tis the season
Friday, December 5, 2003
I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is already a week past and
it is once again Friday. Last Friday at this time, I was standing
outside, cold, waiting for the Holidazzle parade to start along
with my 11 year-old sister, my brother, his wife, my mother and
James. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
We had a fine Thanksgiving. James and I hosted my mother and
family for the first time ever. In fact, this was the first year
my mother has not been the primary cook since I was literally
a baby. That's 31 years, folks. That's a lot of Thanksgiving turkeys
under her belt.
So, we hosted. My mother, my sister and stepdad drove up along
with my brother and his wife. I got out my grandmother's China
and my other grandmother's silver. James and I scoured both Gourmet
and Cooking Light for recipes. And I think it all resulted in
a very successful evening. I wasn't crazy about my stuffing. But
one bad recipe out of the bunch isn't terrible. So, for you folks
keeping score at home, do not attempt the Roasted Pear Stuffing
from the November 2000 issue of Cooking Light no matter how good
it sounds. I'm glad to have gotten that off my chest.
And because, as you very well know, I am all about food, I have
to list for you everything else that graced our table. Maple-Brined
Turkey with Cream Gravy. The aforementioned stuffing. Cranberry-Apple-Walnut
Relish. Cloverleaf Rolls (homemade!). Roasted Brussels Sprouts
with Pecans. Vanilla Sweet Pototoes. Green Bean Cassarole (a staple
my stepfather requires). Mashed Potato and Parsnip Puree. And,
of course, one bottle of La Crema Chardonnay and one bottle of
La Crema Pinot Noir.
We didn't eat until later in the evening, so that meant we got
to spend some quality family time pre-dinner while James slaved
in the kitchen. There was a very rousing game of Uno wherein my
little sis kicked everyone's ass. There was also cheese and chatter
and jokes and a roaring fire. It was as picteresuque and as beautiful
as anyone could hope for.
The next day, my stepdad took off to return home. But my mother,
sister, brother and his wife stayed around. And after James and
I completed a particularly grueling 2-hour spin class, we took
the family shopping downtown to Marshall Fields and Nieman Marcus.
We watched the Hollidazzle parade and then fed our faces at a
late dinner at Chang O'Haras. On Saturday, we went to the Science
Museum which is really amazing. I couldn't get over all the hands-on
experiments and I think my sister really enjoyed that. We also
got to see a gruesome exhibit on how insects are used in murder
investigations. Maggots anyone?
That evening, we all went and saw A Christmas Carole at the Guthrie
which was absolutely amazing. The production was just so enjoyable.
So, as you can imagine, when the family took off to return home
on Sunday morning, we were all pretty much cooked from all the
activity. Still, it was really, really nice to spend such a festive
couple of days around loved ones.
+ + + +
This Wednesday night is Tryna's graduation from Beginner II obedience
class. I'm not sure she will actually graduate, but we'll show
up anyway. A couple of weeks ago, I was actually very close to
quitting class. It has ended up much more difficult than I had
imagined it would be and I was having a really hard time working
with her. And while she has started to grasp the formal returns
and the stand command, she still gets excited when anyone new
approaches her. So when she is in a down-stay and the instructor
walks by, she ALWAYS gets up to greet him. She's the only dog
in class that does this. And I hate having the unruley dog of
the bunch. But what can you do? I did persevere and continue to
attend class. And she is doing well. I can't believe how awesome
she is on walks. And I also learned a little trick to curb her
barking: a miniature squirt gun. Who knew? But most of all, I
think the classes have helped bond her to me which is really what
I wanted more than anything else. I mean, really, who cares if
she can stand on command or do a formal return? I just need her
to know that I'm boss and that she needs to come when I call her.
+ + + +
I don't know if I've mentioned this, but I got bangs cut about
a month ago. I debated back and forth on whether to do this for
a while and decided to go for it. However, I think it was a bad
decision. I really don't like them at all and they are so futzy.
I can't just pull my hair back for the gym and sometimes when
I wake up in the morning, they are all crazy and standing up in
weird positions. And don't even get me started on wearing an hat
and what that does. I'm even using hairspray for the first time
in years. Not something I really wanted to do, but instead something
I'm doing in an act of desperation. So, as cute as all the gals
out there are with their hip and trendy bangs, this style is so
not for me. Ugh.
+ + +
James and I bought our Christmas tree last weekend and we finally
have it decorated. We really debated about getting a tree this
year because we are heading south to see his family for Christmas
and will be gone for over a week. But we decided to get one anyway
because I just can't stand not to have one. And after haggling
with the Boy Scouts (who does that? are we bad?), we got a nice,
6 ft. balsam for $30.
Of course, finding the tree was easy. Finding a place to put
the tree in our house was another story. The way our house is
laid out, there is just no easy place and we went back and forth
having it in our dining room versus our living room. In the end,
I talked James into moving a bookshelf of ours downstairs for
the season so that we can have the tree in the living room in
front of one of our main windows and I do think it looks pretty
nice. I just love the look of people's trees through their windows
and finally we get to do that, too.
Hanging up lights on our house is another issue. We haven't done
it even though we are the only people on our block without them.
I feel a bit Scroogish. On other other hand, neither of us has
wanted to brave the cold to put them up.
We have started our Christmas shopping. But I still have much
to do including James and all his goodies. It is just that I really
need to balance my checkbook first. I simply don't trust myself
to shop when I don't know how much money is in the bank.
I am working on some handmade presents, too. Knitting and cooking.
Although, even that stuff adds up with yarn and ingredients and
all that. Still, it is cheaper than buying boutique gifts. Not
to mention, the sweat equity that goes into the stuff.
I am really into the Christmas spirit this year. Both James and
I are. We've had plenty of Christmas music playing as well as
a house that smells like holiday pine 24/7. It is times like now
that just make me feel so lucky and blessed.
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