Stylish in Stratford

One of the pleasures of returning to Straford this year has been the chance to reconnect, other than virtually, with our friends Spo and Harper’s Other Daddy. Laurent first met them through Spo’s blog three years ago. Of course that led us to HOD’s blog and eventually the chance to meet them here at Stratford last year.

Though they may have had other ideas we decided to make it an annual event. So last Monday we endeavoured to meet at several corners of York and Wellington Streets in Toronto (don’t ask but I believe Shakespeare wrote a play about it – The Comedy of Errors?) and drive up to Stratford. As well as the opportunity of breaking some rather fine bread with them, discussing the plays and just sitting fixing the problems of the world over fine scotches, whiskies and other libations we were the recipients of much anticipated creations that are the talk of the blogosphere: a Spo custom made shirts.

A Spo by any other name!

I won’t go into the story of how Spo came to become a master shirt maker, as that would be his story to tell, but let us just say that he has an eye for fabric and a deft foot at the treadle. And we are the beneficiaries of those talents.

Laurent looking dashing in an elegant Asian print - and sadly
the fireplace was needed to keep our room warm - in August?

Knowing Laurent’s penchant for things Asian – oh stop it I mean artifacts – Spo chose a Japanese print for him. Aware that I am the faithful vassel of a domination of dachshunds he picked an appropriate pattern redolent of snowy walks and struggles with winter coats for me.

And I proudly display my domination of dachshunds.

The waitress at Bijoux (where we received our Spo creatons) was impressed with the perfect
match at the placket. There isn't a break in the parade of pampered pups.

And to the several people who wanted tried to bribe Spo into giving them our shirts I say: Na yana nana!!

August 22 - 1654:  Jacob Barsimson arrives in New Amsterdam. He is the first known Jewish immigrant to America.

Sweet Sharing

I think I may have mentioned in a previous post the Italian tradition of "confetti". Not the paper stuff that is so hard to sweep up and that you find under the couch two years after that really super New Year's Eve party, but the small packets of sugared almonds given as gifts to the guests at weddings, christenings, first communions and other grand events. We were in Firenze for the day on Wednesday and in typical fashion I had an idea where the restaurant we were headed to was located but took a  wrong turn and went passed a store that's sole purpose was to dispense - at no doubt astronomical prices - sweets to delight your guests and make the sisters of the mother-of-the-bride cluck their tongues in jealous righteousness at the expense of it all.

I thought I'd share two pictures of those sweet delights and also share the sweet delights offered by two of my dear blog buddies while I was at it.

As with so many window displays here this one has a touch of class and elegance about it without quite being over-the-top.  This whole shop just oozed "expensive"

Rosina Daintymouth - that's the name of the witch in Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretal - isn't the only one to make gingerbread houses to tempt unsuspecting innocents.  Over at She Who Seeks my blog buddy Debra chronicles the Gingerbread Houses that her Rare One, who is not - I might add - a witch, has constructed over the years to tempt her - nor I am implying that Debra is an "innocent". So before I get myself into further trouble just click on the link and take a look at some tasty temptations.  

The elaborate packaging - flowers, faux-pearls, ribbons - hide the simplest of sweets: sugared almonds.  It would almost be a shame to open the packages and I have a feel that more than one nonna has a collection from family events on display in her china cabinet.

My friend Yvette and I often seem to be on the same track with postings and memories. Last week I wrote about presepe here and she shared a comment about her own crèche. Now she has written a lovely post recounting her childhood memories of growing up in Marseilles after the war and the delightful traditions that she encountered then and continues today. It fills my heart with joy to see that the rituals of a Provencal Christmastide are alive, well and being passed on to her grandchildren. And I wish I had a piece of that gâteaux des Rois and a glass of the vin cuit.

14 gennaio - Santa Macrina l'Anziana

Granny Get Your Gun!

I've been absent in the last few weeks from the blogging scene - both as a poster and as a reader. Things have just piled up and I've been getting that old familiar treading water feeling but hopefully the next week should be a better one and I should get back to regular postings.

Having said that I did see that one of my blogbuds has just had an anniversary. My Texas darlin' Yellowdog Granny has been at this blog thing for five years. Five years - that's a hell of a long time in the blogosphere. So for five years she's been giving us the news and her views from West, Texas. She's been making me laugh - thank god for Monday morning Stumbles; cry - I still miss Annie though Dexter has become one of my favorite cats; think - her views on life and her experience gives me a new perspective on my American cousins; and just damn well have a good time - where else would I have found out about Skunk Eggs?

I came to YDG through Sling when I was visiting over at his Domain and I saw this "dame" making irreverent comments. "Hey you can't write that on the internet," said I. So I went over and found out not only could you write that but a whole lot more. That would have been almost three years ago now and I don't think I've missed a post since.

Now if someone had ever told me I'd become friends with an oft-married, gun-toting, ass-kicking"dame" from West, Texas I'd have checked what was in that brown bag they were guzzling from. But that is one of the joys of the Internet and blogging - you find people who, despite seemingly wide differences, you have a lot in common with. You find people who have passion and compassion.

You find people that you are glad you've met. And that my darlin' YellowDog Granny would be you.

Big old bunch of Baci Cara - auguri e complementi. Here's to five times five more!

13 marzo - San Rodrigo