Things I Love Thursday [Spring Edition]

May 16, 2013August 29, 2018 / Ally Bean / 26 Comments

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the geraniums, ‘ya know?

Lately, I’ve been feeling that I’m missing the simple things in my life. That I’m focusing only on complex issues and confused people. That I am way too much in my head and not enough in my heart.

And this behavior is bringing me down.

So, as an antidote to the complexities inherent in my modern life, I’ve decided that once per season I will do my version of a Things I Love Thursday post. Here is my first edition.

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• geraniums • faded denim • truthfulness • the sweet scent of the ash trees in bloom • tralfaz • home decor catalogues • income tax refunds • herbed chèvre • unexpected friendly emails from old friends • laughing • sauvignon blanc • gumption • randomness on my car radio • tetris • walking • the united states of tara • rhubarb • festina lente • no gloves, except gardening ones • gratitude • paper calendars with pretty images • sunshine •

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And you? What are you loving right now?

Rambling Thoughts On A Spring Morning

May 10, 2013May 10, 2013 / Ally Bean / 21 Comments

Another wet morning here. This Spring has been unusually rainy and not as warm as I’d like it to be. In fact, I have yet to wear capris, let alone shorts. Sandals, however, I have worn. They look kind of snazzy with jeans, so there’s that.

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As you can imagine the rainy days have led to green, lush grass. Our yard looks great. The neighbors’ yards look great. The grass-filled concrete divider islands in the grocery parking look great. The side of the interstate looks great.

The whole world looks great… as long as you like this particular shade of green. From my point of view this green is getting a little too close to Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year, Emerald Green. I don’t like Emerald Green, so you can see how, for me, this Spring is getting a little cloying.

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To set my heart right I’ve taken to checking our pots of pansies more often than need be. The leaves are green, of course– but overall the pansies are a hodgepodge of purple and maroon and orange and blue. These colors make me happier/mellower/calmer than all that in-your-face green. I always feel more comfortable with variety than with sameness; and I guess, now that I think about it, that principle holds true for me in nature– as well as in decorating and people.

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Well, that’s all I’ve got from here. Waiting for the sun to shine so that I can get outside to work in the garden. Wondering about where I should go to buy some new shorts. Thinking that it’s a very good thing that today is Friday, because I. am. tired.

Have a groovy weekend everyone. See you next week on the flip side.

2 Movies, 2 Books & 1 Delightful Truth

May 6, 2013May 6, 2021 / Ally Bean / 26 Comments

As part of my attempt to live a more balanced life in 2013, I have given myself the assignment to watch 2 movies and to read 2 books each month. Here is my April report.

2 Movies

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – Predictable + colorful. A group of British retirees decide to move to India, embrace a new lifestyle and live in what claims to be a newly restored Indian hotel. When they arrive, the hotel restoration is not finished, but the optimistic young man who manages the hotel tries his best to please them. Some of the retirees adapt to India, some don’t. The ensemble cast is delightful, the cinematography + costumes are wonderful, but there is a certain old geezer-ness to this movie that is a little monotonous. Recommended if you like veteran actors and the idea that life is what you make of it.

The Grass Is Greener – Intriguing, albeit dated. Because of financial problems, a British Earl and his wife [played by Cary Grant & Deborah Kerr, respectively] allow public tours of their mansion. An American tourist [played by Robert Mitchum] falls for the wife & they have an affair. Meanwhile, her friend [played by Jean Simmons] playfully tries to seduce the Earl. On the surface this movie sounds trite, but the ensemble cast + witty writing make this movie entertaining. Recommended if you enjoy 1960s style, some absurdity and learning about social mores.

2 Books

The Serpent’s Daughter [a Jade Del Cameron mystery] – Charming + clever. Set in Tangier, Morocco, in 1920, Jade and her mother plan to go on vacation together. However, Jade’s mother is kidnapped and Jade must find her… in time. This mystery, by Suzanne Arruda, is campy, travelogue-y and totally fun. Recommended if you like spunky heroines, fascinating settings and lighthearted mysteries.

A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison – Amazing, but macabre. In the 1750s during the French and Indian War in what is now western New York state, the Shawnee Indians capture a white girl and her family. The Shawnee murder her family, but the girl goes on to live with the Seneca Indians. She marries, has children and adopts the ways of the Indians. When she is in her 80s she tells her story to a local white man who writes it down– in the flowery vernacular of the time. Originally published in 1824. Recommended if you have an interest in Colonial American History and biographies. [Free on Kindle]

1 Delightful Truth

I was surfing the web looking at design blogs, when I came upon this delightful truth by Amanda Hill. She said: Beautiful things don’t just happen. If you want something marvelous, you’ve got to make something marvelous. [Punctuation added.]

And I thought to myself: that is so true. What good advice. I need to take that advice to heart, henceforth.

So I have.

First Photos With My New Camera: Outside From Small To Large

April 17, 2013April 17, 2013 / Ally Bean / 34 Comments

Over the weekend I bought a new point & shoot camera. It is a Nikon COOLPIX P520 18.1 MP Digital Camera with 42x Zoom. It will replace my Nikon COOLPIX P90 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 24x Zoom that I’ve enjoyed using for many years.

This new camera is similar to the old one, but has more bells & whistles on it. *yeah* I’m looking forward to learning about each cool thing that my P520 can do, but for these photos I just winged it. This camera is, after all, a point & shoot model, so why not go with the obvious?

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[Hello FTC! It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? I haven’t bought much lately. Huh. Well, just as a reminder, please note that I’m not being paid for my opinion here. I’m just explaining my experiences without any compensation whatsoever. That’s the way I roll, but then you knew that.]