babychop, trying to put on new slippers: aaaaargh! oh NOOOO! i can't do it!
me: be patient, you can do it!
babychop: i am being patient!
me: no. you're getting upset.
babychop: but i AM being wonderful!
me: yes. yes, you are. *kiss*
christmas is a reality check
for what matters.
love.
peace.
health.
afternoons with neighbors.
playdates with kids.
playdates without kids.
cookie-dough kisses from the chopster.
egg nog and the magic of little, white lights.
the smell of a freshly cut tree.
time to reflect
on what feeds our soul
and our hearts.
i hope yours is full.
merry christmas. xo
last year, on the winter solstice, i met some friends to celebrate the promise of longer days and warmer toes. after we said our goodbyes, i headed out for my last holiday errand.
driving down a very snowy road, i saw the sweetest message.
oh! i wish my camera had been in my hands!
passing it, i drove for another mile, the whole time thinking,
"you have to go back...but there are other cars!
you can't turn around. but you must turn around!
it is too much of a hassle...
no.
go back.
you'll kick yourself if you don't."
so i did.
i turned around.
yes! good move!
i pulled off onto a snowy bank and grabbed my camera bag from the back seat.
i tromped through the snow, giggling at myself.
breathing in the icy air, i took in the sweetness and let the word fill my heart.
click.
joy.
joy, indeed.
*see how others are viewing the hustle and bustle of the holidays at shutter sisters.
wise words sent to me from my old roommate, ed,
who used to fill our apartment with lovely smells of
butter, melted cheese, creamy sauces and stews, baked goods
and chocolate everything.
to ed, it wasn't good unless it had at least two sticks of butter in it.
and boullabaise? *drool* don't get me started.
we would stuff our faces and wash it all down with a coke.
(you have to say "coke" with a baltimore accent)
xo i love you, ed.
HOLIDAY EATING TIPS
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare... You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission..
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand and wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Note: This holiday eating advice not condoned by health professionals.
after eating our chocolate from the advent calendar,
we plugged in the white, twinkly lights that hang over our bed and climbed in.
"are you excited about santa coming to our house?"
i lay there, facing our sweet boy, waiting for his answer.
an enormous smile and a giggle came from behind his hands
that were covering his mouth.
"what do you hope he brings you?"
the answer, barely a whisper: i don't know!
more giggles as the possibilities filled his head.
