thar she blows

Looks innocent enough doesn't it?- is in fact not quite that.

As soon as the snow is showing signs of becoming a dirty mush, there comes a beautiful new layer to cover it up. Last night we received a thin blanket and today the temperatures were not even that bad- almost balmy hovering around freezing. If not for the wind, it would have been a nice day to be out.

As it was, it was rather blustery, 'raining' branches and making snow drifts. Some very close to home. Thus we stayed in for most of the time. And when the wind died down, temperatures dropped.

Perfect for some knitting and puttering! I am continuing my adventures with bread baking (with my new book), though in fact I am not at the point of baking yet because it takes a long time and lots of discarding the majority of the starter and then 'feeding' it (which I find kind of wasteful and am having some trouble with that part). Meanwhile, I thought I just bake some oldies-but-goodies then.

Tuscan peasant bread with olives

The cats are having a bad case of cabin fever. We see all kinds of cat-behavior that is new to us- cats hanging in the curtains (shower curtain even) and fighting for instance. They are desperate to go out but return within five minutes, complaining loudly to us like we have personally created the cold mess.

not much else to do...

Even deeper arctic temperatures are on their way, so I got out the flannel bedding. Nothing like flannel in winter, is my motto. Well, one of my mottoes. I'm very very thankful for our warm home and enough to eat, drink, and bake, and my love and the cats to keep each other company.

Homer on flannel

Mila my Mila

...or is she?

We've had quite the adventures with Mila over the winter break. Although the whole story started way earlier. She sort of gradually moved out. She was always a free spirited cat, loving the hunting outdoors at night- or so we thought.

After the kids moved out at the end of the summer, we saw less and less of her. Only sporadically would she grace us with her presence. Then over winter break came the icy cold and snow and she did not come home at all. We made flyers and attached those to lamp-posts and trees in the neighborhood that backs up to ours, because my gut told me that she must be overwintering with one of those families somewhere.

Days afterwards I got a call. Flabbergasted, I listened to a lady describe my Mila as her Lulu. A Lulu who apparently had made friends with a big dog, and was utterly charming and affectionate (something she has not been for a long time with us). Lulu apparently was my Mila of long ago.

We met with these very nice and friendly people, who said that she had gradually adopted them since April, and had completely moved in around Thanksgiving. They thought she was a stray.We picked her up, brought her to our home. She was the stranger in the pride, and she did not make herself popular with the other cats, or us, for that matter. She went straight back to her new family.

I am torn. Obviously, she was her happier self at her new home.

We picked her up again and kept her in for over a week- something I felt bad about because that's really against how we've always done things with the cats. She settled somewhat into the group, does not growl at the others so much anymore, does not hide in the basement all the time. Asked Vera for loads of attention. But this morning, when I made gentle contact and tried to pet her, she bit me. None of that, was the clear message. So I am still torn. She goes out, comes back, probably because she severely dislikes snow and cold. She plays more, leaves her presents everywhere. But still- she is not Mila my Mila like she used to be. And like with my human children, as a cat-mom I just want her to be happy.

walks, journeys, and adventures

During winter break we took several walks. Weather conditions varied but mainly it was quite refreshing. At the nearby state park we enjoyed the eerie effects of a frozen flood- sheets of ice suspended in the air, clinging to bushes and tree trunks. I did not bring my camera during that walk or any of the following.



Snow fell in copious amounts but only after the holidays. My love was already back at work when Thijs gave Lauren, my mom, and me a grand tour of the beautiful campus of his university. With fresh snow and the holiday decorations still up, it was quite the fairy-tale walk. The best part of it was however to see how much my son is at home in the department of his choice.

Our girls shared their stories of classes and other big city activities and I think that both of them have made their choices equally well. Which is a good feeling- after all, that is what we wanted for them. To be able to follow their passions and dreams, whatever they are and will be.

And although I really enjoyed the break and the company, I was also happy to be back at work, following one of my own passions. I am grateful to still have a (unfortunately part-time) job. On the other hand, it being part-time gives me opportunity to explore some of my other passions a bit more.

Cooking may not be my real passion but eating and baking definitely are, and I got two books for Christmas to help me in pursuit of the yummiest and healthiest way to do that. Mediterranean Harvest is so full of mouth watering recipes that I am not even sure where to start.

The bread book Tartine #3 tells me exactly where to start (namely, with a starter...) but it sort of scares me. I am not sure that I can be organized and diligent enough to follow the process. Of course I am going to try it anyway, and I hope to one day show you a picture like the one above, and then from my own home-made grainy goodness.

For now, I stuck with familiar adventures (see below).

My mom definitely had her own travel adventures this time- you think you've had everything possible happen to you in that respect and then of course you are proven wrong. She did not get on her first flight out of here due to the pilot not showing up, and had to be happy that she could be re-routed...four days later! Of course, her suitcase had it's own journey and they were reunited only when she was finally home.

Spending extra time with us was hopefully not too bad (I certainly enjoyed it) and gave her opportunity to (almost) finish a book and to be brave enough to have Lucy on her lap!

last year

It has been some weeks since I have made time to post happenings and experiences. Which, of course, we did have. I can honestly say that it was marvelous- the whole holiday season. Because apart from some cheer 'coming from a store', we just enjoyed the company of family and friends- the best kind of cheer.

It was relaxing and fun. Just hanging out. Celebrating.

Keeping warm and cozy. Therefore, some knitting was accomplished (by me), some wood chopping was accomplished by my love.

Not much picture taking was done. Some impressions of the end-of-the year yard, as part of the reflection that comes with that particular time.

And now everyone is trying - some more successful/faster then others, due to arctic conditions and other barriers- to get home. We are grateful that we did not loose power (yet), so many others did. Now I am looking forward to future get-togethers-and-celebrations to be just as joyous. Another milestone in our 'empty nest status' taken.

Zen

and the art of motorcycle maintenance (by Robert M. Pirsig). That's the book that I was thinking about  (or rather, the message of the book) yesterday while I was waxing my new table.

Maybe some of you who read this blog are old (sorry, mature, or eh...more my age?) enough to remember the book or to have read it. I liked the table in its more pale and natural state however to care for it properly it needed the wax. And I found good sounding stuff with beeswax, olive oil, lavender, and orange, made in Colorado- that did it for me, in CO they should know what to do with their pine.

And then I thought of a visit to a hair salon, long ago in Hannover, Germany. It was either right before or sometime after I had my girls (that detail I can't remember), and I was in desperate  need of some TLC for myself. The girl who cut my hair confessed that she would rather do only nails, and I said  'but you are doing this so nicely!' (she was unbelievably gentle and never once made a comment about my having 'baby-hair'). She answered "Wenn, dann mit Liebe" (if, then with love).

(yes, I have rather wandering thoughts). So that's what I would like to keep in mind when I go about all the big and little chores and care taking that needs to be done.

my love's espresso cup, made by Emma, on the not-yet-waxed table

Because I make myself crazy sometimes with my list of things to do. And I lose sight of the truly essential. Beat myself up for not accomplishing all my own impossible expectations.

Thus my love and I also spend some time watching movies together this weekend. He persisted in making the holiday lights work, and he put up the trees (we have two- this is too long of story of how that came to pass). And I checked off some items on the list- indoor activities- because it is quite nasty outside (humid and cold).

is there something like...

rehab for workaholics? Not that I really need it- but it was a wee bit difficult to stay away from the hospital today. I did sneak in on Monday so that today was actually the first workday I was not 'taking care of stuff'. At least not at work.

Thijs says she looks like a chicken! Really? This is my Lucy-Lu/ Lucy-poes.

However, plenty to do at home- and although I am somewhat more organized at work (my office mate may disagree), when I'm off, I really run around doing a bit of this, a bit of that...not finishing much, but starting many projects.

our sweet Charlie, my luck-dragon (he reminds me of Falcor from the never-ending story)

I also ventured out and threw myself into some shopping. Not really a favorite but some things you just can't order online. (Don't you love ordering online? It is easy, and double the fun because you get packages twice, once they arrive on the doorstep, and then again on Christmas morning!)

Cat (Homer) on new chair with new table

The weather is not encouraging the cats to play outside, so there is a bit of cabin fever going on. Mainly manifesting itself in bursts of foolish behavior and then plopping on my lap as soon as I sit with some knitting with total disregard for my deadline.

the tree is ready for decorating and some presents

And so my list of things to do is growing rather than shrinking. Oh well.

this...

... is one of the main reasons why I am a lucky girl.

My love, with our cat Homer.