Rachel Alcott

it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all

[sincerelyrachelr]

Typo, but it’s good writing inspiration.

[sincerelyrachelr]

[stormdistrict]

Illustration by from Around The Year (Floris Books)

by Elsa Beskow

[clawedandcute]

I think we, as a society, need more random holidays. Not for more gifts or to-dos that cost money or stuff like that, but for more time together. Because most holidays have togetherness right at the center, along with another main reason or two. We all gather and remember the same event or do the same thing. Together.

Christmas... Come down the stairs -- all together now, yes! Okay, stop, I want a picture of all of you together. Get close... pretend you like each other, that's it! Let's all sit around the tree -- wait you all look so cute, I need a photo, look at Mommy. Sit close -- close. You get in there -- kids, hug Daddy and make him stay. (Today is the day you sit together in a sea of wrapping paper and laugh and grin and open presents you got each other not, not for consumerism's sake or any cynical reason but because -- in the end -- you want your people to know you love them)

Thanksgiving... You, preheat the oven. No, I can't I'm basting the turkey. Help me get it in -- yes, it's heavy, I need someone. Call your father. I'll help peel the potatoes. No, it's not a race. Well, if it was I would be winning. AHA I won. That's so much butter, it's a heart attack in a saucepan. But it's going to be so good. Here's the pie -- well, that's all right, you can just eat the crust on your piece. I can't hear, we've got the Christmas music blasting! If you wash, I'll dry. No, it's okay, it won't take long if we all help. Turn the music up. Wrap this up and take it home -- no it's okay, we want you to have it. (Today is the day you pack too many people in a too small kitchen and make dinner, even if you never make a true sit-down dinner like this any other day of the year. Then you will all sit together at the same table -- this year you had to add an extension because there are so many new people you love -- and eat and talk and no one will pull out their phone or a book)

Birthdays... How old are you turning now? Did you see he wrote Happy Birthday on the mirror in soap? Come on, come on, open it! I knew you'd like it. Sit still -- still -- yes, smile! That's it. When are we doing cake? The wax is dripping, hurry and turn off the lights! Blow out the candles! We sounded like frogs when we sang, but it's the thought that counts. I added the cha-cha-chas for effect. You get the first piece. Here, get a picture behind the cake -- yes, all of you. (Today is the day you celebrate one person, just for the fact that they're alive. You'll give them gifts and wish them a happy birthday and hug them and feed them cake, thanking them again and again for existing)

And I think it's all beautiful, and I think we need it. Whether it's with friends or family or both. More holidays. More collective time together.

I know holidays can be really hard too, for so many reasons, and I'm definitely presenting an idealized picture. I don't mean to negate or ignore anyone's pain, but I think the basic principle still holds true. Even if the togetherness is only with one person, that's enough. Even if it's only with God, He can still make it beautiful.

[sincerelyrachelr]

“ Panic is the driver's worst destiny. Sometimes, at any cost, you have to make the risky choices.”

The Art of Racing in the Rain | 2019

[sincerelyrachelr]

“What a lovely couple you make.”

🥀🥀🥀🥀

“Auf weirdersehen, darling.”

🥀🥀🥀🥀

[teabooksandsweets]

This is what “boys will be boys” means, right?

[sincerelyrachelr]

This was one of the funniest episodes of ACGAS!

[teabooksandsweets]

Fashion

[teabooksandsweets]

“Not an easy thing, being somebody’s brother. Especially when you have to be a father at the same time.”

[sincerelyrachelr]

If I had my will, time would just stand still

Wait for me until I find some magic film

To take a photograph and live inside

Photograph - Cody Fry

[sincerelyrachelr]

I don't know if you've ever noticed this, but first impressions are often entirely wrong. For instance: Klaus, when Sunny was born, didn't like her at all; but by the time she was six weeks old, the two of them were as thick as thieves - a phrase which here means "fetching and biting for hours on end". In the case of Count Olaf, however...

A Series of Unfortunate Events | 2004

[teabooksandsweets]

[inthetags]

Reblog and put in the tags the most perfect casting choice you have ever seen in any movie or TV show.

[joandfriedrich]

Imagine if Friedrich met Beth.

Those two would be the greatest friends ever. After hearing tales of the shyest March sister, Friedrich would be very careful with her, quietly approach and smile. After introducing himself, he would explain that he had heard she was a lover of music, and as she has such a great ear for it, would she do him the honor of hearing him play his violin and telling him what she thought.

He would play his sweetest piece and Beth would be entranced by him. She even thinks of a possibility of the two of them performing a duet. Surprisingly, Beth doesn’t seem shy at all towards him afterwards and the two have a pleasant conversation about their favorite composers and pieces. 

Jo is grinning from ear to ear, to see Beth so comfortable with him, and to see that his special touch worked on everyone. Seeing her beloved sister and her dear friend speaking together as siblings, it made Jo feel rather…warm inside, as if she had found the thing that filled in the emptiness.

When Friedrich leaves, Jo asks Beth what she thought of him, and Beth replies, “I adore him. I think he shall be one of my greatest friends, besides Mr. Lawrence and Laurie, of course.”

Jo chuckles. “And he likes you as well. I am glad that you two are friends.”

“Jo?” asks Beth.

“Yes dear?”

“Is Friedrich going to be my friend, and brother?”

Jo looks at her amazed. 

“Because if so, that would be wonderful!” Beth begins, happily, “For I could think of no better man that loves you more, and any woman that loves him.”

Jo becomes flabbergasted. “Beth, uh, what makes you think I love him?”

“I have seen the way you look at him. You have a similar gleam in your eyes that Marmee and Father have, the same Meg and John do too. True, each one is different, but it is love nonetheless. He looks at you the same way. Have you never noticed?”

After that, Jo couldn’t help but to see it, and eventually, whenever he was near, she didn’t have to look in a mirror to see the look Beth spoke of, she felt it.

After their marriage, Beth is introduced to Franz and Emil, and she finds that she loves them just as mush as Friedrich, and she makes frequent visits to the Bhaers, at parties plays a duet with Friedrich and becomes a godmother to the Bhaers’ first son, Robert.

Jo would always give thanks to Beth for helping her see what she nearly would have lost, and Friedrich thanks Beth for unknowingly helping him in achieving his wish, to marry Jo. And Beth has to thank them for so much, giving her the chance to have more people to love in her life. 

[sincerelyrachelr]

Late at night my mind would come alive, with voices and stories and friends as dear to me as any in the real world — Jo March

[sincerelyrachelr]

Why does everyone want to go away? I love being home. But I don’t like being left behind — Beth March

[sincerelyrachelr]

I'm fond of John, he's kind and serious and I'm not afraid of being poor — Meg March