Saturday, December 12, 2009

Here it Comes... The Christmas Extravaganza

A second storm blew in this morning and it brought with it rain and a blast of Christmas inspiration and the energy to actually accomplish a few of the things that I have been dreaming of. The rain was so beautiful. It drizzled for a long while, but in the middle of breakfast it came down in great, satisfying sheets of water. It was our first Saturday-home-eating-pancakes with the kitchen door open rainfall. What a great start to the day.


So. I washed dishes. I did laundry and took out garbage. I showered. Seriously, this has been an amazing day. Is it the weather? Is it finally being in recovery mode? I don't want to over analyze it, but it does matter. When one feels inspired, ready and able to make pancakes and tamales on the same day, it's worth figuring out what forces are at play. I even unpacked more boxes, let Maria paint with real paints, cleaned after making tamales and sewed a patchwork scarf.


And what about this bird cake? Cute.


Escargot?
Hencakes have been around as long as Chickenblog, but a blog friend at "A Cup of Coffee..." shared the genius idea of using a squeeze bottle. We are totally hooked on the squeeze bottle. She gave Chickenblog credit for inspiring her first Zacky-cakes. I just love it when good stuff goes around.


I passed the bottle to Geoff. I knew he would appreciate this creative outlet. Sure enough, out comes a Klein-cake. Not to be confused with a Khan-Cake. No, this is a pancake inspired by the mathematical certain non-orientable surface... you know a surface with no distinct "inner" or "outer" sides. A Klein-cake.

Yup. That's how we roll in the A.M.


Not to out do Geoff, but I too dabbled in the realm of mathematical polyphysic-calculated with integer coefficients thingy. It's pretty much a familiar yet confounding paradox of heat with doughy snowiness. Maria ate it before we could calculate it's relative parameterization. Oh well.


Back to basics. Hencakes. Hencakes, with added flax seed, will brighten your day.

But what about the Christmas Extravaganza?
I was just feeling really perky and excited, because I accomplished so much today and it kind of feels like it will all serve to make this Christmas the best ever. That is all. Thank you, and Good night.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Big Bowl of Comfort


This is the spicy, hot, flavorful, rich, nourishing and delicious soup that was brought to my door on Friday. Friday was turning in to one of those days marked by pain, embarrassment, and disappointment, but Karen caught me from free falling in to the Perilous Pit of Pity. It did not reverse the farces of evil that kept me from celebrating Christmas Moms' Night Out, but it came unexpectedly and with a hug and Karen's encouraging smile and that made the biggest difference in the world. I felt the love, I felt the support and I felt the yum...
mmmm that was good soup.


Later, a second visitor ensured that I stayed well clear of the Perilous Pit of Pity. Seriously, we have got to keep clear of the PPP... it moves around, can sneak up on you and it's mean. But like I said, I had another visitor. Anne came with huge stash of MNO gifts... eat-ables and wear-ables and a beautiful little handmade handbag, a movie pass and a coffee pass. I made her describe Josie's menu, which sounded fabulous... no surprises here. Anne shared the news and fresh fruit and she assured me that the red bench came out fine. Maria found us in the garden and joined us for hugs and chatting.

Hmmmm.

There may be something to this... to these simple pleasures and kind gestures. I do wish I were all recovered and perky and able to conquer everything on the Holiday Extravaganza Wish List, but visits from friends, a bowl of hot soup, a chance to listen and talk... these have been very nice moments in this season of light. A good reminder to myself to lighten up, to ease off on trying to be everywhere, doing everything.

Yesterday I did a small photography job for a friend, something that may take some stress out of her holidays. Today I am visiting Max's school to help with an art project. Our tree has only lights, so far. That's okay. I may be ordering fruit baskets and having them shipped instead of flying around the malls and post office... that's okay too, right? My goal is to get healthy, stay healthy, enjoy Christmas moments, make heartfelt gestures, keep light, calm and merry, and find out where Karen got that soup.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Out With The Bad Air, In With The Good

Name that movie: "Out with the bad air, in with the good. Out with the bad air, in with the good."


Finally, finally, finally. We walked to our park. Our Park! That was Maria's very loud exclamation when we took our first neighborhood stroll yesterday afternoon. I sort of cringe admitting that this was our first local walk. Our neighborhood is well known as a walking area and it is favored by joggers and dog walkers alike. Maybe we need a dog. Just kidding.


It seems that we had no end of reasons to skip going out together and walking down our lovely street. Sometimes rational behavior and duty to chores is overrated. So casting aside our list of "things we should be doing," and ignoring our coughs and other ailments, we bundled ourselves for a family outing. It was wonderful. It was cold. We got to see our neighborhood in a slowed down, relaxed way that is so much more intimate and endearing than the coming and going mode we are accustomed to. We found pine cones and daisies. We met two big, black lab brothers: Tank and Moose. Tank and Moose are new to the area, just like us.

We played in the park and explored the sports field a bit. Before the sun set we started for home, inhaling brisk, fresh, good air all the way.


Looking back, we saw the lush colors of the sunset. Beautiful. I am so glad we got out of the house.


Today it is raining. Long, saturating bursts of rain. The kind of rain that pours and puddles, clears gutters and makes rivers and lakes. The kind of rain that makes us So Cal folks wish it could snow. Wouldn't that make for a wonderful neighborhood walk? Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! All that good air has made me whimsy and wishful!