the oral surgery was a Goddess send. This has to be the most relaxed yuletide season I have ever had. Since I didn't know what to expect, I cleared most of my social calendar right through New Years, since I can't really eat much of anything expect soft foods and soups still, and while on the meds...no drinking. And THAT ALONE has almost ruined the gin industry for the season...but as of tomorrow, four of the meds are done. It's been the worst week and half of my life so far with no gin! But I digress I did however take my good friend the Dame and his hubby Russ up on an invitation to dinner, and the dears were even aware of what I could consume. I haven't seen them since the beach, and what with the Dame busy at the flower shop, all his corporate accounts and then decking the halls at the Governor's Mansion, there has been little time. It was great to get out of the house and dressed for dinner. The dear made a delicious French Onion Soup, garlic mashed potatoes, and a cranberry relish. It was the first time I was actually full. It was a wonderful evening with good close friends and being in the Dame's house is always a treat to see and behold the vintage touches...with look and wonder everywhere. I got home around 11pm and rested well with a full tummy, and a good flick.

Their dog Flyer after a treat.

The Dame is a huge fan of the Wizard of Oz...and has 33 of the 40 Oz books in the collection. And yes...he even has a pair of Ruby Slippers!

And the best part, the luvs sent me home with leftovers. I did have to drive however...my feet wouldn't fit in the ruby slippers to click my heels three times to get home in a snap.

CHRISTMAS MICE

No mice here at the Casa du Borghese...they're all in town at the Dame'S flower shop Paper Moon. Yes, the windows have been unveiled for this season, and were even featured already in the Harrisburg Magazine! YAY!!!  This year the windows were mice themed, with mechanical mice. The first window features the mice having fun with shaking packages to see what's in them. Possibly cheese? The second window finds a trio of mice in Santa's room helping him prepare his suit before the big night. The windows are always so fun and get very good feedback from the clientele and passer bys, as many miss seeing these vintage Christmas windows, if stores even still do them, or the windows are very brand heavy and aren't at all creative. The last three windows have featured mechanical figurines that have been reproduced from original figurines from the legendary Christmas Co, David Hamberger Inc, who from the early 1920s created mechanical figurines for many legendary department stores globally and for mall set ups for Christmas. The company folded in or around 2008, but this artist we know in Brooklyn does extremely detailed reproductions of many of the line of characters and even make the little clothes they wear.  One can barely tell they are not originals. The windows one year started with the famous Hamberger elves, then last year to penguins, which were a huge hit, to this years mice. Another hit. And the Dame tells me, the shop has been just as busy.  Which reminds me SHOP SMALL AND SHOP LOCAL kids!!!! Or support your favorite charities and passions. I did and all my shopping is done.

And Donner find his appearance inside....

And yes, the music wasn't added in. The Dame has outdoor speakers so passer by can enjoy hearing the music.