Merry Christmas!

I doubt that your tree is as big as the one of John F. Kennedy and Jackie.. 

- But I certainly hope you had a great time with all your love ones - no matter what age or species!

Yours

Irene

I can't help but love this album!

Don't you just adore Frank Sinatra? I sure do - and I also love the Sinatra Family Christmas album!

I especially love this song:

and this Italian song:

 and for the purist (not from this album) the classic Frank Sinatra:

Hope you're enjoying some nice Christmas songs, too!

Irene

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to one of the prettiest girls of the 1960s:

Grace Slick!

*1939

And of course - a clip of Jefferson Airplane!!

A lovely Sunday to all of you!!

Irene

100 years..

Happy Birthday to Mahalia Jackson, who would turn 100 years today!

Have a great time you all - and I will post again at this blog.. ;")

Yours (very well and) truly

Irene

Paris in July - 2011 - Nous ne sommes pas des anges by France Gall

Well, au revoir, mes amies.. That's it with July..

Here we have lovely France Gall singing one of my favourite French songs: Nous Ne Sommes Pas Des Anges - We are no angels..

And, well - honestly... ...when it comes to me: She is completely right with this.. ;")

Au plaisier!

Irène

Paris in July - 2011 - Sous les ponts de Paris by Lucienne Delyle

July is almost over now.. - so how about a little stroll "under the bridges of Paris"? ;")

Au plaisier!

Irène

Paris in July - 2011 - Comment Te Dire Adieu? by Françoise Hardy

This song just got stuck in my mind...

Françoise Hardy singing: COMMENT TE DIRE ADIEU?

Au plaisier!

Irène

Paris in July - 2011 - Aicha by Cheb Khaled

Not completely French - just a great song - enjoy:

Au plaisier!

Irène

Paris in July - 2011 - La mer by Charles Trenet

I just love this song - it has a great melody! Accordingly la chanson LA MER was first written on a table napkin because Charles Trenet didn't have anything else to write with him while he was driving by train..

And now: please enjoy and dream of the French shore!

Au plaisier!

Irène

Paris in July - 2011

Salut, mes amis!

Tamara of THYME FOR TEA and Karen of BOOKBATH are doing a lovely meme this month: Paris in July.

It's the 2011 edition - and I will do some posts for that meme on my blogs, too. It's about celebrating everything Parisian or French - which I think will be fun.

So we will have maybe a few book reviews on my blog ALL THAT GLISTENS COULD BE OLD and some film reviews on my other blog AND THEN THEY START TO SPARKLE.

On this humble blog everything else will be posted - but mostly I'll stick with music I think..

And I'll start with this song - one of my Dad's favourites btw - and I just love butterflies.. ;")

So enjoy monsieur Danyel Gerard singing BUTTERFLY:

Au plaisier!

Irène

Meet me on Monday (8)

This meme is hosted by the lovely lady named Java @ Never growing old.

Here are the questions:

1. What is your favorite food?
2. What color scheme is your bedroom?
3. Do you carry a donor card?
4. In your opinion, is the glass half empty or half full?
5. Vanilla or Chocolate?

1. What is your favorite food?

I like almost any kind of fruit - and I like Pizza..

2. What color scheme is your bedroom?

My bedroom has white walls, blackframed furniture (and old fashioned metal framed bed, matching vanity and wall mirror and settee, black book shelves with white floral pattern, a darkish closet and a "Norma Desmond style

"-like cheval glass with black frame) and then there are lot of green plants and tropic flowers (some just fake - but lovely colorfull..) - and some Hawaiian-memorabilia - no I wasn't there.. I wish I was..

3. Do you carry a donor card?

No.

4.In your opinion, is the glass half empty or half full?

It's either full or empty. There is no inbetween here.. But if you MUST MAKE ME CHOOSE: half full.

5. Vanilla or Chocolate?

Vanilla. I LOVE vanilla. Chocolate is okay - but I am not so much into it.. ;")

One Song - One World: Ue O Muite Aruko (Sukiyaki)

Today we will start our trip in Japan - and first of all:

Kind regards to each and everyone in Japan who was affected by the earthquake - and what followed afterwards.

The song I am presenting to you today was also used to cheer up the Japanese people this year - so let's have a quick look at all those famous (and very good looking if I may say so) Japanese people singing our song for today:

Ok. - You heard the song? Good. Let's start:

So, we're in Japan. And it's the early 60s - 1963 to be specific.

Most of you may know this song - it is really, really famous (but hey! - that's the cause why this series is called One Song - One World, isn't it?)

Here you can see Kyu Sakamoko singing the Japanese hit UE O MUITE ARUKO (上を向いて歩こう) (= I shall walk looking up) in a very stylish 60s music video :

For international use it became SUKIYAKI.

It's a love song - from a man's view - I don't think that it has anyhing to do with the food..

I especially love this line... - well, it goes something like:

"When I walk, I do it with holding my head up high - so it's harder for the tears to run down my face."

Well, let me put it this way: Awww.. - No kidding: I love that. Obviously not a happy love song.

Of course there is an English version:

While the English version's video is giving this song kind of a "he is going to slaughter her" meaning (well, it could be me..) - the German version's lyrics is more of a "memory of a holiday fling"-kind.

Though in this video here all is changed into a woman's view, there are several German versions sung by men and in man's view - but I thought it would be nice to have a lady here, too. - So, Yvonne Carré - if you please?:

And of course there is an Italian version sung by Claudio Villa - a bit more jazz in it, hm?

- and my favourite video - with actor Josef Zíma and his oh-so-cute smile and a "I-am-too-late-for-this-show-but-I-am-finally-here" - hairstyle.

It's in Czech - in case you wonder which language you're going to hear..

So - enough music?

Maybe you want to eat now - here is how to make Sukiyaki:

So, bye-bye!

or - as I am the hostess here - :

Itterashai!!

Just love this song..

.. and I think it's quite sexy..

I prefer the Doris Day version

- but Tracey Ullman is also great.

Have a great start into the new week, folks!!

Cat Thursday

This Meme is hosted by Michelle @ the true book addict.

Here is my picture of the week - Lucy posing very majestically in a distinctive feline way:

Have a great week - and remember: The week-end is near!! :")

Kindest regards!

Lucy, Mina & Irene

Meet me on Monday (7)

This meme is hosted by Java @ Never growing old

1. What is your favorite kind of muffin?

I like cherry-muffins.. (actually I seem to like cherry-whatsoever..) ;")

2. What was the first car you ever owned?

I never owned a car.

3. Which TV Show were you sad to see end?

PUSHING DAISIES!!! :"(

But they put a shark in the last show - that was a nice thing to do. ;")

4. What is your lucky number?

I do not have a lucky number but 9 and 13 are my favourite numbers.

5. Pretzels or Potato Chips?

Pretzels!! :")

Cat Thursday

This Meme is hosted by Michelle @ the true book addict.

Idid not post many picture of my lovely Miss Lucy Westenra - so here we have a "springtime" Lucy - doing her impersonation of a little bull called FERDINAND by Munro Leaf

(We did a whole series of those pictures..)


And here is Ferdinand, too:



Have a really, really great week!!

Irene

Meet me on Monday (6)

This meme is hosted by Java @ Never Growing Old.

1. Caesar Salad or Garden Salad?

Garden Salad!!

2. Will you be watching the Royal Wedding on April 29th?

Well, maybe a little glimpse. But rather: Nope.

3. Last thing you spent lots of money on?

Clothes at two of my favourite fashion stores:

Lucky Lola

and Miss Mole:

This summer is going to be beautiful!! ;")

4. Window seat or aisle seat?

Window seat!!

5. Do you know your blood type?

Uhm.. It was.. er.. no.

One Song - One World: Someone Else's Boy

Lovely Connie Francis is singing SOMEONE ELSE'S BOY.

Here is the original song:

Here's the Spanish Version:

And the German version:

And of course the Japanese version:

Thank you for listening!

Yours,

Irene

Let's play a game - 20 songs (1)

With some of my good friends I play a game named "20 songs".

If you want to play with me post your song on your blog - and leave a comment so I know who is playing with me! (Or just leave a comment and say which is your song.)

Okay - let's start: 1. song

a song from your childhood. Here is mine - and you know I am German so this is a German group and they sing in German - my taste in music has not changed much since then - it was my favourite song as I was a child and I still love it:

Ace Cats - LINDA

~ actually I think the singer is pretty handsome.. Don't know - maybe.. well, it's springtime, you know.. :") ~

Here you have your answer! (1)

I am a fan of old answer songs - so I am going to post some here. I am starting with this one:

The original song: Gary Lewis and The Playboys are singing

This Diamond Ring

*sigh* I think Gary Lewis was rather cute. (well, I think his daddy - you may have heard of a certain Jerry Lewis?? - was cute, too.. )

and here is an answer by Wendy Hill :

(Gary, please don't sell ) My diamond ring

Have a great weekend!!

Irene

Cat Thursday

This meme is hosted by Michelle @ The True Book Addict.

My picture of the week shows Mina in my bag - she emptied it before, of course.. ;")

I think she didn't want me to go alone.. ;")

- and: It is much safer if you'll take a cat with you. :")

Cat Thursday

This is a meme hosted by Michelle @ The True Book Addict.

Ha! As if! I have chosen this picture because I now know, that this is a cat faking unskilfulness:

Tuesday night I was half asleep when I heard a strange chafing sound some where in the dark and then followed a rastling - and suddenly it smelled like fish in my flat.

So - what do you think did my sweet girl Mina do?

Yes, indeed. She thought it was time for a Midnight party! And opened a fish packing (like this in the picture) by herself.

That's it: No more Enid Blyton for my cats. And now their food is for sure not available for them anymore..

There is a word in German which means someone has a sweet tooth - we say that this person is a Naschkatze (a mix of "eat titbits" = naschen and "cat" = Katze) and that's exactly what Mina is. She loves titbits. (Anyhow she is so light that I once was worried - but the vet said it's all okay - she is a lightweight.)

(This picture is called "Naschkatzen" it's by Rudolf Epp.)

So, kindest regards from

Miss Lucy, Miss Mina and Fräulein Irene Palfy

Cat Thursday

This meme is hosted by Michelle @ The true book addict.

This is exactly how I feel today.. ;")

Have a great week!!

A did-you-know-post about.. snowdrops

Did you know that:

• ... in Latin they are named Galanthus?
  
  It's from Greek Gála (=milk) and ánthos (=blossom) The German name is Schneeglöckchen (= Little Snowbell). Other German names (seldom used but I like them) are: Milchblume (= Milkflower), Weiße Jungfrau (= White Virgin) and Hübsches Februar-Mädchen (= Pretty February Girl).

• ... they are originally from Europe?
  
  There are so many flowers which came from other continents that sometimes it seems that no flowers really are from here.
  

• ... there are about 500 cultivars of snowdrops?
  
  There are some people collecting snowdrops and paying high prices for one bulb of a rare kind!

• ... Galantamine, which is an alkaloid from snowdrops, is used against dementia/Alzheimer's Disease and other memory impairments?
  
  They are not only pretty they are miraculous!

I just love Snowdrops!!

( pictures for this post from publicdomainpictures.net)

Cat Thursday

This is a meme hosted by Michelle @ The True Book Addict.

Here is my picture of the week:

This kitten's expression is so cute.. and so strict - I think I get a bad conscience.. ;")

Have a great day - and remember: The weekend is near!! :")

Our kindest regards to you and your feline friends!!

Meet me on Monday (5)

This meme is hosted by Java @ Never Growing Old

1. What are you wearing right now?

A grey high-waisted Marlene trouser and a black pullover - my own very 30ies outfit for work. (I just came home.)

2. Do you have any freckles?

Yes, a few. It's not enough to call me freckled.. :")

3. What is your favorite Lifesaver flavor?

Actually - I did not know them.

I had to look after them in www. A whole universe to explore! :")

4. What is the last movie you saw in the theater?

THE KING'S SPEECH - and I loved it. (I am a fan of Helena Bonham Carter!! She is marvellous!!)

And, boy! Was I happy to hear one of my alltime favourite melodies in it: Symphony No# 7 by Beethoven (well, actually it's the Allegretto!) !! I had this stuck in my head for days!

5. Would you rather live without tv or without music?

Rather without tv (if it's okay to watch DVDs and films in cinema futhermore.)

Cat Thursday

This meme is hosted by The True Book Adicct

Actually I have posted my cat picture of the week here. (yeah - Mina again..)

But I want to post this too - because this cat made me laugh so many times and I want to share that: (LOOK AT HIS PAWS!!! ISN'T HE THE CUTEST GUY?? AGAIN: HAVE YOU NOTICED HIS PAWS??)










Maybe I am a bit overtop - you know: today I saw two hares - and they were bigger than my cats..

I can't help it: I love Maru. :")

Have a lovely week! And our kindest redards to you and all your feline friends! ;")

Lyrical Tuesday (3)

This meme is hosted @ Universe in Words

This is my song for this week:

THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER by Johnny Cash

Again a song that I love. I like Johnny Cash very much and yesterday I re-watched the film with John Wayne and awesome Dean Martin (yes, some day I am going to post one of his songs - you can be sure of that.) - so it comes naturally to me that today I am posting this song - though it is not featured in the film. (which I will review at my film blog - of course..)

My two parts of the lyrics:

All your little ones have grown and we've reaped what we have sown.

I believe in karma. I believe that every harm we do, we're going to reap - so of course this part appeals to me.

So mothers teach your sons to not live by a gun

Well, what shall I say? Any explanation needed?

No lyrics in this - but listen to this brilliant piece of music:



And: yes, I think I am going to feature both clips on my film post.. ;")

What is your song of the week? Visit Universe in Words and leave a link!!

Meet me on Monday (4)

This meme is hosted by Java @ Never Growing Old

1. Did you get any Valentine's Gifts?

No.

To anyone who ever wanted to know - because today this might be fitting: The Frl. in my name is short for "Fräulein" = Miss. ;") And yes: I am single - but I want to stay a miss - only man who would be able to make me consider marriage was Vincent Price.. and obviously he is not on this valentines wheel:

2. What is your favorite topping on something toasted?

Recently I like strawberry jam..

3. Do you pick out your outfit the night before?

Yes - when I am working the next day. No - when I have a day off or weekend.

4. What food item do you absolutely despise?

Several. I do not like spaghetti, except for fish with scales I do not eat sea food and eggs outside of pastries are not very alluring to me. And only in an emergency I would consider to eat bananas.

I am a food bitch. :")

5. Righty or lefty?

I am right-handed. But I try to do things with my left hand - and it works more and more. :")

Happy Valentines Day to all of you!! Have a great week!!

Cat Thursday

This is meme is hosted by The True Book Addict

Have a great week, folks! :")

Sneak a peek in my armoire.. ;")

I spent a little money on this sweet stuff:

For I already own a black one, a white one and one with a leo print I wanted something red.. ;")

Well, that's it..