Cookie Exchange, and Holiday Expectations

Photo by Artgeek3K at stock.xchng.

You should’ve known I’d be a freak for Christmas. Really, now.

Have you ever noticed that you go into the holiday season with all these expectations? That you just assume you’ll be able to knit Mom a bolero with ruffled edges? That you’ll–of course–make an authentic figgy pudding? That you’ll, oh definitely, watch every movie in your 30+ Christmas movie collection. hot cocoa and a romantic interest by your side, matching Cosby-esque holiday sweaters gleaming in the light of your glowing fireplace, your Colgate-white teeth glinting ever so brightly as you toss your head back to share a hearty laugh over something that incorrigible Donald Duck has done? Oh, Donald, you and your hilarious hijinx! Whenever will you learn?

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Planting Garlic, or, Daring to Hope

12 cloves. Yesterday, I risked twelve whole cloves of garlic, burying them in the neglected strip of marginal soil at the foot of our staircase. Oh, I’m sure there are several legitimate protests running through your mind right now (“But I’m wearing a winter coat!” “Doesn’t she live in Chicago?” “Can garlic grow through three feet of snow?” “I’m too hungry/bored/sleepy/apathetic to plant anything right now!”). All legitimate concerns. But it’s possible, my friends. And besides, this project meant a little bit more to me than all of that… (Check the site for more!)

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