Stay at Home Days and Snow Days

 

Looks like snow.

Over the weekend, the snow we were supposed to get missed us again. I was rooting for at least one good storm, but we only got light flurries and a scant dusting. I leaned into the hygge nonetheless. I made Chicken ala King ala Kathy and invited my brother and sil for dinner Friday eve. This meal, which my mom served in potato rosti baskets, was on regular rotation when we were kids so it's nostalgic. Those little crunchy baskets are no longer. Puff pastry was a good stand in. While the dish is not a looker, it is comforting in the way that #foodislove and #foodismemories. Buttered corn, cottage cheese and a salad with lots of hard boiled egg and French dressing completed the memory. We solved world problems (or tried), laughed, sang and played cards. Ina's brownies were for dessert with a scoop of Haagen Dazs. The weekend was off to a happy start.

Tastes like childhood.

 That sentiment carried on through Saturday and into Sunday. Lots of rest, cat in lap time, family time. I received good news after my follow-up mammogram last week. I didn't realize how stressed I was in the last six months until I got the all clear. I felt immediate relief. The quiet was my version of celebrating, reflecting and giving thanks for prayers answered.

 

After binging several episodes of Land Man, I ended my Saturday by talking to Lily at the start of her  Sunday. She explored Costa Brava last weekend. We pulled the trigger and purchased our tickets to Spain. Now the fun begins...what to see and what to do. The list is long. We'll have to be strategic and there will be things that'll have to wait until next time. Right now, we're hoping to spend a few days in Madrid, then head to Seville for a few days, Granada for a day and then end up in Barcelona. Getting  glimpses into her daily life abroad is a highlight of each day.

My parents stopped by Sunday afternoon for a visit and to bring us some of my Dad's famous Beef Barley Soup and a new Lasagna Soup recipe that I'll take any time he makes it. The fennel and the ham were brilliant additions. I was able to send them home with some home mades. I'd just baked an almond cake and a batch of oatmeal cookies from my latest read: Stir. I'm finding much inspiration in these memoirs with recipes.

 So good.

So temporary. It doesn't last long.

 

Nothing better with a cafe.

Today is a snow day. Finally. I woke up to flurries and it hasn't let up all day long. I've so enjoyed this quiet respite. The boys were working in their respective offices and I settled in with a bottomless cuppa and a stack of books. I watched a movie and stayed in my comfies. There are so many things I could have done, but I allowed myself to do only what I wanted to and to do so without guilt.

 

                                                                      Snow day still life.

Princess Hazel on her perch pouff.

 

Gus is king of the yard counter.
 

I won't be upset if tomorrow is another snow day.

Slow and Steady

I'm working on getting up earlier in the mornings. I'm setting my alarm a little earlier every few days and trying to snooze just once. This morning I had to hit snooze twice. I was in the middle of a dream I needed to reenter. I wanted more answers. I didn't get them, but now clear-headed and de-cobwebbed I realize that there are none. Sometimes a dream is just a dream.

We're also working on eating dinner earlier. I worked a tad late and came home with zero inclination to get busy in the kitchen last night. I asked Mike if he could cook the recipe I planned and he agreed. Sometimes you just have to ask. It was our first foray into Tieghan Gerard's (my new fave cookbook) Pomegranate Sheet Pan Chicken with Brussel's Sprouts. It was delicious and probably even more so because it was made for me. I have to remember to order my own copy so I can return my sil's. I've had it for months. 

I just got a text from Ted asking if he can make dinner tonight. There's no way I can, or would say no to that. Sometimes you just have to accept.

He's been stepping up around the house too. Making his bed. Cleaning his bathroom. Mike, Ted and I started to tackle the basement Sunday afternoon. We made some noticeable progress, and while we're still bursting at the seams, this is a step in the right direction. A step toward less. 

It is my mission to purge the excess. I took a car load for donation the other day and felt immediate relief. I need much more relief. Slow and steady. Discerning and thorough drawer after drawer and closet after closet.

It's all about balance in every facet of my life. And it's a constant effort to keep the equipoise. It's a labor that requires flexibility and forgiveness because some days, weeks, seasons call for more of one thing over another.

I've been open about how clandestine my life's been recently. I've been an unapologetic homebody. I have to work hard to remind myself that this is okay. It's what I'm craving. It's no secret that leaning into the hygge and comfort is natural in deep winter. It won't last forever, although right now I think I'd be fine with that.

This past weekend was another quiet one, but there was just enough noise. Meryl and Manny came. The whole house slept in Saturday morning and we woke up hungry. Everyone liked my suggestion that we go out for breakfast. What's not to like...it was a good one. There is something so indulgent about a bottomless cup of coffee and breakfast to order. It was a chilly, gray day so we had zero guilt for curling up on couches with cats while we digested. We roused for late afternoon to go and do. While the kids were ice skating, I started a big pot of Lasagna Soup. It used to be a staple in the cold weather rotation at Casa Wags, but it's been ages since I made it. When Ted found out what was on the menu, he confessed that he had just been thinking about it. With a loaf of garlic bread, it was the perfect end to the day. We lingered for a card game before gathering in the family room again for a movie. You're Cordially Invited was light and laughable.

Sunday we were earlier to rise and quick to get going. One shiftless day and one tireless. That's balance as far as I'm concerned. We woke to a dusting of snow, but it didn't last long. M&M had to get back to Madison. Hazel missed her buddy and was looking and calling for him. Gus relaxed into his regular goofy self.

 

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Finishing a book and feeling like I'll be able to complete my goal to read at least one a month in 2025. I used to read several at a time and several a month, but I've had a year long reading fast for reasons I cannot pinpoint so I'm being realistic and setting myself up for success.

 

Reasonable goals. The kind that make sense, move me in the right direction and are empowering rather than demoralizing.

A new pair of Uggs.

A midweek classic...Rain Man. I hadn't seen it since the 80s.

Tickets to see the NYC Contemporary Ballet next week. It's a tribute performance to honor David Bowie. I'm missing my season tickets and hoping that the line-up next season brings me back to the theater.

Comfort food. This Chicken Soup with Gnocchi was ridiculous especially with a skillet of homemade foccacia. 

A midweek family walk on a 50 degree evening.

Lily is loving London. It's another whirlwind weekend jaunt that included most of the newbie musts...Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, vintage markets, Nandos, fish and chips and a pub or two. Tomorrow night they have tickets to see The Book of Mormon.

Meryl and Manny are on the way for an impromptu visit.

Snow is in the weekend forecast.

Last week's SNL. I was LMAO. It's about time.

This sweet girl...Sister One Paw. She sits like this all the time.

 And a few more...

 

 

And Just Gus.

 

Deep Winter

 

I'm fully embracing the January lull. My calendar is quiet. My cats are cuddly. Yes, even Gus who usually prefers Mike's lap. He's become a mama's boy much to Hazel's chagrin so he sneaks on when he can. She's known to shoo him off and stake her claim. 

The days are getting longer and colder. Winter finally arrived, but still not enough snow IMO. It's the kind of weather that calls for the first hot toddy of the season, movie nights and comfort food. I just finished Ina's memoir and was inspired to make her Outrageous Brownies. With a pound of butter, pounds of chocolate and five eggs they are indeed scandalous, but also delicious with a glass of cold milk. I'm a big Barefoot Contessa fan and have cooked my way through many of her books, but somehow I never landed on this recipe.

 

Ted's earned movie picking cred. He's come up with some good ones. I love when he proclaims it's a movie night because I know I'll be entertained and the bonus is spending time with him. I love having him home and while I know he'll likely be moving out sooner than later, later is fine with me.

We're all living vicariously through Miss Lils who is traveling the world and loving it. Thank God for FaceTime. This past weekend she was hang gliding in the Swiss Alps and making chocolate. The weekend before she was eating pasta, pizza and gelato, touring the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel. She leaves for London on Friday. In between weekend jaunts, she's getting to know Barcelona and eager to see the rest of Spain as well.

When I look at her itinerary, I feel very boring, but it's okay because I am dull and happy. A good free day is a lazy morning, crossing a couple things off my to do list and then come what may. The biggest decision of the day is do we go out or order in.  Last weekend we invited Pete and Sue over last minute. Mike picked up Mama Mia's and we had a chill, fun night at home with friends. Sunday we accepted an impromptu invite to meet the fam for lunch in the fifth ward. It was sort of perfect. And here we are fast approaching what is sure to be another slow weekend and that's perfect too.

 

  

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Technology. Being able to connect in real time with Lily as she travels abroad is just the best for my mama nerves and also such fun for me as a wannabe traveler. I feel like I'm with her as she visits La Familia Sagrada one day and the Colosseum the next.

 

Opportunity. She's in Rome this weekend. They booked their economy flights, packed their tiny back packs and are having a big experience in their first foray out of Spain.

 

A house all to myself last night. Mike was out and Ted went to Madison. I made a naughty grilled cheese for dinner that I shared with Gus and I binge watched Nine Strangers before tucking into bed with my girls Hazel and Ina.

Back to the books. Ted inspired us to commit to reading every day for 75 days. Yes, Ted my son who has never been a big bookworm. I have missed this ritual of curling up with a good read and a cuddly cat so I must thank him.

Memoirs. One of my favorite genres. Ina is someone I admire so this book is a good fit for me.

Moving. Another intention for the new year is to do this more. Mike and I bundled up and took an end of day walk yesterday and it was a reminder that even when it's cold, there's nothing like fresh air for PMA.

Getting shit done. It's a theme at Casa Wags right now. Last week, I whipped Lil's room into shape. I started with her room because I was missing her and being in her space felt good. And also because I've no earthly idea where to start in my own room.

 

Cats in costume. These are their new looks. I think they wear them well.

Two dates last weekend. Friday night Costco run followed by dinner out with my brother and sister-in-law. Saturday night dinner with my guy at a Thai restaurant we have wanted to visit for years. It was fantastic.

 

Zero plans for this long, frigid weekend aside from deChristmasing. Yes, our trees are still up and lit and yes, I will miss them, but it's time.