Christmas Dogs

We recently played host to big time media dog Barney and his owner MR. Seven's professed love was, alas, unreciprocated. But by the end of the second day, the two dogs had reached an easy detente and Seven gladly finished any morsel Barney left behind.

Descanso Gardens

We went to explore the winter greenery of the Descanso Gardens yesterday. Only twenty minutes away up in La Canada, the 150 acre site was where our lilac was engineered to be able to bloom in the warm SoCal weather. We will have to return when things start blooming next spring.

Rest In Grease

White on white on white with a little chicken soup thrown in.

Christmas Tree

My sister sent over a living little christmas tree. It came with all the trimmings and will be planted in the back yard after the holidays.
Even though it only has 20 lights, the littlest tree pumps out some big Xmas spirit .

Towering Inferno

I planted my Christmas present today. A large Inferno red Kangaroo Paw in the front yard. We are thinking the front garden is now complete. And will wait for spring to see how things flesh out.

Pendant

We finally got around to hanging this pendant lamp this weekend. It had been hanging for 35 years in the basement bedroom of my older brother. I always admired it and he was willing to part with it..... especially since he moved out of those digs 25 years ago. We are using a clear bulb to take advantage of the nautilus like shadows from the reflector.

Frigid

While the weather outside is frightful........ we woke up today with a big fat 9 on the thermometer. Should warm up to a delightful 26 this afternoon. Anyways, the tree got decorated last night with the help of some nieces and nephews. And I return to Southern California tomorrow to lanquish in 70+ sunshine.

OHMSS Screen Tests

After "You Only Live Twice", Sean Connery said he was through with Bond films. The search for his replacement was documented by Life photographer Loomis Dean. George Lazenby eventually won the role and played Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". For the 40th anniversary of the film, Life is releasing Deans photos from director Peter Hunt's screen tests.

Union Square Market

I took in Union Squares' Christmas Market last night. My fave Argentine photographer has branched out and has two stalls. I did come across a new participant with some wonderful items. DeLong Ceramics has transformed boat rigging into high end housewares. I love her ceramic boat cleats and plan to have several sprinkled around the LA house for the odd jacket or bag. Her tiles offer a beautiful take on life in the city or an intricate view of nature's finest.

Soup's On

With a furnace that needs a fix and with the weather wet and chilly outside, we have been making lots of soups and stuff to 1)eat and 2) keep the stove on......

Take It To The Banksia

I went to the nursery today to buy a little present for a neighbor and fell in love with a heather leafed Banksia Ericifolia. I brought back WL and we decided it would fit in the front yard. We looked at a picture of the flowers and they're very impressive. 100's of mini flowers on a stalk 10" tall and loaded with hummingbird attracting nectar. Hoping ours will produce like the ones below next spring.

Teak Bench

We ventured out into the valley last week to go to a teak warehouse. We were looking for a desk/table but walked away with a bench for under the window in the living room. I liked the dark wood and pattern.

Rust

Brooklyn pal Betsy A has given us three of these old rusty lights for a house warming present. They have a cool mirror reflector. I started to sand one of them down today and found some remnants of copper plating below. Not sure where they will be going but the possibilities for funky photos are great.

Stove Install

We had been hoping to find a vintage 1950's stove but will put that search on the back burner for now. The house came with a relatively new stove..... so after cleaning the grease and grime, we hooked it up. Works great and looks good.

High Line Chelsea

MR and I went for a walk along the westside's newest attraction yesterday.... The HighLine Park. NYC has taken the old elevated rail tracks slicing through the westside and made a wonderful native landscape park. The rusted railway lines give inspiration to the planters and benches. We had lunch on some bleachers with a north bound view of 10th ave. The new Standard Hotel straddles the walkway at the southend in the Meat Packing District.