Sorry, for the short post, but I'm hosting Christmas dinner tomorrow and I'm going crazy trying to get things baked, sliced, swept, polished, vacuumed, and all around straightened up. I'll let you know how it went on Thursday.
In the meantime, I give you "Santa and his old lady" - a holiday classic from Cheech and Chong.
Seriously, I have the problem recipient.
He's an awkward size, so clothes are not an option (you can only buy someone so many scarves)
He's not into sports. so I can't get him team jerseys or anything like that.
He lives in Asia, so any electronics, movies etc I can buy here won't work on his machines/current.
He doesn't read (for entertainment value anyway) and his hobby is rowing. And whatever I buy has to be portable and go through customs.
The way I see it, my options fall into two categories:
1. Buy something that can be consumed during his visit. One of those novelty popcorn tins, a bottle of wine, beef jerky. (and before you say chocolate, he's not into sweets) or
2. Wacky presents. Something completely off the wall. Last year, my father gave me a glow in the dark jellyfish paperweight, which turned out to be the thing I never knew I wanted. (Really, it's very cool.) But truly wacky presents are hard to find, and you run the risk of "what the #%$ is this?"
So I'm going to be drifting among the shelves for the next couple of days. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Friday Fun Video
Not to add any more pressure, but what are your plans for New Years? I'm thinking potato chips and champagne.
E-mail does not come close to the thrill of getting a real letter or postcard, something with actual stamps on it. A letter that a friend of mine took the time to write and put in the mail means something to me. A letter is a gift, in and of itself, even if the news is boring.
I try to keep up the habit of writing letters. I'm far from perfect, and I don't send nearly enough, but I insist on sending Christmas cards. Electronic cards are ok, there are some beautiful ones out there, and it beats being forgotten altogether, but I'd rather get a real card.
And aren't the cards themselves fabulous? Small pieces of mass-produced art. Who wouldn't love getting one of these in the mail?
Very 50s - I can see my grandparents sending this card
I love how it looks like an ornate paper cutting
a minimalist aesthetic - for your more design oriented friends
I don't usually put up a Christmas tree. It's not that I have anything against trees, but one bedroom apartments don't have a lot of room for that kind of thing. So I have been practical, mistletoe in the hall, a wreath on the door and poinsettias on every flat surface. Festive on a small scale.
But now I have a house.
A mostly unfurnished house. The sensible thing to do would be to save my money and put it toward something I really need, like a desk.
I can live without a desk.
So this past weekend I blew my budget on a pre-lit, seven and a half foot tree. (It was on sale. I'm not totally crazed.) But a tree needs ornaments, and while I've been collecting them for years, I only have about 15, not nearly enough to deck out a tree.
So I put the Christmas music on and got out my cookie sheets.
The flecks of coarse salt make them look specked.
These are made from salt dough, (follow the link for the recipe) which is astonishingly easy. Flour, salt and hot water. You can use coarse salt, like I did. Regular salt will give the dough a smoother texture. They can be painted, molded, covered with glitter, wherever fancy takes you. I'm more of a minimalist, so I just painted them with an egg wash (1 egg whisked with 3 tablespoons water).
Harder than it looks: I'm right-handed, but I can't focus the camera with my left
The egg wash makes the ornaments brown and gives them a slight gloss, otherwise they're just a dull whitish grey. And don't forget to put holes in the ornament before you bake! If you don't, you're going to need a drill, these things are hard.
Once they are all baked and cool enough to handle, get the yarn back from the cat, who has appropriated it for her own use.
Get your own yarn - this is mine.
Thread the ornaments on the yarn, cursing yourself for not making the holes bigger, and voila!
A plate full of cookies, ready to go on the tree.
Merry Christmas!
Friday Feel Good Video
Fortunately, my cat hasn't found the tree interesting.
