Last night…

Last night was a night that I wish I could have filmed from beginning to end…just one of those few, special nights.

We were invited to a couple’s house for an evening of snacks, drinks and music. J & R have 3 children: J,16 & C,14 & N,11. The whole family is musically gifted! R’s parents were opera singers back in the day and he grew up around constant music of all varieties. J & R met when she was 18 and he was…near her age?.

They are Australians, born and bred, and have lived there for most of their lives until a few years back when they were transferred to France for R’s work. They are a refined, elegant, unpretentious family, full of laughter, camaraderie and music! R is a short, well-groomed, great looking, nicely smelling man who is outgoing and successful in everything he does. J is a stunning woman with olive skin, dark eyes and long dark hair that she pulls up loosely in a clip. She had on large, diamond studs and it is clear that her time in France has given her a unique perspective on food, surroundings and even, life! She seems to love life and I felt it coming through her…

J’s dining room is filled with a black baby grand piano with guitars, banjos and various other string instruments lining the walls. There is a red drum kit in the corner and microphones…the perfect set-up for creativity and inspiration. There was a large canvas painting hanging high on the wall in shades of light purples and turquoise…

Another family was joining the group, but we were the first to arrive. We even brought our 23 y.o. daughter & 20 y.o. son. I could sense that it might just be a special night, as indeed, it turned out to be.

We started out in the living room, a large room with massively, tall ceilings, large rectangular windows below and smaller , square windows at the top of the ceiling. The decor was impressive, simple, elegant, eclectic and welcoming. There were two large brown rattan couches seated across from each other, done in simple, white cushions with pops of color coming from the small pillows that were strewn carelessly, comfortably about.

J is elegant, but she doesn’t like a lot of fuss. There was a large, bright turquoise bombe chest framed between the lower, rectangular windows which were dressed with simple, brown textured, bamboo valances. The painting above the bombe chest was interestingly unique. The woman almost looked like a Geisha with dark, raven hair and small chopsticks poking out in just the most, symmetrical way.

The background of the painting was done in soft, yet warm, blue tones, like the color of a robin’s egg and a large 50’s looking art deco lamp with a long, long neck and short, stenciled lamp shade, done in an earthy cream-colored linen sat on the chest. I looked at the wall long and hard, I could barely take my eyes away…it was so unique, so perfect in every way…if only the large wall behind it had been painted a deep, dark black.

Yea, the whole wall…the black would have brought out the beautiful woman’s dark hair and the turquoise bombe chest and lamp would have totally popped! Oh well, it was still so lovely and pleasing to the eye.

There was a large, ruggedly wooden topped, coffee table in the center of the room, placed perfectly between both couches. It was also unique with rugged, softly sculpted legs completely encircling the table, done in a very soft, brushed, messy, light turquoise color. The legs were carved such that they ended in scrolling, fleur-de-lis shapes. I happen to have a thing for the fleur-de-lis, it is my personal symbol. I have no idea why, but I collect beautiful unique jewelry displaying the fleur-de-lis in all it’s many forms. My favorite is a large, solid gold piece with 3 different stones set in the ends of each petal. It is weighty, signficant and beautifully done…

The fleur-de-lis, is a symbol dating back to Mesopotamia, early Egyptian bas-reliefs, Gaulish coins, Mycenaean pottery, Japanese emblems and Dogon totems, among others and is translated as “flower of the lily.” Also, representing French royalty, it has long been believed to signify the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Christianity due to it’s three, distinct petals.

Knowing no boundaries of geography and common to all eras and civilizations, the lily is a widely viewed image as seen on the flag of Joan of Arc as she led victorious French troops against the English, in support of the Dauphin, Charles VII as he fought for the throne of France.

Military units, including the U.S. Army, have long used the fleur’s resemblance to a spearhead in identification of strength and martial power.

As well, the Roman Catholic Church has ascribed the fleur-de-lis as the emblem of the Virgin Mary, a benefactress of the lily flower.

It is also said to signify perfection, light, and life.

Read more at: http://www.heraldica.org/topics/fdl.htm    

There were various festive silver deer arranged randomly on the table, for Christmas…and oh, there was a beautiful little Christmas tree decorated in complimentary colors of turquoise and purples, just to the side of the bombe chest.

There was festivity in the air and various aromas of tantalizing food. Having just moved from France, R & J had planned a simple arrangement of various cheeses, crackers, lightly sliced salami, thick crusty slabs of french bread, and giant green olives. There was also a platter of foie gras with a dish of saucy blueberries, figs cut just in half, their soft and purplish, seeded centers peering out from malleable, leathery skins.

Champagne was freely flowing and bubbled in strawberry filled, glass champagne glasses. Later in the night, some of the bottles were opened by saber as everyone gathered around the swimming pool, in anticipation of a possible explosion of glass and bubbles.

The other family arrived and were not disappointing as I’d never met them before, although my husband had known and worked with this other gentleman for many years…the family had just transplanted from Seattle and are finding their roots in this new, strange environment.

The husband, R, was tall, smartly dressed, casual, and yet, he gave off the air of confidence and success. His wife, K, was lovely…the sweetest spirit wafted from her very essence and I was drawn to her immediately. They had brought their two children, A, 17 today! Happy Birthday A! a stunning looking girl with long, long blond hair down her back and beyond, she was of Norwegian descent, from R, and L, about 14, and A’s friend, Bella.

Their son, L, was also very blond with thick, coarse, disheveled hair and younger, though he remained quiet through most of the night. I sensed the awkward time of life for him, the age of time when a young boy begins to turn slowly, magically, into man (or so we hope), though clearly it would take some time.

R & J’s son, on the other hand was only 17 but exuded the presence of a grown man, he was clearly comfortable in his own skin…completely! He has been to boarding school in Switzerland, speaks several languages, and is, clearly, without doubt a gifted musician at his young age.

As more chairs were pulled up around the large coffee table and additional food was brought in, soft french cheese covered with cranberries, wheat crackers and a lightly spiced dip, slightly mexican? with chips and oh…yea…these soft little bits of bread, done in small rectangles and covered with salmon, lox, and staged with soft cream cheese and chives.

I said to J, “please never serve dinner here – ever!” It was the most delectable spread of oral decadence! It was almost ungodly, it was so satisfying in every way.

J began the music by pulling his chair up to the center of the group. The first song he sang was the hilarious, The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room by Flight of the Conchords…yea…

Flight of the Conchords

J sang it unabashedly and belted it out in all the right parts…Cause you’re so beautiful, Like a, tree, Or a high-class prostitute…we all laughed out loudly, who could not…laugh their asses off…

The Most Beautiful Girl In The Room

Looking round room,
I can tell that you
Are the most beautiful girl in the…room.
In the whole wide room
Oooh.

And when you’re on the street
Depending on the street
I bet you are definitely in the top three
Good looking girls on the street
Depending on the street
And when I saw you at my mate’s place
I thought what…is…she…doing…
At my mate’s place
How did Dave get a hottie like that to a party like this

Good one Dave!!!
Ohhhh you’re a legend, Dave!
I asked Dave if he’s going to make a move on you
He’s not sure
I said “Dave do you mind if I do?”
He says he doesn’t mind
but I can tell he kinda minds
but I’m gonna do it anyway
I see you standing all alone by the stereo

I dim the lights down very low, here we go
You’re so beautiful
You could be a waitress
You’re so beautiful
You could be an air hostess in the 60s
You’re so beautiful
You could be a part…time…model

And then I seal the deal
I do my moves
I do my dance moves
It’s twelve oh two
Just me and you
And seven other dudes
Around you on the dance floor
I draw you near
Let’s get outta here

Let’s get in a cab
I’ll buy you a kebab!
Now I can’t believe
That I’m sharing a kebab with the most beautiful girl I have ever seen
With a kebab
Ooooooohhh.

Why don’t we leave?
Let’s go to my house and we can feel each other up on the couch
Oh no. I don’t mind taking it slow-ho-ho, no-ho-ho, yeah.

Cause you’re so beautiful
Like a, tree
Or a high-class prostitute
You’re so beautiful
Mmm, you could be a part-time model

But you’d probably have to keep your normal job
A part-time model!
Spending part of your time, modelling,
and part of your time, next to meeeeeeeeee!
My place is usually tidier than this…

I knew instantly that he needs to be discoverd…he followed up with an original, the funniest song I have EVER heard, maybe in my entire life, while accompanied by his younger brother N, who clearly idolizes J, and should.  N is an 11 year old who had an audition today in L.A. for a movie…he is Macaulay Culkin on steroids (and a nice kid)! The kid is a natural, young-looking for his age, also completely uninhibited and between the two of them, we were all nearly rolling on the floor…sorry I can’t give you the lyrics. Read it in the press…

J followed with a song he wrote three years ago at the age of 14 and I instantly heard it on the radio, it was catchy, I’d listen to it again, and again. He has an amazing voice and plays the guitar like he’s been doing it his whole life. He sang it toward his very lovely girlfriend who was sitting right next to him. She should become a model.

I didn’t tell you about Hubble, named after the telescope, according to N! He was a tiny, little dog, I have no idea what kind but his body was white and speckled and the top of his little head looked like a cross section of brain that you see on an MRI slice, black with a little white creavage just running down the middle of the black.

He was roundish and his little belly was smooth and full. He liked being rubbed and I worked on his ears for a good five minutes. Then, he was mine…all mine…oh, except when K started feeding him tiny little morsels of chicken from wings we were served as well. Traitor!

Soon, we moved to the baby grand and J played and sang a bit more. Then, his parents R & J began to sing and either of them could be a recording star. J belted out Bob Marley’s No Woman no Cry and I nearly did. Then, KT Tunstall’s, Black Horse and a Cherry Tree. God, it felt so good. I’d give anything to sing like that.

We were all gathered around singing along, clapping and revelling in a moment; one of freedom, creativity, raw talent and no pretension…not a drop of pretension in the entire evening. What a relief in life. That’s what I’m looking for, the raw, emotional, real life drama of every day events and people who are LIVING!

I can’t begin to tell you about N…he is the most animated kid I have EVER seen, belting out songs beyond his years in either a huge goofy voice, or one of a chipmunk, clearly under the effect  of helium!

I looked over at my husband and son and they could not contain themselves. EVERYONE was laughing so hard, I thought I might pee my pants. He HAD to have landed that role today.

I asked him if he knew what 100% was and he nodded yes. So, I asked him if he knew what 200% was and he didn’t. I said it’s just twice as much and tomorrow, you have to be 200%! I also danced with him, spinning him around and twirling him underneath my hand. He was resistant at first but then I told him that actors have to go with the flow and do whatever they’re asked to do ~within reason~ and give it their all. So, he did. My daughter shook her head at me, like, ‘oh, mom’, there you go again…can’t help myself, don’t want to.

Lastly, we gathered in closer to sing Christmas Carols like What Child is This ?, Silent Night and Jingle Bells… we wanted to sing them all!

But some of the kids had events today, little things, you know like SAT tests, movie auditions and club soccer games. And, in the end, all good things must come to an end.

So, we went back to the large wooden table for a french dessert of softly baked, thick meringue, covered in a creamy white whip and lastly, covered with freshly sliced strawberries and kiwis.. omg

I let Huble lick little teeny, tiny bits of cream whip off my finger. Such a good boy!

I’m practically having an o…just thinking about it…

NO, not Huble, PERVERT!

Not the dessert, but the evening, the kind of night I wish I could live every night of my life, if only, they are too far and few between, the intimacy, the connection and the love.

I wish you mine. xoxo

p.s. when i left their house, N called over to me “I’ll be 200% tomorrow.” I gave him a thumbs up!