DEC’ 20

20

Whew! All the holiday cookie boxes have been shipped or delivered to family, friends, and neighbors. My culinary capstone achievement for the year. It is my most anticipated baking venture and a bit stressful. But I love it. I never feel so good as when the cookies have gone out and I can sit back and relax.

It is five days until Christmas. This will be the smallest celebration we've ever had. It will be just the three of us but, honestly, I think I am good with that. We will enjoy good food (current debate: dry-aged ribeye or porchetta roast?). We will likely go on a hike. We may even watch a movie together. Dessert for Christmas Eve will be a bûche de Noël. I am kind of winging it: Japanese-style chocolate chiffon cake, noisette praliné-kappa filling, noisette-praliné glaçage, and nocciolata-whipped cream for decoration. If I have time and motivation, a family of chocolate truffle reindeer with red noses will be playing hide-and-seek around the cake.

We're still working out how my in-laws would like to participate in the festivities. It's tricky isn't it? The colder weather is a challenge. We haven't figured out how to make outdoor dining comfortable. And, they aren't comfortable spending time indoors with us. All very understandable. My preference would be that we do something that keeps everyone safe, comfortable, and gives us the best quality time e.g. hiking together during the warmest part of the day.

As is my habit, I am looking ahead to Willa's birthday. January 14th isn't so very far away. And, the challenge will be to find a way to host a small celebration outdoors for her. I am currently noodling around in my head the idea of doing a European Christmas market-themed gathering. Glühwein for adults and an alcohol-free version for the kids. Grilled sausages. Stöllen and gingerbread. A bit of escapism to take the edge off of the long winter ahead.

Meanwhile, Davis is obsessed with plans for the garden in the late-winter and spring. Which is great because he is very detail- and technologically-oriented, which is a great supplement to my "sense" of things. He is planning to work between holidays. We want to save those vacation days for warmer weather.

Willa is really taking on the air of a big kid. I am often struck by how much she is growing into her features- hints of the person she will become. She loves pony club. Baking- most recently, she and Davis made pumpkin-peanut butter dog biscuits for the dogs in our lives. Pickles are her latest food passion. Naps are becoming less and less consistent. She usually isn't tired enough to fall asleep until 3:30 or later, which is just too late because, if she wakes at 4 pm or later, it is very hard for her to fall asleep at bedtime. She received size 5 yo pajamas for Hanukkah. They just fit. I should have sprung for the size 6 yo. My baby is definitely not a baby anymore. I am wistful but I also love the age she is at. Although, I sometimes wish she wasn’t quite so observant!