My political exile in Argentina

Definition of cozy

Elizabeth — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:31:44 +0000

O’Christmas Dog

Elizabeth — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:06:00 +0000

Tevez really likes all the Christmas lights. He likes to nap under the tree.

Christmas Light Blues

Elizabeth — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:00:20 +0000

For the last ten years or so, petite white fairy lights have been been adorning our Christmas tree. I do think they are pretty but I am ready to embrace color on my tree. Who am I kidding, I have been persuaded by Georgie to go for a little color this year and I have to say I am pleased with the outcome.

Big times at the O’Connell house during the Holidays

Elizabeth — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:28:35 +0000

This could be a full time job for me

Elizabeth — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:47:28 +0000

I believe in Santa Claus

Elizabeth — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:38:06 +0000

and God has a sense of humor.

Happy Christmas Dutch People

Elizabeth — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:52:58 +0000

Today is the Eve of Saint Nicolas. Its the day that kids in the Netherlands, Belgium and parts of Germany put their shoes out at night hoping that Saint Nicholas will leave presents for them. It all depends if they have been good. They might get sticks, coal or even worse, kidnapped.

I know this because I have two good frieds that are Dutch. My best friend here in Fairfield County and a good friend from our time in Buenos Aires are both Dutch. It either says that our common love for chocolate, coffee, cheese and children brought us together, that or that the Dutch are everywhere…

I am also well versed in the not so subtle aspects of the Sinterklaas’s arrival because David Sedaris wrote an hilarious essay about his introduction to the politically incorrect Zwarte Pieten (numerous black dudes named Pete that do St. Nick’s dirty work). I highly recommend giving his oral reading a listen and be grateful that, as a fan of Santa Claus, slavery wasn’t a possible outcome from being naughty.

Random Fall Photos

Elizabeth — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:00:31 +0000

Technically there are three more weeks of autumn, but with Christmas upon us I thought I should get these photos up while they are still barely relevant.

Click to view slideshow.

Giving Thanks.

Elizabeth — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:00:34 +0000

I am thankful for a lot. Not the least being the mellow but festive weekend we had together. No family. Just us six. Was a nice, low key way to enjoy our first Thanksgiving in years.

The turkey results were mixed. While it was eaten in its entirety between Thursday’s feast and hash Friday night, my turkey suffered from a common affliction: The breast meat was a bit dry while the dark meat was perfect. I will be making adjustments next year.

There is so much else to be thankful for. I am thankful for having my family together on this holiday as we make this our home again. I think its working….

Click to view slideshow.

Theatre Extravaganza

Elizabeth — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:25:14 +0000

source:USAToday

One of the ways GM and I escape our children for an occasional 24 hours is to go into the city to catch a play. Not a musical. GM is not a musical kind of guy. At all. Thats fine with me. I have been to a few of those and inevitably their required sentimentality makes me a bit squirmish. Dont get me wrong, if I could sing and dance on Broadway it would be awesome. I am just not the target audience for that vehicle. I am too much of a cynic.

A good drama or satire on the other hand GM and I can enjoy together. Especially Shakespeare. I bought tickets for GM’s birthday to see King Lear. It happened to land on the same weekend as Georgie’s children’s theatre production of Mulan was debuting and closing . It was going to be a cultured weekend of Sam Waterstone as King Lear and Georgie O’Connell as a hun. King Lear was intense, desperate exhausting and 3 1/2 hours long. We thoroughly enjoyed it (despite horrible reviews we both thought it was excellent). Mulan, while mercifully shorter, was equally intense, action packed, and fun to watch cuz our daughter was on stage. And whatever I missed the first time, I saw the second time I watched it.

Sam Waterston was a great Lear and Georgie was an exceptional hun. It was a great weekend of theatre.