Gearing Up
I stare at this empty box underneath the large, bold words “UPDATE JOURNAL”. So many things could go into that box. I could say something profound. I could say something funny. I could ramble. . . . hmm rambling seems to be the default choice. Oh well.
Today I made 5 loaves of pumpkin bread and a batch of candied walnuts. This is part of my preparations for Thanksgiving. Yesterday I made close-but-not-quite-fudge. Tomorrow I make spice cake and begin making pies. The turkey is already in the fridge beginning to thaw. I’m enjoying this gradual accumulation of yummy things to eat. I do not typically do this. In years past I took myself to Costco the day before the holiday to buy Fudge and candied nuts and sweetbreads and any other thing that caught my eye. But if I want those things this year I have to make them, so I’m venturing into the wilds of “Home-made” to see if I can find yummy there. Thursday is the culmination of all the cooking. Friday is usually the day to relax and play and eat leftovers. It is also the day that I usually put up our christmas tree.
This year Howard hops a plane Friday morning to go to Grandma’s funeral. The word “funeral” throws cold water ALL over the cozy picture I was building in my head. I’m still going to begin the Christmas decorating, but I don’t intend to have it all done in one day. I think instead Friday will be devoted to some kind of christmasy craft that the kids can all do. Maybe making new ornaments for the tree. Maybe I’ll make them help me sort through all the chrismas lights and find the ones that work BEFORE I haul out the tree. Maybe that will help avoid the hour where I mentally curse the strings of lights while fielding questions about “Can we put the ornaments on now?”
I feel like taking a more relaxed approach to the holidays. It isn’t about Getting Stuff Done. Or it should be anyway. It should be about building memories and connecting with people through traditions. It isn’t about shopping, or even giving. It is about loving.
“Ramble” seems to have segued into “sermon.” That probably means I should stop writing now.