The Third Act

Happy New Year (just about)!

I managed to accomplish my New Year's eve goal...taking down Christmas and cleaning the house!  It feels soooo good.  You know you're an introvert when having a house all ready to start the new year fresh is more important than any kind of socializing.

Christmas used to stay up in my house until January 6th.  Over the past several years, however, it just doesn't feel the energy I want anymore.  The thing is, I'm not at all sad about putting away the decorations like I used to be.  Maybe I had a better Christmas season?  I don't know.  I enjoyed the holidays but I'm just ready to start the new year.

By the way,  the Mystery Science Theater youtube channel has been having a holiday marathon since Christmas.  I've haven't tuned in much, but it was a real help to have the silly thing on while I was cleaning.

 

 

 

 

slight alteration

I got a bee in my bonnet about the hair cut from yesterday.  It just wasn't quite right.  Wherever that strange inspiration to pick up my little scissors came from, I'm glad for it.  Manically snip snip snipping in front the bathroom mirror, still in my robe and pajamas, needing to jump into the shower and get my day started...can you picture it?  Fortunately it worked out to my liking.  In fact, I'm thinking I should get some hair cutting tools and attempt the full cut myself in a couple months.  What will I do next??

Still liking this Instax monochrome film.  I think I can see some weird tonal aberrations here and there, I'm guessing because it's expired?  Whatever...it doesn't really detract.  And how can I look so different between yesterday's photos and today??  One of the photos is a double exposure, holding my great grandmother "mask" over my face.  Would rather more of her features came through...

 

 

 

new year's hair cut

Let's just say...I'm glad there's a week before I travel out to California, because this looks slightly weird.  I have yet to find a stylist (granted, I haven't tried very hard) to give me a great hair cut.  I get "okay" hair cuts...then I just need to let my hair relax into them (kinda grow I guess).  Plus, I'm getting old and maybe I'm just seeing all these changes.  I mean, I've been making self portraits for over 20 years...I'm not gonna look the same (dagnabbit!).

 

 

 

the in between times

You know what I mean...that seemingly non-linear space between Christmas and the New Year.  It's not a bad space.  In fact it's a good place to float reflections and new ideas.  

Today has been very rainy at times.  I saw my neighbor's little creek quite full.  Now it's still gray but very wet.  I've been contemplating how I want to tidy up and rearrange my space downstairs to be more conducive to work and art making.  It won't be long before the lighted grow rack down here is up and running again.  Oh, the potential of the new year!!  It's always inspiring.

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

It's been a quiet Christmas so far.  I'll be going over to neighbor's in just a bit.  I had friends over last night. Aside from that Avery and I have just been chilling.  I've heard from my kids and my siblings and other friends not nearby.  I've had time to do some writing and take a good walk.  I'm beyond lucky, I know that.

 

 

 

 

cooking

I invited friends over for Christmas eve to have traditional Polish foods (as I've experienced them anyway).  Since the dishes can be rather labor intensive, I've been approaching them in a piecemeal manner.  Anything that works to make ahead, I've been doing so.

Today I made pierogi.  I make these only about once a year...for Christmas eve. I got a book last year by Zuza Zak called, appropriately, "Pierogi."  In this book she has a fabulous assortment of recipes for different kinds of pierogi (and other dumplings) from various regions of Poland (and Eastern Europe).  It's quite inspiring.  I got the hare brained idea that I'd take on a challenge of cooking one recipe a week from this book in 2024.  I mean, I need to up my pierogi game!  Will I actually follow through on this idea?  Maybe.  

For Christmas eve I always serve a fruit compote as part of dessert, which I worked on today too. When I was kid growing up, my mom used various dried fruits for the compote.  It was always good, but also super richly flavored because of the dark fruits.  Over the years I've opted for making a lighter version, poaching pears in Moscato with Meyer lemon peel and cardamom pods.  To this I'll add some jarred morello cherries. 

I had such a good time in the kitchen today.  The time passed in a smooth and pleasant way.  I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy making pierogi!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wigilia prep (and Happy Solstice!)

I haven't shared Christmas eve dinner with anyone for a while.  It's been about four years since I was with family in California for the meal as well.  While I've made traditional foods for myself I haven't invited anyone over.  Well, this year I've invited a couple friends and am getting started ahead of time.

I think the meal will be clear beet barszcz (borscht) with sour cream (and maybe some croutons...not traditional), a couple kinds of pierogis, a veggie dish, smoked salmon, home made rye bread, fruit compote and...if I can keep myself on track...paczki (fried, filled donuts).  Maybe I'll make poppyseed filled crepes.  I'm being ambitious, I know.  That's why I'm starting today with the bread and the soup.

It's actually a really good day to cook, since it's chilly out.  Also, my sleep is still not adequate...this winter it seems like I can never quite get enough...so not going anywhere feels very appealing.  I do still need to make one more run to Trader Joe's, but I'm pretty well caught up on things.

I hope you're all having a wonderful Solstice and a blessed Yule!

 

 

 

 

Yesterday

Friends came down from NoVA yesterday for a whirlwind visit. We went to see the Dawoud Bey exhibit at the VMFA. Then in the evening we got over to Ginter Botanical gardens for the garden lights. Instead of going out to eat I made soup ahead of time so we could just come home and relax. We capped the night off with a viewing of A Child’s Christmas in Wales starring Denholm Elliot. This morning after coffee and a bit more conversation they were on their way home.

It was all quite lovely. I still miss being with family at Christmas (maybe next year? Plus I’m seeing them just after New Year). This year however has found me blessed with deepening local relationships and I’m truly grateful.

 

 

 

 

 

more Christmas...

I do rather love seeing the living room as I come down the stairs...

I've got a headache today.  Supposedly there's major weather going to be blowing through tomorrow and into Monday.  Maybe that's why my head hurts?  Maybe I should really, really get my eyes checked and a new pair of glasses!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday

Just a few of the decorations.  Busy day getting more listings up on Etsy.  I think I'm pretty much finished with all the vintage items.