Monday, January 31, 2011

100 Years of a Beautiful Soul

My Baba was born in western Ukraine in 1911 into what would become a family of nine brothers and sisters. She is the last surviving member of the generation that formed our entire family.  She grew up on a farm, became a city girl, lived though two world wars, a famine, and was in a German labor camp throughout World War II.  In 1949 she and her family immigrated to the United States to spend three years in New York City, where she cleaned offices in high rises on the night shift.  She adjusted to small town life with a move to Dunkirk, NY and was employed by Kraft Foods for 16 years, where she maintained her staunch work ethic. This also gave her the ability to maintain some financial independence which was very important to her at a time when women were to stay home, cook, clean, and raise children. Well of course, she did that too. Even though she was fluent in two other languages when she immigrated, and entered the American work force, she knew only a few English phrases. Over the years, she sewed, painted, worked in her garden, cooked great Ukrainian dishes, played guitar, sang, laughed and found joy in all she did.  But beyond all that, we have always been astonished by her unbelievable positive outlook on life. Nothing ever unnerved or intimidated her. We are so lucky to have celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday and are blessed by her love.
My favorite quote of the day was when we asked her how she feels about death. Her response was:
"I have no intention of dying. It's a stupid idea."

Sounds good to me Baba.
Thank you so much to everyone who called, sent cards, flowers, and lovely messages. She also thanks you from the bottom of her heart and she said she couldn't believe that everyone remembered "little ol Baba." 
Who could forget? :)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Tree

There are a lot of renos going on in this little nest of ours (or maybe they are just happening in my head) and because I really feel like a nesting robin I have been inspired by a tree. What said tree you ask? This said tree:
Not sure if it will go over the bed (it's a HUGE space and a headboard just won't cut it) or in the stairwell leading to the roof with pictures of family on it. Family tree, get it???  Right. I am obsessed with this graphic designer so this one could work over the bed too.
Or of course there's always this one of the boys:
But that would have to go right over the piano for inspiration. No painting involved! Love it.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

I think I might cry!

So I could have met these two tomorrow:
YEAH. And instead I am working on Blue Bloods  (Tom Selleck stars)...look, I am happy to be working, but I am devastated that I am missing the SAG screening of "The Kings Speech" followed by a talk back with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. I think I might cry. Ok, Jason just read this over my shoulder and said "might cry? you already cried".  My heart is broken!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Brochu, Ball, Babs and Bernadette

I love New York. Have I mentioned this already? Worth mentioning again. I feel like you don't have to do very much to feel like you a part of something much bigger than yourself here. We had a great night with Jim Brochu, his partner Steven, and my friends Zach and Michael last night. Jim was good pals with my comedic idol Lucille Ball so I had to take a picture with her autographed glamor shot.  Yeah, just pals with LUCILLE BALL. Barbara Streisand came to Jim's show in New York and was so impressed with him that she gave him the autographed picture you see on the wall above...and the view from their balcony makes their place in the heart of the theater district quintessential NYC.

Ok. Deep breaths. A Little Night Music was SO SO SO inspiring!!!! I can't believe how I am exposing the musical theater nerd in me on my blog in this manner, but I don't care. Bernadette Peters is Steven Sondheim's girl because she knows, understands, and interprets his music like no one else. She was absolute brilliance on every level. The audience went so insane for the whole production they were on their feet before the lights went up for curtain call. Alright, I might have led the standing ovation but I was very confident everyone in that theater felt the way I did. I kissed her poster. I am a nerd. I love New York.
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Sunday, January 2, 2011

New Years at Butchart Gardens

 
 Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!


We can't get over Christmas being over so we went to the Butchart Gardens Christmas extravaganza on New Years Eve. It was quite magical and they had 12 intricate displays of the infamous song above. Can you pick out the maids a milking, three French hens, and four calling birds? They had cell phones. Too cute.

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