"If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavourable. Favourable conditions never come."
~ C.S. Lewis, “Learning in War-Time”, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses
The end of another Christmas season makes me happy!
I know it's a bit "bah humbug" of me, but I really am glad. I just didn't feel the magic this year. I tried. I listened to Christmas music since December 1st, I watched my favorite Christmas movie, I decorated a Christmas tree like this, and I even did some holiday inspired cooking. No matter what I did to get into the Christmas spirit it evaded me. Maybe that's what happens when you grow up and you stop believing...the magic just disappears. Hopefully, I'll believe again.
Not to say that the holidays were all gloom and doom, they were still fun- lots of good eating and drinking and family time. It was just different. I hope you had a joyous holiday season!
I thought these trees were pretty. They're covered in the prettiness of snow. I'm hoping for a white Christmas.
Christmas cookies make me happy!
If I was going to bake cookies this Christmas these are the cookies I would bake. But I'm not baking cookies I'm baking this!
It's my big sister's birthday today. I wish we could have been together to celebrate....being together just makes everything better.
Sister, I wish for you a magical year filled with love, happiness and adventures!
Love, your litter sister.
This guy makes me happy!
He took a risk and is doing something new and completely different from what he's ever known before- he's creating his happy and that's inspiring.
The first time I had eggnog was sometime during my 20's when I was working for a certain coffee shop. You know the one I'm talking about- you can't miss it, it's practically on every street corner. Now I'd much rather support a local coffee shop but there's something about you know who's coffee that I just love- and mind you it's a basic cup of coffee I'm drinking, no frilly blended drinks for me. Besides those were good times I had working there. In a round about kind of way that's how I met Ebert, so I'll always look back at that part of my life with fondness....well, except for getting up at 4 in the morning, the all too often freak out over a cup of coffee, and the mind numbing monotony that comes with that kind of customer service job. Other than that it was great!
Anyway, from then on I always looked forward to my first cup of eggnog during the holiday season. This year, instead of using cream and milk for my Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, I used eggnog. Unfortunately, the pie came out a little runny although it still tasted good. Next time I need to do a bit more experimenting with how much eggnog I use. Since then I've been wanting to do more baking with eggnog instead of just drinking it, which I'm doing plenty of....just ask my hips.
When I saw this photo I knew that today's post had to showcase the simple beauty that is this breakfast. There's something so comforting and homely about this image. I find myself staring at it. And not because the thought of dipping a thick piece of bread into a dish of sweet, velvety goodness sounds divine, although it does, but there's love in this breakfast. It's that kind of feeling that makes me want to fully give in to the Christmas spirit. Alas, I'm not there yet. In the meantime, I'll just keep staring....
hula seventy, one of my favorite bloggers, is having a 2-for-1 sale of her awesome polaroid prints. Go check out her shop - these prints would be a great gift to share with two of your favorite people, or maybe just one of your favorites so that you can keep the other print for yourself - I certainly would! But maybe that's why I'm on the naughty list this year.
"I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."
~ Charles Dickens
Using my stairway as a second refrigerator makes me happy!
Ok, in one sense it sucks that there are gaps around the front door because it doesn't fit in the frame and all this cold air comes traveling up the stairs to our apartment. But, on the other hand it's really awesome that I can stick a big pot of soup by the front door and it stays colder then it would if it were in the refrigerator. This Midwestern trick is especially useful during the holiday season when I just don't have enough room in the fridge.
I'll be sure to take pictures of this the next time I have a big pot of something sitting by my front door.
Cranberries aren't just for Thanksgiving. I love these little red berries all holiday season long, especially since they're fresh and in season right now. The rest of the year I'm stuck using dried cranberries that I'll just add to oatmeal or cookies, so I'm excited about experimenting with different ways to use fresh cranberries. Here's some inspiration...
Happy Sunday!
"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care..."
We hung our stockings above the fireplace tonight. It looks nice. That's about the extent of our Christmas decorating. It looks a little bare but I'm ok with that. I'd love to have a Christmas tree in the window with glowing lights and a brightly decorated mantel...some day, just not today.
There are 31 days left in 2011. Am I going to make the most of them? Damn right I am!
Happy December 1st!
I have a new project. I want to create this....
....or something similar. Now, I realize I should probably finish one of the many other projects I've started, like this and this, before taking on a new project but where would the fun in that be? Maybe I'll have better luck with terrariums then I did with my indoor herb garden.
"While it's often fashionable to dwell upon what might have been, what's usually overlooked is that really and truly, it couldn't have. Because, invariably, any romanticized versions of how things "might have been," are based upon fictionalized versions of the past."
~ the Universe
I don't know about you but I feel stuffed after a delicious weekend of feasting. The last thing I wanted to think about tonight was what to cook for dinner so it was one more night of leftovers for us. At least we added some sauteed spinach and garlic for a little healthy kick.
I want to begin my week feeling energized, not lethargic and gluttonous, so I've been doing some yoga poses to help my digestive system stay on track. Of course, my favorite pose is child's pose but the other poses have also been invigorating to my sluggish system....just in time for me to start gorging on Christmas cookies.
I hope this Thanksgiving weekend gave you lots to be grateful for.
Happy Sunday!
Today I am thankful. I know I should be thankful every day but it's nice to have one whole day completely dedicated to gratitude. Sometimes I need that reminder to be thankful for all the wonderful people (near and far) in my life, for all the little things that make me happy and for the dreams living inside me that I just know are getting ready to blossom.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I can't believe Thanksgiving is just a few days away. I am so not ready for the holiday season. I think my lack of holiday enthusiasm is partly due to Ebert and I not being able to visit my family in Phoenix this year. This will be the first Thanksgiving that my sister and I have not spent together. Somehow we've always managed to spend Thanksgivings together, which just so happens to be our favorite holiday, but this year the craziness of life is keeping us apart. As the holiday approaches I know it's going to be hard - I'm really going to miss not seeing my family this year. The good thing is that we're spending Thanksgiving with Ebert's dad and grandparents, so at least we'll be around some family. Since it's going to be a small gathering we've decided to not cook a whole turkey and to put a twist on the traditional Thanksgiving menu. It will be a delicious feast and even though we aren't all able to be together we have many, many things to be grateful for.
What are some of your Thanksgiving traditions? This is my family's tradition for the day after Thanksgiving. I hope this Sunday finds you filled with happiness and gratitude.
Happy Cooking!
Two videos to ignite your passion and creativity.
It's a warm Sunday afternoon in Chicago and I'm loving it. There were some flurries of snow earlier this week and my heart sank - I am not excited about winter this year. Hopefully, I'll get into the spirit by cooking and baking. Speaking of cooking, one of my favorite fall foods is the sweet potato...sans marshmallows. The sweet potato is such a delicious and flavorful food why would you ruin it by putting fluff on it? When Ebert and I buy sweet potatoes we usually turn them into fries but after perusing numerous recipes I think it's time we try something new. Hope you enjoy!
Happy Cooking!
Happy Beckoning of Lovely Day!
If you're in Chicago then do "whatever the f%#@ you have to" and get down to "the bean" at 11:11am. Last year was such an amazing experience. We were truly surrounded by magic.
This is to let you know that I miss posting on this blog. I miss writing. I miss reading other people's blogs. I miss finding inspiration. I miss the one moment of not knowing what to post and the next moment an array of ideas come flooding in. I miss sharing and connecting through words and images.
My posts have been few and far between but I'm still here. I'm not giving up. I'm continuing to create my happy even though the monotony of a day job sometimes makes it feel like I'm not. But I'm posting right now to tell you that whatever your dreams may be you must persevere, you must continue on, you must create your happy.
November is National Novel Writing Month and in case there is something that you are writing or want to write I thought you should know this...
