Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Tuesday Book Love: A Love Letter to my Blog Friends

Okay, Okay - I have mentioned this book before:

As Always, Julia: Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto


Why mention is again?

Well.  Yesterday, whilst eating a lovely chicken de volaille aux champignons I started telling my lovely husband about this book: "Well see, they met because Julia wrote a letter to Avis' husband, who was a regular contributor to Harpers magazine, about his opinion vis-a-vis the quality of american knives and she sent him one as a gift and Avis ended up writing back on his behalf and well they became lifelong penpals.  They wrote for many years before they actually met..."
And then it struck me.  This was no different than me calling Dani before i went to Paris and Chateauneuf-de-Mazanc to make sure I wasn't missing something, or turning around and sending the same information on to FFM.  It was no different than me being excited that Fred was giving Betsy-Tacy as a gift, or that GetFresh has Nova Scotian roots, or that AJC has a marvelous heritage and is so generous or that Knityarns always makes me laugh or that Tabitha is what I would call a "dame" in the most adoring way possible and that I do care about her mother's health. 

You don't have to meet people in person to recognize kindred spirts and I am struck by the fact that there is an innate human longing to to be able to tell one's story to someone, but especially to someone who finds you witty or sweet or kind or odd, but all in a good way.  The blogsphere fulfills that need in certain ways and lets us be happy when somone gets something that makes them happy ( hello Rynetta - I love it when you buy a pencil skirt!) or takes a trip (Ina in Paris) or lives an exotic life (Oh my goodness, who lives a more exotic life to me than Ema?)  Or is just plain lovely like Rose or Patricia or Wendy or Marsha or Cate or Suzy or n.b. or A..  How much I learn from Tiffany or Slastena or Audrey or the lovely Shopping with M or one is never enough!  I've seen Jeannie's family and they are beautiful! JD JCrew is always so funny and stylish!  Andrea always amazes me with her gorgeous outfits of the day.  A bigger closet doesn't blog nearly enough, and i always keep her in my thoughts for good health and happiness!   You are all gorgeous women, each and every one of you and I am sure I am leaving some names out, not intentionally but simply because I cannot describe you all in one long-winded paragraph of thanks, but given awhile, I could get there! 

Some of you comment and some of you simply drop by and the fact that you stop by is a gift to me and I try to give that gift right back to you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Of course not everyone whose blog we visit or who visit ours become blogfriends - many are simply lovely blog acquaintances.  That is wonderful in its own way.  Some will become more and isn't that a gift? The older I get, the more I appreciate any opportunity to find interesting people with at least some similar interests!

But I digress... All this to say - this is a great book to read if you want to read as two women fall in love with each other by becoming good friends on paper!  You get lots of loves in your life - people (lovers and friends), animals, places, food - isn't it fun to celebrate that now and then? I think so and so despite mentioning this book last week, felt I had to mention it one more time!

Now on a completely FRIVOLOUS tangent!

Today, I channelled Miss Dani BP, of upper canada fame, soon to be of Paris fame.  I realized that I actually had a Dani BP outfit this am!




This was a very simple outfit and old - a michael kors navy cowlneck sweater, J Crew Herringbone pencil skirt in orange from a couple of years back and navy 9 west pumps.

But then I recalled I had a Talbots jacket from a couple of years back:



A delightful houndstooth from Talbots, which when worn with the orange and navy looks practically Dani-esque.  If you do not think so, please, do not disabuse me of my fantasy...



I mean honestly, you can see how happy I look, can't you???  I HAVE A COAT-SKIRT OUTFIT!!!!

So, happy Tuesday!  And remember: stay safe out there!  Especially if you are travelling abroad!  or to the grocery store..

And really, we are going to have to discuss Anne Hatheway's wedding soon...  so lovely...


39 comments:

  1. I couldnt agree more with what you said!
    What a great community and a wealth of information and love to share.

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  2. Forgot to say,i thought of you(in paris) when we passed the bookstore you wrote about!

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    1. thanks thanks Ina! I always feel happy knowing that there are people out there in the world going to neat places! Makes me want to travel even more!

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  3. "please, do not disabuse me of my fantasy..."
    I'm going to have that embroidered on a pillow - it's my new mantra!


    What a lovely post, I am so grateful for all of my online chums, the world would be far lonelier without all of you.

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    1. I may get the matching pillow!Of course I will have to learn to embroider properly! I joined knityarns knitting blog yesterday in the hopes of cajoling myself back into knitting!

      I do find the blogsphere a nice place to visit; I like to think it is like Alice stepping through the looking glass so an interesting world!

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    2. "please, do not disabuse me of my fantasy"--if this is a club, I am officially applying for membership.

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  4. Haha- I survived my pre-dawn run to the grocery store, just barely, how did you know? You'd think it would be obvious that 5am is not a good time to shop for food. You do have a coat-skirt outfit, it looks great! DaniBP is so good at that isn't she? I really enjoy this blogging community too, there is just something about it :)

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    1. Hi cate - well I can't do anything at 5 am - I am quite wretched at that time of the day, despite the fact that I don't sleep in - husband it all happy and chatty, I can barely nod hello!

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  5. I also loved As Always, Julia, and the glimpse into that great friendship. Friends are so sustaining, and come in so many modes.
    Post after post,you make me laugh, make me think, ever-so-gently shake up my point of view and remind me of what matters, as do so many of the wonderful bloggers I read, and for that I am very grateful. The blogoshere connects Kindred Spirits in ways that weren't possible before--Anne would have loved it!
    On more mundane matters, you have truly fantastic legs! Love you in the black tights and pumps, and that is so a Dani outfit, fun to channel her wonderful style.

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    1. n.b. I am putting you and Tabitha in charge of the "Promote WMM's legs to replace mary Hart's legs in 2012" committee!

      thanks so much! And it is such an awesome book! And can you imagine the blog Anne would have had? I always think that Anne of Windy Poplars is a bit of a blog!

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  6. I completely agree, WMM! I am also grateful for all of my online friends, as well as the blogging community that we are a part of. My day just doesn't feel complete if I don't get the chance to pop in and see what everyone's been up to. Thank you for an absolutely lovely post and great start to the day! :)

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  7. Laughing my head off here, yes it's a coat-skirt outfit! I love it! How did you know, I woke up thinking of the coats and skirts I need to assemble today for my trip, you've given me some inspiration.
    I loved this post and thanks so much for it. Your wonderful personality just flies off the computer screen, it's like having a morning chat. I leave on Thursday and I was hoping to give you a call before I go, my phone is actually out of order (it's been a crazy time around here lately) if I can get it fixed before tomorrow evening l'll give you a ring-a-ling!
    Have a great day, you've certainly made mine!
    xo

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    1. I was just so darn excited! I think I am now in the coat category! Must buy coats!

      for sure give me a call. Tonight I am not home before 7 pm your time (late night meeting - sigh) but after that am home!

      So excited for you! I kept smiling when I saw Ina's photos yesterday! I am hopelessly in love with Paris!

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  8. Julia Child is such an interesting person! I read "My Life in France" and will have to read this one too. I'm sure it gives a more personal view.

    I agree about the blog community -- I don't know where I would find another group of people that are as interested in J. Crew and fashion. I learn a lot from all of you and love to read about your experiences and see pictures of outfits you put together. Thanks to all of you who blog.

    You do have fabulous legs and should show them off whenever possible!

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    1. Oh you bad people! By my 50th birthday in January I will be wearing short leopard mini skirts!!!!!!!!

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  9. I couldn't agree more - the older I get the more I appreciate the opportunity to meet interesting and kind people. Who knew that it would become a rare treat? I love reading your blog, it's so uplifting and I kind of read it in the voice of Julia now:)
    Thanks for the early morning treat. Have a wonderful day and you look lovely as always.

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    1. Oh Lord! Bon Appetit! Maybe I need to change my sign-off!!!!!

      Thanks A!

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  10. HI WMM - what an absolutely lovely post! I don't have a blog, I just pop in here and there, and I'm always so thrilled when I comment on a blog and get a reply. It means more than I can say, and I'm so grateful to all you bloggers who open up your closets and your hearts. Thank you!

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    1. Well Patricia, I am always so happy when you pop in!

      As for responding, two things:

      i am a small blog, so is pretty easy to respond and I would think it the height of bad manners not to

      and I am so thrilled when people leave me a message I am excited to do so! Is kind of like Christmas! Little treats every day!

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  11. WMM, I absolutely love this post and my blog "friendships". Our community is so much fun :) I do not live near any of my close "real life" friends so yeah, you guys all mean alot to me. Thank you for mentioning me, I am extremely flattered by your comment :) I love your blog, you are hilarious and honest and well, you have great style!

    Also, um yes, your outfit is soDani! Isn't it wonderful how something so simple as an outfit can make us feel so great?

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    1. Thanks! I always love your thoughts!

      Sometimes when I put on a new outfit I think "Hmm, what would Dani do?" I don't exactly copy her, but I do the odd homage to her!!!

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  12. Oh WMM, you made my day! Actually I can count on coming here and always getting a smile, no matter how crappy my day may be. Thanks for blogging and thank for mentioning me. I feel the same way. This blogging community means more to me than I ever thought. I have met a few bloggers in person (including some mentioned in your post) and you know what? The most amazing thing was that they were exactly how I imagined them, we chatted a storm and laughed our heads off like we have known each other for a long time.

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    1. Hey AJC - funny isn't it? When I called Dani, she said "You sounds exactly like I imagine you would sound!" I took it as a compliment! I assume I should have taken it as a compliment! :-)

      I think it is neat that you have met folks! What I like is that there is a big blogger community which I visit and then there are certain sites I visit daily, which for whatever personal reason, speak to me, and then there are the folks that drop in here for a chat, whom I always assume must like it here, so I try to put on a pot of coffee and be as entertaining as I can be! Heck, I would even do the odd tap dance for you folks!

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  13. WMM, your pins were made for tap dancing and boots. Mary eat your heart out. And a big round of applause to all of you who make ordinary days a bit brighter, funnier, more stylish, adventurous and wiser. It's an investment of time, talent and self that's really appreciated.
    P.S. I haven't clutched my embroidery hoop since about 14, but I just might have to dig it up at the homestead if only to start a share of "Don't Disabuse..." and "What Would DBP Do," "Don't Drink the Crewelade" pillows, or maybe pincushions as more of a size I might actually finish.

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    1. GetFresh can I have a Don't Drink The Crewlade pillow?!

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    2. Those could be THE pillows of 2013, GetFresh! If we can just get Jenna to support them, they will be on a tshirt for the fall 2013 show!!

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    3. Actually watched the film W./E. (Wallace & Edward) recently and caught myself admiring Wallace Warfield Spencer Simpson Windsor's collection of sampler-stitched pillows. But sorry WMM, will have to start a JCA cottage industry sans Jenna. Otherwise the cushion/ tee fabrics will be made of rabbit hair and all the sayings will be mis-translated in French. Hope you have a good evening post-call!

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    4. Ah you could be the collection section...

      On the other hand, being on your own, makes you more like marissa!

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  14. I think this is the perfect post and aren't we lucky. As AJC stated you bring a smile to my face every time with your wonderful whit and sense of humour. I've never ventured past Quebec City but there's something about the East Coast people that we can't duplicate . Our club is a pure delight and I'll tell my husband about a hotel and he'll reply that I don't know these people. Oh yes I do ... we haven't met but I feel very close to all of you.

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    1. Well mine trusts you all since staying in southern France! And yes, the Maritimes is awfully nice!! We love a good time!

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  15. Hi, WMM, what a wonderful post! As I write this, I'm wondering what Dani's packing, how FFM and the boys are clearing the to-do list, whether ajc will get to the mall today and run into KnitYarns, whether it will stop raining so I can return some silk shirts without risking rainspots, if Mini-G's first word was "shopping"... and I'm trotting around in a pair of Chies for which I thank xoxo and dani, rebought a few things that I'd returned having learned the technique on JCA. I miss labellehelene and cheeseygoodness, I'm hoping dinster will start blogging again...Oh, this community! It's my morning coffee, my late-day glass, my penpals, my telephone chain, my Distant Early Warning alert system.

    My fantasy: enough of us are in the same city at the same time to gather someplace relaxed, and just -chill. I hope that city will be New York, and I hope that place will be mine.

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    1. Thanks Fred! I am taking the whole fam damily to NYC first week of March! They love nyc!

      I agree - it becomes such a nice community! And I forgot Gigi - whom I adore!!! That is the shame of naming names, you invariably forget someone who is absolutely critical and I know i forgot others!

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  16. Wonderful post! And you nailed the Dani coat-dress look.

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  17. What a sweet post echoing the sentiments of many of us readers and hopefully one day bloggers. (if I could just figure out the technical part of it and how to find the time). Glad to hear the herringbone cafe capris worked well for you. Can't wait to see you model them for us.

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  18. You're like a ray of sunshine in the mornings and I'm often sorry to miss out on all the good chats as I dash out the door. And it's so fun in the evenings to tell husby I'm giggling at my friend from [wherever my bloggie buddy is that I'm reading].

    It's a joy to visit you and have you visit!

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  19. What a lovely post, WMM! You are one of the most hospitable bloggers around, and I think you have a great sense of humor (and a beautiful name-ha!).

    I was shocked to happily stumble upon the JCA Community and 'associated' blogs some time ago. I never could have imagined such a thoughtful, intelligent, personable, witty and kind community existed on the internet. I'm very thankful for all of you who blog and share your worlds with us!

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Kindness is a virtue...