Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Virtual Cocoa


Rather than repair our bed, unload the dishwasher, clean the counters, prepare for dinner, tackle laundry, and weed the garden beds, I thought I could sit here, and make believe that you and I are sharing a cup of hot cocoa at the kitchen table. We could talk about your plans for the day, and what you'll make for dinner. We might look at my kitchen curtains and agree that they are not my style, and dream up a better choice, that I may, or may not put up someday. I'll make a note of any books you suggest I read. You can have some eggs to take home with you. I'd be so thankful if I could unload some dilemmas I have about summer… turning one travel adventure into two, dividing ourselves between the two places we want to be. Oh, and my other first world crisis: Do people really celebrate wedding anniversaries? Because I cannot muster the nerve to figure out whether or not, or how, to do this, but naturally there is a vague suspicion that I would love to look back on happy memories of a garden party, friends, laughter, romantic touches. Perhaps you'll interject and suggest I either 'look to Pinterest for inspiration,' or equally supportive, that I 'lay-off Pinterest, for goodness sake.' Maybe we can talk about raising children, living with young adults, living under society's microscope, and the gnawing feeling that it's not really possible to get things done right. Let's both agree to quit following any links with headlines that read: 10 Things You Are Failing At, 5 Ways You Are Wrong, Your Diet is Destroying World Peace, or 24 Secrets of The 1%.

The fog has cleared, we watched it rising off the lawn, and retreat away into corners and places beyond our view. And it's another blue-skied winter day, with no rain in our forecast. Oh, how I do wish it would rain. Thank you for sitting a while, for telling me your thoughts, and caring about mine.

12 comments:

Dallas said...

Sounds lovely! I would tell you about the amazing handmade marshmallows I had the other night, try to explain the excitement and yet aloneness I feel about preschool education, and brainstorm some of the sewing projects I've been thinking about for next month.

ArtyZen said...

I really should live nearer....I do miss you! Axxx

Kim said...

Although we don't fall into the 1% in our county, I think we do fall into the top 1% on our planet; us with our first world problems. It's all relative right? Our first world problems are important (although I am embarrassed about the things I fret about) and I find that it doesn't help to try and wish away my feelings because I'm embarrassed about living in the first world. BUT! I do try and keep perspective so that I can make room for gratitude and keep being productive so I can help those who need it. Oh I wish we were neighbors so I could pop over for some discussion over cocoa. It sounds so nice.
About the wedding anniversary party…I say celebrate! The fact that you & Geoff are still crazy about each other is something special and it deserves to be celebrated. I think you should go crazy on Pinterest until you're sick of looking at another cute idea and then throw it all out the window and proceed in your normal Bird House Fashion. From what I've seen, your family does not need any help in the creative department, especially when it comes to partying!

Kim said...

Also, I have made this twice in the last month and it's so good!

http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/02/toasted-coconut-shortbread/

And I am in the middle of reading The Whole Brain Child (an interesting parenting book, so you know…kind of like homework) and getting ready to read Fall of Giants (I love epic fiction novels!)

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

I've long _worried_ that handmade marshmallows are exceptional. Darn.
I wish I could say the aloneness part gets easier… I still miss the children when they're away. To compensate, it is exciting to see them grow, and discover! Are you sharing sewing plans at your blog… you may very inspire me to jump back into my sewing, too!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Annie, you are dear, and I miss you, too.
Let's meet for cocoa more often.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Good thoughts, and perspective. Although I feel embarrassed about the "little" things that stress me, I find that a sure way to reduce my anxiety is to share the problem… however big, or small, I feel better when I let it out. And Kim… you have given me wonderful support when I have been in a fret. Thank you.
I really am tempted to celebrate… but I keep trying to think of way to mark the day, while not making it a "look at us" event! Know what I mean?

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Recipes and books… I am Googling, and following links!

Unknown said...

Reading this was like a mini vacation in the middle of this hectic Friday! Thank you! :)

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

And we got rain!
What a pleasure.
I hope the weekend
gives you a respite from hectic times,
and an even longer feeling of vacation.

Dallas said...

The marshmallows were at a restaurant. They served them slightly toasted, aside a salted carmel and candied nut ice cream sandwich -- so delicious! The preschool ed aloneness is actually not feeling separated from my kids. Instead, I feel alone in my interest in preschool education. There are so many blogs out there that do share my interest in simple play, sensory exploration, unschooling, child-led emergent curriculum, etc, but I don't have in-person friends who seem excited to talk about these kinds of things. I haven't shared any sewing plans yet, but I plan to in the next couple of days.

Jennifer said...

And I am all in! (Seriously, having the same anniversary dilemma thing out here -- coming up in May; what, if anything, to do?) As usual, we're just the same, you and me. Miss you~~~