Friday, December 31, 2010

HOW TO HAVE A HAPPIER NEW YEAR...


Awaken to LOVE in the New Year...
Love of Life

Love of Nature, Good Friends and Family

Especially your Mother

A wise guru recently told a gathered group of people seeking enlightenment...
if you carry your parents on your back for a very long time, you still can not repay them for the gift they gave you, which of course, is LIFE itself.

AGELESS POEM FOR THE YEAR: LOVE is letting go of fear. Forgive, and let old grudges disappear.  You will surely have a Happier New Year.

Happy New Year

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A NEW CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

Right there next to Elf and It’s a Wonderful Life, I would like to add a new entry to the list of Christmas Classics …..It’s Oprah’s Ultimate Favorite Things 2010. It’s the only show I have seen that gets better each moment. We all cry and rejoice at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life, hard not to, but, with Oprah’s staggering generosity, I cried the entire show from start to finish. There she stood, an angel wrapped in gold, bestowing endless gifts to teachers, caregivers, parents of sick children, and hardworking adults who otherwise might not ever receive such extravagant presents like diamond earrings and iPads and relish in childlike bliss. The only other time my heart swelled like that was during the scene in White Christmas when the aging General finds out he is not forgotten. It’s a stellar movie moment in compassion. Oprah gives us that too, but, for an entire hour, to real people, not actors, in her Ultimate Favorite Things episode.

Any way you look at it, Oprah’s Favorite Things 2010 is in a class by itself: an hour of pure giving at Christmas time, to happy, deserving people who scream, jump, cry, leap, swoon, and melt. They create happiness hysteria. I honestly don’t know anywhere else (aside from a church) where you can witness this kind of off-the-chart joy. And, while the audience is handed one gift after another, including keys to a brand new car, Johnny Mathis and Josh Groban serenade them to Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire….live! Like I said, it just gets better and better as the show unfolds. You can take my word for it; this is one Christmas Special you have to see to believe.

As I watched, for a moment, I thought, how awesome it would be to be on the receiving end, and get just one of those dazzling gifts myself. I would do cartwheels if someone gave me a single iPad. But, as it turns out, I would be just as happy with a copy of this bona fide Christmas classic to share with my friends and family. It’s a gift in itself. The message is simple, and one I share whole heartedly…keep hope alive, as Oprah states herself at the end of the show. You never know, something good could be right around the corner.

From now on, come Christmas time, it’s Oprah’s Favorite Things, right in-between Charlie Brown and Charles Dickens.

Oprah’s spectacular Christmas Extravaganza is now one of my "favorite things." I want to give a copy to everyone I know. Because, if it’s one thing we learned from watching those Christmas Classics (especially Oprah’s) it’s better to give than to receive.

Friday, December 24, 2010

4 WAYS TO A MERRIER CHRISTMAS....

HUG A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TREE



PUT ON A RED NOSE AND MAKE A GALLONS OF MISTLETOE PUNCH



BE KIND TO A GRINCH


SHINE YOUR LIGHT 

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

TRADITION...

My friend Carroll and I have a tradition...Christmas Tea for two. What a treat. When I wake up the morning of our tea, I am just as excited as if it were Christmas. For our annual tea day, once I get Aunty all settled and off to her day program, instead of heading into my office, I get in my car and drive down a long country road to Carroll's . To enhance the mood, and as part of the ritual, I play Alabama's Christmas CD. This heartfelt compilation is one of my favorites. I sing along to the tender tunes knowing my dear friend will be waiting for me with plenty of homemade treats and a warm pot of tea. And here she pictured above, doing just that. All this for me....

We sit, we chat, we sip, we play carols, but, most of all we continue a tradition we started several years ago. And even though our tea was last Monday... I am still smiling now. It really is the little things, like sharing a pot of sugarplum tea with a friend, that make the season shine, and create lasting memories.




Since we both enjoy coffee too, I brought along my all time favorite holiday blend...Spicy Eggnog by Green Mountain coffee! It's Eggnog transformed into a delicious and festive coffee. Carroll and I just kept pouring and drinking away.... http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/



As far as a superb cup of coffee, right along side the Eggnog, is Ho Ho Joe's from Beanstock Coffee Roasters. It's truly amazing. Nothing puts me in a more cheerful mode then a cup of this magical blend. Beanstalk has mixed hazelnut, vanilla,  and chestnut, against a background of cinnamon. A certain Elf tells me it's the official drink at the North Pole. If you are looking for a perfect Christmas Coffee, Ho Ho Joe's is a must.

Monday, December 20, 2010

MERRY AND BRIGHT....


Can you imagine the time it takes to decorate this home? I've become friendly with the couple that own it, and they tell me they start in September. They repeat this labor of love every year. The traffic jam out front causes its own scene. But, it's worth the effort. I feel pure joy when I pull up. When I saw this brilliance for the first time, I was so awestruck, I pulled right up on their driveway!  It was as if the house was calling me. And, if you think I get excited, you should see the expression on the children's faces when they see it.

If you haven't done so already, brew up some Christmas tea, grab your favorite holiday music, and take a drive. Many neighborhoods have at least some decorated houses. You'll feel like a kid again. It's just one more way to stay ageless and enjoy the holidays.

                                        Stopping by Holiday House in Medfield, Massachusetts

Do you have any holiday traditions that you enjoy?

There is still time to order Christmas Tea. Upton Tea has the best (a blend of black tea with cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and cardamom. Decorated with orange peel, rose petals and almond pieces). It's Enchantment in a cup.
 http://www.uptontea.com/



Wednesday, December 15, 2010

FRONT PAGE NEWS....

  Front page of Newburyport Daily News

My Christmas Spirit made headlines!  All I was doing was keeping up tradition with my friends, when a photographer stopped to take our picture. Here it is! We were so excited. We still are.

What you can't see is our flashing jewelry and lively soundtrack. I always carry my tiny boom-box filled with hard-to-find holiday music to every stroll. People passing by often gather round to listen, and  usually ask where I find such songs like, Santa Claus Needs Some Loving, and Jingle Bell Jamboree.

So, don't ever let the holidays get you down. Keep your spirits up @ Ageless with Aunty.

This is your Christmas Blog Extravaganza! Let's make the most of this joyous season.

Aunty was out late last night at a holiday party dancing like a true belle-of-the-ball at 86. One party-goer commented, "She should be on Glee!" We all agreed, she is amazing. We'll be posting some of her energetic tips soon and spreading more cheer.
So much more to come. Stay tuned.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

HO HO TOES...

Santa's Uggs?

I had to look twice, because I thought my holiday daydreaming was getting the best of me again, but, these festive boots are for real. A pretty elf passed me by and I asked her if she wouldn't mind posing for my blog. She said she is all for anything "ageless" and agrees, we adults need to have more fun! Judging from her buoyant attire, she walks her talk. So, she posed and I clicked.

These adorable fury-foot-things remind me of what the trendy folks at the North Pole might be wearing in this new millennium. Even Aunty wants a pair now. But the hip elf forgot to mention where you find them.

I will put a call into Santa Claus. He knows me well. We are on a first name basis. He tells me to call him "Santa," because I am all about everything Christmas. If they ever make an Elf two, I have just got to be in it. My family says, my spirit alone could fuel Santa's sleigh. These boots, once I find them, will help me prepare for the role. 

Get in touch with your inner child this Christmas. The results may suprise you.

Friday, December 10, 2010

A NIGHT IN THE LIFE...

I can’t let it go. I still carry a torch for the Beatles. And, I am not alone…taking just one night for example:

Walking around the square a few weeks ago, a man by the subway station was playing early Beatle tunes on his guitar, like Little Child, and Baby, It’s You. Walking into Johnny A’s gig across the way, he was playing The Night Before, almost as good as the Beatles themselves. When I asked the young man I met on the subway, “What’s on your iPod,” he said, “The Beatles, of course.” And, when Paul McCartney took the stage at Fenway last summer, at the first note of Baby, You Can Drive My Car, I almost fainted. I have a chronic case of Beatle-mania. “The Beatles” are alive and well, and, like the rest of the world, I am still in love with them.

When my dear friend Lori invited me to her cousin’s photography show to view pictures he had taken of the late John Lennon, I couldn’t wait. I cancelled other plans, and headed to Panopticon Gallery in Boston, (one of the oldest fine art photography galleries in the United States). Imagine walking into a room of never-before-seen photographs of John Lennon. I couldn’t get enough. Roger, the photographer, had teamed up with Ken Sharp, who has a book just out, called Starting Over, The making of John Lennon’s and Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy. What a great idea to showcase the book along with the pictures. You can also see some of these photographs in the book, and behind us on the walls here.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Roger and Ken, and it was terrific. Ken, a Los Angeles based singer/songwriter, and music author, who has met all the Beatles, except Lennon, told me, “They were each amazing in their own way.” And Roger said, “John had my back.” He was referring to John Lennon making sure no un-invited photographers got in Roger’s way. Roger had been hand picked (including by astrological compatibility) by Yoko herself, back in 1980, to photograph the couple as they secretly began work on Double Fantasy. When you look at the pictures, you can see a relaxed, yet hard working John Lennon. I also see a rather sexy Yoko always by his side.

As a life long Beatle Fan, I was mesmerized. I bought the book, and can’t wait to read it. I want to know everything Beatle. I even have pins, pocketbooks, tee-shirts, and have just been invited to play the Beatle Rock Band music game. But, right now, since it’s my favorite time of year, I am going to go listen to Ringo Star’s, Christmas CD, I Wanna Be Santa Claus. This compilation is high-spirited holiday fun. I particularly enjoy Ringo’s version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah… or as John Lennon would say, Happy Christmas…

Monday, December 6, 2010

A MOUSE IN THE HOUSE...


I want to write and tell you all about the Christmas Stroll in Newburyport. My Friends and I had so much fun spreading Christmas Cheer. Word of our annual merrymaking spree got out. We found ourselves on the pages of the Newburyport Newspaper!

You will hear all about it soon. I just have to get rid of the mouse in the house! It's so cozy where Aunty and I live, the Christmas mouse seems to have made himself at home. Maybe he smells that amazing Egg-Nog coffee brewing, or enjoys Dean Martin singing Baby, it's Cold Outside. Unfortunately, the real mouse is not carrying a wreath, smiling, or singing, like the little guy above, here.

Once we deal with our visitor, I will be back on the blog with all my Christmas exploits. I even hit the Breakers in Newport wearing a flashing string of lights. Now, that"s a mansion. And, when the guards weren't looking, I shot some pictures for you.

Until then, does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get rid of mice? One neighbor suggested Bounce dryer sheets. An online site suggested peppiment oil. But, turning down my Christmas spirit is not something I can do, even if that's what it takes to drive Mr. Mouse away.

Friday, December 3, 2010

YOU'RE INVITED...


It’s that time of year again…what my friends call, “Renee-A-Palooza Christmas Extravaganza.” We kick off the season every year the first Friday in December (tonight) with Invitation Night in Newburyport, Massachusetts. You are all invited…. It’s free and open to the public.



This truly delightful Christmas experience has become one of my favorites. The shops open their doors, pour champagne, turn up the carols, and pass out homemade goodies. Magic happens as you stroll with friends and loved ones in and around this historic town. I have not missed an Invitation Night in fourteen years! Each year I bring an entourage…. The number in the posse (complete with tiaras and our own music) has fluctuated from four to fourteen. We are experts at merry-making and are now part of the scene.


If you live in New England, you must go! This holiday event happens the first and second Friday in December, downtown Newburyport, 6-9 p.m. Festive garb suggested. Put on your sequin Santa Cap and go.

Here are a few of the emails I have received this week:

Just a reminder to pack the tiaras!

I'm kicking off the Renee-a-Palooza 2010 Christmas extravaganza this weekend!
Hugs, Lynne

I’ll be there with Bells on…ho ho ho, Helen

Yeah, don’t forget Reindeer Boogie!!!!!! (That's the first song we play on my tiny boom box covered in Christmas stickers, as soon as we get out of the car).

Our favorite store, and not to be missed, is Partridge in a Bear Tree. This is the best ever Christmas shop you have to see to believe. Tell Kevin, Renee sent you! He says, the word for this year is “glitter.”
inside Partridge in a Bear Tree

 
For dining or sipping yuletide cocktails try the Grog and Black Cow. Both are a lot of fun, and typify the feel of Newburyport. http://www.newburyportchamber.org/

Ho Ho Ho…..I’ve gotta go and brew up the Christmas tea~



girls at the Grog

Thursday, December 2, 2010

AGELESS with AUNTY HITS VERMONT...

Brittany & Emma

There is always a reason to visit Vermont. For me, it's an obvious one, my darling niece Brittany.

She moved there last year and loves it. She wants me to move there too, and knows I have considered it. I  enjoy cross country skiing, Green Mountain Coffee, and fresh air.
Good Vibrations by Lake Champlain

Brittany doesn't know this yet, but, during my next visit, I am going to crash one of her college parties. I never partied (ever) while I was getting my degree. So, I have this urge to live out the scene in Old School, where Mitch has a party and Snoop Dog shows up to rap! I can rap too!

Life is what you make it! Take it. Shake it. Sit by the Lake-it! Awake-it. Partake it!

Gee, I hope there is a frat party in my future....

While in Vermont, visit the Dobra Tea house. It's exotic (you can't tell this from the web) and delightful. Just one of the many hidden cool spots in the Green Mountain State.
http://www.dobratea.com/

BTW, Emma the toy puppy pictured above, was just one of the sites we saw at Shelburne Vineyard wine tasting. She fit into one of the goblets.
http://shelburnevineyard.com/
~Raise your glass to Vermont, and good grades all around~