Tag Archives: festivity

Cool Nights, Warm Hearts.

February 2, 2023at home, books, essay, festivity, gardening, holidays, relationships, spring, winteressay, festivity, fireplace, gardening, holidays, neighborhood, neighbors, relationships, romance, saint valentine, spring, st valentine, tea, valentine, valentine's day, winter, yardworkSusan Marie Molloy

Winter here at The Oasis at Four Queen Palms has been chilly longer than I remember. Usually, the cold weather lasts about a month – a period of time where jeans and a warm jacket or heavy sweater are part of the fashion. Not so this year, yet I did manage to wear shorts yesterday. So, it might finally be warming up.

We were working in our yard yesterday with the usual late winter clean up. The sun was shining brightly, and in the trees, birds were singing happily. It was quiet otherwise, except for Turban, a neighbor living nearby with The Wild One. She was yakking on her phone, but not wearing her trademark turban. Earlier that morning, The Wild One went somewhere on his motorcycle – vroom! vroom! vroom! They are a story for another essay. Maybe.

I noticed that some of our more tender plants died from the heavy frosts in December. I cut back many of them to about two or three inches because I could see they are still viable. Over the next few days, I will be researching replacement plants and making a list for a trip to the nursery. I have some ideas, but I need to research to make sure my ideas will work in the specific bare spots. The azaleas have buds, and one already popped open her red blooms.

The evenings now are warmer, but still cool. A snuggle next to the burning fireplace is a warm experience – add a cup of hot tea and a good old book, and there’s a night to enjoy!

Saint Valentine’s Day is only a few weeks away. I am planning something, but I am not sure of the “what” yet, except that it will be tailored to us. Oh, that reminds me: it’s time to address and send out a few Valentines to those I and/or we care about. I usually add a short note to update the recipients on what we’ve been up to since the Holidays. It’s a nice gesture to keep in touch with people and it goes both ways with the more caring and interested people.

I remember when I was in grade school, one of the art projects we did was to cover a shoe box with festive – and hopefully Valentine-y themed – wrapping paper. Mom or Dad would cut a small slit in the top, and these decorative shoe boxes were ready for the Valentine’s Day card exchange in the classroom. It was so much fun to see who gave us a card, and they were so much prettier than today’s cards. They usually were a single piece, covered in silver glitter, and with a fun sentiment so appropriate for youngsters. They came in a box of twenty or so, complete with white envelopes.

Though the evenings might be cool here at The Oasis at Four Queen Palms, warm hearts still prevail.

As ever,

Lady Susan Marie Molloy

Festivities – Part III.

December 26, 2022dining, etiquette, festivity, holidays, respect, tips for gracious livingdining, etiquette, festivities, festivity, holidaysSusan Marie Molloy

Our weekend festivities turned out well, and though we experienced the icy blast of winter weather that blanketed the North American continent, we stayed warm.

We began our weekend by dining out on Friday at one of our favorite Italian restaurants. It was crowded, yet we were able to secure a table in a good spot. Though it wasn’t the usual private booth we prefer, the table was nevertheless in a cozy setting.

We started with a glass of Peroni – an Italian beer favored by Best Friend – and a glass of pinot noir – my go-to wine at this Italian restaurant.

As I glanced around the dining room, it was good to see that the restaurant was as busy as it was, for it told me that the restaurant is managing to stay viable, and that people are still enjoying themselves, making the best of whatever their situations are.

My attention returned to our menu, which we perused, and then ordered. Our waiter, Gerardo, brought a bowl of pasta e fagioli soup and a cup of Italian wedding soup to our table. We immediately noticed that the amount of soup in the bowl was more like a cup’s worth, and the cup of soup was only halfway filled.

So much for keeping costs down, but it’s understandable.

Our meals arrived just as we conversed about our observations of the other patrons – Gerardo was attentive, and he did a swell job keeping up with everyone despite the crowd. Best Friend enjoyed his beef ravioli, and I enjoyed my chicken picatta with the ginormous capers (they were the size of Queen olives), though I could have done without the slick lemony-oily spaghetti.

Yet, our conversation is something I wish to touch upon in this essay. It was somewhat difficult to carry on a low-volume conversation at our tale. The patrons who sat in the booth behind us spoke so loudly that I, for one, felt I was sitting with them, rather than with Best Friend. At one point, I said to Best Friend, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. It seems I am sitting at the booth being forced to listen to their conversations.” And with great aplomb, Best Friend smiled and understood.

I trust that when people are dining in a restaurant, many do not know their voices easily carry to the other tables and booths. Occasionally, it is the design of the room’s acoustics that help to project loud talkers’ voices to all corners. Sometimes it is just the unaware loudness of people’s voices; they are used to yelling everywhere. No matter the reason, being forced to hear strangers’ conversations is discourteous.

With that in mind, Best Friend and I find it easy to modulate our voices to a low volume, and we still understand one another without shouting across the table. Sometimes, the yelling from other tables is so distracting that we don’t talk with each other during our meal. Instead, we wait until we are out of the restaurant to continue our conversation.

It is most considerate to keep your conversations to your own table and nix the booming “look at me” volume so prevalent these days. No one really wants to hear your political leanings or vulgar language or how perfect your children and grandchildren are.

This is a season in which to sparkle and revel in your own considerate style.

Make your holiday season festive.

As ever,

Lady Susan Marie Molloy

Festivities 2022 – Part I.

December 12, 2022christmas, festivity, holidays, tips for gracious livingboat parade, christmas, christmas cards, elegant living, festivities, festivity, gracious living, holidays, lakes, movies, music, parade, singersSusan Marie Molloy

The winter holidays are a sparkling, twinkling, enchanting time of year filled with pretty panoramas and, if you are so inclined, religious observances.

Best Friend and I kicked off our holidays this month with a trip into town for the annual boat parade. The weather was pleasant enough for us to walk around the lake and enjoy the lit decorations that were strategically placed within the park. We caught a glimpse of Santa Claus in a boat ringing his jingle bells with great fervor. We thought Santa would float on over to where the tall Christmas tree was and light it with all the pomp usually afforded such celebrations. But alas! it was not to be. The hands of the clock turned to 6 o’clock, and the tree, along with other electric decorations lit up automatically. No pomp, no speeches, no carols, no gaiety. And Santa was floating on a boat somewhere on the Chain of Lakes.

Oh, and there were no hayrides as promised in the flyer that announced the boat parade. Speaking of the boat parade, that in itself was sparse. Yes, there were boats docked at the piers, some were positioned on the sandy shore, but they weren’t in the parade. All in all, there probably was a small handful of decorated boats, but the one Santa was on was the only one I spotted.

Well, that parade fizzled out.

Earlier that evening, while we were resting on a park bench, a trio of Mormon missionaries interrupted our meditation to proselytize. Best Friend handled that well, and the trio went on their merry way to menace a lady with a baby.

Best Friend and I spent some time walking the paths within the park, and since we were getting very hungry, and the on-site restaurant had a two-hour wait for a table, we left and grabbed a bite at one of our local chain restaurants. That experience wasn’t anything to write home about, but it was fuel. Afterwards, we headed home for a relaxing evening with a contemporary movie about a dog who saved Christmas. It, too, was nothing to write home about. In fact, we both decided it was sappy.

During this holiday season, we have been streaming music through the Internet. As I wrote in my essay, Looking Beneath the Surface., some of the more contemporary music and singers are something less than enjoyable in my realm. Most have that so-called “creaky voice” or “vocal fry” that is not attractive. Many singers also have that need-a-laxative voice. You know that type of voice – it’s deep in the throat, the vocal cords straining mightily to get something out, and it’s a colossal struggle. Think “All I Want for Christmas is You” croaked out by Mariah Carey. Then go from there. Guaranteed you will find that most of today’s singers have those phlegmy, gravelly, struggling voices mixed in with electronic mixing. No, thank you. Give me those smooth, velvety voices from days long gone.

At home, one of our trees is up and decorated, and underneath it, a few wrapped presents are waiting to be opened on Christmas Eve. The rest of the main house is sprinkled with glittery decorations and lights. We declined decorating the casita this year. We usually add another tree there with lights, but we decided to focus on decorating the main house instead. It’s good to mix things up sometimes and not fall into a doldrum or rut.

One of the biggest projects we have is addressing our Christmas and Hanukah cards. We might toss in a few New Year’s cards for those who don’t celebrate either of the religious holidays. We are still vacillating on including a short holiday letter, so we’ll see what we decide. There still is time before mailing the cards out, so there is no need to stress about it all.

This is a season in which to sparkle and revel in your own style.

Make your holiday season festive.

As ever,

Lady Susan Marie Molloy

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