Oh dear. I have been missing haven’t I? I had a draft started about the perils of gift wrapping (well, mainly it was just about how terrible I am at it) but I didn’t even get around to finishing it.

I have no excuses. I mean, I’ve been busy, for an unemployed person. I’ve had some interviews (keeping my fingers and toes and pretty much everything else crossed about those). I’ve also been doing some Christmas shopping and the like. And I’ve been getting ready for our trip to Mexico.

We leave tomorrow and I could not be more ready for some time in the sun. I’ll be back after the holidays, so in the meantime, let me just wish you all Merry Happy. I will miss you.

Taking Some Down Time

I am watching Paula Deen doing a “Fried Christmas” meal right now.

Seriously. Fried Christmas.

Oh Paula. If I was her husband I’d be sneaking spinach salads every day. She’s pretty much trying to kill everyone she loves. This meal includes a full-on fried ham, loaded mashed-potatoes, fried asparagus with cream sauce, and red velvet bread pudding.

Holy Lord.

courtestypauladeen

This in-between-holidays period is kind of a dead time for cooking for me. John has been/will be out of town for two weeks in December, and when he’s gone, I stick to easy meals like opening up a can of soup. In fact, I’m probably keeping Amy’s black bean chili on the shelves. I love that stuff.

I guess I’m just resting my culinary muscles for the big things, the pies, the casseroles, etc. Oh and for those of you wondering, the chocolate hazelnut pie for Thanksgiving was a huge hit. Will be my new pie for sure. Anyway, yeah. Just resting the culinary muscles. Gotta be well-rested if I’m going to attempt to another pie this month. Two pies in the span of two months. Wow. Makes my stirring arm hurt just thinking about it.

It’s not that I even have that much cooking to do for the holidays, because mostly the older generations in my family still own those duties. I think it’s just the idea of the holidays that exhaust me. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but the decorating, the list-making, the cooking, the dressing up, the parties, the mad dash to the mall, it’s all just sort of exhausting. It’s like every meal, every night and weekend, are scheduled down to the last minute. And for a girl who hates making plans in advance, it can really put a cramp in my down-time.

So tonight, because I can, I guess you’ll find my curled up on the couch, watching Paula Deen fry a ham, and eating a cup of black bean chili. This is what the holidays are all about people.

Things I’m Loving: Holiday Edition

It’s funny how the minute we’ve eaten that last piece of pie on Thanksgiving day, Christmas suddenly appears. Out of nowhere every house in the neighborhood is aglow with tiny white lights, garland decorates every fireplace and staircase, and Christmas music pervades even the most unlikely places (the park anyone?).

I have to say I’m kind of loving it this year. Although I have a tendency to get jaded about the Hallmark quality of this holiday, the often over-the-top displays of consumerism and greed, I don’t feel that way this year. Granted, it is only the first day of December, but so far I’m just giving into the joy of it all. A few of the things I plan on enjoying during this holiday season:

courtesty Pottery Barn

  • The intoxicating smell of cinnamon-scented pine cones
  • Pulling out my monogrammed stockings
  • Wishlistr (such a fun way to make your list)
  • Gift guides galore (found great ones here and here)
  • My Grandmom’s homemade rolls
  • The warm glow Christmas tree lights give a room
  • Stocking up on thank-you notes early
  • Longing after a pretty dress for a holiday party I’m not even invited to yet

What are you looking forward to?