Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

A week of often spontaneous and mostly stress-free celebrating. I managed to let go of expectations and just let it be, and magically everything worked out almost perfectly. Some things I want to remember for next year: five batches of cookies is enough to make festive trays to share with friends, family and neighbors, making a few appetizers ahead of time and plopping them in the freezer is key to keeping gatherings...planned and unplanned...sane, keep the table set and use all the good china and glasses...tidy the house as you go, keep the trees on every gray morning and throughout the night, get fresh air, drink water and get enough sleep, and don't forget random acts of kindness even if you feel too busy because there's always time to make someone smile.

 

Thanks to Lil and my new 40 oz Stanley, I should succeed at staying very well hydrated this year and it is on my growing list of intentions.

Last night Lil, Grandma, Jess and I attended a concert in candlelight in a beautiful old church. A string quartet played a selection of Taylor Swift songs and it was a lovely way to spend the Thursday after Christmas when it's so easy to give in to melancholy and feel dispirited.  

Jess stayed for a little holiday cheer and some of those frozen homemades I mentioned before. Oh, and a slice of Teddy's French Silk birthday pie. He had about three after two bowls of my Pasta Bolognese.

Embracing the pivot. I'd been thinking about making Bolognese since Christmas Eve. Yesterday was dreary and rainy and ended up being the perfect night for a hearty, comforting, one pot dinner.

Ted is on his way to Cali as I type to visit Meryl, who wrote a Christmas card to the whole family that left every one of us touched and speechless. She's a keeper.

Especially after the duo of mugs she gave us for Christmas...

Ted is in the running to be a TA again next semester. It's tight because their are grad students who didn't get fall placements and want a spring position. If the students' feedback is heavily considered, he will be Mr. Wegehaupt again. All weekend he got emails from students thanking him and praising him. I was such a proud mom.

Taking the week off between the holidays. It's a joy multiplier and it makes me feel like a kid again.

 

 Never a dull moment...

 

Togetherness.

 

The Christmas cactus my aunt gave me is blooming bright and it makes me think of her,

Cocktails after church.

Feeding Ted...

Happy Merry

I'm finally coming up for air after a beautifully full stretch of days celebrating Jesus, Santa, family. We're not quite done yet. Today we celebrate Ted. Meryl and I wished him a happy happy in unison at the stroke of 12. She was FaceTiming from San Diego where he's heading at the end of the week. I'm just grateful he's not leaving at the crack ass the day after from O'Hare like last year. He's gotten all Groundhog on his birthday the past couple years. It's really Ted's perfect day and so it's apropos. It goes like this: workout, wings, guys and golf, City Lights for craft beers and curds and then they storm the casino. This year I am waiting to hear the stories from the comfort of my favorite cozy spot. It's pretty awesome though because his squad is a good one...friends from all ages and stages and all great guys. 

And lest I get too complacent, New Year's is also on the horizon. We are always very spontaneous with regard to the ringing in of the new year, but for as long as I can remember, we always pull a little something something together. Last night I was putting together a menu. Today friends offered to host. For a nano second I wanted to push Casa Wags, but now I'm feeling lucky to only be responsible for an ap and some champs. I'll also be bringing the New Year's swag as it is a ritual.

Traditions were in flux this year, but I have to say everything turned out perfectly. We celebrated with the Wegehaupt Family Saturday. For the first time ever, we were the first ones to arrive. Turns out my mother-in-law told my husband 12:30 and everyone else 1:00. My husband told us noon. We arrived at 12:30. Guess I need to add promptness to my 2024 list of resolutions.

It was a fun and festive gathering. Sometimes I miss all the little girls and boys, but I'm so digging these interesting, engaging young adults who are fun to be with in a whole other way. I won't lie...there was a moment I was daydreaming about the day I'm a great aunt (cannot yet imagine grandma), but I'm not wishing away this sweet spot.

Christmas Eve we made a game day decision to take a little Christmas to my Dad and Judy, who was released from the hospital the day before. It was a money move because we had a great visit and I think waiting would have diluted the spirit of the season...a spirit they very much needed after the last two weeks. And because we weren't fussing in the kitchen, we were able to spend the time visiting without distraction.

We hemmed and hawed about how to spend the rest of the night. We were too late for church and uninspired to make a fancy dinner. I suggested we make quesadillas and it was Christmas quesadillas for the win. the four of us played games and were in bed at a reasonable hour. It was a lesson in not letting perfect ruin good. It was so good.

The kids still slept in Christmas morning, but I enjoyed the quiet morning to reflect and regroup. The holidays can overwhelm me if I don't have time to just be...to sit quietly with my angels and ghosts. This might have been the first year ever that we had breakfast before presents. It makes sense though because the kids need their coffees first thing too...albeit they prefer the cold brews. I made egg Benedict with the gorgeous farm eggs Grandpa gave us from his neighbor. I will have chickens when I leave Milwaukee county fyi. 

It's funny...we had fewer gifts, but it took us longer to open the reasonable pile. I can honestly say that I don't miss the early morning frenzy one bit. I much prefer these adults giving and receiving so graciously and thoughtfully. Gus was a little dickens, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Sister Hazel stayed close for the festivities too.

My brother and sister-in-law arrived early afternoon and we celebrated some more. Lily nailed the signature champagne cocktail. I was completely uncommitted to my menu. All week, I made lists, rewrote lists and never really got anywhere definitive. I knew I wanted to mix things up a bit and it all worked out as it always does. I did a couple waves of "fancy" aps and then a simple tenderloin, Caesar salad dinner. My sister-in-law brought the twice baked taters. We lingered and lingered around the table because no one was anxious to get up. This is the way it should be.

Yesterday I stayed in my pjs, under an afghan all day without a hint of guilt. We binge watched an entire season of a forgettable Netflix series and noshed on leftovers and all I want is more of this for the rest of this week...this year.

I Chose Light

A major wrench was thrown in my quest for merriment. Exactly one week ago, I found out that my step-mom, my second mom, was in the hospital waiting to have open heart surgery. I was in disbelief because she's not exactly an obvious candidate, but I was not shocked because I was waiting for something...I just didn't know what, who. The low level anxiety I've been plagued with, finally made sense. You see, I recognize that I am an empath and because I am wired that way I often know things before I know them. Or rather, I feel them.

The good news is that Judy is 3 days post surgery and already out of the ICU. She may even be home before Christmas and while the holiday will be a little different this year, our family has been given the only gift that matters.

There have been many..too many...reminders of life's fragility lately. I've been weary and worn, but no more. Today on the longest day of the year, I am choosing light.

The house is feeling more festive now that Lily (and all her gal pals) are home. After a night out, they woke me up in today's wee morning hours. I could smell the after-bar kitchen concoctions and then hear them giggling, but I wasn't angry. They are just so happy to be back together and I'm happy that they are hanging out at Casa Wags.

Ted will be home tomorrow. He proctored his exam today. His students gave him a card that said Mr. Wagehaupt. I get as much of a kick out of my Teddy being called Mr. as I do out of the fact that his students gave him a card. I never...not once...thought to give one of my TAs a card. While they were crunching numbers, T. was online Christmas shopping. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I doubted any of his gifts would arrive by Sunday because this Christmas our motto is...it is what it is. And whatever that is...is good as long as we are together.

I've taken stock of my baking supplies, without a batch to show for it. I'm hoping to make just a few faves for us and to share with our neighbors who are likely waiting for their annual goodies. I thought I was finished shopping after a couple stops today, but I'll make one more stop for a few last minute things. We celebrate Saturday with the Wags family and then we'll see what the rest of the holiday weekend brings. I'll be looking for the joy moments and bright spots because I know in my heart they will be there in abundance.

I'm Working on it

 

Just me here again to complain about the lack of snow and my lackluster holiday spirit. It's going to be in the 50's for the foreseeable future. The bright side is that I will be able to continue my evening walks, and I don't have to think of what my utility bill will be when it really gets cold. 

I woke up this morning so crabby I could hardly stand myself. I am so laissez-faire about Christmas in 10 days that one would think it's the Guilded Age. I've been preaching the less is more and what will be will be, and suddenly I'm feeling like I want more and nothing will be if I don't plan it. The truth is I'm paring down everything this year and I'm perfectly good with that, but the lengths of my trimmings were not quite in sync with my affection for this season and adoration of this holiday.

The beautiful thing is that it's within my power and it is always my prerogative to change my mind. And contrary to the waning calendar, it is not too late. In fact, one of the most festive weeks is the magical stretch between Christmas and New Years when everyone is home. Our traditions have shifted with kids in college who come home just before the holiday. There's less anticipation and build-up, and while I'm a junkie for the crescendo, I know how to let it linger and linger and linger.

I know I'm not alone. I'm hearing this from everyone in my life from the cashier at the supermarket to my family and friends. Another thing I know is that sometimes I have to act the way I want to feel. This is also commonly known as bucking it up or putting on your big girl panties. Deep to my core I know this practice to work, but I've been stubborn, and I'm a good part German so I can be downright dogged.

I forced myself to put carols on this morning. I'm working away and every once in awhile I hear myself singing along AND I feel lighter, merrier, a whole lot less crabby. I think I'll make a batch of my Irish Cream tonight after my walk, and I may even have a nip. If I'm really feeling it, I may make a batch or two of cookies. Or I might not and that's ok too.

I'm Here

A third of the way through December and the cat's got my tongue. Things in my life are mostly good. I cannot say that for the wide world, but I've been pretty good at tuning that out. The house is festive enough and as decorated as it's going to get, my Christmas Day menu is coming together, shopping is on track, and now I'm trying to carve out time for holiday cheer.

My favorite thing this time of year is to light all the candles and turn on all the twinkle lights, make something festive like Tom and Jerry's and spend quality time with my family and friends. Last night, we had friends accept an invite for dinner last minute. The usual me would have spent the day Saturday making a spread from scratch. This me ordered all of our favorites from Mama Mia's, chilled the wine, and cued up some Christmas crooners. Instead of spending the day in the kitchen, I took care of some things I've been putting off and then took a walk on the perfectly broody afternoon. It was sort of perfect.

Today has been a luxuriously lazy day of watching Netflix and eating leftover Italian in my PJs. All of yesterday's doings made it possible for today to be all about being. A day like this is a unicorn this close to Christmas. I'm so laid back I don't even recognize myself, but I could get used to this.

And because one of the tasks I accomplished this weekend was uploading my pictures, visual evidence of life's goodness forthcoming.