Plenty

Compared to Thanksgiving a few weeks ago (a well-oiled machine, in terms of planning and execution), Christmas has not gone according to plan.  One of the boys got stuck at school a bit longer than expected, which slowed down our purchase of a Christmas tree.  Lori and I have socialized a bit less, preserving our energy for family matters.  And my eldest son decided to make and give focaccia bread as gifts to friends for the holiday, forcing me to revise my own kitchen plans and setting a new record for the number of household fire alarms triggered by smoke from the oven (3).

For a little while, these curveballs had me feeling kind of bent out of shape, a bit grumbly.  So I took the dog for a walk, and called a friend.  As good friends often do, she reminded me of the obvious:  The holiday plan is just something in my mind.  I can revise it, and no one will really know, or care.  It's a good thing that Henry likes to cook, even if it requires a fan to remediate the smoke, and a counselor to calm the dog made anxious by the fire alarms beeping.  This conversation, as well as time spent with good friends Friday night set me straight.

We have it so good.  And being together is really the only point these days.  The boys are no longer boys, Santa no longer holds sway.  There’s no snow this year.  It’s relatively warm, but wet and grey.  It’s not going to be the romantic, snow globe version of the holiday this year.  So what?

Rather than cooking a big, expensive protein and fancy side dishes we are keeping the food more casual - pasta bar and salad, at the ready all day.  We’re keeping it simple.  Let’s just hunker down, mangia and read a good book or watch a movie.  How many people around the world would love nothing more than to do just this?

Maybe it's the weather.  Maybe it's missing my parents.  Maybe it's just the Sunday blues, given a Monday holiday.  This isn’t a big, deep depression.  It's just a blasé, “meh” kind of feeling this year.  It turns out that every month has at least twenty five days.  If you're not bursting with joy on December 25th, it is perfectly OK.  It is not only hard, but probably counter-productive to try and manufacture feelings that you think you're "supposed" to have for the holidays.  

Anyway, I’m counting my blessings.  They lift me up.  Counting yours too is never a bad idea, you lucky son-of-a-gun.  I hope the holiday is whatever you need it to be, friend. 

Sunday Supper
Given that we are prepping for tomorrow’s eating today, I can tell you that we are ordering takeout tonight.  But here are three solid recipes for heavy appetizers that might serve you well:  Pepper Jelly Meatballs, Conecuh Sausage Pigs In A Blanket (FYI - Ross' Market carries this brand of sausage) and Cacio e Pepe Cheese Puffs.

Sunday Music
Renowned NPR interviewer Terry Gross sat down with musician David Byrne this week to discuss some of his favorite Christmas music.  The interview and playlists of the songs in your favorite streaming format can be found here.  This NPR Tiny Desk concert from The Polyphonic Spree will get you in the spirit, too.   Enjoy!

Have a great week ahead!  Offer support to others.  Make good use of this day.  And let me know how I can help.

Peace & Love,