Today’s mail brought a package of experimental holiday treats from a friend for our review, including marshmallow fluff brownies, black-bottom brandy bites, and maple pecan fudge. The tin looked like it had been run over by a truck en route, but the contents were in surprisingly good shape. Perfect timing as I lie low for this week’s daily radiation treatments.
Category: Holidays
‘Twas on a Monday morning*
It’s Monday morning, time to get to work. My goals for the day are to pack away the Christmas decorations (since it’s Twelfth Night) and hopefully finish the jigsaw puzzle. I’ll also be “a-washing”* four loads of laundry. Meanwhile, “my darling”* has gone to visit his mom for the day, about an hour’s drive away; later, he’ll be “dashing away with the smoothing iron,”* as that is strictly his job. *English folk song.
Christmas 2025
LEGO houses by Dwight. 4-seasons handmade lamp (including stained glass) by a colleague of Dwight’s as a retirement gift. Tree (Minnesota deadfall cherrywood) assembled by Tom. Christmas meal: a joint effort.
A tale of two fishes
My walk included four stores for a few last-minute items. Here, I eschewed the lutefisk, preserved in sodium hydroxide and favored by descendants of Norwegians who want to re-create a better time when there was no refrigeration. I did pick up a tub of pickled herring, though, preserved in vinegar.
LEGO welfare check
Dwight had minor hand surgery this morning (carpal tunnel release). Some time after he disappeared into the den this afternoon, I decided I’d better do a welfare check. Despite the surgery, it turns out he’d been busy staging this LEGO Christmas village.
Mid-century modern: serious business, except when it isn’t
Mid-century modern is taken seriously in these parts, except when it isn’t. Walked through neighborhoods of homes, some that once belonged to Hollywood royalty, generally left undecorated for the season, presumably in pursuit of consistent taste.
A recurring symbol of the season
Our Christmas cactus suddenly appeared in a nook in our home today. Now that it’s starting to flower, Dwight decided to give it this more prominent spot. We reckon the plant is over 60 years old.
Deconstructed turkey served with gratitude
We’re quietly celebrating this Thanksgiving, and the centerpiece of our meal is Dwight’s stuffed turkey thigh (minus the bone), finished with a rich gravy. The stuffing is equally rich, with about a dozen ingredients, including meaty porcini mushrooms. And we have plenty left over for another meal.
Starting the Year Right
Our annual New Year’s Day tradition: walk then lunch at our local. Had it been any colder, we would’ve ditched the walk and gone straight for the warmth and refreshments.
Our Hogmanay Tradition
Installed VPN on the TV so we can ring in the New Year with TVE 1 (Spanish TV) at 5:00 pm Central Time, which is midnight in Spain. New this year: optional/necessary automatically generated English subtitles. Our home is filled with the wonderful aroma of sofrito, the base of the paella I’ll finish cooking once it’s midnight in Madrid.