What’s new, pussycat?
(famous black cat image, which I found here)
I’m sorry, little blog, for neglecting you so. It’s not that I don’t care about you, it’s just that I don’t care about you as much as I used to. Harsh? Indeed. And I’ve noticed that many of my friends’ blogs are similarly neglected. Not sure what to do about it, but one option might be to, perhaps, come visit once in awhile, write here, and make more of an effort to go visit my blog friends. Sigh. So, aside from pancakes I made weeks ago, what’s new around here? Let’s see…
Today is St. Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas was known for (amongst other things) secret gift giving, thus being the predecessor of our Santa Claus. And no, he didn’t live at the North Pole. He lived in what is now Turkey. We celebrate by having some Stollen (meant to represent the Baby Jesus, of all things), though we get the more Dutch version, filled with almond paste. Also, dried fruit. Ted says that dried fruit is a work of the devil, and I can’t imagine that Baby Jesus wants anything to do with Satan, can you? We’ll see what happens there. I wonder what Baby Jesus might think of the Dutch celebration, with Sinterklaus being followed around by his slaves, who might take naughty children away to Spain.[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCUHTDrca4s[/youtube]
My birthday is at the end of this month, on New Year’s Eve. Cherry and I went out for an early celebration on Saturday. She took me to the best crab restaurant around, Thanh Long, which makes an amazing roast dungeness crab, and some mean garlic noodles. It’s a special treat kind of place, because the crab is quite expensive, and also because there’s enough butter and oil in the crab to clog up your arteries for good, and that’s without the garlic noodles, which come in a close second. Finish it off with a deep fried banana with rich vanilla ice cream, and yeah, you might want to have salad for a few days after that. Not that I’m going to. We’re having steak tonight, ala Ina Garten, with Provencal butter. YUM.
My friend Aimee over at Greeblemonkey has got me hooked on Florence + The Machine, specifically their song “The Dog Days are Over”. One inexpensive and hopefully thoughtful gift I like to give my friends for Christmas is a ‘mix tape’ type CD, and this is definitely going to be included. I’m wondering about the rest of the album. Anyone know if it’s good? Any other songs you’re into right now that I might want to consider including?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWOyfLBYtuU[/youtube]
Time for a Genevieve update? She’s doing well. She has a bump on the inside of her eyelid that should be removed, but we’re very hesitant to have it done, because she’d have to go under for the procedure. And the thing is, she’s been reacting differently to medications this last year than she did in the past. A pro-biotic she was on for a bit had her totally strung out, pacing the house all night long. An antibiotic she had been on several times before with no issues suddenly had her vomiting. Her vet says she doesn’t want to put her under if we can avoid it, and we’re in agreement. So who knows how that will turn out. But she’s been enjoying the cool winter weather, and while she doesn’t want to go for long walks, once in awhile she’ll start galloping, which is never wise if you’re blind. But on the leash, we let her run a bit, and she seems to really like it.
V-Grrrl mentioned on Facebook how in love she is with SmartWool socks, and everyone who commented on her post said ‘gosh they’re expensive, but I love them so much I’m asking for them for Christmas’, so I bought some for gifts. Anyone else in love with SmartWool? Anyone tried the REI brand, and know if they’re comparable? They looked like they were the same quality of merino wool, but maybe not padded.
Last but certainly not least, today is Richard’s birthday. Wish we lived closer so we could go to dinner with him and Kathy tonight, but since I’m in California, and he’s in Alaska, it’s unlikely. Bummer. Happy Birthday, Richard…I miss you. We’re having steak in your honor. And because we like steak.
10 Comments
--Deb
Oh my, that picture of you and your brother is just too adorable! Hope he has a great birthday!
And, don’t get me started on stollen–baking it is my annual nemesis, and it’s coming up this weekend!
Jimmy
It’s impossible.” said pride. “It’s risky.” said experience. “It’s pointless.” said reason. “Vote Sarah Palin.” whispered the heart.
J
Jimmy…you’re in trouble. (Did you ever see the movie, “Sex, Lies, and Videotape”? One sister says that to another in such a way that I always remember it…)
And my heart would rather be ripped out and eaten by wolves than vote for Palin…
simon
I’ve got the Florence + the machine album and it’s definitely worth buying.
Just wondering – how do you know Veronica? I met her when she used to live here in Belgium.
J
Hey Simon, it’s been awhile since I met V-Grrl. I don’t remember how we ‘met’, but it was back when she was in Belgium, and I came to meet you through her blog. We’ve not met in person, though. Obviously she commented on another blog that I read, and she was so wonderful that I had to follow her back to her blog. 🙂
Linda Atkins
Cute photo! (And I’m with you on Palin, of course.)
Nance
I think that whenever there is a NaBloPoMoWhatever it guts traffic. People who participate get stuck coming up with daily posts and they stop visiting/commenting on other blogs. November was one of those months. And did I miss a Palin–gag!–reference someplace? (Not that I’m complaining; on the contrary, I’m grateful.) I just feel like I came in in the middle of something when I went up to the bar to get a martini.
And dried fruit in anything is horrible. I vote with Ted. Not too sure Jesus wants to be commemorated by a wad of dough and dried fruit. Ugh. I know *I* wouldn’t.
J
Nance, the Palin thing is just Jimmy trying to get my goat. Pay no mind. Nothing to see. Move along. Enjoy your martini.
Jimmy and I agree on NOTHING politically, but he’s a good guy nonetheless, and spoils his dogs.
CG
At a glance little Julie looks like Maya!
Dad Who Writes
Fabulous poster.
I do know what you mean about posting. I’ve had a long dry spell for a variety of reasons and I think a lot of it is just that blogging hasn’t managed to hold its own in the face of the many other things going on. I just don’t have time to do everything. It symptomatic. Though faced with two hours in a hotel room, I blog, of course.
Songs! I just did a compilation for someone at work’s collection of leaving presents (yes, I put money in too!). You have to include something by the National (Lemonworld) or perhaps L.A. by Phosphorescent. And I’ve really got into glitchy laptop music this year but I’d have to dig into my iPhone to pull out any specific recommendations.
Hmm. Guess I’ll have to do a top ten post (and finish it this year!)