Make a Wish

While I love the holidays, I'm drained by all the travel and busyness. I recharge my body and my mind with time to myself. I need time and space to process one thing before I move onto the next. It's nearly the eve of the New Year, and I haven't even posted pictures from Christmas; I think I'll be posting our final three celebrations together after this weekend's festivities. I haven't had the time to do any "reflection and planning" for the New year, nor a post about it. All of this will have to wait, though, because I can't wait to reflect on one of the best Christmas presents I received this year - one that added to the travel and the busy, but more importantly, it added to the FUN!

I'm fascinated with movies, actors, and the film industry in general. My friend, Cam, who is an actor in Los Angeles, knows this. And, I'm sure he knew he'd be making my entire year, and maybe my life, when he invited me to act with him in a short film that his writer/director friend was shooting this week on the west side of the state.

Cam and I have acted together before...in junior high school. But, I haven't been on a stage in more years than I care to admit. For some reason, he believed I could pull it off, and no amount of insecurity on my part was going to keep me from accepting an offer like this, so Tuesday afternoon we reconnected for an exhausting, challenging, and amazing 17 hours.

Cam and I enjoyed catching up on the car ride and the long spaces between takes. We had plenty of time to cover the five years since we last saw each other, because the sci-fi script required that we shoot all through the night. That part was exhausting, but everything else was just fun. I loved learning how it all works - how long it takes to set up a shot; how many shots from different angels with different lighting are required for just two or three lines; how an actor has to not only get into character and deliver lines, but also move to just the right spot on the floor and look at just the right spot, which might be high above the head of the person she's speaking to and might change at any given time; how insanely hard the director and crew work. I remembered how much I used to love being on stage, how much I enjoy acting (even if I never considered myself a very talented actor), how much I miss working with a group of people on something creative. I was definitely challenged, though. My nerves held me back in the beginning; I worried that my amateur status would show through too much, that I'd be letting everyone down with a less-than-believable performance. I won't really know how I did until I see the final product. Thankfully, I was just one small part of the big picture. Cam gave a phenomenal performance, and I have no doubt the movie-makers will craft a spectacular picture.

I know I'm failing to include a thousand details of the experience. My body and mind still feel so jet-lagged. But, there's a small bit of adrenaline left over, and that will have to keep me going through one more weekend of travel! I'm so grateful to Cam and Geoff, the director, for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this. I took a risk (and so did they); I learned, grew, and challenged myself; I had SO MUCH FUN. If I'm ever given the opportunity, I can't wait to do it again.

Preparations

It's past this Santa's bedtime on Christmas Eve, but Blake and I are finally relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine, and I just need a few minutes to enjoy the quiet before we wake to a very excited little girl tomorrow.

This week has been full of Christmas preparations - baking, cooking, sewing, putting together, and wrapping and wrapping and wrapping. It's both fun and exhausting. It's mostly fun, because I know we'll see a priceless look on her face Christmas morning, and because Anna has really enjoyed the preparations this year. She's been begging to drive around to look at Christmas lights after our first time out last week, so we went again tonight. As we'd pass each lit house, she'd exclaim "Wow!" or "Look at those lights!" over and over again. She's immensely excited about the one thing she really wants for Christmas - a colorful ball - and she's let us know that Santa is bringing it all the time. She's also loving giving gifts to us. Her excitement couldn't be contained (and the surprise thing isn't totally clear to her yet), so I know at least one thing I'm getting tomorrow! Anna was ecstatic about leaving cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer tonight, too. She carefully selected three very special cookies for him this evening just before bed. I can't wait for tomorrow morning!

Wrapping THE colorful ball, among other things.

Lots of sewing this week. I made eight new puppets - two new ones for Anna and some for her cousins.

Little hands hanging stockings.

An afternoon in the kitchen, making beef bourguignon for Christmas Eve dinner. I love this picture of Blake in an apron...kinda hot!

Our last bottle of wine from our 2005 Napa trip. One of the best we've ever had.

Sneaking a cookie while putting them out for Santa.

Carefully selected cookies for the big guy.

Stocking, eaten cookies, a new sled from Santa, and a note from him, of course!

Presents...

Santa was here!

Books We Love, December 2010

December is almost over, and we've been reading non-stop. While Dr. Seuss is ever-present, the holiday stories are favorites as well. These two books top my list. Anna loves them too, along with Biscuit and his beach ball on Christmas Eve (not one of my favorites after the 100th time through).

The Bird in Santa's Beard was given to Anna by her Grammie Jan before she was born. We love the real photos and the story behind so many Santa look-alikes running around.

The Spirit of Christmas is another remarkable book from one of our favorite authors, Nancy Tillman. On the Night You Were Born made us fall in love with her words and illustrations and made us cry, of course. This one is no different.

Introducing...

Sylvie

This is Sylvie, Anna's new bunny. Katie came today with this gorgeous handmade gift that she knitted for Anna. Isn't it amazing? I think this is going to become a favorite - it's already one of mine.

A blurry Anna and Katie. I know they are looking at Katie's fiance, Saleem, but I'm not sure what they're laughing about. It may be that she's just thrilled with the new ball Saleem brought for her!

Night and Day

Last night we celebrated our first Christmas - one of many. Mo and Papa D, Aunt Meg, and Aunt Kaity came over, and we spent the afternoon opening the pile of presents under the tree, playing with our toys, and of course, eating. Blake grilled steaks for dinner, which were some of the last from our 1/4 cow, made a delicious beet and apple salad and grilled asparagus to go with Mo's yummy scalloped potatoes. We finished the evening with Pots de Creme, a recipe which I need to post, as it's become a staple in our house. Anna was in remarkable form the entire evening, enjoying our company and her new play things. We were thankful for the time with family and the ability to give and receive so many wonderful gifts this holiday.

Less than interested in posing in front of the tree.

The doctor is in. This was not a Christmas present, but something Mo found ages ago that I was waiting to pull out of the closet for role play prior to a potentially traumatic allergist appointment. Anna found it yesterday morning. Needless to say, it was a hit.

Listening carefully.

Finding all sorts of things in Mo's ears.

Mo opening her tickets to see The Color Purple at the Fox Theater in April.

Anna's new dolly changing table and swing. She loves this swing and wants to climb in herself.

Yippee! A new sewing machine. I hope to be sewing A LOT after the holidays. Thanks Mom!

Story time with Aunt Kaity.

Playing with everything on Aunt Meg's lap. This orange mass of plastic on Anna's lap is a big inflatable bouncy ball with handles that Anna lugged around all night. It was probably the favorite gift.

And, then, after a restful night of sleep, Anna woke up a totally different kid. She was complaining of her sore tooth, but after snuggles in bed, a very shaky little girl wanted to guzzle water. Whiny, shaky, excessively thirsty...I was pretty sure she was going to vomit. Sure enough, it came after a couple of saltines. So, we've been snuggling, watching TV, reading books, and taking small sips of "special juice," hoping that this one passes as quickly as the last one, just over a month ago.

A familiar scene lately...covers off the couch cushions and in the laundry.

Anna's special juice - Pedialyte with a little white grape juice, which she scoops into a shot glass, so she only takes little bits at a time.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

It's the holidays, so we're baking cookies for gifts, gatherings, and of course, for our own enjoyment. Blake has been asking for chocolate chip for a while, so these were at the top of the To Make list. There is nothing healthy about these cookies, other than the fact that they are made with organic ingredients. It's my mom's recipe, or more appropriately, the one I grew up on, and they are, in my opinion, the best chocolate chip cookies around. It actually comes from an old Better Homes and Gardens cook book - the recipe in my more recent edition is different, and not nearly as good.

The one change we made was to substitute butter for shortening. This makes a totally different cookie, one that I don't like nearly as much as my moms. But, we don't eat soy, so Crisco is out, and we didn't have palm oil shortening on hand. And, butter is just a healthier alternative.

Mo's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup shortening (or butter)

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 egg

1 tsp baking soda

2 C flour

1 1/2 tsp salt

1, 12 oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream the shortening and sugars together. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Sift together dry ingredients and stir into the creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased (or parchment-lined) cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. *Note, I baked mine for 8.5 minutes after the first batch came out a bit too crunchy for my taste.

Counting Down

Counting down the days until Christmas...

Decking the halls.

Writing letters to Santa.

Drawing and painting pictures for friends and family.

Seeing Santa (from Mommy's arms) and telling him a colorful ball is THE wished for present.

Eating Santa's candy canes.

Making snow flakes.

Making homemade tree decorations with Mo D.

Catching snowflakes, making snow balls and snow angels, and sliding down snow-covered slides at the park. (Photo courtesy of Daddy's phone).

Happy 80th Great Mo

Great Mo, or Grandma Lower, turned 80 on December 7th. Mo D threw her a grand open house on Saturday to celebrate her 80 years, with old and new friends and family in attendance. Grandma looked great yesterday, happy and 80 years young.

I didn't get many great pics. These two, though, were my favorites...

Great Mo, Mommy, and Anna

Grace, Krysha, Great Mo, Me, Anna

To Remember

The days are getting away from me this holiday season. Not only do we have the usual play dates, play school, appointments, and daily activities of living, but we're also making Christmas presents, baking cookies, shopping, and just generally preparing for the holidays. Add in very little sleep, and there's been little time for blogging...seems to be the way this last month or two. But, I have a list, of course! And, moments like last night are added to it every day.

Last night Anna and I took a bath together. We've been doing this every so often, at her request, for a while now. The last two times we bathed together Anna soaped and soaped and soaped my back, then scrubbed and rinsed it thoroughly with a wash cloth. She carefully cleaned "my whole body" once my back was complete. While she proudly and happily washed, I relished the precious moment and thought about a time, 30ish years ago, when I was the one washing my mom's back in a nearly identical scene.

While I don't remember it like my mom might, I have the photo, and I treasure it. It captures the intimacy of mother and daughter, quiet moments together in the midst of a busy life, a mother's and daughter's love. Next time Anna and I take a bath together and she asks to scrub my back, Blake will be taking a picture. She probably won't remember the moment the same way I do, but hopefully it will make her as happy as this photo makes me.

Mom and me in the tub (the photo has been cropped on the blog for my mom's sake).

No Words

I have no words when I look at this photo, just tears in my eyes:

Watching the flames from the hot air balloon float while riding on Daddy's back at the Saline holiday parade on Saturday evening.

Deck the Halls

Anna, Blake and I wandered through the evergreens at Urquhart's Tree Farm on a frigid, gray Thursday afternoon searching for our perfect Christmas tree. Like last year, most of the full, symmetrical trees had already found homes. So, with numb lips and rosy cheeks we examined each Fraser Fir. Anna clung to my chest and my biceps burned while we debated - too tall, too short, too sparse, too thin - until, finally, we found one that felt like a good fit. Not to mention the farm was closing and we were too darn cold to stay another minute. We had a hunch the tree was a bit "full" for our space, but we decided to chance it. It fits...just.

Finding Frasers.

Trying to stay warm while Daddy cuts the tree.

Happy to have found The One.

Blake had his car at the farm (he came from work), so we put the front seat down and the tree rode next to Anna. Blake was thrilled not to have to tie the tree to the top of the car after the fiasco last year.

The farm.

It was late when we arrived home Thursday night, so the tree rested until Friday. Before we could decorate, though, we had to pay a visit to Morgan and York for fondue cheese, crusty bread, garlic sausage, chocolate, and wine. Just like last year, Anna devoured the pungent cheeses we sampled. We also brought home some of their delicious zucchini soup for lunch.

After a nap, the festivities began. As usual, I tackled lighting the tree. Daddy tackled the homemade marshmallows, using a French Laundry recipe posted by my friend, Emily. Anna helped us both, wandering back and forth between the kitchen and family room, eager to put the first ornament on the tree.

The first ornament, Green Eggs and Ham, is Anna's ornament from mommy and daddy this year.

Smelling the Christmas tree.

We watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Polar Express" while decorating the tree. Truth be told, the decorating didn't end until 11:00pm, when I finally went to sleep.

Mommy, about a year and a half older than Anna is now.

Casualty.

Loving our tree!

A little taste.

Yummy, sugary, sweetness.

The day after. A Saltine "s'more" made with chocolate fondue, marshmallow, and grated orange peel.

We took a break from decorating to gather around the island in our kitchen with fondue forks and lots of bread, apples, cornichons, garlic sausage, cauliflower, and broccoli to dip in our four-cheese fondue. I have to share the recipe; it's the one we use every year, provided by the folks at M&Y.

It says it serves 4-6, but we love to use the leftovers for grilled cheese or on eggs. It is A LOT of cheese! We used a combination of two types of Gruyere, a Swiss Emmental, and Bersblume.

Cheese Fondue

2 lb. Swiss/French Mountain Cheese, grated

1 tsp potato starch (or corn starch)

1-2 cloves of garlic, cut in half

8 oz. dry white wine

4 peppercorns

1 oz Kirsch or other dry fruit-based distillate (plum brandy)

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Bread, apples, or whatever you want you want to dip in your fondue.

1. Mix the grated cheese together and toss with the starch in a bowl.

2. Rub the bottom of the fondue pot with the cut side of a garlic clove and toss the halves in.

3. Add the wine, spirits, lemon juice and peppercorns to the pot and begin heating over medium heat on the stove.

4. When hot, but not boiling, begin melting the cheese mixture in the pot a hlandful at a time, stirring all the while with a wooden spoon.

5. When all the cheese has been melted and is very gently bubbling, remove the pot from teh stove and place on the table over a heat source (or in a fondue pot) set to keep the fondue very gently bubbling.

6. Serve with cubes of bread, fruit, veggies, or meat for dipping. Keep stirring occasionally to keep the cheese from burning.

Anna could barely contain her excitement for the fondue!

Ready to dig in!

After fondue, we all snuggled on the couch to watch a bit more of the "ticket movie" (Polar Express) and to enjoy this:

Our Christmas Tree.