More than I can chew
Why is it that I seem to regularly sign myself up for more than I can reasonably do? Why can’t I be lazy, ever, like a normal person? (And don’t say it’s because I’m somehow not a “normal” person. That’s not an answer.)
Caitlyn’s Self-Image
Last night, Caitlyn announced, pretty much randomly: I’m not just the Queen of Cats. I have wings and a mermaid tail. And I breathe fire! And I have beautiful tie-dyed fur. Meow! Followed by: Time to set the table! That’s my job! And much joyous skipping.
(Almost) First Christmas Tree
This is the first year we’ve bought a tree for Christmas. There’s only been one Christmas since Caitlyn was born that we stayed at home, and getting a tree never made much sense those years. The year we didn’t travel, we decorated the Norfolk Island Pine (which still needs a new home); it made a strange-looking Christmas tree and it meant that Christmas more or less got confined to the sunroom. Not the most ideal set up. We don’t have a large house, though, so finding a tree that wouldn’t render the living room unlivable for the next three weeks …
A day in the kitchen
I read email this morning, and then ignored the computer for the rest of the day. As a result, I’m down to my last bottle of corn syrup and I’m out of almonds. I hand-chopped 6 cups of almonds today, and now, finally, I understand What a Food Processor Is For, although I don’t think I’ll buy one – I don’t know where I’d put it. I’ve bundled up the results of today’s work already, before taking any pictures, so you’ll have to imagine: English Toffee Peanut Brittle (and black beans and roasted squash, but those aren’t quite the same) …
Adding more holidays
Caitlyn came home from school last week and announced, “It’s the first day of Hanukkah! Can we light candles?” I figured, why not? So, our non-Jewish household has been lighting candles at dinnertime for the last week, one more each night. We’ve made a circle of tea lights since we don’t have a menorah, and Caitlyn – without any prompting – changes out the old lights for new ones every morning. I’ve found some blessings to read, and we’ve talked about Maccabees and miracles. This morning, Caitlyn asked for a menorah for Christmas. So, she hasn’t thrown out the other …