Tuesday, December 20, 2011

A Week of Magical Celebration

You can feel it in the air - the holiday season is here. Hanukkah starts tonight, Christmas is only five days away. But this week is a very special week in my household because of two birthdays. Two years ago today, my youngest son entered the world in a whirlwind (five weeks, plus one day early and faster than one could imagine.) And on Friday, my husband will celebrate his birthday. So, yes the week before Christmas is a special one for our family. In fact, the birthdays tend to be more magical than the holidays everyone else is celebrating.

It's hard to believe my baby is two years old. He entered the world on his own terms, and has proven to us every day that he intends to keep it that way. (While he is always feisty, the last six months were incredibly spirited ... I can tell he's starting to calm down and am eternally grateful.)

During this week I reflect for all that I am so grateful to have in my life, two wonderful children, a good husband, a house over my head, food on my table. It was also special this week, that it was the day I deliver Meals on Wheels. We brought a new recruit with us on Monday (I always love bringing new people along and introducing them to the spirit.) I always have great partners helping me deliver, and this particular Monday, the folks were extra chatty - maybe it's the fact that the holidays are near (yet, the weather is deceptive, no snow, moderate temperatures). Whatever the reason, lots of small talk and great greetings. It only takes 90 minutes of my time a month, but I am so glad that I have the opportunity to give those 90 minutes.

I'm almost finished with all of our gift shopping, and we have baking to do on Friday, so here's to carrying out the rest of a magical week.

Friday, December 09, 2011

The Soothing Power of Red

Red wine that is. There is something poetic about sipping a smooth glass of red wine in the fall and winter. The way it glides down your throat and warms your belly. The delicate fruit that dances on your tongue. The very subtle calming effect it has after a rough week.

I treat my self to wine primarily on the weekends, and then it is typically at most one glass. I used to treat myself during the week ... but it actually made me tired the next day. So in my efforts to lessen my sugar intake, I also decided wine was a weekend-only treat (with exceptions for holidays and celebratory occasions.)

It actually makes the few glasses I enjoy even more special and scouring the wine list at restaurants is an adventure. I wish D enjoyed wine (I'd feel less guilty about knowing that I am only drinking half a bottle in a weekend ... and the other half usually meets the drain in the sink.) Alas, my lovely teetolling husband is who he is, and I embrace that, too.

So, as I sit here and sip a beautiful red blend from France, I hope that you are enjoying whatever pleases you most, too.

Sunday, December 04, 2011

Seeking Gifts of Inspiration

The snow is falling, the air is bitterly cold (no longer the crisp chill of autumn) and we have had our inaugural fire of the season. I love this time of year (not as much as autumn,  mind you) because of the light hustle and bustle and energy. I enjoy searching for seasonal treats, baking (I made chocolate babka last weekend, it was definitely a great labor of love ... but the reward was worth it,) and spending time doing holiday activities with my boys.

Yesterday, we worked on a school project for K -- I am sort of surprised how much the school embraces "Christmas" without calling it Christmas. We decorated a "winter tree" with buttons, felt, ribbon and other odds and ends we could find. It was fun, and I could tell K enjoyed doing the creative activity.

I am also trying to find excellent Christmas gifts ... and I have to say, it's been a bit slow going. I don't know if it's because I am just finding the same ol' same ol' everywhere or what ... but I am having a hard time finding inspired gifts that make me think that people are going to love what they open and their eyes will brighten. Maybe I aspire to give perfection ... which would be an impossible task on its own anyway. I just want to put extra thought into what I select for people and surprise them.

At least D and I agreed to our edible gift creations this year ... but I fear we once again are picking things that should be left to culinary artists and pastry chefs  ... but if we didn't push ourselves, we wouldn't grow, right?