"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!
