Christmas Confetti

shovel falling snow
icy bootprints, foggy breath
time for hot chocolate

baking soda, flour
butter, eggs, sugar and salt
frosting and sprinkles

the kids are in bed
bags and boxes stacking up
underneath the tree

bright eyes wake early
red and green wrapping shreds fly
Christmas confetti

Things I realized this holiday season

1. I am a control freak in my kitchen. After a big family dinner, one of our friends started clearing and washing dishes. After several failed attempts at getting him to leave it, I let him go at it trying not to look or say anything as he used my special SIGG bottle brush to scrub a pot and as he crammed the dishwasher full of plates, pots, and glasses. I really tried to see the good and let him help. I thanked him for his hard work and really did appreciate all the effort, but after he left I had to rearrange the dishes and rewash the pots. I never really thought that I would care so much, but I guess that has become my territory and I don’t like people taking over.
2. It doesn’t take much to keep in touch. Every year we send boxes of Vern’s Toffee to some of our East Coast friends. At first we used to send cheese baskets when Bingham Hill was still in business. We totally loved the idea of sending something locally made in Fort Collins and beer is just too heavy. After Bingham Hill closed, we switched to boxes of toffee. This year I thought about not doing it. I mean who needs the extra calories and it probably gets boring year after year, but Vern’s make it so easy for you. They keep your list from the last year and all you need to do is add, subtract, and pay. But I must say, it always ends up being worthwhile. It always results in a few phone calls, people who you haven’t spoken to in a while and it is great to catch up.
3. Kids like to be in the mix. My kids are getting older, the girl is 10 and the boy is 5. This year they sat at the table with all of the adults and actually participated in the conversation. One of my husband’s friends actually made a big effort to talk to my girl and I eavesdropped in on an actual conversation about what books they were reading. I loved it! It is wonderful seeing your kids grow up and become real people.
4. My needs are always the first to go. In all the rush of cooking, cleaning, and shopping the things that are the first to get cut are on my personal to do list. This year, my blog writing time was cut. As I submit this one day late I realize that in the future I need to reprioritize. This should have been put above cleaning the bathroom or making sure that the gifts have pretty bows. Next year, I will make sure to place myself higher up on my list of things to do.

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays

Happy winter solstice! This year winter solstice falls on December 21. It is the shortest day of the year, the longest night. Most ancient cultures would have a celebration at this time of year. It makes sense, a needed distraction from the cold dark days. It gives us something to look forward to, as the days will now be getting longer.

The members of our immediate family are self-proclaimed atheists. It sounds pagan or anti religion but really all it means is that we do not believe in a god. We do not go to a church or a temple; we do not celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah. We do believe in family and being good to each other and being good to our friends. We donate to several charities. We celebrate on the solstice so that we will have a family tradition. It is a day to spend together and eat good food and exchange a few gifts.

Unfortunately and surprisingly we have gotten some negative feedback about our beliefs. It has caused me to dread this time of year. Everyone assumes that you celebrate something and when you don’t it can be quite confusing. My kids bear the brunt of it. “Excited about Santa?” the guy at the video store asks. My daughter replies, “we don’t celebrate Christmas.” “Happy Hanukkah then”, he cheerfully perseveres. “Nope” she says not missing a beat. My son who is 5 says, “Santa is not real…” I blush and swipe my card and shuffle out of the store hoping that no other child has overheard.

I worry that they will regret not having a religion and a group to identify with. I worry that they will not appreciate being in the minority – and by choice. So far they seem to take it in stride, just another weird mom thing. Honestly, they don’t really seem to care at all – as long as the Solstice gifts keep coming.

Happy Holidays to all – whatever they may be….

Prawns for Thanksgiving

This year we spent Thanksgiving Day at the Singapore Zoo gawking at monkeys and elephants, riding a boat and an open-air bus, and frolicking in the children's water playground. Six hours later we rolled home digesting authentic Indian food and ready for a nap. It was great family time!

My in-laws know nothing of Thanksgiving Day aside from hearsay, but they did understand that it was important to us. Kitchen pots were clanking as we came through the front door met by the scent of fried ginger and chilies. I cleared the small family table and food began to appear. The centerpiece of the evening was a plate of fat prawns which my husband's father had proudly prepared himself. Also on the menu were chicken, salmon, cauliflower with carrots, kabocha squash soup, and white rice which we all scooped for ourselves from the rice cooker in the kitchen.


I am thankful for the opportunity to spend time with family on the other side of the globe, and thankful that they can enjoy their grandchildren dismantling their non-babyproof home. The meal caused me to reminisce about roasting squid over an open fire on the beach in Hong Kong on Christmas in '96, and I'm thankful for another unique holiday food memory, even though Chinese chicken is a poor substitute for the appropriate glorious holiday fowl. I am also thankful that my parents will come to Colorado for Christmas, which the kids are thrilled about too. And if you haven't guessed it, I will be roasting a turkey!