hello darlings

everyone else seemed to be in a somewhat festive mood.

and it was sort of contagious in a very nice way.

we went to a lovely party (yes, we edited out the people as someone pointed out – but there were lots there – we just prefer “atmosphere” to generate a mood unless one is lighting a face properly and doing a headshot or two and it wasn’t that sort of a gathering)

the boarding school (one of two, the other one went bankrupt so it would be unlikely to send out a Christmas Message) was very Modern and sent an email which was delightful. 

then there was lots of taking-the-long-road home after (see below) a delicious Wednesday morning breakfast-with-friends.

(does anyone know why the house on Lookout Mountain has a giant publicity shot from The Women? Mr. google hadn’t a clue but we thought you might). moments from breakfast.

always especially wonderful when Mr. Diego-the-dog is present.

and despite not being interested in actually celebrating christmas, we have to say we Do enjoy watching other people do it.

especially in French.

so now we’re off to watch this:

because, a little earlier today, we already watched this:

come to think of it, there are lots of things we like to Watch others do but not necessarily do in RL.

of course we’re Itching to get back to writing and who-we-are-in-RL is eager to start the new consulting term and there are photographs to take and deadlines to meet – but only when everyone has finished doing this Christmas thing.

*sighs*

when the weather looks like this:

it’s sort of hard to take the whole “Holidays” thing seriously.

and don’t even get us started on the “New Year Celebration”.

we’ll be in a convent for that.

did we not tell you?

*winningsmiletocamera*

not under orders or taking orders but quite voluntarily – and yes, we’ll be in black – it’s a habit one finds hard to break.

plus our British Publicist at the UK Publishers (such a delicious word) agreed it would be a good “talking point” to say that one had spent the last night of 2013 in contemplative silence when one is promoting the book.

*farofflooktothemountains*

what’s that?

oh yes!

good idea.

we haven’t seen That for a while.

the last time we got to sing the Nuns Chorus was when we were staying with a friend somewhere (*saidvaguely*) near the Hudson river in, what was it? 2005? yes, NYC. and we both watched the film and found we could harmonize rather brilliantly – but we let him do Mother Superior’s solo – we were the Guest after all – it’s only Polite.

actually, we heard that they don’t dress like this anymore.

since Vatican 2 there was a move to more poly-blend-jump-suits in pastel shades in this sunny southern california for the Sisters of Mercy (not the band, although they prefer wearing black too)

*closerlookatthepicture*

actually, if you take off the wimple, you’re right – we dress Exactly like that.

gosh.

how delicious.

did you have a lovely Christmas?

many mince pies?

tea.

that’s the best solution for too-many-mince-pies.

and an early night.