A Piece of History

History has always been a fascination to me with it's grief, lessons, and inspiration. The acts of those who lived before us shaped who we are, and I think having Futuristic as my #1 Strength is strongly related to my value and respect of our past. Every time I read a piece of our history, I grimace at how we repeat failure and smile at how we build on success for more innovation.

Lecture over.

I got the coolest EVER Christmas gift ... a medieval (circa 1100s) 'polychrome bird' Limoges mount that would have decorated a cup. As we already know, Limoges is famous for it's enamels, and by the early 1100s, goldsmiths at Conques' Benedictine abbey were able to produce these enameled panels with extra vivid colours for that time period.

This panel came to me at a specifically interesting moment as I have been reading She Wolves: The Women who Ruled before Elizabeth by Helen Castor. As is typical with how my brain works, the puzzle pieces have been coming together for our early first millennium period in the West as all the Cadfael shows that I've watched many times suddenly gained context with this book. The civil war between Matilda and Stephen was the backdrop of Cadfael, but knowing little about the war itself, the book enlightened me on how politically brilliant Matilda, not to mention a lion of a woman, and how she maneuvered Stephen into a position where he would step down in lieu of her own son, Henry II. Granted, she was the rightful heir, but her focus was the dynastic reign, and she won in the long run for that goal. 

During this time, this panel was being made for an English cup, and for whom? Of course we cannot know, but on my mantle is a physical reminder of how England was shaped. 

Just for a final piece of ironic knowledge, Henry II married Eleanor of Aquitaine before he became Henry II, but had inherited the Duke of Normandy title. Her lands met at the borders of his (Normandy, Brittany, Anjou) and took them on down to the Pyrenees, which included Bordeaux (very special point of wine interest) and, of course, Limoges. So I can't help but smile that this was made in Eleanor's land, who would become a powerful woman in her own right, for a nobleman in Matilda's rightful land, who ceded her right to avoid further war and to continue the dynasty.

Right. I promised that the lecture was over. But it's SO cool! ...and it appeals to my female nature.

Anyway, this new acquisition resulted in a massive re-organisation of my library. Books were re-classified. Some books were cut. My literature section is finally approachable, with each shelf representing a different type of literature [Pic 1]. All books are in chronological order for my world history with my nice sets beside it [Pic 2], and I am happily able to have an entire natural history section [Pic 3 bottom]. My US History section is a little woeful, but I'll work on it [Pic 3 top]. Finally, my old books (starting in 1724), thanks to my mother's wonderful generosity, are proudly displayed on the mantle [Pic 4].

All of this from a square inch piece of history :) God only know what will happen when I get my 1650 pen and ink back from the framers on January 9!

Making Post-Malta Anniversaries Count

That, my friend, is not easy. Spending two and a half weeks in Malta and Rome for one's anniversary and then Christmas with the family is pretty amazing (2002, 2007, 2012). Especially when it's an every-five-year ritual and one gets comfortable visiting the same precious memories that have been carefully building over time since the honeymoon days.

So, what in the world does one do for those between years? We have floundered in the hopelessness of making those years special, but I think we nailed it this year. Eleven years and after three Maltese celebrations, we realised that we simply can't replace the specialty of what Malta has to offer. Thus, we headed back to a place we adore, Boulder, and visited our favourite haunts.

And that's where we nailed it. Instead of visiting NEW places and trying NEW things, aren't anniversaries more about reflection? Surviving eleven years with the same partner without becoming stale and routine is insanely difficult. Especially when you have an Eric and a me in the picture. We are both easily bored, futuristic, business focused, and selfish. Wow. Now you know why I use the word survival. It's not for a lack of love, just surviving those circumstances and still loving one another that is a special feat, and certainly requires that reflection we were missing in previous non-Malta years.

The one new experience we did have on our anniversary was at a wonderful bistro in Boulder called Fresca's. Dear God. Sublime. Delicious. Pigalicious. We had the chef's table in the kitchen and were spoiled with extra little snacks they sneaked us between courses, not to mention a wonderful extra goblet of wine for tasting purposes, of which we now both want a case, thanks to the chef here who seems to be deep in conversation with future delicious plans in the photo below, and for what Eric and I have now dubbed as Food Prostitution.

The next day was Sunday, so it seemed only appropriate to check out Denver memories, which of course had to include Pint's Pub, a run by Wash Park where Eric spent approximately millions of hours doing sports, and a stop by the art museum. However, as we walked around the north end of Cherry Creek where all the chic little shoppes were, we found ourselves a bit unhappy, and then remembered how little time we actually spent in Denver.

Thus, off to the mountains we go :)

I must say, our anniversary gifts to each other were truly fantastic as in they were sentimentally valuable. Our two favourite shoppes visited with wonderful gifts (amusingly, both under $20 and consumable) in Idaho Springs, we settled in for a night of pinball. Of course. And it was awesome with Moscow Mules, burgers, and lots of dollars to make change for the pinball machines.

So for years 12, 13, and 14, we will certainly seek out the sentimental trips, reminding us of our own history, and what makes us who we are. Still, we're really looking forward to year 15 for another nostalgic visit to Malta, because, well, it's awesome there.

'Tis the season....

After a solid week of festive eating that included my cranberry chutney, tangerine-cranberry conserve, pies, duck, chicken, and turkey all stuffed with a variety of fruits and breads, I lurch from the dinner table into the new season of Christmas! While I am rarely tempted down the path of the Christmas card trap, I figured out a way to make it meaningful at least to myself. Let's make the point clear that I am in no way an artist, but a person who loves to play with paint. I did take a watercolouring adventure, and between my own imagination and seeing an example of what the artist did, I was officially inspired for my Christmas postcards. 

Shockingly, they did not turn out the way the artist did it (I know, HUGE surprise!) ... however, I rest in the knowledge that I did not have a bamboo brush as she did. Although I would love to have a bamboo brush (massive hint for all the people who have yet to rush out and get me a gift), I also recognise that there will be less of an epiphany and more of a confirmation that there is a little more difference than the brush ... LOL!

Regardless, I had fun! Frankly, that's what counts for me, and perhaps the aura of joy I had is embedded and can be felt by the recipient. For those who like sappy thoughts, re-read the last sentence. For those of who you do not like sappy thoughts, walk away and fix yourself a drink.

Ellie gets to do her cards tonight. For those on her list, I have NO idea what they are getting. It could be a Christmas tree painting, or it could be a drawing of a T-rex eating a herd of water buffalo. Either is equally likely.