Thursday, December 31, 2020

GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE to 2020!

New Year’s Eve is usually a time for introspection and goal-setting. But I am not really in the mood. In 2020, I wrote more blog entries than in all past years put together–I was writing daily at the start of the pandemic–so that’s enough. I have consumed a crazy amount of alcohol, chocolate, and comfort food–I was drinking daily at the start of the pandemic–so that’s enough. The writing continues to be good for my mental health, but the drinking and eating and weight gain have not been good for my physical health. My resolution, therefore, is to strike a better balance in 2021.

We still have a long way to go to get back to “normal” and I am ready. Very ready. What a long, strange trip it’s been.

I named today’s drink after Washington Irving’s protagonist, because on most days of 2020, I wished I could just take a super-long nap and wake up when the pandemic was over. I could sleep and be oblivious to the sorrow, the pain, the stress, the worry…but that’s a coward’s way out, really, and I don’t get a choice. I am in it for the long haul. I am grateful to all of you for the love and support.

Today’s drink is my version of a cocktail called “A Long Winter’s Nap,” and I made SIX of them, and will be delivering FOUR of them to neighbors, so we can toast the New Year together later via Zoom.

First, make an infused maple syrup, if you have the time. Combine 2/3 cup of pure maple syrup with 2/3 cup of water, and add 3 star anise, about a dozen peppercorns, a 1 inch piece of peeled ginger root, and 5 cloves. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer for 15 minutes. Chill overnight in the refrigerator. Strain before using.

For each drink, combine 2 ounces of bourbon, 1 ounce infused (or plain) maple syrup, and 1/4 ounce fresh lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a stemmed glass, and garnish with a slice of lemon and a star anise.

Cheers to 2021! Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Tonight I am taking a short break from cocktails and enjoying a lovely stout (“Santa’s Cookies”) brewed right here in my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia, by Champion Brewing.

I admit, the cute and seasonal name attracted me to this beer originally, but then I sampled a pint–it is yummy. So Husband and I purchased multiple cans to give away as gifts. We also purchased Virginia peanuts, Virginia maple syrup, Virginia jams, Virginia wines, Virginia rum, and more Virginia beers–you get the picture–because we wanted to support our local economy. So far, no complaints from the gift recipients.

Shop local, support small businesses and restaurants, and tip generously.

Friday, December 25, 2020

Merry Christmas! And here we are again, at Christmas. The 2020 version will be remembered as unique. For many of us, these holidays simply aren’t as merry as they were in past years.

But as I see on social media and as I hear from family and friends who have contacted me, we are all making the best of our specific situations.

Trees were put up and decorated, nativity scenes were lovingly displayed, gifts were purchased and given with joy, and Santa came down as many chimneys as he could–after all, Santa did get a green light from Dr. Fauci, right? Whew!

I hope all my family and friends found reasons to celebrate today.

My cocktail today is my version of a Peppermint Martini. In a shaker filled with ice, combine 1 ounce vanilla vodka, 1 ounce clear creme de cacao, and 1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps. Shake well and strain into a glass.

Merry Christmas!

Throwback to December 1, 2014

1. The high temperature for Charlottesville is expected to be 63 degrees.

2. I still have Thanksgiving leftovers.

3. I still have to put away the Thanksgiving platters.

4. I still have to launder the Thanksgiving tablecloths.

5. I still have to put away the bedding for all the Thanksgiving guests.

6. I have only received about 10 Christmas catalogs in the mail.

7. I have not started fretting about all the cards I need to send.

8. I have not started worrying about the gifts I still need to buy.

9. I have not started obsessing about the cookies I need to bake.

10. I have not started panicking about all the decorating I need to do.

Throwback to December 16, 2014

1. Hanging out with new girlfriend.

2. Decorating the Christmas tree.

3. Shopping for presents.

4. Writing his list for Santa.

5. Browsing Youtube for cool Christmas videos.

6. Trimming his fingernails.

7. Making an inventory of snacks available in the kitchen.

8. Chatting with Dad about cars.

9. Reading emails from colleges he is not the least bit interested in.

10. Almost anything else.

AND

Things That I Would Rather Be Doing In Place of Working At The High School During Exams, The List:

1. Almost anything else.

Throwback to November 26 through December 22, 2013

1. Youngest Child is vacuuming and dusting his room. Of his own volition. Without expectation of reward.

 2. Today’s cost to fix Youngest Child’s vehicle was $20.

3. College Girl called home! We heard her melodic voice for 4 minutes and 45 seconds. She did not call to ask for money, and she did not call to report any bad news! She was happy and animated! (Yeah, OK, so it was a butt dial, so perhaps this really is not a miracle.)

4. Contrary to what the Richmond PD believed, Gainfully Employed Son’s vehicle was not stolen, after all!

5. I found Youngest Child’s I Pod in the bottom of his tuxedo bag, where it has apparently been since the choral concert on October 14. Child gave me the biggest hug ever, because he thought it was lost forever, and he was far away from having enough funds to replace it. And Santa had not planned to get him one, either.

6. Youngest Child admitted that he danced with a few girls at the AHS Jazz Band dance last night. College Girl (who sat in with the band along with a few others alumns) insists she noticed nothing, and that I should stop prying.

7. Youngest Child’s Snarky attitude all through last week’s midterm exams has now been forgiven, due to his performance last night at the Paramount Theater with the Albemarle Patriot Singers and the Oratorio Society, together 120 amazing voices strong.

Throwback to December 15, 2010

1. He has taken over the algebra tutoring for Daughter.

2. He has taken over the tutoring for Younger Son’s SOL.

3. He bought me chocolate, tea, and salsa with left-over “dining dollars.”

Saturday, December 19, 2020

The good news: the three young adults we have raised are caring, compassionate, and cautious. The bad news: the three young adults we have raised are caring, compassionate, and cautious. In other words, two of the three young adults–one who lives in Nashville and one who lives in Richmond–are concerned about the spread of the coronavirus and have made the decision to not travel to our home for Christmas. Husband and I are right on the cusp of the more-vulnerable demographic, so yes, our children want to protect us as much as possible.

I can live with that decision, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it, much less be happy about it. We considered options (like having all of us tested), but none were feasible enough or foolproof enough.

Youngest Son has been living with us since the pandemic began, and we are so grateful to have him here, especially now. I do believe that we are all grieving the loss of our fun-filled, tradition-resplendent family Christmas, but Youngest Son is probably grieving the most, in his own way. Husband and I have both not “been home” for Christmas for various reasons (blizzards, illness, pregnancy, etc.) but we have never ever had a Christmas with one of the children missing. I was losing some sleep over this, until I decided to be pragmatic and not emotional.

I do feel better now. Cookies help. Cocktails help. Greetings from friends help. Zoom meetings with family help.

Watching the news does not help. Reading social media updates does not help. Thinking of my mom in the nursing home does not help.

Making new traditions will help. The vaccine will help. Sending a few more contributions to charities will help. Being able to Zoom during the main holiday meals will help. Knowing that our Nashville boy and Richmond girl have special significant others with them will help.

I am not cancelling Christmas. I am baking, cooking, decorating, wrapping, playing carols, and watching holiday movies. And I am appreciating all my blessings, every one.

Today’s drink is mostly bitter, yet totally palatable. There is an underlying sweetness.

In a low glass, combine 1 ounce well-chilled espresso (or strong cold-brewed coffee) with one ounce Jägermeister. Stir gently and add ice. Serve with chocolate-covered coffee beans, or with Christmas cookies.

Saturday, December 12, 2020

I spent a few hours this afternoon delivering goodies to several dear-to-my-heart ladies in the neighborhood. These women came out into their respective driveways to greet me. Some of them I had not seen in person for months, and even though I was wearing a mask, I hope each one saw the delight in my eyes. I miss my friends. I miss hosting Christmas parties. Teleparty and Zoom are the most feasible substitutes this year, but I miss hugs.

Each lady and I talked about what Christmas would be like in 2020, and every single one has had to alter plans. Most of us will likely be missing “the regulars” from our celebrations; children, parents, siblings, and close friends are not reuniting with us for fear of the spreading the CoVid-19 virus even further.

The risk is real. Our hearts are heavy, and yet, not as heavy as the hearts of those who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic. The infection numbers are staggering, and the daily death toll climbs higher, and even though the vaccines are obtaining government approval, we still don’t feel very hope-filled or joyful.

I have been thinking, all day long, about my family’s level of acceptable risk. Maybe I should just tell the out-of-state son to stay away. And maybe I should just tell the out-of-town daughter that she can drive home for the day, but her mask must stay on.

Oh, how I wish I had a crystal ball, and how I wish I could look into the future and see a spectacular Christmas 2021–that would make this year easier to bear.

For now, I am still baking and planning holiday meals, and whenever that damned “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” song pops up on any of my playlists, I will just hit the mute button.

This cocktail is often called a Whiskey Stone Sour. In a shaker with ice, combine 2 ounces orange juice, 1 1/2 ounces whiskey (I actually used Maker’s Mark bourbon), and 3 ounces sour mix. Shake well, strain into a glass, and add a maraschino cherry.

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Today is the feast of Saint Nicholas. When I was a kid, I would wake up in the morning to find treats, like cookies and candy, near the front of my bed or perhaps by my slippers. Years later, Saint Nicholas would visit the bedrooms of my own children, and leave behind some sweets, small stuffed animals, and even Hot Wheels cars. (He usually also left behind a sprinkling of white magic powder, which looked suspiciously like baking soda and vacuumed up much easier than glitter.) Why, Saint Nick even visited here early this morning, and he left cookies, holiday-patterned socks, and a few jars of gourmet salsa.

Of course, Saint Nicholas’s alter-ego, Santa Claus, could be counted on to bring the bigger and better stuff on December 25. But getting little gifts on December 6 would start to set the tone for the weeks ahead. Christmas was coming!

So, is anyone in a holiday mood yet? We put up the tree earlier than usual this year, and Dear Husband already has the lights strung on the outside of the house. I have wrapped about a dozen presents, and I have started writing out the holiday cards. I bought more butter, more sugar, more flour, more nuts, and more sprinkles so I suppose I am ready to bake. But I must confess that all my holiday activities so far feel more like chores than like moments of joy.

Maybe I need to watch some Hallmark movies. Maybe I need to actually bake and fill the house with soothing scents. Maybe I need to finish the cards and finish the decorating and get the clutter off the dining room table. Maybe I need to pray.

But a few minutes ago, I wanted dessert. And I wanted to pamper myself. And I wanted to write. So I made a sweet cocktail and opened up my laptop. I will clean up the clutter tomorrow. Tonight I need to toast to my blessings, to celebrate those little gifts that mean so much.

In an Irish coffee glass, combine 1 1/2 ounces hazelnut liqueur (I like Frangelico) with 6 ounces of quality hot chocolate (I used Godiva powder mixed with almond milk). Stir, and top with whipped cream and holiday sprinkles.