I am home from the beach. We went for a week to visit my mom and Gil. We go every year for the 4th of July. There were eight of us because each child brought a friend. First time with friends and it was different…good different. A new layer. I baked, we played charades, ate crabs…
It’s Mother’s Day again. I like the idea of a day that celebrates those of us that mother, but the cheezy commercialism of it is a bit much. Some years it flies by. I buy the card, send the gift. My own mother thinks the whole thing is silly, so there’s really no pressure. For…
There is an owl that lives by my house. I don’t often hear her and I’ve only seen her fly over once, but she’s there. I’m not sure why I call her “she”, but I always have. Yesterday morning I was up early, it was still dark, moon and stars still out. It was cold…
I had to go to shopping yesterday. Time was running out and things just had to be done. I went to an outdoor shopping area, so it wasn’t the horrible mall yucky that I make a point to avoid every year. As I was finishing up and walking toward my car, there was a man…
I like to wrap presents. It’s my favorite part of gift giving. There’s nothing like finding that perfect gift, but some years nothing really clicks. The wrapping is what’s consistent for me. The time spent putting together a surprise for someone is always special. The details say something and I have been know to create…
I’m making pies this year for Thanksgiving. If you have never made a pie from scratch, the pumpkin pie is a tough one. I know it looks like a fairly straightforward pie, but it can be a nightmare. You need to hit somewhere between smooth, custardy, pudding and earthy, root vegetable, without falling into snotty,…
Are you getting excited for the holidays? I cringe at this question because it’s asked earlier and earlier ever year. I’m usually not ready, not even in the ballpark of a holiday mood. That cringe starts a wave of self reflection… Why aren’t I excited? What’s wrong with me? Maybe I’m not really happy, maybe…