Like many people, I harbor warm, fuzzy feelings toward Christmases past, but I prefer to celebrate mine squarely in the present. Although I wouldn’t call myself a minimalist, I’m wary of a lot of traditional holiday décor, which can make a room feel as overstuffed as Santa’s sleigh. When it comes to ... Read More about Frank’s Modern Christmas
Blog
Puppets, a Childhood Fantasy Realized
In 1965 when I was seven, I saw the movie, The Sound of Music. This was a big deal for my siblings, my cousins and me, because movies were frowned upon by many in our church. But my mother and aunt secreted us away to see it anyway, and was I ever glad that they did. I had many favorite parts, ... Read More about Puppets, a Childhood Fantasy Realized
Matthew’s Classic Christmas
Christmas for me will always be filtered through my imagination and memories as a small child. Delicious aromas from the kitchen, trees burdened with decorations, branches of fragrant evergreens tied with bows. What I dislike is the commercialism. My secret for maintaining the magic is to escape ... Read More about Matthew’s Classic Christmas
Smoke Signals
In the fashion world, gray is now being heralded as the new black. Although we don't subscribe to trends, we celebrate classics, and gray certainly fits the bill, especially when it comes to interiors. Whether it's the soft whisper of a dove gray linen or the crisp tailoring of a heathery flannel, ... Read More about Smoke Signals
Shanghaied
A diamond with a flaw is worth more than a pebble without imperfections. — Chinese proverb Despite the guidebooks' warnings, the stars were aligned for me to venture to Shanghai in late August. Thanks to 95 degree heat and 100% humidity, I can assure you that "Summer in Shanghai" will never get ... Read More about Shanghaied
