Top 10 Tuesday

Hello! This past week was rich with lovely things. But at the same time, even though simple things born stars in my eyes, I can't help but feel something incomplete. And this reminds me of another feeling. The word "feeling" is loose here, or very tight? Because not only is it a gut feeling but it it also very physical. For instance: I'll be, say, sitting in a movie theater enjoying a film. The film is great. But some nuance in the film--maybe a gorgeous woman that reminds me of my homeliness, or a gesture that reminds me of a time I may have wronged someone--perturbs me for a good minute or two. And as my attention is pawing at these not-great-feeling thoughts, my attention hasn't wavered from the film. In fact, my attention is 100% back on the film and I am back to feeling status quo again. But...that not-great-feeling thought left a nasty taste in my mouth. Hold on a minute, I'll think. I was just feeling not-so-great about something. I can still taste it but what was it? I'll sit there and think about it, thinking that since that feeling is still there, it still needs to be a concrete concern. Like how the feeling of a sneeze that occurred a minute ago is still in your nose, reminding you that you did in fact sneeze a minute ago. Otherwise, you would have forgotten. I feel an obligation to feel a negative feeling to completion. Even if that means re-visiting the feeling days, months, or years later in a movie theater.

It's interesting how the brain works. Below are the top ten lovely things from the past week. And the word "lovely" is loose, too, isn't it? Reminds me of a beloved quote by one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver:

Enjoy.

The Top 10

1. Too Much and Not the Mood by Durga Chew-Bose I bought this book on a whim. Who am I kidding--I buy all my books on a whim. I was very drawn in by the title which is taken from a quote by Virginia Woolf when she wrote about appeasing her readers by making her writing style more palatable to her audience. She claimed, "I am so tired of correcting my own writing...and the cramming in and the cutting out...And not much to say, or rather too much and not the mood." This is a debut book of lyrical essays written by Durga Chew-Bose, a first-generation Canadian essayist (her family originates from Kolkata--originally known as Calcutta). Her essays are an unguided tour of her mind where her reflections and observations unapologetically occur to you like fireworks. You anticipate their rise, their burst, and you're left admiring the exoskeleton of ambiguous smoke left behind. I savored this book for a good while, enjoying her reflections on living alone and what she called "nook people" (which I wrote about in a previous TTT post).

2. John Derian 2018 Engagement Calendar I have found my planner for the upcoming new year and am very thrilled to use it. It is filled with treasures of the sketch, painting, chromolithograph, etching, and illustration variety. These gorgeous images accompany every week of the year. Who is John Derian? Why, my soulmate, of course. He is a decoupage artist; however, he is also very well-known for his shop in New York City. It will be my mission to visit next time I'm there. But I am very excited about my new, lovely planner. I love spontaneity just as much as the next predictable unmarried woman, but I am a very visual person who needs a visual guide to plan my days, projects, and time. This planner is so delightful. I am particularly fond of "Peas in a Pod" and "The Stars".

3. Gifts from My Secret Santa Yesterday was my work's Christmas party. We participate in the traditional Secret Santa gift-giving. My Secret Santa this year was my boss and she got me some lovely, thoughtful gifts. I received a bag of Novel Teas, a "Bookstore" (mahogany, leather, coffee) scented candle from Frostbeard Studio, Ginger Tea from Harney & Sons, a journal from punctuate (a brand by Barnes & Noble), and a lovely teaspoon with "drink tea, read books, be happy" engraved on it. I think my boss is telling me to just stay home this winter, drink tea, write, and read books!

4. Tree Trimming Party My parents held their annual tree trimming party this past weekend. Christmas is a serious holiday for us full of gatherings and food--well before the actual holiday arrives. This year it was bittersweet. As I imbibed on Mad Elf beer, I became warm and thankful, yet quite blue. This will be the last Christmas in my parents' home. My childhood home. And other unfavorable changes are on the horizon. But this party was so warm and full of charm.

5. Homemade Irish Cream I made homemade Irish Cream for the above tree trimming party and it was a hit! I made my cousin promise to drink all of it if no one liked it, but that didn't become the case at all. Everyone loved it! It was gone before I even got to try it. Here is the recipe:

• 1 2/3 cups of Irish Whisky

• 1 cup of heavy whipping cream

• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup of coffee

• 2 heaping teaspoons of Godiva hot chocolate powder

Mix together and serve chilled, over ice.

6. Goodbye by Apparat Loving this song this week.

7. Receiving Christmas Cards Growing up, my family received Christmas cards in the mail and my mom would tape them around the entrance into the kitchen. I have adopted this, as well, taping them along the entrance to my foyer. Thanks for the cards!

8. Treat Yo Self As I purchase gifts for friends and family, I have been equally purchasing for myself, as well. I have splurged on books, a purse, a new coat, a subscription to a magazine, etc. Things I know people will not think to get for me for Christmas, because hell, I didn't even know I wanted these things until I saw them! But you know what?

9. Last Wednesday Night I was at home with my pups and the sun had set. I was writing out Christmas cards, explaining my excitement for the snow to come that night. I followed the radar, seeing bands of snow here and there coming toward Altoona. I had Christmas pajamas on, a hot cup of tea, and I was covered in a new soft blanket I bought for myself (see above). I had just finished wrapping some gifts and baking Christmas cookies. Brian was not yet home but I anticipated his arrival to complete a perfectly warm, snuggly evening. And to my surprise, he arrived home an hour early because of the snow coming. And I'm thankful for that because the roads were looking dicey and it wasn't even 10:00 yet. I was happy to see him and so were the pups. I was giddy watching the snow fall. Brian cracked open a beer and relaxed with me. I said, "You know, I wish we lived upstairs so we can watch the snow fall in the light of the street lamps." He got up from the couch and simply pulled the blinds on the window all the way up so I can see the snow in the street light across the street. Duh, Sarah. Perfect. What is also amazing is that I was not expecting a lot of snow. It didn't even cross my mind that I would have a snow day the next day. I simply lived in the moment, not even riding on that wave of anxiety, wondering if there would be work the next day. Turned out, it was a snow day. And what a great day it was.

10. Last Thursday I woke up to a snow day. It was just what I needed to get things done while at the same time pursue my usual leisurely activities. I took my dog Silas to a park to run around and dip his nose in the snow. I worked on a project for my Secret Santa gift for work. I finished the whole first season of the show "Dark". I did some Christmas shopping, as well. It was a day filled equally with productivity and leisure. An amazing day.

#toptentuesday