This will be my final Four Things of the year since I will take a few weeks off for Christmas break. If you’ve been reading my blog, you might remember that I used to post every single day – Christmas Day, on vacation, after surgery, when I was sick. It was a little crazy, but a big part of the daily posting was I enjoyed it so much. I was always elated about time off when I worked in the corporate world, but I loved writing and sharing on my blog, so I didn’t feel like I needed a break from it. After a few years of not taking any breaks, I felt understandably burnt out and finally took a week off for Christmas. As you would imagine, I learned the value of seeing rest as an important part of work and now I take regular, healthy breaks and actual weekends like a normal person.
I’ll still work on this and that because my work is just as enjoyable now as it was years ago, but I’ll take a break from posting regularly here on the blog. Instead of pulling together blog and social media content, I’ll make Nuts & Bolts and Rosa’s cheese spread and enjoy unplanned days. I’ll leave you with four things before I sign off, though… Studying the artistic process, one of my favorite period drama series ever, a post about slowing down that went viral, and the little work that might happen during the “Christmas hunker.”
what I’m reading
When we visited Savannah in early November, we went to the Telfair Museum. In one of their buildings, they exhibited work by Norman Rockwell and some of his peers. I was more interested in the museum’s older works and in touring the Owens-Thomas house, but we had paid for admission so I figured we might as well pop up and see the exhibit. I have always respected Norman Rockwell’s work, but his style has never been my thing. He’s obviously an incredible draftsman and storyteller, but I gravitate more towards impressionist work. I appreciated his work more after seeing it in person, particularly his studies. My studies are little thumbnail sketches that aren’t frame-worthy at all. They are just working things out in my head before I commit on a larger scale. His studies are works of art in and of themselves.
So, when we got home from our trip, I ordered the book Normal Rockwell Drawings and have been reading through it this week. It’s a wonderful book if you’re interested in the artistic process. He worked extensively off of photos, recognizing their benefit over live models who were expensive and couldn’t hold expressive, active poses for very long. Instead, he would sketch out a concept and then pose models for photographs to bring that concept to life. The photographs were very detailed, down to the backgrounds, clothing, hair, and lighting, and he would then put all of the poses, props, and backgrounds together. To me, it’s a fascinating way to work and explains how he was able to capture the realistic facial expressions and postures he’s known for.
Anyway, it’s a great book and worth studying from an artistic perspective.
what I’m watching
I’m always eager to find new-to-me period dramas, so when A Gentleman in Moscow came out, I added it to my watch list right away. For some reason, it languished there for a few months until Jeff and I were searching for something to watch together and I asked if we could give it a try. If it’s not good, he could bail and I’d continue watching it on my own. It’s a bit of a slow starter because we were uncertain where it was going, but when we got about three episodes in, we were completely hooked. By the final episode, we both absolutely loved it and decided we should wait to watch it again over Christmas break during what we call “the Christmas hunker.” We’ve been talking about it for weeks and looking forward to watching those early episodes with more information. We might be more excited about watching this series again than we are about opening presents on Christmas morning.
Here is the trailer…
It is surprising, charming, moving, and deep, and touches on so many beautiful themes like perseverance, devotion, freedom, forgiveness, optimism, and hope. And, it’s overall a refreshingly clean show. I have been waiting to recommend it to you to watch if you also clear your calendar, take time off work, and have your own Christmas hunker. It is one of my new favorite limited series.
what I’m loving
Last week, my friend, Stephanie, who is a seemingly endless well of wisdom, shared this post from @nurturingfolk on Instagram…
It’s a simple message and the Reel played with a slowly-picked guitar as the accompaniment. I loved it and shared it as well. But, I returned to it the next day, not because of the message, but because I wanted to double-check something. Did that Reel really have almost two million views and counting?
It did. When sharing on social media, you never really know what’s going to resonate with thousands or millions of people and go “viral.” I thought it was interesting that a message as simple as “you can slow down” garnered so much attention. It’s not a splashy room makeover, clickbaity content, a funny cat, or a celebrity who gets a lot of views no matter what they share. It was just a simple message to say that it’s okay to rest and be gentle with yourself and people needed to hear it and share it.
We are living at a frantic pace and those reminders feel like an invitation to sit down and savor whatever it is you enjoy…a good book, a cup of tea, a cat snuggling on your lap in the glow of the Christmas tree lights. So, I hope you do that.
what I’m working on
Well, not a lot of work happens during the Christmas hunker and we are approaching that time! I will take time off from posting on the blog until the new year and I’ll be watching Gentleman in Moscow and other series and movies with Jeff and the boys. I’ll be lingering in bed a little longer, reading in a corner of the living room, and doing some painting and drawing in the studio.
I do have a few projects in mind to work on, though. I’d like to make more progress on the never-ending carpet glue removal in the basement, I have a few art classes lined up in the queue to watch, and I will be setting aside some dedicated time for planning for 2025. As someone born in the late 70s, it’s really hard to believe we’re a quarter of a century into the 21st century. 2025 still seems like a distant future year with flying cars and really sad decor with no antiques at all. (What happens to all of them in the imagined future?) But 2025 is just days away and I’m excited about all of the possibilities it holds. I have some new projects in the hopper, goals I’d like to reach, and a bottomless list of things I’m curious about.
Merry Christmas and I hope you’ll join me in the new year…
23 Responses
I’ve followed since 2020 when the Covid shutdowns forced me to switch to a Smartphone. Yours is one of the few blogs I visit, though I’ve never commented. You are inspiring, classy, God honoring and so gifted. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Enjoy the much earned rest Marian! Thank you for the reminder to “Be still and know…” Blessings to you and your family!
Marian,
I so enjoy reading your blog. And I’m glad to hear that you and your husband liked Gentleman in Moscow. It’s one of my favorite books of all time. If you have time during your Christmas hunker, you would most likely love the book as well. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and peaceful New Year!
Marion,
If you enjoyed A Gentleman in Moscow mini-series I’d like to recommend the audio book version as well. My husband and I have a lovely ritual of listening to books together and this was one we throughly enjoyed before the TV version came out. As with most books it has more depth and character. Plus it’s
narrated by
Nicholas Guy Smith. He is outstanding!
We also enjoyed several other audio books by Amor Towles. Many of his books are period pieces with independent story lines, however Towkes has a fascinating ability to link select characters between books.
As a side note, we started this audio book ritual with listening to Dandelion Wine.
It’s novel by Ray Bradbury set in the summer of 1928 in the fictional town of Green Town, Illinois, based upon Bradbury’s childhood home of Waukegan, Illinois.
A great story of a young boy’s summer.
Merry Christmas and best wishes!
I adored the book and we both loved the series. What a truly heart warming story.
Merry Christmas!🎄 Thank you for all of your wonderful content this year.
Enjoy your time with your family. I wish I felt as optimistic about what’s ahead as you do. Thank you for all your inspiration.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I have enjoyed everything you have shared this past year and all the decorating, remodeling you have done in your new home. You are an inspiration. Looking forward to what is coming in 2025.
I have visited the Norman Rockwell museum in Stockbridge MA many times and stayed at The Red Lion Inn great town in the Berkshire Mts with lots to see ! Now that you are back on the east coast you should take a trip. Along with Rockland Maine with the Wyeth museum. New England is a wealth of museums and wonderful Inns to stay in. Enjoy your 2 wk vacation.
I was in Fred Fixlers art school, he was an illustrator that had the exact same training as Rockwell and taught that style. We learned to set up scenarios with complicated lighting and costuming. Would sketch from life then use photos. I had files full of “scrap” photos we used for reference. I don’t know if Rockwells book mentions it but he/we would do a tonal sketch and then a full tonal underpainting to nail your values. It actually made adding color easier because you matched the value of the color to the underpaintings value. Once you get your color going it can be challenging to get the right color and value that you need. It might be a fun exercise to explore to do a full tonal underpainting and then add color after. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas Marian,
Enjoy peaceful days with your smiling you celebrate the baby’s birth.
Merry Christmas
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year to you and your family!!!
I kinda forgot about the basement…good luck on that!!! Rest and enjoy your break!!!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for letting us follow along with you with your renovations, style tips, and your art.
We read A gentleman in Moscow out loud to each other on winter evenings. We have done this more than once because It’s SUCH a good book. The writing is pure magic. Not sure if I can watch it because movies and shows almost never match the magic of a book. Might make an exception because it’s such a great story. Highly recommend reading the book if you haven’t already.
Thank you for “A Gentleman in Moscow”! I loved the book and then completely forgot about it. Now I am reminded and it is a gift! I adore you.
Have a lovely time with your loved ones, Marian. Rest, enjoy your time off. Thank you for all your blogs.
Enjoy your holiday break Marian!
Off topic – I need to know where you got that black and white pitcher on your dining table. It’s a stunner.
I think that stunning “black and white” pitcher is silver. I just Googled “ornate silver pitcher” and found a very similar one on 1st dibs for $3200!! Maybe Marian will share the story of hers in the new year.
Merry Christmas!
I too loved a gentleman in Moscow….cried at the end. One of my most favorites. Enjoy your hunker
Merry Christmas
My children were born in 1970s like yourself….as a 1940s baby I am very awed by what time as wrought and thankful to still be a part of it all.
Marian,
I’ve followed you since 2018. I marvel at your incredible talent and your kindness to share techniques and instructions on how to accomplish things you’ve done. You always draw me in with your projects both on the house and artistic endeavors. I’m happy for you and your family that you will be taking a little time for relaxation and fun holiday memories.
Merry Christmas,
Karen B.
Merry Christmas Marian! Thank you for your blog, your wise words and your constancy. I have read your blog since PA- I admire the changes you have decided to make over the years and how you grow! Your paintings are beautiful. May you rest and reflect and enjoy being with your family.
I’ll have to check out A Gentleman in Moscow in both book & visual form!
And I get what you’re saying about 2025. What really blows MY mind – as someone who graduated high school in the Bicentennial year – is realizing that the Semiquincentennial is the year after that! YIKES!