The inevitable bokeh shots of the tree. It’s a little harder to do with such a small tree, but I managed to capture a bit of it in this picture. The key is to focus on something other than the tree, which results in the round circles of light on the tree. I’m going to play around with it a bit more in the coming days. Because it’s fun and challenging and I like a challenge.
Then this morning, an early morning shot focusing on the objects in my sightline.
I went to the dreaded mall yesterday and felt every bit of energy I had drain out of my system. And it wasn’t even that crowded! It’s just…the mall. Too much for yours truly, who, when she was a young twenty-something, liked nothing better than to go to our local mall. Now? I will do anything I can to avoid it. And here’s the kicker: the object I was looking for wasn’t in stock. The only plus was that I got to stop at Whole Foods and grab a few things.
Still trying to finish gift buying for Don, who mentioned something this morning that he would like. So, off I go today in search of it. I, on the other hand, am having problems giving him any ideas, which happens when you have a birthday relatively close to Christmas.
We’re figuring out the menu for Christmas dinner at Rick and Doug’s. I think we will be bringing stuffing, mashed potatoes, pies, Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider, and of course, my grandmother’s biscuits. Two old friends of Rick’s will be there as well, one I’ve known for a long time and one I haven’t met yet. It should be lovely.
This was posted on the Instagram account @buffettmusical yesterday:
Whoo hoo! (Shouldn’t have put my watermark on the picture as it’s just confusing!)
My husband is going to be part of an Original Broadway Cast Album! Since I started out in musical theater and used to own hundreds of original cast albums, this is a big, big deal to me. And, though he tries to be casual about it, to Don.
We’re so excited!
Okay. Have to get a move on. I hope you are hanging in there as the countdown to Christmas continues. I also neglected to say Happy Hanukkah to those readers who celebrate that holiday. Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Wednesday, as well.
I saw the announcement about the Cast Album and I’m so excited!! I’ll be ordering it for sure. It is a big thrill for you both I’m sure. Your home is looking so pretty with the tree lights. I have one more gift I think and then I’m done. I need to get wrapping the gifts for the Grands. It’s raining today so it’s a good day to stay home and play in the house! Hugs!
Enjoy your day, Linda! xoxo
oh, i think singing on an original broadway cast album is a very big deal … not many people ever get to say they’ve been part of such a thing … and don did such a great job so he should be rightfully proud! i am very happy for don and you!
that album’s release date is conveniently near my birthday (in march) so it will go on my “wish list”!
your home always looks charming and especially so at Christmas. between all the holiday preparations and the rest of daily living, thanks for taking time to share such pretty photos.
and your part of the menu sounds yummy. glad you can spend the day together (you and don) and be with good friends, too!
kathy in iowa
Sounds like the perfect birthday gift!
I love the cover of the cast album! Do you know if it will be released on vinyl?? Enjoy the holiday prep. We started cookie-baking last night…baking six recipes.
We were saying just last night that we hope it’s released on vinyl as well. Have no idea if it will be. Anastasia, for example, was not released on vinyl unless it’s just happened recently.
That original cast album is a great big deal. Congrats to Don. I share your dread of enclosed malls. In my twenties I went at least once a week to one. The nearest “mall” in our area was converted several years ago to “multi use,” and now most of the stores at located on streets. In other words, you exit each store to the great outdoors and it is great! Have only been to an all-enclosed mall once in the last five years and felt extremely claustrophobic. I eve avoid this all-outdoor shopping mall this time of year (except for visiting my Barnes & Noble employee son – can’t resist the book store). It’s just too freaking crazy!
It’s not that it’s enclosed that bothers me (though I do have claustrophobia) it’s just the crowds and the lighting and the endless walks to stores and the searching for escalators. Makes me nuts.
Congratulations Don!
I’ll pass that on to him, Carolyn Marie!
A cast album? Of course it’s a big deal! I’ll be preordering it, since I didn’t get to Chicago to see the show.
I avoid malls like the plague…although, I do enjoy the outdoor ones. I actually bought quite a few presents from Etsy this year…great selection, great service and quality. Although, I’m still awaiting a package from Canada.
My kids came in last night…one happy mama here! Enjoy your day! ;)
So glad the kids are home! Wonderful!
Claudia, Congratulations to Don and you. That is a wonderful thing happening. I liked the tree pictures. Oh my gosh I am just like you….I hate going mall shopping. When my girls were young I would go a lot before Christmas on my way to work…that way I hit the sales and got plenty for my dollar. No more sweet girl…I just give money…let the young ones shop. LOL. Blessings to you and Don. xoxo, Susie
p.s. I remember hearing Don sing on your blog.
He has a great voice, Susie. Thanks!
I was just commenting earlier this month that I don’t think I have been inside a mall for over 5 years. Now I have run into the anchor stores such as Sears and Penney’s and then back out again, but the noise and the crowds inside the mall itself can do me in pretty quickly. On-line shopping, which I never thought I would do, is now the main way we shop for “stuff”. So easy and one click!!!!
Love your pictures. Were they taken w/ your “big girl camera” or your new iPhone? Phones can take such amazing pictures now. Hope you found what you were looking for today. I have so many little things that need to be done to tie things altogether, and I can’t seem to get motivated to get up and just get them done. Hope your Wednesday has been a good one!!
The pictures of the tree were taken with my big girl camera. It’s hard to get that effect without the proper settings on the camera.
Online shopping is now my favorite kind of shopping, although shopping in little shops on a Main Street is pretty cool, too.
Wishing you and Don a very Merry Christmas and let’s all pray for a better 2018!
Prayers are definitely going out for that. The only thing keeping me from sinking into despair is the holidays! Merry Christmas, Karen.
I do not like the malls either. Without a car I do my shopping on line or from catalogues.
Marilyn
I don’t blame you. It’s much saner!
Very exciting about the cast album! Is the artwork part of the show’s logo – or specific to the album itself? So bright & colorful – exactly what I think of when I hear ANY of Jimmy’s music. Oh and I can relate about the mall. In my 20s, when I was teaching, living at home to pay off my college loans & dreaming about my own first home, I went to the mall virtually EVERY weekend to scope out future household purchases. I practically had everything picked out before I was finally able to move. Which was helpful for my family because I always knew what I’d like for Christmases & birthdays. And now? Now I do just about everything I can to avoid going to the mall. One of the many great things about the Internet – online shopping!! I honestly can’t remember the last time I was in the mall. Years ago at this point. Although I do go with my brother & SIL occasionally to eat at their favorite little restaurant there [and I don’t consider that REALLY going to the mall since the restaurant is just steps from one of the mall’s main entrances]. Enjoy your shopping if you can though – maybe you’ll find what you’re looking for quickly!! Peace. 🎁
#Resist
The artwork is the show’s logo.
I used to ask for things for my future ‘first apartment’ for Christmas and birthdays! I can definitely relate!
Fairlane? I remember when that mall was such a big deal. If I remember correctly my husband and I went ice skating there during a college Christmas break :-)
Yes! Having been raised in Dearborn, I remember so well when that mall opened! It was such a big deal. And you’re right – I remember a skating rink.
Oh, gosh, can’t wait to hear that cast album!
Claudia, I can’t stand the mall; avoid it like the plague, ever knowing that I’m helping to contribute to their urban demise, but shopping at one even when I was a little girl would deplete me even by lunchtime! Mom and I would try to hit it about 9:30am, at any time of year, and my little tushie was dragging by the time we hit the cafeteria. The only time I really miss the mall is from when I lived in Santa Barbara (Calif) in the 80s. I’d love to go after work to the open-air mall (one of the last few in existence) with its big anchor store of Robinson’s which later became Macy’s. The Christmas displays inside the store were so beautiful. I loved the sparkly holiday dresses, all velvet and rhinestones, like stars in the night sky. And the displays of holiday décor, decorated trees and section after section of beautiful tree ornaments to buy were so tantalizing. It was like entering a winter wonderland. I didn’t seem to mind the crowds but I’d try to go on weeknights when it was a bit less crowded, and it was fun to hear the carols playing in the background while shopping; very festive atmosphere. You could almost hear the jingle bells. THAT, I do miss.
There’s an open air mall in San Diego that’s been there since at least the eighties and it’s still going strong – I used to go there all the time. And there are some open air malls in CT. I think they’re making a comeback. The enclosed mall is sort of a dinosaur now, but I remember when they were a big, exciting new deal.
Have been going back thru your posts making sure I didn’t miss anything since I’ve been so brain-scattered from Calif wildfire. So many interesting topics on your blog! Doing quiet things and trying not to talk so that I don’t keep coughing my head off. Hot drinks help. My husband is taking all the exterior house lights/holiday lights down but I made him leave the ones around the doorway. Also leaving up a projector image of softly-falling snowflakes til the 1st. We’d just had them up (string lights) a couple of days before the hurricane-wind came up (and started the fire on Dec 4), which then pretty much wrecked everybody’s outdoor lights and displays; ours have been hanging somewhat precariously, my husband’s hard ‘art’ to it all askew. Oh well.
I am so glad to hear that open-air malls could possibly be making a comeback! I of course realize in snowy states, a closed-in mall would be a way to go. But in California? I just hated when they closed in the one for Ventura. They ruined it. There was no reason to do it that I could see except that they added a second tier/second story for food courts. As a result, I never go there now; I seriously have not shopped there for about 17 years although I occasionally go to a far end of it where there’s a Target/anchor store so I can whisk in and out, get right to the parking lot and stay out of the whole other mess of cars and shoppers.
Indoor malls make me crazy!
When I was younger I loved shopping at the Big indoor malls…now I get tired just thinking about it!…Those days are done…lol.
They are done, done, done!
Congratulations to Don! The cast album is definitely a big deal. I am excited that I “know” people who work on Broadway!!! It’s odd how the older we get, the less we want to shop in crowds. I do the majority of my shopping online. Hoping you have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
The same to you, Dottie! xoxo