My desktop holiday trees.
Well this is embarrassing. I’ve got nothing again. I’ve been busy at work (rather unseasonably) and just feeling kind of drained. It doesn’t feel very Chistmassy out there, despite every talking head babbling about all of these events and goodies available. Grins so wide (as wide as those desperate “buy something.. buy anything! Please!) you’re afraid it will meet in the back of their head and the whole thing will just flop horribly over.
The famous Stahl House, now for sale. It will not be my Xmas present.
Perhaps it’s the general, shall we say “turbulence” right now. I feel like staying close to home and nesting. I should have written “cleaning” but I suppose since Xmas and New Years sit mid-week I guess I can do some, since 2026 will not bring a house full of cute cleaning robots that will do it for me. (well it’s to be hoped it won’t bring nuclear holocaust, also like in that same Ray Bradbury short story.
Mary Berry. Be nice to her and she will give you cake.
Now I am doing things to decompress. I’m barely skimming the news programs, pulling back on Social Media, preferring to watch Mary Berry bake. There’s something so efficient and coolly competent about her. I kind of with Mary Berry could just take over everything. She would give you a lovely piece of cake when you deserved it or a good talking to when something stronger than cake was needed.
Sister Bertrille, the Flying Nun. No hat will get me airborne without the wingspan on a 767 and at least two jet engines..
Videos of cute young Samoyeds in the snow and baby pumas playing with their keepers help too. I will spend at least one day driving around with the top down listening to “Thompson Twins” or other 80’s soundtracks, Chris Doridas on KCRW and “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me.” Well, maybe 20 minutes with the top down. With my Sister Bertrille sunhat and spf 45000..
It’s only one week before Xmas. Are you feeling it? Yay or Nay. Let us know in the comments.
Images; my iPhone, Pexels, Wikimedia Commons
Well! As you know I am mending… and my dear friends ( the ones who always have my back) are in hospital drama rn ( he collapsed at his bday party, in the middle of the blizzard… yikes! ). He’s… recovering from what looks to be acute pancreatitis but… yikes! Since I can’t really be of help to them rn I’m determined to not be a drag on them at all!
This is never my favorite holiday but this year? Yikes!
And… bingeing Baking Show: The Professionals, which was extremely interesting the first couple of seasons, with vicious judging and diva pastry chefs who had diva ‘tudes about their work … now it’s just a pro version of GBBO … but it beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick
Please play The Look Of Love by ABC on your top down drive Tom. it’s one of my all time faves.
I’m ready for the events so much better this year and am looking forward to keeping it extremely low key.
Hope yours is safe and with minimum trauma.
HUG
Portia xx
I love that album. At the time I think one of the record mags said it was the best first album release ever.
I’m in the middle somewhere. Most of the people I know are leaning Nay-ish. Driving around with the top down sounds heavenly! I’m with MzCrz – winter solstice and the light comes back is also so wonderful!
I had a reminder on how lucky many of us are. I went for a walk to the nearby convenience store today. I passed a homeless guy sitting on some steps. One of the things I did at the store was cash a $4 lottery ticket. Coming back, he was still there so I gave him the $4. He looked surprised and said, “Four dollars! That’s a lot! Thank you.” He meant it, no snark.
Nay! Not feeling it in the least. I was out of work for 6 months, contract job so no unemployment. Second week of new job. Hate it so far but it’s a paycheck.
You’ve been through a rough time of late so definitely hunker down with Ms. Berry and other small pleasures. This season, too, shall pass and Solstice will be the start of more daylight. You got this, Tom.
Mary Berry and the British baking show is my happy, safe place when things get stressful. A reminder that, despite what has been happening lately, the world is full of kind people who just want to bake and eat pastries. As for Christmas, driving around our neighborhood looking at the amazing light displays (look up the Menashe Christmas lights in West Seattle) has been a good way to get some holiday cheer.