A Word of Thanks as the Little Blog Approaches Her First Birthday

Life is random, isn't it?

[Just ask Eloise- here, in Moscow, via flickr].

As you might have noticed, there are random things

this little blog is wont to dwell on,

chief among them: art, design, books,

home, family, history, and- well-

perhaps just list the rest as

assorted oddsbodskins.

Life: a magnificent reason to celebrate.

And celebration is on the mind.

The first birthday of this blog seems

a good time to thank everyone who stops by

(and, happily, there've been quite a few of you!).

While wishing everyone well,

and extending gratitude,

I do promise to try to bring more

good things to you as time rolls on.

More good words and great art; a happy dash of style.

(A veritable smorgasbord of oddsbodskins galore.)

Life, with a fillip of art.

That's the intent, oh! dear and treasured reader.

And, here, a pledge: to go to as far as possible to do so-

Moscow, if need be. (Or anywhere else on the globe.)

That said, let us don warm caps and carry on- and

thank you, again so very much, for stopping by.

It has been a pure delight.

illustration:

the brilliant hilary knight, of course

eloise in moscow

Today's Special: Maira Kalman. Yesterday: Books, More Books, Anthropologie, Brooks Brothers, Po Chu-i and Neuroplasticity.

Yesterday, after feeling sort of hermit-ish, I met a dear friend for coffee and then went out on the town. Here is what I came home with:

1. books

2. books

3. books

4. a scarf, black and white stripes, half-price from brooks brothers (big splurge)

Now this will be shocking to those who know me...

when I came home, on the doorstep were: more books.

Favorite finds of yesterday?

1. A 1958 edition of Eloise at Christmastime, priced $9.99. Yes. I kid you not. This comes along about once a decade.

2. Po Chu-i sitting on my front porch, in lovely brown coat, address clearly marked on ink-jet label. He is here for me courtesy of internet. Miss Go, thank you for introducing us. Now, must figure out how to put bamboo in backyard without it taking over the neighbor's territory, about which they would be most distressed. Have been plotting this for past decade. Anyone have hints how to contain bamboo? Also, must put pine (small) in front. A few steps away from magnolia?

3. The Brain That Changes Itself. Also on doorstep with computer generated label. Forgot I ordered that, but never forgot ordering Mr. Po. Neuroplasticity a very engaging subject, methinks.

4. Three Maira Kalman books at the store that brought me Eloise. I will return for them today. They need me, and I them. Spent rest of wad ($14.95) on signed Peter Spier book, so had to ask these three to wait. Am throwing on coat to get them, now. Posthaste.

Also: Anthropologie is having great sale on pillows and such. Snagged a few of those (not this, but close, and better bargains in store). New linens for a new year. Very inexpensive. Good thing, in this economy.

Information on game of Go, pictured above: here.