Marianne Faithfull

Style icon in 1967? Were such terms even used then?
Marianne Faithfull born 29 Dec in 1946. Happy Birthday!
PS The fashion looks identical today 40 years later, talk about recycling!

Benazir Bhutto 1953 - 2007

Confidences trop intimes

Intimate Strangers in the English title of Patrice Leconte's 2004 film starring Sandrine Bonnaire and Fabrice Luchini.
I watched it last night and thoroughly liked it, especially the slow pace of observance and the camera work trying to replicate the act of watching. The premise of the story is also interesting but the performances of the two main characters is what holds the film. Their faces under scrutiny they know understated acting. Much like in real life our faces betray little at times of great inner intensity and upheaval. Of course there are always exceptions in life anyway, but what I am saying is that there was NO OTT acting in this film. To my great relief Patrice Leconte is a master of the slow unfolding pace of visual story telling.
Last time I saw Sandrine Bonnaire in film which she carried was Vagabonde and she was a lot younger then. She has honed her ability very well and matured as an actress greatly and she IS beautiful as well!
Monsieur Hire by Patrice Leconte from 1989 is on eof his very best films and I recommend it highly as I do the above.

St Stephens Day aka

God Jul

Yule, Jul came from Old Norse Hjol meaning wheel. This would denote the wheel of the year, the seasons, and where the wheel was lowest in terms of light was Hjol and then the turning point which was so significant with hopes of spring was the season of celebrating with light and warmth. Jul in Swedish and Yule in English.
Above you see Swedish traditional baked goods pepparkakor och lussekattor = gingersnaps and saffron buns.
Also a traditional Julbord - Yuletide table. The painted image would have been a typical one from my childhood. The Lucia and a small jultomte gazing at the pole star and waiting for Christmas/Jul.