The new year is here (in case you haven't heard).
Tomorrow is the last full day we'll spend in Michigan until we come back in August and the leaving is bittersweet, as are most good things in life and chocolate. You see, I have this theory, that the most gratifying of all human experiences are the ones that can best be described with that perfect little oxymoron of an adjective. The bitter comes from a sense of longing, a nostalgia, or some unfulfilled desire; the sweet from a sentimental reflection on your fortune for having been a part of something so wonderful. Often, it's the sweet that gives way to the bitter -- the simple recognition that you want the good times to last coupled with the simpler recognition that all things end -- but this need not be the case. Just experiencing bittersweetness is itself gratifying.
Lane and I are now in a very interesting place in our life together: we leave home to go home. The leaving is bitter because we're leaving our home with familiar places and beloved faces, and sweet because we're returning to a home with familiar places and beloved faces. This entire holiday has been bittersweet as we've missed the people and doggies we love back home in Chattanooga, and have thoroughly enjoyed the people and doggies we love here in Michigan. Undoubtedly, I must admit, going home to Chattanooga will have the same sorrowed excitement attached to it that coming home to Michigan had just eleven days ago, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm happy to say that I have finally learned the real meaning of 'home' and it extends far beyond the common cliche.
As far as I'm concerned, I'm at home when I have my husband and my son in tow and we all arrive safe and sound to our destination. More often than not, we're blessed with a warm reception and this only serves to intensify that feeling of home, but it might be in Chattanooga, or in Grand Rapids, Southfield or Detroit, or Prescott Valley, AZ., or Louisville, KY.. The destination doesn't matter so much as long as we're together and happy and healthy. No matter where we are, all I have to do to be home is close my eyes, click my heals together three times, and poof, I'm there.
Happy New Year to All, and to All a Good Night. Cheers to the bittersweet.
31 December 2010
19 December 2010
Love's Always in Season.
I'm listening to Lee Greenwood. No, not Proud to be an American. I'm listening to his 1995 Christmas release, Christmas to Christmas, and singing along to every word. It's patriotic and sacchrine and absolutely wonderful.
My family has been listening to this album since 1995. I can remember hearing it as early as Thanksgiving and as late as New Years for several years, at least. And while we've never been the sing-around-the-piano kind of family, we will burst into songs from this album at any holiday family function during this time of year. Tonight, I decided it might be a good idea to get reacquainted with the lyrics before heading home for the reunion tour. It feels good to be this nostalgic, this traditional. It feels good to look back on my childhood with fondness, and this album always delivers. It reminds me how just how cheesy and sweet everyone in my family really is (even you, Dad).
I think even Lane likes it a little bit.
Okay, so you're probably wondering how I'm doing with the sugar break. Well, I'm happy to report a very significant decrease in my sugar consumption. I also feel better physically, so I think it's working. In the spirit of Christmas and Lee Greenwood, I did make Lane and myself hot cocoa using this. The recipe calls for a couple teaspoons of sugar, but it was delicious and well worth it. Tomorrow I will be listening to Lee Greenwood again (with Liam) and making those little Mexican Wedding Cakes I was telling you about. I have no guilt.
And because I'm too excited not to share this with someone, a preview... It's not even the best one.
My family has been listening to this album since 1995. I can remember hearing it as early as Thanksgiving and as late as New Years for several years, at least. And while we've never been the sing-around-the-piano kind of family, we will burst into songs from this album at any holiday family function during this time of year. Tonight, I decided it might be a good idea to get reacquainted with the lyrics before heading home for the reunion tour. It feels good to be this nostalgic, this traditional. It feels good to look back on my childhood with fondness, and this album always delivers. It reminds me how just how cheesy and sweet everyone in my family really is (even you, Dad).
I think even Lane likes it a little bit.
Okay, so you're probably wondering how I'm doing with the sugar break. Well, I'm happy to report a very significant decrease in my sugar consumption. I also feel better physically, so I think it's working. In the spirit of Christmas and Lee Greenwood, I did make Lane and myself hot cocoa using this. The recipe calls for a couple teaspoons of sugar, but it was delicious and well worth it. Tomorrow I will be listening to Lee Greenwood again (with Liam) and making those little Mexican Wedding Cakes I was telling you about. I have no guilt.
And because I'm too excited not to share this with someone, a preview... It's not even the best one.
15 December 2010
I'm tormenting myself.
The holidays are swift approaching but, dare I say, they can't get here soon enough.
Inspired by a good friend, I decided to curb my general over-consumption of sugar until we make it to Michigan, where I will briefly allow myself to resume with said over-consumption until the first of the year. It's been about a week and I've done fairly well (until today). Once we turn our calendars to 2011 my permanent move toward responsible sugar fiend begins. For now, I need the hiatus to give my body a break from the constant barrage of mostly homemade sweet treats before the real festivities commence. But man-oh-man how I do miss all my delectable little goodies.
So tonight, as I've completed all the grading for this semester's end, I'm dreaming of the dancing candies and cookies and pies of this year's holiday season. I'm tormenting myself with a small Rombauer volume dedicated to the bliss of Christmas cookies and writing my international wish list.
What's on it? You wonder. Well, ask and you shall receive...
Pfeffernusse, Viennese Crescents, Chocolate-Dipped Mandelbretzeln, and Pastelitas de Boda (better known to Americans as Mexican Wedding Cakes). All dainty little snacks to be served with a rich and delicious French Hot Chocolate.
Since our holidays will be spent in kitchens other than my own, I'm not sure just how much of this list will materialize. But rest assured, there are cookies in my future.
Inspired by a good friend, I decided to curb my general over-consumption of sugar until we make it to Michigan, where I will briefly allow myself to resume with said over-consumption until the first of the year. It's been about a week and I've done fairly well (until today). Once we turn our calendars to 2011 my permanent move toward responsible sugar fiend begins. For now, I need the hiatus to give my body a break from the constant barrage of mostly homemade sweet treats before the real festivities commence. But man-oh-man how I do miss all my delectable little goodies.
So tonight, as I've completed all the grading for this semester's end, I'm dreaming of the dancing candies and cookies and pies of this year's holiday season. I'm tormenting myself with a small Rombauer volume dedicated to the bliss of Christmas cookies and writing my international wish list.
What's on it? You wonder. Well, ask and you shall receive...
Pfeffernusse, Viennese Crescents, Chocolate-Dipped Mandelbretzeln, and Pastelitas de Boda (better known to Americans as Mexican Wedding Cakes). All dainty little snacks to be served with a rich and delicious French Hot Chocolate.
Since our holidays will be spent in kitchens other than my own, I'm not sure just how much of this list will materialize. But rest assured, there are cookies in my future.
02 December 2010
It's all worthwhile.
I have a love/hate relationship with the end of the semester.
On the one hand, there's all the excitement of starting a new semester right around the corner - meeting new students, reworking the syllabus to get out all the kinks, getting new office supplies - what can I say? It's fun. But before all that magic happens I have to get through a mountain of grading - final exams and term papers written at the last minute by students who stopped caring about the class weeks ago, if they ever cared at all. My charm has worn off, my patience is running thin, and I'm not all that great with deadlines. Everyone's exhausted, the students on campus walk around like zombies, hungry and half asleep, and I'm frantically trying to catch up on all the little things I put off until now.
Meanwhile, back at the homestead...
Liam is thoroughly enjoying NOM 101: Introduction to Solid Food. He's mastered the rice cereal unit and has moved on to butternut squash. We're gearing up for the Christmas holiday and planning our trip to Michigan where we'll be spending twelve days with our families back home. I'm nervous about making the whole ten-to-twelve hour drive in one day as Liam's gross motor skills have improved exponentially in the last couple weeks and he's lately very unhappy being restricted by his car seat. I do, however, take comfort in the anticipation of much needed respite and quality time with the people we love so much. Needless to say, it's a very special time of year for us.
On the one hand, there's all the excitement of starting a new semester right around the corner - meeting new students, reworking the syllabus to get out all the kinks, getting new office supplies - what can I say? It's fun. But before all that magic happens I have to get through a mountain of grading - final exams and term papers written at the last minute by students who stopped caring about the class weeks ago, if they ever cared at all. My charm has worn off, my patience is running thin, and I'm not all that great with deadlines. Everyone's exhausted, the students on campus walk around like zombies, hungry and half asleep, and I'm frantically trying to catch up on all the little things I put off until now.
Meanwhile, back at the homestead...
Liam is thoroughly enjoying NOM 101: Introduction to Solid Food. He's mastered the rice cereal unit and has moved on to butternut squash. We're gearing up for the Christmas holiday and planning our trip to Michigan where we'll be spending twelve days with our families back home. I'm nervous about making the whole ten-to-twelve hour drive in one day as Liam's gross motor skills have improved exponentially in the last couple weeks and he's lately very unhappy being restricted by his car seat. I do, however, take comfort in the anticipation of much needed respite and quality time with the people we love so much. Needless to say, it's a very special time of year for us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)