Have you ever heard of a Christmas Alley?  Maybe it’s time you started one on your block!

When we were back in Traverse City to visit our daughter last weekend, all the talk was around preparing for Christmas Alley Saturday night.  I had noticed that all of the garages on 10th street were outrageously decorated – even more so than the houses.  But it was the cars and tour buses cruising down the alley afterdark that really intrigued me

Saturday at dusk I smelled the fire pits igniting and the buzz of happy voices.  We all pitched in, sweeping my son-in-law’s garage/office to make way for a dance party.  We christened the disco ball, brought welcoming fire to the corner black stove, and set out the prosecco.

Christmas Alley had officially begun!

Rolling up the garage door, we were immediately greeted by neighbors offering Jell-O shots.  Soon after, groups of carolers wandered by;  Jennifer, the neighbor, set up her lighted music stand and began playing Christmas songs on her violin;

the other neighbor’s tractor – now transformed into Santa’s sleigh – slowly glided by with children in tow.

I saw my 4-year-old granddaughter float by with a wave.  On the return trip, she wasn’t there.  Turns out she had been welcomed into the buffet garage to enjoy a hot sandwich.

All evening we savored concoctions from multiple decorated bars, tasted wonderful homemade cocoa at Santa’s workshop (garden shed), and devoured delicious treats in the “antique” barn…The energy and joy was palpable.  All within one small block!

Santa later held court at the entrance of the alley.

Kids and adults alike took photos and hovered, and we all danced like crazy in our garage ballroom until the crowd started to dwindle around 10:00 pm.

Elmer the corgi can’t walk anymore, but he never misses Christmas Alley!

My daughter and I couldn’t resist the last sleigh ride of the evening!

Christmas Alley was one of the best Christmas celebrations I’ve every enjoyed.  Next year I’ll be back with bells on!

My husband recently sold me on the idea of our first vacation since the pandemic:  “It will be an overview of Spain,” he promised, “staying in centuries-old castles called paradors.”  Of course, I was immediately captivated by the vision of stones, beams, torches and dungeons.  My kind of interiors!

We didn’t bother to calculate how much driving we would be doing – we love driving…2 hours here, 3 hours there.  We really could cover a lot of ground in 10 days.  So after landing in Madrid, we gathered our belongings in a cute little manual transmission Fiat and set out for a village called Avila (of St. Teresa).

The Parador of Avila was beautifully situated at the top of the old city, surrounded by a very proper castle wall.

When we entered our room, the garden view stunned me with its lush pines and mazes.  The building seemed newly renovated, with several beautiful rustic antiques on every floor.

The town, however, seemed quite antique.  Off to a good start…

On to Caceres, my absolute favorite of the trip.  This ancient town, a Unesco Heritage Site, has the most beautiful tiny streets and alleyways, perfectly lighted for high drama.  There was a one-star Michelin restaurant next to our parador, so I imagine many world travelers have passed through these walls.

Our room was an absolute decorator’s dream.  Located in what looked like a storage chamber on the lower level, its ceilings soared to 20 feet in beautiful brick arches, and everything was decked in the latest contemporary appointments.

Pairing the ancient with the modern creates such an exciting tension in interior design.  I’m so happy I could luxuriate for a couple of nights in this little castle!

Another two-hour drive put us near Seville and the beautiful Parador of Carmona (Alcazar Del Rey Don Pedor – i.e. Pedro the Cruel).  The Moorish influence in architecture and furnishings was very evident everywhere, and the view of the Andalusian fields from our balcony, quite breathtaking.

Later in Seville we toured the magnificent cathedral and the Royal Alcazar Gardens,

then journeyed to Granada and the Nasrid Palaces, where we spent two nights.

This exotic site had been totally rebuilt and renovated.  The manager explained that earthquakes often destroyed parts of the castles, or they were looted and burned as Morrish and Spanish wars waged.  But the all-pervasive mood of this hilltop is totally Moorish, with the Alhambra and its magnificent gardens.

Secretly, we would steal off to the Hotel America, steps away from our hotel, for breakfasts and lunches so charmingly served in a private little couryard (with vintage music playing).

Our final stop was the Parador of Oropesa.

Although it was only a few miles outside Toledo, we never set foot in the town!  It, too, had ancient walls and historic sites, but we were weary from driving and chose to see Toledo from our perfect lunch spot

(for several hours!).

Oropesa was the sleepiest of paradors and towns, and we charged up for our last three-hour drive back to Madrid where we finished our trip.

Paradors:  there are hundreds of them in Spain!  They’re well-run by the government and relatively inexpensive to stay at, but in my mind they all start to look alike.  They seem perfect for the traveler who wants to feel safe and well-fed.

My husband and I decided that taking our chances on little quirky hotels was more our style — and there’s no thrill to being safe with food.  I’ve learned my lesson from Stanley Tucci:  You have to try the local delicacies to get to know a place.  In the paradors, we felt the menus had been watered down to satisfy the tastes of European and British guests.  So, after 1,000 miles, we got an overview of rustic Spain, sort of.  Now we’ll have to regroup to brainstorm some new destinations!

Roof top at the Principal Hotel, Madrid

In my many years of travel, I’ve never given Michigan much thought.  I think I went to Mackinac Island once when I was a kid.  That was it.

So when my Brooklyn daughter surprised us by saying that she and her family were moving to Traverse City, Michigan, I was excited.  It sounded like an adventure that I might be able to participate in!

They moved over Memorial Day weekend, and we’ve been able to visit a couple of times since.

A few downtown scenes, with Lake Michigan one block away!

On seeing their charming old house, big fenced yard with huge trees and dark, quiet streets, I realized these weary New Yorkers had landed in paradise.

They had recreated their many weekends in Airbnbs in upstate New York with a permanent residence that gave them all the perks and none of the hassles.

Little Fleet, an outdoor eating experience owned by former Brooklynites.

One of the first things my daughter did was plant a butterfly garden.

So where have I been all these years?  Ask anyone about Traverse City and you hear nothing but accolades!  Great, friendly people; amazing food; hundreds of vineyards and distilleries; not to mention breath-taking natural beauty –and of course, cherries.  A perfect place to raise a family.

Farm Club, a beautiful brewery and restaurant, has a delightful country setting about 20  minutes from the house.  I’ve heard it, too, is owned by former Brooklynites.

No one talks much about the winters there.  I imagine all those wonderful folks embrace the season with great enthusiasm and a positive outlook.  And a sturdy SUV with 4-wheel drive…

And those cherries!

The National Cherry Festival in Traverse City is a big event!  This year it was held from July 2nd through 9th with an air show, parades, carnival rides, concerts and an actual National Cherry Queen to officiate.

There’s a lot of cherry pie offered, also cherry drinks, dried cherries and cherry graphics on every conceivable souvenir .  Even the Traverse City airport is named Cherry Capital Airport!

Life actually is like a bowl of cherries in this little city.  It is a hidden gem that lots of Midwesterners know about but may not have experienced.  Its a Never, Neverland – a Summerland – of delights that I can’t wait to get back to and explore in greater depth.

Lazy days mean verandas are well-used here.

Although the season is short, beautifully landscaped yards are really emphasized.

Neighbors even decorate and landscape their garages!

What I took away from my time there is an image of blue skies, beautiful views of Lake Michigan, majestic trees and…friendliness.

This little gal is now living her best life ever!

As the Official Taverse City song goes, “Sunrise paints these cherry colored clouds; wakes the earth; shines rays out on the ground; brings to life a town we love.  Take me there to Traverse City…I’m dreaming of paradise and mine is north!”

Just when I started feeling my summer FOMO kick in, we made sudden plans with our daughter and her family to join them out east for a relaxing weekend (to celebrate her birthday).

But it wasn’t going to be just a family affair this time.  She and her husband had invited four couples and their children and us to share a sizable AirBnB for party central.  Nothing but relaxing, cooking, and plenty of sipping.

I do love upstate New York.  We have stayed there several times to enjoy the great outdoors.  Nothing much to do, except visit the occasional fabulous distillery offering local libations and foods and surpisingly great design elements.

The beautiful Callicoon, NY  distillery tasting room.

The Cidery above Callicoon with a view of The Delaware

Our rented house was somewhere between Narrowsburg and Callicoon, New York.  And several times a day we found ourselves driving across the Delaware River at the New York/Pennsylvania state line.

The corn in the Catskills is at least 10 to 12 feet high

I’ve done an anecdotal study of AirBnB decorating as we visit our daughter in her wanderlust.  She and her husband have become experts in how to pick out the very best residences off the AirBnB and VRBO wesites.   We’re rarely disappointed.

My conclusions are these:  Some AirBnB owners go the easy route and furnish their places with classic IKEA.  It’s clean, friendly and easily replaced.  But other owners pique my interest with their interiors that shock, surprise and challenge.

Louis XV TV stand…

Dibs on the mid-century modern bedroom!

There’s something rather quaint about cooking in a kitchen that never has exactly what you need in a pot, a bowl or a utensil.  But you shed your perfect hostess apron and happily serve salad out of a crock or chicken on an antique tea tray!

Crazy about the renovation – matte black cabinets, brass pulls

A Viking stove!!

Also, there’s the phenomenon of AirBnB artwork.  It appears that many owners collected period artwork in the 70s and 80s — or tried their hand at their own artwork — then donated all of it to their rental homes.  Other owners are obvious travel hoarders, and have no idea what to do with their international treasures but to dedicate them to the rental!

Curious small room with many art supplies.  Big enough for a Pac n Play!

How great that people are willing to put themselves out there with their weird collections and graphics — especially DIY furniture with curling veneer and unmatched drawer pulls.  AirBnB people are a subculture that I’ve gown to love.

The friends we joined this weekend are all young professionals with toddlers, and their kids are growing up around fire pits, with adult conversation, well into the night.  The adults politely wait for the shower (when there are too few bathrooms) and make sure towels are laundered after dinner.  Everybody pitches in.  And yes, the relaxation is very welcome.I remember when our kids were younger we used to enjoy going to Club Med in various tropical locales.  These AirBnB get-togethers remind me very much of the same happy experiences from back then — meeting new people, being your most relaxed and funny self, not worrying about emails and voice mail, and content to have just the basic necessities to enjoy another uncomplicated day…

Why have I just recently heard about Clarice Cliff?

My love for colorful vintage pottery has been strong for years — Red Wing, McCoy, Weller, I could go on. I thrill to find early Czech pieces — so bright and clever in design.

But England’s own Clarice Cliff is such a knockout, I just can’t believe she escaped my radar! Her designs, the brilliant colors, her very joyful attitude, all seem to explode in one fantastic visual experience!

“Crocus” tankard

And now that I mention her name at my favorite shops, EVEYONE knows about Clarice Cliff pottery — except me. One friend said her husband had collected CC for years. It’s still available on eBay. Another shop owner said they had some pieces of CC in just the other day before it was quickly snapped up. I want to be in the Clarice Cliff fan club! (As it turns out, there is an actual Clarice Cliff Collectors Club, established in 1982.)

“Honolulu Bonjour” pitcher

Clarice started working in pottery when she was 13, as a gilder. (Tabletop items were still very Victorian in design.) But she soon began covering obvious pottery imperfections with simple patterns of triangles, a style she coined “Bizarre.”

An original “Bizarre” vase

She became the art director of the adjoining Newport Pottery and AJ Wilkinson factories (Newport, Burslem, England) in 1927 and it was there she created her most outstanding art deco designs for ten years, often called “the Bizarre Years” by collectors.

“Lotus” pitcher and “Monsoon” plate

Clarice’s collection names are so dreamy — they could be exotic perfumes: Fantasque, Delecia, Crocus, Gayday, Red Tree, Idyll, Eden, and Monsoon, to name just a few.

“Honolulu Bonjour” teapot

I was pleased to read that in 2009, the Victoria and Albert Museum created its New Ceramics Galleries, in which Clarice Cliff’s works are now displayed. There’s a wealth of information about her life and career, and her international recognition, online.

Deco bowl and “Fantasque” platter

“Fantasque Mountain” plate

“Delicia” pitcher

Jampot

I would love to have a piece of Cliff pottery for my own collection. I see many offerings available on Etsy. Just imagine an entire tablescape in a joyful CC design!

Ok, that may be a little pricey. Maybe I could start smaller by sipping my tea from a Delecia cup and saucer…They’re rather magical!

“Delicia” cup and saucer

I’m focusing on color in a big way — color combinations I never would have entertained…pastels, neons, you name it.  I’m into a color salad –with extra dressing!  Whether we’re talking fashion or furnishings, a pop of color makes drab into dazzling.

Actually, this color craving is a phenomenon that happens about this time every spring.  It’s a “bust-out” craze that can be dangerous…if  you’re not in control of your palette.  But since we’re all emerging from an extraordinarily colorless year, I say we deserve to go a little wild with our paint brushes.

Yemen chameleon 

Let’s meet at the new Hotel Deux Gares, (2, rue des Deux Gares 75010 Paris-France) and take some notes on exactly what colors go where and why and the effect they have on our serotonin levels!

And right across the pond, look what The Queen is doing to get herself through “the interview.”

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I’ve been a member of the same workout club for almost a year now.  It’s a unique space — the open area between my living room and dining room…

Most of us have probably found some little niche in our homes for the past year to do sit ups or a workout video.  But my space has an added feature — Mr. Danny Lena, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8AM sharp, via FaceTime on my phone.

Danny is a personal friend, as is his wife, Marie.  We’ve known each other for more than 15 years.  Marie used to be my trainer, but she’s moved on.

Marie and Danny Lena

The three of us often joke about how the space, which is now my gym, has found us in the past drinking champagne and martinis and celebrating many holidays.  And that keeps our enthusiasm alive for better days – and bigger parties — ahead.

In the meantime, my stretch bands are Velcroed to the stair rail, my dining room chair is my barre, my exercise ball has become another living room chair, and my weights and dumbbells keep company with my grandchildrens’ toys and stuffed animals.

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How can you resist an invitation to spend a week in the Catskills with  your Brooklyn grand-baby and her parents?  After precautionary testing, we jumped at the chance to leave Chicago’s spiking cases and headed for the hills.

12 hours later we were on top of the mountain in a 200-year-old farmhouse with our favorite New Yorkers. The original house and the family who built it…

Leave it to my daughter to find the MOST atmospheric house in upstate NY, complete with a sauna, hot tub, scenic little lake and two resident deer who emerged every night around 4 PM.

More on the house later…

Across our steep road was a breathtaking view of the valley beyond the mountains.  We had our choice of three or four hiking trails from the gate.

One was a deep forest trail that had no end, and the other two led to two waterfalls

via steep switchbacks.

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Cathy Lancaster is a force of color and design and personality who has swept into Chicago to offer her delightful, upbeat outlook on life through her many design talents.

Originally from Mississippi, Cathy and her husband lived several years in New Orleans, as they raised their three children, then moved to Memphis where Cathy established herself with her artist mother in their own studio.

Although her mother is a landscape and flower artist, she encouraged Cathy to explore “the abstract designs in her head,” as she describes them.  An avid doodler, Cathy began painting primary color squares on her canvasses, which sold quickly.

As she continued to explore other mediums, such as collage work, Cathy was seeing her designs grow in complexity and color.

And as her canvas designs blossomed, so did her other offerings – folding tables (!), fabrics, tea towels, notebook covers, face masks, wallcoverings and art on paper.  As she explains it, “solo galleries are big in the south, where artists feature and market their own work in their own spaces.”

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