Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Hint, hint...shrimp from The Cooking Guy - Sam Zien or 150 Grand Cafe, 'cause I am just so darn easy to please.

Bill and Alison were in town for Christmas. Taqueria Baja was left to fend for itself, so we could enjoy the company of these two fine people. They managed to squeeze in a lot of activities and visiting in to their short stay. Our time together was spent at Pipes, San Dieguito Park, our place for Christmas Eve, Original Pancake House, then trying archery and even a little Karaoke Revolution.



Tuesday, December 28, 2004

I just tried Googling "Ginormous Tin" just out of curiosity. There were more than 600 sites that included the phrase "Ginormous Tin," including this one: Feet Firmly Planted: 12/01/2004 - 12/31/2004 It's a Blog. I'll have to check it out. We may be kindred spirits.
There were very many presents to discover, but some presents stand out more than others, and not always for obvious reasons. At this time in my life when sleep is a dream, and cooking is an Olympic event, this gift from aunt Carol has been the most appreciated and celebrated: Behold the ginormous tin of popcorn:



This is no ordinary tin o'corn. It is from State Street in Madison, Wisconsin. It is fresh, flavorful, filling and fulfilling. It brings gladness and hours of merry munching. It is also empty. Must I return to the kitchen and try my hand at homecooking? NO. There is a phone number on the inside of the lid. By the grace of God and all that is merciful, they must ship.

We love our new toys and games, the books, REI gift cards, S'more supplies, tea bags, lotions, Maps on CDs, and the citrus juicer, but we will have the strength, energy and stamina to appreciate all these blessings better, when a new shipment of popcorn comes overnight delivery.

Monday, December 27, 2004

Winding-Up Another Year...

It is easy for me to look forward to Christmas. I love the holidays, the chill in the air and the warmth of family gatherings, friends sharing traditions, and the lights and music. I love the hope and promise of good will. For a while it may feel like Christmas is a long way off; hundreds of days away. And when we begin to count only a handful of days, when Advent calendars come out and paper chains are constructed, I get a wonderful feeling of anticipation and pleasure.

The days after Christmas come without fanfare or anticipation, and they come as a bit of a shock to me. What? It's the 27th? Already? Normally I would be looking at our Christmas tree and dreading the dismantling of our once glorious symbol of cheer. Poor tree... this year it was hurled over the balcony on the 23rd, because it looked like self-igniting kindling. So, now it is time to think about the new year, and New Year's Eve. Dick Clark's invitation must have been delayed in the mail, so we will dream up our own special celebration, maybe something with sparkling cider and ham. But it seems to have come too soon, and I feel caught off guard. So much energy and effort went into Christmas and accomplishing all the magic entailed in the Santa event, that I feel as though we deserve a week of nonevents and a halt to the passage of time. We ought to be able to gather our thoughts, and have ample hours for finding room in our home for the new books, toys and gadgets.

Wow. It's the 27th. There are only 4 days left in the year 2004. Will I make a new year's resolution? Will we stay awake until midnight, or pass out at 9 p.m., and then wake-up again with Maria at 3 a.m.? And what's to come in the new year? I hope for peace, and out of town guests, maybe some resolve about where we will live, and a clean garage.

363 days 'til Christmas.