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Opera, and a Hallmark moment
Dec. 16th, 2006 12:21 pmSaw Die Fledermaus last night at Lyric. I do like this opera, even if it is all fluff. Fluff can be fun! And the music really is gorgeous, though you can't waltz in your seat. Jim & Kevin didn't come, as they are busily preparing for their annual holiday party (which is tonight). Jamie said it was just an excuse because Kevin doesn't like Die Fledermaus, not dark and Wagnerian enough for him. K. denied that, but Jim agreed with Jamie. So it was just four of us.
There was a woman seated behind me whose coat I was tempted to steal. Dark, dark charcoal gray velvet (almost black) with big silver fox collar and cuffs, very twenties.
The Hallmark store near me closed several months ago, but they still had a lot of stock so this weekend they are having a big sale, everything at least 50% off. I was there when the doors opened this morning, and, oy, did I make a haul! I have enough birthday cards for the next two years almost, bought wrapping paper, gift bags, tags, etc. Being a good Bookcrosser, a few padded bags were in the pile. And I found some stunning ornaments! Small glass balls, each set of eight has silvery balls, ivory metallic balls, opaque white ones and ones with streaks of silvery glitter. They're very subtle and muted. What's really nice is the detail of the metal cap where the hook goes. It's not plain, but has little embossed design. I saw one set, and then noticed two more. So I got them all. Guess I'll have a silvery tree next year!
Best find was when I was standing in line to check out, trying to balance everything. Now, you may have noticed that I write about a group of women friends with whom I have dinner every month. We call ourselves the "XYZingers" (we needed a name for a Literacy Coalition spelling bee!). It started with a group of then-present or former board members of the Lake County (IL) YWCA (hence, "ex-Y zingers") who worked near each other, and would lunch together once a week. After a while, we started having monthly dinners. That began because one of us, who also sells Mary Kay cosmetics, was going to give one of our group a facial. And we all thought that sounded fun, and someone said, "well, let's have dinner, and Cheryl can give us all facials." So we did, and the rest is history. We've been through marriages, divorces, moves, job changes, childbirth and death together.
Anyway, as I was in line at Hallmark, I saw a stoneware platter from their Maya Angelou collection. It says: "It was a time of such splendor -- charming people, good food, laughter, and brave ideas -- enough to entertain us for years." "That's US!" I said to myself. And decided to get it for Cheryl for her birthday, since, in a manner of speaking, she's responsible for nearly twenty years of dinners.
I do love finding the perfect gift.
There was a woman seated behind me whose coat I was tempted to steal. Dark, dark charcoal gray velvet (almost black) with big silver fox collar and cuffs, very twenties.
The Hallmark store near me closed several months ago, but they still had a lot of stock so this weekend they are having a big sale, everything at least 50% off. I was there when the doors opened this morning, and, oy, did I make a haul! I have enough birthday cards for the next two years almost, bought wrapping paper, gift bags, tags, etc. Being a good Bookcrosser, a few padded bags were in the pile. And I found some stunning ornaments! Small glass balls, each set of eight has silvery balls, ivory metallic balls, opaque white ones and ones with streaks of silvery glitter. They're very subtle and muted. What's really nice is the detail of the metal cap where the hook goes. It's not plain, but has little embossed design. I saw one set, and then noticed two more. So I got them all. Guess I'll have a silvery tree next year!
Best find was when I was standing in line to check out, trying to balance everything. Now, you may have noticed that I write about a group of women friends with whom I have dinner every month. We call ourselves the "XYZingers" (we needed a name for a Literacy Coalition spelling bee!). It started with a group of then-present or former board members of the Lake County (IL) YWCA (hence, "ex-Y zingers") who worked near each other, and would lunch together once a week. After a while, we started having monthly dinners. That began because one of us, who also sells Mary Kay cosmetics, was going to give one of our group a facial. And we all thought that sounded fun, and someone said, "well, let's have dinner, and Cheryl can give us all facials." So we did, and the rest is history. We've been through marriages, divorces, moves, job changes, childbirth and death together.
Anyway, as I was in line at Hallmark, I saw a stoneware platter from their Maya Angelou collection. It says: "It was a time of such splendor -- charming people, good food, laughter, and brave ideas -- enough to entertain us for years." "That's US!" I said to myself. And decided to get it for Cheryl for her birthday, since, in a manner of speaking, she's responsible for nearly twenty years of dinners.
I do love finding the perfect gift.
