tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66317517274572637182012-02-17T16:16:43.792ZAbout big changes, a new house, and manipulating a whole lot of strings.A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.comBlogger3261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-28780845247207469922012-02-17T16:16:00.001Z2012-02-17T16:16:43.801Z

In a remarkable instance of whatchamacallit, your Puppet Opera correspondent has been to the theatre this week-- and not just any old play but the oldest and most noble of them all: a Punch and Judy spectacular! And I am able to urge you to hie thee to the Barbican to catch Improbable Theatre's The Devil and Mr. Punch before it disappears like so much stage smoke. Having made his first

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-63595858236427134752012-02-08T09:50:00.000Z2012-02-08T09:50:22.248Z

It's my birthday! Jules and I played a game of fridge Scrabble to celebrate. Guess which words he added, and which were mine...

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-79267911431466098012012-02-03T10:16:00.000Z2012-02-03T10:17:46.170Z

I don't know about Punxatawney Phil, but around our way, spring seems a lot closer than six weeks. The little crocuses I planted in old tomato tins (how cute are they?) last November are blooming away on my back patio, and there are tulips nosing up from the soil even as I type this. Apart from the obligatory viewing of Groundhog Day and a nice winter cocktail, we spent February second up to

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-14857121551278129562012-01-31T11:59:00.000Z2012-01-31T11:59:07.589Z

Whew... what a week that was. I am not joking when I say in ten short days I encountered royalty, presidents, prime ministers and Nobel laureates all in one place. Do you know how to address an ambassador (you say, "Your Excellency")? Never thought I'd have to pull that one out at work, but there you go. Now I'm home and back to business as usual, which is a less glamorous version of this

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-18148174059114104512012-01-23T08:43:00.000Z2012-01-23T08:43:41.114Z

I'm high up in the Alps at a really amazing work event, there are two meters of snow on the ground, and this is what I saw on my walk home last night: high up on the dark mountainside, a giant fir tree all lit with fairy lights and sparkling in the night. Magic.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-31651811090404088782012-01-19T10:34:00.000Z2012-01-19T10:34:24.730Z

One of my goals for 2012 was to lose--within one year--all the weight I put on while I was expecting Billy. The doctor said I should expect to put on 30 pounds, but I'm an overachiever, so I put on 41, and that was on top of the 10 pounds I never lost after Isabelle. So basically, I'm aiming to get back to my pre-first-baby weight, which is 51 pounds less than I weighed on October 3. Whew.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-90374358438752611922012-01-18T12:07:00.000Z2012-01-18T12:07:46.816Z

When those roses call to you from the supermarket flower stall and it's a grey and drizzly January day, I say go ahead, buy them! Fact: they are making my life immeasurably better.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-39656015838517412752012-01-16T21:25:00.000Z2012-01-16T21:25:18.434Z

Oh January. Why so grey? Why so cold? Why so dismal? There is no better time than the end of January for a shot of hot pink, (did you know the Most Depressing Day of the Year is lurking just around the corner?), and like that delicious thread of raspberry syrup running through the pale vanilla of raspberry ripple ice cream, there are all kinds of summer raspberries lurking around the shops just

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-23343325896663060522012-01-13T11:27:00.000Z2012-01-13T11:27:36.186Z

Well hello there lovely! Since my life list included an item to try to cook at least one new recipe per week, I thought I would feature one I recently tried out, the chocolate hazelnut delice I made for Jules' 40th birthday! Now, doesn't this look like a cake worth turning 40 for? I ask you. Deep chocolate truffle on top of a hazelnut praline base, and sugared hazelnuts around the edge. What a

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-26615099905507018152012-01-12T08:00:00.000Z2012-01-12T08:00:15.479Z

...A thinking jar! I got this amazing idea from Apartment Therapy Family (formerly ohdeedoh) from a mom who was looking for a way to calm her anxious toddler before school. What is a thinking jar? It's a jar full of glitter and water, which you swirl around and relax while you watch the glitter settle to the bottom of the jar. It's calming and pretty and fascinating, and we're already having

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-80754660364528480262012-01-10T10:44:00.001Z2012-01-13T10:42:47.371Z

If you own a piece of Apple technology (as I do), you owe yourself a listen. And then go over to NPR and make a donation.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-38546922572608160322012-01-09T10:35:00.000Z2012-01-09T10:35:52.447Z

The year begins in grey, white and brown, branches crusted with lichen. In the bit of wilderness near my house, the color has leached out of the landscape, and even the birds flit about in muddy coats. Spring seems a long way off, even now with the tips of the daffodils poking up through the soil, and the grass on the common so bright and green, the way it is in March.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-52490601623935644772012-01-06T08:00:00.005Z2012-01-06T08:00:02.739Z

I haven't had much luck with New Year's Resolutions in the past, so I thought instead I'd make a giant to-do list (completion date: death), focused on living a more lovely life. I'm publishing it here because now you've seen it, I will have to be held accountable for my actions. So, here goes: JUST FOR FUN Make more, buy less Take a picnic with Champagne and candles to Glyndebourne or Ravinia

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-36711155028610426662012-01-04T20:38:00.000Z2012-01-04T20:38:43.342Z

Me and my Bill. Milestones this month include laughing at jokes, making jokes, grabbing things, kicking on cue, making gurgly sounds on purpose, cooing and chattering, and reaching for favorite toys. Milestones for me this month include dropping 10 pounds. Way to go, me.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-29888601567434863702011-12-31T14:22:00.000Z2011-12-31T14:22:38.012Z

Oh my word.... we've been offline since the 18th of December (my last post was pre-recorded), so I haven't had a chance to put anything up for AGES. Hopefully we're back in business now, but in the meantime, here's a little something to wish you a Happy New Year! I hope that 2012 is good to you and yours, and that you have a really stupendous evening full of champagne, giggles, and maybe a song

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-52787027578392442532011-12-22T20:21:00.000Z2011-12-22T20:21:24.066Z

...until Christmas morning, and cold winter sunlight pouring through the window, special treats and a glass or two of bubbly. (all images from The White Company)

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-50980644977227569762011-12-21T18:04:00.000Z2011-12-21T18:04:02.219Z

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a Radio Flyer, while Mary His Mother, rides a tricycle beside him.” Kids are weird. Here's the

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-7168333898361191442011-12-19T08:00:00.001Z2011-12-19T08:00:02.228Z

Sorry this is a bit late, but here is Charming Billy, two months old! Milestones this month include: HANDS! Billy knows he has hands, and also feet, and can batter the toys on his jungle play mat. Other milestones include dropping his 2AM feed; smiling, laughing and interacting with Isabelle and starting to fall into a more regular pattern. Come on month 3!

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-89956862283267936112011-12-15T12:12:00.000Z2011-12-15T12:12:46.330Z

Last year, I was completely smitten by the glitter Christmas village I discovered over at A Field Journal, but it wasn't until this year that I got around to making them, and I must admit, I'm over the moon with the result. Inspired by the illustrations of Candyland in Isabelle's Nutcracker picture book, I used my miniature glitter houses to make a delicious little sugary winter landscape on my

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-81275309104851924832011-12-02T08:00:00.003Z2011-12-02T10:00:46.687Z

You wouldn't believe the weather we've been having. Honest-a-god, it's more like April than December, warm enough to go foraging for a few branchy thingies to pull into an autumn bouquet. We're lucky enough to have a bit of wilderness nearby (remember, I live in a major world city; go figure) with all sorts of things coming into bloom at different times of the year, and so last week I went out

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-28378625529034042722011-11-30T12:00:00.000Z2011-11-30T12:00:59.521Z

The season of parties, excess and celebration is finally upon us. Hooray! I'm guessing the chances are very good that you've received at least one invite to a holiday party: the one being held at your workplace. Ugh, the office party! The scenes of depravity, embarrassment and wild abandon, all in front of your nearest and dearest colleagues. Whether it's being held in a posh restaurant or in the

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-51455206749944454912011-11-29T15:00:00.000Z2011-11-29T15:00:32.898Z

How cute is this? An Advent calendar made from baby socks! This is a super way to re-use all those miniature socks that inevitably become "lonely soldiers" after the very first wash. Wouldn't they be cute with little candies or tiny presents tucked inside? Using self-adhesive number stickers on the cuffs and teeny little clothespins to hold them to a ribbon, the kids could pull down one sock a

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-35937256287596543052011-11-22T09:54:00.001Z2011-12-31T14:28:21.942Z

Among the many things I would happily allow someone else to do, hosting Thanksgiving Dinner ranks right up there with calculating my income tax. However, now that I live far away from my own family in a land where nobody celebrates Thanksgiving, I knew that if I wanted to have Thanksgiving (with actual human guests), I would have to buckle down and figure out how to do it myself. So when the time

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-17600516825459273542011-11-21T15:20:00.000Z2011-11-21T15:20:39.795Z

With Thanksgiving only a few days away, you've probably got your menu and shopping all sorted out, so it's time to start thinking about the details: you know, the wine, the dishes, the silver, and how you want your table to look. Maybe this is the first time you're hosting Thanksgiving, or maybe you're getting ready for a nice dinner at some other time in the holiday season, but amid all the

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-31436792828855863692011-11-16T11:53:00.000Z2011-11-16T11:53:19.804Z

Yes, it was only three years ago that we had an infant on our hands, and yes, we should have remembered how to care for a new baby, but the fact is there were a lot of things we have had to re-learn when number two came along For example, how to give him a bath and how to hold him for a bottle feed. Then there were other things, like how to change a boy diaper, that were a total mystery to us,

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-14386011119626154862011-11-14T11:58:00.001Z2011-11-14T11:59:09.605Z

One of the things I never thought I'd miss about moving away from the Midwest is the fierce winters. Yes, crazy I know, but as the weather here turns grey and damp, I am so very homesick for dramatic gusts of snow, dark and mysterious patches of ice, and temperatures that would freeze the marrow of your bones if you ventured out without a coat. And what I really miss, are the visits of the bright

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-21739880341446180492011-11-11T20:36:00.002Z2011-11-14T11:39:32.784Z

How did I know about this sooner? If there’s one thing I love, it's a good hat, and my favorite store Target has partnered with New York milliner Albertus Swanepoel on a flock of chapeaux for autumn, each costing only $19.99. The whimsical, vintage inspired collection launched October 30th, brimful with ribbons and feathers and faux fur. Charming! Don't know how many are left in local stores,

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-58015045678536140502011-11-10T16:25:00.000Z2011-11-10T16:25:53.378Z

My interview for Billy's American passport at the US Embassy, London today:  Embassy official: Where were you born? Me: Joliet, Illinois. Embassy official: Where did you grow up?  Me: Joliet, Illinois. Embassy official: Where did you go to high school?  Me: Joliet, Illinois.  Embassy official: Where did you go after high school? Me: I went to Illinois State University.  Embassy official: And

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-63674271007021486662011-11-08T16:28:00.001Z2011-11-08T21:04:41.242Z

Just before Halloween, we visited Ham House with Grandma and Grandpa, formerly the home of the Earl of Dysart, courtier to Charles I, and supposedly one of the most haunted houses in Britain. It was a sunny autumn day, and fun to visit, especially with one of the rooms shuttered and dark and a group of costumed ladies inside telling ghost stories (or were they actually there at all? Ooooooo.....)

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-23098006544194902992011-11-04T20:22:00.001Z2011-11-04T20:24:42.630Z

Billy the Kid: 1 month old today. Milestones in his first month include: peeing all over everyone he's met, gaining three pounds of weight, meeting all his grandparents and one auntie, surviving his first trip to a National Trust property, bravely enduring visits to three major museums within three weeks, his first trip on public transportation, his first visit to Kew and riding in the Baby

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-39246847058679948562011-11-03T21:14:00.000Z2011-11-03T21:14:42.737Z

In many ways, I feel sorry for Isabelle. When she said she wanted to go as a fairy for Halloween, I instantly pulled up all my old inspiration files from productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and got designing. No cheap and nasty old tooth-fairy style net for us here; it's either Royal Shakespeare Company or nothing. She's still small enough that I can have a major influence over her costume,

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-27310505886432181392011-10-18T16:51:00.003+01:002011-11-03T22:19:25.556Z

Hello friends! I'm pleased to be able to post another animation I wrote the screenplay for. This one's for the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, created in collaboration with my pals at Picturesmith for the launch of the Mentoring Women in Business Programme in early October. It's a cool initiative, which helps female entrepreneurs in developing countries get the support they need from expert

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-50286685857208917082011-10-17T11:04:00.000+01:002011-10-17T11:04:12.437+01:00

Well, if you saw the date of my previous post, you would know that we have been so very busy here at A Puppet Opera Industries. The reason for our long absence is that we are now the proud owners of a little baby boy! We are delighted to announce the arrival of William Thomas Julian, born on the 4th of October at 5:21 PM weighing a healthy 7 lbs, 0 ounces. He's sweet and cuddly, and even though

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-63538901835424801882011-09-27T10:30:00.000+01:002011-09-27T10:30:34.111+01:00

Well, here I am, kid-less in the house for the first time in three years. Isabelle started preschool today, and even though we were all ready to go, and excited to wear our uniform and be at school with the other kids, it sure was a big moment for everyone. I don't know whose knuckles were whiter at the school door, Isabelle's or mine, but until we saw the little panda sticker next to Isabelle's

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-3278128425287827922011-09-01T20:49:00.000+01:002011-09-01T20:49:25.891+01:00

The playground at our local park has been upgraded with some new equipment including a pile of sandstone rocks to climb. It took Issy about three minutes to clamber to the very top, all by herself. Wicked.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-21495334631303992632011-08-31T20:45:00.000+01:002011-08-31T20:45:04.722+01:00

I went a little bit crazy this spring and planted two whole packets of cosmos seeds. Each one of the seeds grew into a waist-high, feathery colossus bearing heaps of pretty pink flowers! Sadly, there is some beetle or something in my garden who loves them as much as I do, so I have to act fast in order to get a bunch of flowers without little holes in the petals, but today I was able to gather an

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-70043789534189638092011-08-26T08:00:00.007+01:002011-08-26T08:00:09.506+01:00

This little item came across the Puppet Opera Fashion Desk today: Superstar fashion designer Marc Jacobs, better known for high octane glamour and dressing the most fashionable women in the world, has bagged the dream assignment to create the wardrobe for none other than that three-foot-high fashionista with a tail, Miss Piggy. Miss Piggy, who plays a fashion editor in the upcoming Muppet Movie

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-72352865861852340402011-08-25T15:51:00.000+01:002011-08-25T15:51:27.582+01:00

The new Mad Men collection at Banana Republic is in stores now. Check out those nippy little suits and full-skirted day dresses. Double strand of pearls, anyone? Why oh why does one of my favorite stores decide to launch an awesomely chic collection in exactly my kind of style, just at the moment when I am 60+ pounds too ginormous to wear it? Boo. If you do not have a baby in your tummy and are

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-82685851947338320192011-08-24T21:18:00.000+01:002011-08-24T21:18:17.820+01:00

All I will say is that we are still elbows-deep in an office renovation we began in March..... A textured-wallpaper removal that resulted in new plaster, new baseboards, a new radiator, new flooring and new door hardware... and although we've finished painting the walls and ceiling (yay!) and it feels like we're gaining ground (yay!), there's really no end in sight. But hopefully, before long,

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-27015481623993874202011-08-19T17:43:00.001+01:002011-08-19T17:49:25.212+01:00

J.Crew autumn cashmere modeled by ballerinas of the Mariinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg. So, so pretty. We signed Isabelle up for the full term of Autumn ballet today, so perhaps we are in a ballerina mood! We are so excited to start dancing again after the summer!

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-5847711827486761072011-08-18T11:06:00.000+01:002011-08-18T11:06:09.961+01:00

Missoni for Target bicycle. I want one. Yes, okay, I already have a bike that I never ride, but come on! This is so stylish and cute, I can totally see myself wheeling around town in high heeled sandals and a pretty dress on this sassy little Italian job. Don't you see it too? You do. On sale September 13. (via Making it Lovely)

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-67645402064750670872011-08-17T10:27:00.000+01:002011-08-17T10:27:34.000+01:00

Dessert last night: Eton Mess. You have to love a strawberry-meringue-whipped cream dessert that totally embraces its terrible appearance. Like it's saying, "why bother dressing up when it's all about the taste?" And boy oh Old-boy, is Eton Mess delicious! Strawberries, strawberry purée, broken-up meringue cookies and whipped cream jumbled together in one tasty car crash. Yum. It almost seems

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-64537837477078454452011-08-16T15:18:00.000+01:002011-08-16T15:18:41.840+01:00

Sorry for not posting this earlier..... This sweet little butterfly mobile I made for Her Ladyship has actually been hanging up over her princess bed for weeks. Weeks! And yet I have not posted a photo of it's crazy cuteness, or any stories of how it came about. Okay, so here's the story of the butterfly chandelier. When shopping with Susan I spotted this beauty hanging in the window of the

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-16641517146547026002011-08-13T12:37:00.000+01:002011-08-13T12:37:25.959+01:00

My garden is in full swing right now, and hooray, it's so full of flowers I was able to cut enough to bring inside the house for not one but four full bouquets (and one tiny bud vase of sweet peas)! Hooray! I feel like Elton John, but without the million-pound florist's bill.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-77272169728307305102011-08-10T08:00:00.001+01:002011-08-10T08:00:16.156+01:00

Anyone who stumbled into my back garden might be forgiven for thinking it was owned by an elderly lady with bad eyesight: I've got peonies, hydrangeas, roses and little daisies spilling out of every edge and border in varying shades of pink and purple. However, one of my real superstars this year have been the sweet peas climbing up the unsightly fence. Thanks to a warm, sunny spring they are

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-8989286173529432852011-08-08T21:04:00.000+01:002011-08-08T21:04:19.136+01:00

Out of the gazillion or so awesome birthday presents Isabelle received for her 3rd birthday, the most fun was a big box filled with art supplies (which, as you can see in the final picture, have ended up strewn across the floor). She could hardly wait to get her little mitts into it and knock out some colorful paintings (all hanging in her playhouse gallery). Hooray for the art box!

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-74716255254732862502011-08-04T21:48:00.000+01:002011-08-04T21:48:45.640+01:00

Can anybody believe that our little Isabelle is 3 today? Where'd our baby go? She is officially a big girl now. We had a super day: opened presents, visited the airplane museum, and had dinosaur "bones" and a dinosaur cake for dinner. Now, she is finally asleep. Hooray, hooray! Birthdays are always the best days! Sarah xo

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-26573938447565282022011-07-22T20:58:00.000+01:002011-07-22T20:58:06.752+01:00

Blergh... there's a lot of gray in the world right now, so here's a bunch of beautiful summer roses to brighten up the day, courtesy of photographer Debi Treolar. I wish they were real, but alas, I hope this photograph will do the trick! Hope your Friday is equally lovely! Sarah xoxo (via this is glamorous)

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-87068973465982581552011-07-19T16:01:00.000+01:002011-07-19T16:01:53.110+01:00

Ithaca by Constantine P Cavafy When you set sail for Ithaca, wish for the road to be long, full of adventures, full of knowledge. The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops, an angry Poseidon -- do not fear. You will never find such on your path, if your thoughts remain lofty, and your spirit and body are touched by a fine emotion. The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops, a savage Poseidon you will not

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-82779075952565462092011-06-08T15:08:00.000+01:002011-06-08T15:08:54.346+01:00

Isabelle loves her new garden bolthole, freshly painted mint green by Daddy. Today, she hosted her first tea party, with lots of interesting guests including The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (I mean really, would you invite such a glutton to your table?), a tiger, the butterfly from the Very Hungry Caterpillar (again, seriously, Isabelle? The very HUNGRY caterpillar?) and her friend Nell. Looks

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-22678115609399806822011-05-24T11:40:00.000+01:002011-05-24T11:40:56.050+01:00

With a little ballerina in the house, we are all about tutus and pointe shoes here today. Hope your day is filled with grace and loveliness as well! Sarah xo (Ballerinas in Berlin via National Geographic)

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-43068210541593280162011-05-23T12:28:00.000+01:002011-05-23T12:28:50.830+01:00

Issy's big girl room is finally finished! Enter the Princess Bed, a delightful four-poster hung with butterfly drapes and a butterfly eiderdown to match her lovely butterfly curtains. Just right for a little lady.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-37978517075301351182011-05-17T14:52:00.000+01:002011-05-17T14:52:22.572+01:00

Isabelle had her first ballet class yesterday. And it was so much fun, she couldn't even bear to take off her leotard and tutu once we came home. So a picture in front of the flowers was the best way to celebrate. Please note her skillful demonstration of "pretty fingers" in the middle photo. So cute! Sarah xoxo

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-12334599301651728712011-05-12T16:11:00.000+01:002011-05-13T21:40:46.013+01:00

When the Daddy's away, the mice will play.... at the playground in Kew until we wear ourselves out. Fun times. This doesn't have anything to do with our trip, but look at this peony in my own back garden! This one didn't bloom last year, so I am so excited to see it flowering so profusely this summer. Welcome, little friend!

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-12507244893621940002011-05-09T21:19:00.001+01:002011-05-10T16:15:01.714+01:00

One of the first blooms snipped from my very own Geoff Hamiltons, brightening up Isabelle's mantel. Shame the computer hasn't got smell-o-vision, because the heavy rose scent is out of this world.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-17295668816939225752011-05-06T14:00:00.001+01:002011-05-06T14:00:10.091+01:00

A warm A Puppet Opera welcome to the first bloom of Iris Braithwaite, making its first appearance in our garden, despite having lived with us as a leafy green for over a year. Welcome! Sarah xo

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-54979127557499034802011-05-05T21:10:00.000+01:002011-05-05T21:10:30.948+01:00

Look at this sweet cup of coffee Jules brought to me this morning! He swears he didn't do it on purpose, which must mean my coffee is trying to tell me something.... Pretty special for a pre-breakfast drink! Hope your day was equally full of little surprises! Sarah xo

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-42837587572230813662011-05-02T12:06:00.002+01:002011-05-02T12:08:49.444+01:00

I must admit, I'm still swept up in the romance of it all, not least with the Duchess of Cambridge's exquisite wedding gown, put together by hand by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen. Bodice of ivory satin made of handmade English and French chantilly lace, over ivory and white satin gazar (a sheer, lightweight silk organza with a glaze-like sheen and moderate stiffness); individual flowers were

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-72275686710818235012011-04-26T18:34:00.000+01:002011-04-26T18:34:01.591+01:00

We have been enjoying some exceptionally fine weather over the last couple of days, so apologies for the late posting of our Easter pictures of Miss Belle. She was such a good girl in church it must be shouted to the rooftops, and rightly deserved the monster haul of quality chocolates Mr. E.B. left behind in her lovely basket (decorated by me). We hope the Easter Bunny and his friends were

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-85515713475221391312011-04-22T11:36:00.000+01:002011-04-22T11:36:52.068+01:00

Whoa, what is this? Look at the date on my previous entry: April 6. What?!? That means it's been almost three weeks since I've even bothered to post anything here. I'm a neglectful parent, and I really apologize. The truth is, with the weeks of lovely weather shining down upon us, it's a crime to spend the day inside with the computer! It's time to be outside in our little garden, watching the

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-84722165432924254692011-04-06T16:33:00.000+01:002011-04-06T16:33:10.578+01:00

How amazing is this? Penguin's latest deluxe editions feature embroidered book jackets. A marriage of my two favorite loves: reading and threads. Love love love. In stores October 2011. (image and via jillian tamaki)

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-60481069870381028212011-03-22T15:07:00.000Z2011-03-22T15:07:54.780Z

It was the first day of spring yesterday! Hooray hooray hooray. Time for spring fever! Pleated skirts! Daffodils! But most importantly, it's time for cherry blossoms. If the weather is nice where you are, bring your picnic basket out under the blossom and enjoy a cream tea with lots of strawberry jam. Sarah xo

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-79694920303517299532011-03-08T11:34:00.000Z2011-03-08T11:34:35.186Z

I thought a great way to celebrate would be sharing a little graphic from the numbers bods at The Guardian. Yep, it looks like it's possible, even at the dawn of the 21st century, that women still earn less than men for doing the same job. AND even though we still bring home (a little bit of) the bacon, we still have fry it up in a pan, clean the pan, and put the baby to bed. We sure have come

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-59729432076978748412011-03-04T08:00:00.001Z2011-03-04T08:00:15.054Z

It seems like all the cooking I've done in the past week has been homemade versions of my favorite junk food: fajitas, ribs, and today, Chicago-style deep dish pizza. I have such warm memories of ordering deep-dish pizzas at The Keg in Joliet, plunging into the soufflé-depth crust to release a gush of cheese and tomato sauce. Mmmm. Since we're a long way from the Keg here, I thought I'd take a

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-53710487335265963672011-03-01T15:48:00.000Z2011-03-01T15:48:09.785Z

I don't have anything amusing to post today; have a yucky cold and want to beach myself on the sofa with an old movie. So in the meantime, here's a funny photo of Isabelle. Enjoy.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-78426945331226736302011-02-27T18:32:00.000Z2011-02-27T18:32:50.305Z

I'm sorry for being so out of touch for the past couple of weeks. You would absolutely not believe how crazily busy we've all been. Anyway, I hope this funny video of Issy dancing to New Orleans jazz will make up for the radio silence. (Music from the Treme soundtrack)

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-6227290268969420842011-02-11T14:36:00.000Z2011-02-11T14:36:41.036Z

diy valentine's cakes from tiger in a jar on Vimeo....I have loved Valentine's from the first moment I stuck a paper doily onto red cardstock in Montessori school. But nothing makes my heart go pitter patter like a valentine...that moves! Check out this adorable video from tiger in a jar. Ooh, it just makes me want to make something fun for my valentine! (via design*sponge)

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-84835038080981946702011-02-08T15:09:00.000Z2011-02-08T15:09:49.210Z

...and a huge and grateful thanks to everyone who sent cards, gifts, and even Facebook messages. It's so sweet to feel like my birthday is a national holiday! It's a beautiful warm day in London, with bright, blue, cloudless skies and we just returned from our annual birthday trip to the luscious orchid show at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Much celebrating to look forward to later, candlelight

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-68875470201647280332011-02-07T10:28:00.000Z2011-02-07T10:28:08.473Z

...But that's how many Isabelle is now! She wanted me to stress that she is NOT two-and-a-half, she is just two. But I don't think she would mind you knowing that she is 30 months old. Way to go, little toddler friend!

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-18888658964002945872011-02-03T08:00:00.001Z2011-02-03T08:00:01.793Z

Believe it or not, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow yesterday morning, predicting an early spring. Judging by the scenes at my parents' house yesterday morning: ...I'm guessing the folks at Gobbler's Knob may have had a tough time seeing the groundhog. Here's hoping that wherever you are, you enjoyed your Groundhog Day snow day, that your electricity stayed on and that your house was

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-2654119849008990512011-02-02T14:23:00.000Z2011-02-02T14:23:36.859Z

Today we went to visit a nursery school. Can you believe it? Issy will be ready for school in the fall. How fast did that sneak up on us? Fast. It's a nice school, and I think she'll have a great time there. Still... I'm a little disappointed that there weren't more Montessori options available in our area. When I say that, I mean that there were no Montessori options available. Zilch. Zero. I

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-67899754926861485812011-02-01T08:00:00.002Z2011-02-01T08:00:01.466Z

The calendar is just about to flip from January to February, and as I type this I can see the rime of evening frost on all the cars parked down our road. Winter seems like it's going to go on forever. Even though I can see the tippy tops of daffodils poking through the soil, and the tenderest buds on the rosebushes, it doesn't seem like it will ever be warm again, or nice. Wouldn't you just

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-3076534985223878472011-01-30T22:52:00.002Z2011-01-30T22:52:56.284Z

What a big-ster. Where did our baby go? Two-and-a-half on Friday.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-34983630768493680982011-01-28T08:00:00.007Z2011-01-28T08:00:16.076Z

And with my birthday less than two weeks away, I'm all aflutter trying to choose the prettiest dress. Like the queen, I view my birthday as a special holiday, which means a whole day of nothing but dreams come true, complete with fantasy wardrobe. Have you got your outfit picked out already? (images elie saab couture, max mara elegante, asos spring all via {this is glamourous})

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-47597292960556417202011-01-22T11:23:00.000Z2011-01-22T11:23:35.523Z

Hello friends! I've been so busy busy busy lately, and here's one of the projects I've been working on. Check out this cool "Explanamation" for my good friends at InnovationArts, a groovy accelerator with whom I've worked for a long time. Words by me, graphics/animation by Christian and the team atPicturesmith/voice by Jordan Long.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-90817477451597452332011-01-17T13:36:00.000Z2011-01-17T13:36:53.174Z

Gosh! Where has the time gone? Celebrating, traveling, writing not one but two short scripts, and playing with a new house full of tiny critters and furniture, and then suddenly weeks have flown by! But we're back in our London town house (so unlike the Barbie townhome, you must believe), and the dreary mid-January weather has me thinking of nothing but the garden. Funny how gray clouds and

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-50111710050586776762010-12-29T21:59:00.000Z2010-12-29T21:59:07.719Z

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-58882696218872602362010-12-27T16:51:00.000Z2010-12-27T16:51:06.646Z

Hope Santa Claus was as good to you as he was to us. Madness.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-41735583502840999142010-12-23T02:02:00.001Z2010-12-23T02:09:49.966Z

We had a load of snow here in Chicagoland Monday night, and hurrah hurrah, it made for absolutely ideal snowman weather the next day: not too cold, the snow was the perfect consistency for packing, and it was new enough to be fun (not how it's going to feel at the end of February, I guarantee). Introducing Dr. Snowman, PhD! We decided he needed a name; I thought he needed a title. Grandpa

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-55783519086059985802010-12-14T08:00:00.000Z2010-12-14T08:00:07.839Z

Our sleigh leaves from London Heathrow tomorrow, enroute to Chicago O'Hare for the rest of the Christmas season. I'll try to keep in touch as much as I can. Happy holidays to all, and see you when we get back! Sarah xoxo

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-54995621217884633062010-12-13T14:26:00.000Z2010-12-13T14:26:08.401Z

...is Mommy's boots. They go with everything!

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-29034929716527276372010-12-10T08:00:00.001Z2010-12-10T08:00:03.611Z

To my one and only. Hope you have a really fantastic day! Love from all of us here, xoxoxox.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-46996661218260908232010-12-09T08:00:00.002Z2010-12-09T08:00:06.749Z

...Issy's crib is starting to fall apart. Which means it won't be long before she's ready for a big girl bed. I am simply fizzing with fun ideas for a little girl's dream bedroom. Frilly bed curtains, a dreamy dollhouse, handsome rocking horse and lots of beautiful storybooks (Alice in Wonderland and A is for Annabelle are absolute musts!) to make a room perfect for daydreaming. Oh! I wish this

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-17181057697647953042010-12-08T08:00:00.009Z2010-12-08T14:33:54.723Z

Me: Hi. got your phone message. We were at the dinosaur museum but now we're back! Him: cool. i was just guessing that you might have gone to a museum. was it fun? you haven't been there before, right, and i guess issy was fine going there again. sometimes, she likes the familiar. Me: it was fun but oh my god was it hard work Him: really? Me: it was super busy with school trips, and she WOULDN'T

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-71979574373256095072010-12-07T08:00:00.011Z2010-12-07T08:00:10.845Z

Anyone who has seen my parents' house at Christmastime will know that a heart that beats for a miniature Christmas village does most of the decorating there. My mom's epic Dickens Village has now overrun its original borders, and is making a march on the neighboring county. When I ran across this charming homemade miniature village over at A Field Journal (complete with instructions!), I knew

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-33010745532280985012010-12-06T08:00:00.006Z2010-12-06T08:00:08.214Z

I love a dolled-up mantel at holiday time. There's nothing like a seeing swags and garlands of greenery, a dash of sparkle and a family posh stockings to really make the heart sing. However, our scary Edwardian fireplace presents a lot challenges in making it beautiful: for one, on the best of days it looks like a hellmouth. I don't like the fake marble, Jules doesn't like the fake gold. Neither

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-40679646811146050762010-12-02T22:41:00.000Z2010-12-02T22:41:36.144Z

When I was in junior high I read a young adult novel (the title totally escapes me now), about a boy trying to get a girl, etc. etc. etc. Anyway, there was a scene where the boy finally asks the girl to the movies, and even though he'd rather see a monster flick, she wants to see a ballet movie called Toujours Jeté (see how I can remember that but not the title of the book?). So the boy endures

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-64036151472053377072010-11-30T11:06:00.001Z2010-11-30T14:27:23.450Z

We woke up to frosty window panes, a blanket of snow on the rooftops and softly falling flakes sugaring the back garden. A perfect day for a mug of hot chocolate with a marshmallow in it. Paris Café Cookbook recipe for chocolat chaud: 8 oz chocolate, 1 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp. vanilla. Melt the chocolate and milk together in a double boiler. Add the vanilla. When it is hot,

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-52893387838823051442010-11-29T11:17:00.000Z2010-11-29T11:17:27.679Z

Ours went up yesterday. As did a mile of icicle lights in the hallway, the nativity set, and the stockings. You will notice from the photo of the tree that all the unbreakable ornaments are on the bottom, to keep grubby little toddler hands away from danger. Early, yes, I know, but we want to squeeze every single minute of fun out of the most wonderful time of the year. We're hoping we may see a

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-25232009979633598232010-11-26T12:48:00.000Z2010-11-26T12:48:57.046Z

Woke up pre-dawn or some inexplicable reason to opal light filtering through the black skeletons of the trees, a rime of frost dusting the ivy and a wood pigeon cooing on the windowsill. Short days fade into weeks and soon the weeks pass into a new year, and already it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. (peter lindbergh for tiffany & co. via this is glamourous)

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-70941994234010557492010-11-25T08:00:00.005Z2010-11-25T08:00:13.056Z

We are so very thankful for so many things, and although we wish we could be home with everybody to share the day, we will be thinking of you from our far-flung outpost. And thankful nonetheless. I hope you save an extra helping of Company Mashed Potatoes for us! We miss you and love you, Sarah, Jules and Issy xoxoxo

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-45987670348522038112010-11-24T11:52:00.001Z2010-11-24T13:53:20.674Z

After a long and exhausting week away, I'm home just in time for Thanksgiving, frigid temperatures and cozy, dark evenings. And lo and behold, another autumn delight: pea coats! Isabelle enjoying her new navy pea coat on the treetop walkway at Kew. Ludwig Bemelmans' Madeline in a stunning Parisian version ... And Paddington Bear stepping off the First Great Western from deepest, darkest Peru in a

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-61735728360247959572010-11-14T17:46:00.000Z2010-11-14T17:46:32.112Z

I am in Hyderabad, India for the next couple of days. Sorry for not posting but I simply don't have time! I'll check back in next week. Peace out, Sarah xo

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-55952519265536654722010-11-08T10:04:00.000Z2010-11-08T10:04:30.089Z

Okay, I'm not normally such a nut about TV shows, but I have enjoyed every single Edwardian minute of Downton Abbey. The first series finished last night on ITV, and is on DVD today. And look! It's only a few short weeks until Christmas! How about that... (the amazing Maggie Smith from the ITV Downton Abbey website)

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-21136658153934644382010-11-05T12:17:00.000Z2010-11-05T12:17:37.675Z

When we heard Melvyn Bragg say on the radio yesterday that he didn't care for Champagne, Jules and I had a long debate about bubbly: would you prefer a glass of champagne to a nice glass of red? A cup of coffee? A pint of the dark stuff? And my answer is YES! I would prefer a glass of champagne to almost anything! It was one of those debates that won't go down in the history books, but

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-16668633660108853962010-11-03T16:12:00.000Z2010-11-03T16:12:32.321Z

Are you kidding me? How fab are these heels? Can't you just see yourself toddling down Michigan Avenue on New Year's Eve in these, ready to hit a glamorous do at the Drake? Seriously, what the heck, I can see myself in the grocery store in these shoes, comparing the prices on jars of marmalade. Love, love, love.

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-37262511938017273302010-11-01T11:39:00.001Z2010-11-01T11:58:23.766Z

Issy was a lamb for Halloween this year! We promise not to be a barnyard animal next time. Scary jack o'lanterns: Mommy, baby and Daddy Watching the "silent" fireworks at Jodie's Scary Birthday Party Video-chatting with Grandpa, Aunt Susan, Uncle Dan and Katie. Almost as fun as trick-or-treating in Bloomington! Our terrifying Halloween decorations. What's more scary, the pumpkins or

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-87274205242058017192010-10-29T11:00:00.001+01:002010-10-29T11:01:33.779+01:00

Issy and her pal Nell hanging out. Hope your weekend is equally delightful!

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-70694263374504953712010-10-25T16:46:00.000+01:002010-10-25T16:46:40.189+01:00

We are love, love, loving Julian Fellowes' new upstairs-downstairs period drama Downton Abbey, which we are gobbling up with delight Sunday evenings. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Penelope Wilton and a whole host of British film's finest, Downton Abbey is the story of a grand family (and an even grander estate) poised at the tumultuous beginning of the 20th

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631751727457263718.post-32103304435331844412010-10-22T20:31:00.000+01:002010-10-22T20:31:24.566+01:00

Have had the most absolutely crazy week, full of early mornings and late nights and  finally having a chance for a glass of fizz, a little black dress and a  bunch of pink roses. This weekend is all about lazy mornings, crisp afternoons and early evenings. Hope you have a beautiful weekend too! xo (image david busby for the australian ballet)

A Puppet Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251240092722868726noreply@blogger.com0