To say that Dave and I were enjoying a nice and leisurely end to 2006, would most certainly be an understatement. After Christmas, we cleaned up the house a bit and then settled in for the last sunny days of 2006. We did a little reading, watched a few movie rentals and took in Huntington Gardens in Pasadena late last week. If you haven't been, well the highlights below speak for themselves.
Dave and I decided early on in the year, that this holiday season we wanted to spend it in our new home. What first seemed like it might be a quiet Christmas turned into quite the day as we found other friends sticking around LA to avoid holiday travel AND even the Datsun managed to make it home from the shop sporting a new back half. After figuring out the 5th wedding anniversary gift was wood, we decided to pick up a much need dining table for the affair. Luckily we found something as versatile which could handle the extra load.
Although we would have loved to be with family, it was a pleasure having so many friends around yesterday and as expected, all was VERY merry and bright.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Dave and I have butted heads on many a design discussion with our new place, but the one thing we seem to agree on is the blend of old and new objects throughout the house. The chairs are new from Herman Miller and the table is vintage flea market find. You can see some other examples in our flickr site. Comments are welcome!
I'm please to report the parental visit was a complete success. 1051 Farnam played a great host! My parents even managed to close their eyes to the unpainted walls, missing cover plates, exposed window frames, and missing millwork. I do promise I saw them at least once with their eyes open in the house but they may have been staring directly at the Christmas tree. The only thing we completed. We had only one minor hiccup over the weekend although my mom may call the oven stopping mid-homemade-roll-baking a near catastrophe. After a few old fashioned bangs on the oven in a very general location it came back to life.
Although my parents were technically on vacation (which I can attest to by my Dad's unwillingness to get out of his pajamas), we managed to fill up the weekend with a few minor activities. We went to the house that John built and John was even there! We attended the Billy Wilder Theater opening where my Dad was asked if he wanted his water with or without gas and with or without fruit. Dave and I took them on in Euchre and lost quite successfully. And finally Sunday we rounded out the trip with a little bowling.
We thoroughly enjoyed the visit and hope they did as well. And we might say with a successful house guest stay under our belt, we are looking forward to the next!?
When we decided to go with the white cabinets initially I thought a black counter top would be best but after giving it some thought (four trips to Lowes & Home Depot), we decided to keep it simple and go white. White is crisp and clean and most any color looks great against it AND according to Christopher Walken on an SNL skit, one can never have to much of a good thing. At least that has been my mantra in our very (some might say nearly all) white kitchen.
In Los Angeles, star sightings are a dime a dozen. They usually happen in the check out line at Whole Foods or in a dimly let movie theater. Rarely do they involve actual interaction and almost never does the star acknowledge your existence by speaking to you. Which brings me to the star sighting I had this week.
During our weekly trip to the jobsite in Beverly Hills a co-worker and I stopped for some lunch. In Midwest fashion we decided to enjoy the weather and eat on the tailgate of his truck. It wasn't long before a stray dog showed up looking for leftovers and just like cars look a little better in the 90210 area so do stray dogs. This one was obviously pampered with glossy black hair and clipped nails. I decided to be a good citizen and check its tag for an address secretly hoping it belonged to TomKat where I'd get a peek at little Suri as thanks for it's return. As I bent down to examine the jeweled color the dog decided to bolt.....and right in front of on coming traffic.
The lead car, a silver Mercedes SUV came to a screeching halt just missing the daredevil. And who was behind the wheel, none other than Jon Voight, father to the most famous Mom in Hollywood. I gaped. He rolled down his window.
"Where's the dog?"
I held up my hands and in my most innocent voice said "It's not my dog"
"Where's the dog?"
Obviously he was concerned TomKat's dog was under his vehicle. I managed to get out that the dog had made it safely across. He thanked me, for what is still not clear, rolled up his window and drove on down the street.... probably to his next star sighting.
It is a rare occasion that I get to visit my Brother and even rarer that I get it for free. As luck would have it, last week I had a business trip that allowed for a Friday night layover in the Big D. My brother has his arms full with 3 kids these days but as you can see from the photo(s), Auntie M was eager to come in for relief. I am proud to report that little Luke carries a familiar family trait passed down from his Apa. The ability to (loudly) gas out a room! You would never believe it although, looking at that sweet face.
