Noticing Things

Today's vibe is cozy. The wind is whipping outside and the trace of snow that fell overnight is swirling and twirling in the gusts. I could have stayed in bed all day and slept longer despite getting a good night's sleep last night. That was not an option. It was the perfect day to break in my new favorite sweater in my favorite color...green. I'm loving the Cashsoft Gap sweaters this season...I feel like I'm wearing a cloud. Sometimes, like today, a warm, wooly sweater sets the day's tone. I wish it were always this easy.

 

I can feel a draft off my office window. The other day, I had the window open. It was in the 50's. Mother Nature has been fickle this season always keeping us on alert with her extreme juxtapositions. What a waste of energy it would be to complain about the weather though. It's so beyond our control. I'm simply noticing things.

On that note...I read something somewhere recently about what happens to us when we remove our phones, or really social media from the constant mix. It's not just an increased attention span and decreased levels of anxiety. It also buoys our sense of presence, leads to more meaningful connections and periods of boredom. But here's the thing...boredom is good and healthy. Those empty spaces are when we reflect, dream, process, notice things, create and give our complex brains a break they very much need. I know social media isn't going anywhere, and that's why it's up to me to set limits and notice when I need a break. I'm currently not active on any platforms. My guilty pleasure has always been Instagram, but it's not what it used to be. I notice the way the internet makes me a dopamine junkie in a way that is not productive or particularly healthy. Better choices are to do something or to make something tangible. To check in instead of out.

This week is flying by just like last week. There's been a barrage of activity at Casa Wags. Lils is still home and her friend has been staying with us. Grecia is family and a pleasure to host, and she likes to cook so she's been keeping me on my game. The frig is so full of good food that I won't be needed in the kitchen until next week when I'll be back to cooking for just two, but I'm pretty sure I'm having leftover birthday cake for dinner without an ounce of guilt.

Last night I made a loaf of peasant bread and two trays of sheet pan chicken. It was Grecia's birthday and the girls were going out so I wanted to give them a good base. They passed...they weren't hungry, they had other things on their minds, but fresh baking bread, smoky chicken and thyme roasted veg are impossible to resist. One after another they were lured to the kitchen for a nibble, a taste, a plate. Feed them and they will come. It's my stealth and secret weapon.

I know that this is not a celebrated time of year for most people: post-holiday, mid winter, but I'm not plagued by the blahs or the blues. I confess I may even love it. The clear calendar, the slow and steady banality of normal days, the most taxing decision being what soup to make or book to read, and lots of time between pages to look out the window and notice things. 

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Dry January (pic taken in December)

 

A good and quick week back to work.

Getting up early this morning to take Ted home. We stopped for Starbucks. I love time in the car with my kiddos. They play me the new music and spill some beans.

Ted showing up at 11 o'clock pm...after basketball...staying for dinner and them spending the night.

 

Pistachio lattes.

Remembering George Ezra's Barcelona...A native man sang in a foreign tongue, I still ache to know the song that he sung. We also sang along to Dear Theodosia, one of Ted's favorite songs from Hamilton. Mine too.

Hugh Jackman. 

Gus and Hazel playing hide and seek and chase.

Snow in the weekend forecast.

Trees are still up and I have no plan to take them down.

 

 

Starting a new book and committing to regular reading in 2026. I have a healthy stack to get me through.

My true and constant companion.

 

 

Lightning Can Strike Twice

Sometimes all we need is popcorn for dinner and a cathartic cry. I bought last minute tickets last night for the movies. On Tuesday, tix are discounted and popcorn is free. It's a no brainer except we've been watching so much television these days and even when the price is right most blockbusters are lackluster these days and my own family room is so damn comfy. Anyway...Mike and Lils were a definitive yes so we went and I'm so glad we did. Song Sung Blue was a little gem of a story that hits very close to home. I have been in Lightning and Thunder's audience on more than one occasion. I smiled and laughed through the first third as did most of the theater, I sang and danced in my seat the second third and I ugly cried through the last third not just because it was heartbreaking, but also because it was beautiful even if not very accurate. The ending was sad, but not hopeless, and I have to admit that I'm glad Marty Supreme was sold out because this love story was more fitting for my craving for emotional depth. Even Lily who really only knows Sweet Caroline thanks to the UW marching band, gave the film rave reviews. Mike too.

Sometimes we watch to tune out. Others to tune in. To feel and remember what it means to be alive. Pathos has it's purpose. It's a good reminder and without it we wouldn't know bathos.

That's enough for me. 

Happy

On the way to work this morning, I settled on the jazz station. It's a soupy day that calls for a little emotional depth. It's good to be back to a routine after a long break that started off going and doing and ended with staying and doing very little. It was easy, although not guilt-free, to sleep in after staying up late binge watching The Walking Dead, ignoring to do lists and existing on a diet of coffee and Christmas cookies by day and wine and cheese by night. The calm after the storm is even more peaceful. 

I baked off the last of the dough New Years Day and finally delivered tins to the neighbors as is tradition even if a little late. I thought about having an open house, but after a late night at the Weslow's NYE, I knew I needed to stay in my PJs all day. I decided to clean out the refrig and put the dregs to good use. I made two big pots of soup, which is also a New Years tradition. I have been searching for my kitchen mojo without luck ever since we became empty nesters. I remembered what I love about cooking while my soups were simmering. Lils was all about the Italian concoction with gnocchi, sausage, tomatoes and spinach. Meryl went for the cabbage, potato, ham and dill option. Mike and I couldn't pick a favorite.

I thought my return to the kitchen may have been a blip, but last night I made a hearty pot of coq au vin and it had me complimenting my own cooking. Lils even had a bowl and she rarely eats what I make these days, but the smells of the caramelizing carrots, herbaceous thyme and sage and bay, and the rich wine broth made it impossible to resist. Served over mashed potatoes it was the perfect rainy January meal.

 

Yes, rainy. The snow that seemed to fall all last week long creating the perfect hygge backdrop has melted. We're in the midst of a January thaw. Ted, my jet setter, had lots of powder in British Columbia where he rang in the new year. At the end of the month, he is going on a two week trip through India. Someone recently asked me what our travel plans are for this year. Unapologetically, I will be staying close to home. The only trip we have to plan is a visit to see my aunt and uncle in Arizona. Portugal 2027 is the goal though: Wegehaupt/Weslow family European vacay.

Lily pulled the trigger on a three week trip through Europe post graduation. I knew she would and I'm glad she did. They are going to all the places they missed, but wanted to visit. The itinerary is Krakow, Berlin, Vienna, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Split and Greece. Not too shabby. She was able to postpone her start date by a couple weeks to make this happen.

I'm well aware that while May seems like it is far in the distance, these months will carry on with a momentum all their own. I don't want to speed the plow. I don't want Lils to wish away her final semester and I don't think she will. The college years are liminal. There is a definitive beginning and end. You embark on the journey while a kid and come out with expectations of adulting. It's a lot and even to this day I remember just how much. It's a noble, sought after transition, but a little last hurray is valid.

Truth be told, my kids and so many of their friends are much more mature, motivated, and with direction than I was at this junction. Gen Z gives me hope. All of this makes me happy.

Christmas 2025

I'm finally able to spend some long overdue time here. There is a welcome pause in celebration - Christmas and birthdays - and I find myself reflecting with a grateful heart for Him...them. It was a long, full stretch of merriment. I'm craving a little quiet on cue. It's snowing. All the twinkle lights are shining bright and we're holed up in the cozy family room with cats in laps...Hazel in mine and Gus on Lily's. Our lofty goal this break, or one of them, is to watch all eleven seasons of Walking Dead. We're already in season three. I'm pretty sure we'll make it through whilst Lils is home.

 

I love this week between Christmas and New Year's. It's the right mix of celebration and contemplation, saying goodbye to what was - the good and the bad- and looking forward to what comes next, God willing more of the former than later. That is my intention as much as it's within my power. Much is. More than we think. 

  

Casa Wags was Christmas central this year. We hosted the 24th, 25th and then the 27th, and were happy to do so. We aren't hosting tomorrow. We definitely reached our limit, but it was our pleasure and I'm almost sure we'll do it again next year. The key for me is making a reasonable plan and sticking to it. Accepting help too. And then just letting come what may because while we want to cook the tenderloin to perfection, the candles lit, the just right gifts under the tree, we know what truly defines the holiday is the strength of spirit and togetherness.

 

We kicked off the week of jubilee Tuesday at the theater. Mike mentioned and mentioned he wanted to see Joseph. One would have been enough for me to get tickets because theater is one of my happy places. We went with my mil and Lils to the matinee at the beautiful Skylight Theater. We're all still singing the soundtrack. It was such a joyful, vibrant production that it lifted me up before the holiday onslaught. The worthy end to the afternoon date was a bottle of champs and Candace.

 

 

We spent the next day wrapping each and every gift, which was a challenge and a good guffaw with four curious cats. Lily ran to the store twice. I made twice baked taters and panna cotta, and set the table. Lils picked up Ted and Meryl home from Cali in time for dinner Christmas Eve. There were the usual suspects: boozy Tom & Jerry's, trash talking games of crib, perfectly pink tenderloin and festive crackers at each place setting, colorful crowns, teary toasts and a late-night game. I cleaned the kitchen so I could wake up ready for round two.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Day was a family affair. Ashley made a piping hot and delicious pot of winter minestrone, my dad bought a platter of snappy shrimp, my mom made a salad with seasonal pairs and bleu cheese, Lily made hummus, Mike baked a ham, I made sammies from the leftover steak, and Trader Joe filled in the gaps. I'm getting over my need for homemades. TJ's frozen aps are such great options...especially the bacon wrapped scallops, mushroom tartlettes that taste just like my Grandma's and always the pastry pups. That left time for being present which is very much the point. We did a favorite things gift exchange. It was well received. Everyone left happy and in fact, my Dad stole back his own gift. I would've been happy with any one of them. A competitive game of Imposter was our night cap and I can tell this is going to be our new Wizard-level obsession. Oh, and I sort of am really good at this game.

 

 

 

 

We had a full house Saturday for Wags' Christmas and it was Ted's birthday too. His 25th! Heidi's 24th and Karlee's 32nd this week so we celebrated our winter babes along with Jesus and Santa. I could not have done 3 in 4 days with a smile on my face without the Qdoba hot bar that comes with everything you need for every one. Oh and C Adams for a birthday cake and pie. It was a great end to the holiday season and such a gift to have everyone together.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

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Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

December skies.

 

Lily is home for the holidays. She's home for a whole month.

I waited to decorate the big tree with her. That's our first plan tonight. 

Manny and Murphy are coming tonight because Ted and Meryl are leaving for California tomorrow.

A full house. A house full of cats.

 

 

 

The kids return in time for Christmas Eve dinner.

A full holiday calendar.

The way getting out and about boosts holiday spirit.

 

 

 

A festive dinner in the twinkle-lit village with Jess mid-week.

 

 

Sending her home with dinner for the next night. She missed Thanksgiving so I made her a turkey breast and the most important fixings and her favorite chocolate mousse.

Deliberate acts of comfort and care...as good as random acts of kindness. Maybe better.

I have yet to bake cookies, but I have been back to being busier in the kitchen.

 

Morning coffee with Sarah McLachlan. I broke down and bought a little CD player so I can enjoy all my Christmas CDs. I cannot for the anything stand to hear All I Want For Christmas. And why does every streaming service need to play it every hour?

 

Interactive cat toys.

 

I left work in the middle of the day to do a Trader Joe's run. There was no way I was going this weekend or next week. It was a zoo, but it was worth the hustle because we're stocked up for come what may. The old me would make everything from scratch. This year, I'm good with a few carefully curated short-cuts.

Live and learn.

A date to Christmas shop with my guy last weekend. We killed it and then we stopped for our annual holiday lunch. Beers and burgers and contagious cheer made me thankful we got up and out Sunday morning. 

 

I know where World Market is now.

Our property tax bill actually went down.

It looks like Kamala Harris will be running in 2028.

A little Simon Pearce to celebrate my cousin's engagement.

 

A mid-week catch-up call with Meryl. I love how easy our relationship is. She is the perfect partner for Ted and a seamless addition to the family.

Did I say Lily is home for a month? 

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Leaving work early to take a nap on a gray day with my very own little gray.

Meryl surprised Ted with a trip to NYC. He's never been and I'm so excited for him...them. They left early this morning. I'm anxiously awaiting  more pix, but these make my heart happy.

 

 

A full house again. Murphy and Manny are here for the weekend. 

 

 

 

Grocery delivery. I didn't feel like leaving the house Sunday so I placed an order for the essentials and I was impressed with the whole experience.

Family that has fun together.

 

 

 

 

 

 Girlfriends who know just what you need.

 

Cousins.

 

 

 

 

Yay Boo. Think Hot Cold. We played it Thanksgiving Day and I almost wet my pants. My family is full of characters. Gigi figuring out her task.

 

Legacy Box. I finally pulled the plug on digitizing our videos. 

The first snow. The second snow. Lots of snow this week and weekend too.

Tickets for Come From Away tomorrow with Pete and Sue. I'm hoping we can stop in for a drink at the Pfister before dinner. No one does Christmas like this Milwaukee iconic hotel.

Finding Gus in Lily's bed the day after she left.

Red nails.

Late night Choriqueso for my peeps. 

Thinking about decorating for Christmas. Miss Murph has never seen a Christmas tree so I decided to hold off until after this weekend. We got our tree last night though so the countdown is on.

Christmas at Casa Wags. We're hosting it all and I'm good with that. 

These two.

 

This guy.