Happy New Year, Everyone!
Well, trying to be happy. As most of you already know, we lost our national treasure only 17 days before her 100th birthday, the adorable, effervescent Betty White.
Please enjoy this clip from her TV show from 1954. The commercials are a total hoot.
Rest in Peace, Dear Betty. We love you so!
And, what more fitting interior design topic to start the New Year than the top of the wall, where it meets the “sky”; the crown for our queen.
Okay, today’s post was going to be about crown mouldings.
But, it’s not.
Not tonight.
And, why? Well, it’s one of my New Year 2022 resolutions.
I never make them, but this year I did. I made two New Year 2022 resolutions.
- One is to go to bed earlier.
What time do you go to bed, Laurel?
Please let’s just leave it at “I need to go to bed earlier.” :]
- Resolution #2 is to stop finishing blog posts at 2:00 AM. Please see resolution #1.
So, Tuesday, I will finish the crown moulding blog post. I think you’re going to like it, and in the meantime, I’ll share some photos I took last night here in Boston.
I still can’t believe I live where I do. It’s right around the corner from historic Copley Square!
I’ll never believe it. Every time I go outside is like a dream. I’m on permanent vacation!
Well, sort of. ;]
Anyway, last night the New Year’s Eve parade started there.
Above, you can see Copley Square near the bottom of the map. Boylston street is just above it. In the upper left corner where you see Dartmouth is where I had my accident three months ago.
So, the parade began at 6:00 PM, and guess who was in it?
My son! My trombone playing son one!
Here he is last September on his way to a gig by the Boston seaport.
Wait. Laurel, I didn’t know your son was in town.
Right. I know that you didn’t know because I didn’t know for sure until he rang my bell Monday morning. It was such a wonderful surprise. And then I found out he was staying until noon today, January 1st. That never happens.
On Thursday evening, he just happened to meet some puppet folks who were planning on carrying a whale in the parade. Cale said he could make whale sounds. He was “hired” on the spot. lol
Of course, he can make whale sounds. He can make any sound you can imagine on his trombone.
Just one problem. He didn’t bring his trombone on this trip.
However, a friend gave him a plastic trombone to use. That was sufficient for whale sounds.
Before 6:00, I made my way over to Boylston and Berkley Street and arrived just as the parade began.
I’m sure there were 100s if not thousands of people there, but it wasn’t mobbed. Still, you’d never know except for about half the people wearing masks that there was a pandemic going on. And, yes, I had my mask on.
The Pru announcing the New Year 2022.
A spectacular dragon!
Then I turned around.
Yes, Restoration Hardware in Boston, is around the corner from me. haha
Back to the parade. I heard Cale long before I saw him. That has always been the case. haha
And, here’s a shot of Cale in front of the whale.
Please note that Wayfair headquarters is in the background. haha
Also, it was practically balmy compared to the previous weekend.
I followed Cale along for a bit. It wasn’t easy to get a photo without someone else being in the way.
And, finally, I found a spot where I could take in the entire whale. It looks like it doesn’t have much more life left in it.
As I walked towards Arlington on Boylston, I couldn’t help but notice too young men who looked like brothers and were carrying backpacks.
I didn’t think in any way that they had any nefarious intent. However, it was a chilling reminder of that horrifying bombing that happened just a few blocks away and on the same street in April, 2013.
We saw the memorial and finish line of the marathon in this post the day before the Boston Marathon last October.
However, I don’t want to leave you with that hideous image, so I found something else to share with you.
I found a feed on Instagram several weeks ago that is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. I think every now and then; I might share an interesting image with y’all.
Okay, I wasn’t going to link to it; the reason being there may be some readers who would not appreciate a silver doorknob in the shape of a penis (and the like.) So, if that would offend you, please DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK.
However, if you are interested in such things, lol, as well as other interior design aberrations, then here’s the link, “please hate these things.”
I guarantee that you’ll be laughing. No coffee now!
Here’s today’s image.
I can’t seem to stop looking at this crazy.
I know. It defies all reason.
However, I can’t leave you with that image, either. The other day when I was out walking with Cale in Bay Village and east of Berkley Street, I happened on this stunning portico.
It’s not tragic, absurd, or scandalous, but it sure is pretty. I’m sorry, I don’t know the name of the building, but if anyone does, please let us know in the comments.
Well, that’s it for post number one for 2022.
Here’s hoping for a beautiful year for all!
Much Love,
PS: Although I have not published the HOT SALES for the last two weekends, they were updated on Thursday, so please check them out.
Related Posts
Tongues Are Wagging About The Color Of The Year 2019- These Interior Design Trends in 2022 Will be Huge!
- Can A Raised Ranch Home Become A Traditional Home?
- 6 of the Best Classical Architects People Should Copy
- Painted Brick-How to Easily Change It Back After Painting It
- Monochromatic Interiors – A Misunderstood Color Scheme
- Some Of Your Recent Interior Decorating Questions Answered
24 Responses
Happy New Year, Laurel! I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the Boston content you share. I haven’t gotten to travel as much as I’d like the last couple of years, and getting to see your beautiful new hometown is always a delight.
Happy New Year
It’s hard to imagine a life without Betty White! She was a treasure!
Love your neighborhood in Boston! I would be hanging at Restoration Hardware!
I know plenty of people are weird, but that instagram plumbs the depths of bat shit crazy. Thank you for soothing me at the end with that so splendid portico. Happy New Year, Laurel!!!
Hi, Laurel!
Thanks to you, none of your loyal readers who take your advice will ever be posted on “Pleasehatethis” 🤣🤣🤣
I look forward to seeing your renovations. Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year Laurel! Love how you are so happy and flourishing in Boston!
Hi Laurel,
A surprise visit from one of your children is always the best.
Good luck with going to bed earlier. I’m finding myself going to bed later & later. My new bedroom doesn’t get the sun in the morning so I end up sleeping later. A blessing and a curse.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Laurel, and thank you for the knowledge and humor you share every week without fail. ‘Please Hate These Things’ is from the funny and fabulous mind of Dina Holland, a Boston area interior designer. I think you two should meet! Thanks for taking us along with you, in life, design and the streets of beautiful Boston.
Hi Kari,
Yes, I should’ve mentioned her name. I’m sure I found it from her ID account.
Thanks for content-packed post. Happy to hear you had a surprise visit from Cale. I loved the link to The Betty White Show. And ‘please hate things’ is endlessly hysterical.
Many wishes for a wonderful year ahead! I can’t thank you enough for so many years of laughter and very helpful decorating advice. We moved almost a year ago and in five weeks, during a complete lockdown (we live outside of Toronto) we did a big renovation that worked out quite well, thanks to everything I learned from you over the years. I don’t comment much, but wanted to start the new year by telling you how meaningful your posts are, in so many ways.
Hi Michi,
Five weeks for a big reno would be like warp-speed around here. If I do everything I want to do, it’ll be minimum
six months, but probably more like nine.
Happy New Year!! I’m glad you are enjoying Boston so much…it is a wonderful feeling when you are in just the right spot for you! I’m looking forward to your kitchen remodel!
Thanks so much, Maggie!
Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing your joy in Boston with us. And thanks for the lovely Betty White clip. I believe she had been on television almost 20 years by 1954–she participated as a child in an early broadcast. And I knew that song! Haven’t heard it probably since the 1950s. Funny how a child’s mind soaks up things and remembers them.
Happy New Year, Ivis! I loved the commercials. Geritol. I could probably use some of that. LOL!!!
I love that you love where you are living! What a gift! Also, I love “Please Hate These Things” Instagram account – it makes me feel much better about my decisions, haha! Happy New Year, and I think I will join you in your resolutions!! (turn brain off before 2am!) 🙂
Hi Karen,
Some of my favorites are things like the front door obviously installed upside down. They had to be drunk.
That’s the Albert Pope building, which started out as a bicycle factory and is now condos, some of which are actually rather nice. Happy New Year!
Thanks so much, Elle. I’ll have to take a look. Happy New Year!
What a lovely post, Laurel. Boston really seems to suit you, and it seems that it’s easier now for you to receive impromptu visits from your son. And thank you for posting the Youtube video of Betty White. I had no idea she could sing so well, since I had never seen her show. She was indeed a national treasure. Happy New Year to you!
Happy New Year, Connie!
A penis shaped doorknob is the perfect way to start the new year.
LOL!!!
That’s the Pope condos bldg, next to the restaurant, Mistral on Berkeley.
Thanks so much, Sam!