Merry Christmas

And you're welcome

Fah-who-for-aze

This is yet another post about the Grinch, who seems to permeate our holiday season.

We showed J the old school cartoon Grinch movie last week. Now he's nothing short of OBSESSED. (I like to flatter myself that I have something to do with it.)

He could literally watch it twenty times a day, and still ask for more.
I like Grinch!
I like doggie Max!
(And no, I don't let him watch it twenty times a day.)

So now that I've seen it oh, more than a few times, I'm finally appreciating what a great story it is. Of course I've read and seen this story for years, but it's really been striking me this time. Christmas goes on as usual despite a massive, city-wide burglary? That's somethin' else.

I remember one pretty lean Christmas Mike and I had around year 2 of marriage. I had been laid off several months prior, Mike was a student, and things were pretty slim. We got gifts from family and returned every last one of them for cash (though I still fantasize about those awesome boots I had for one blessed week...).

I bought Mike one present that year: a $10 basketball, because he was in charge of the teen guys at church. At the end of the day, we realized that even $10 was a splurge. We took that back, too.

We did allow ourselves the luxury of a Christmas tree that year--we found a magical lot that sold us one really cheap. We handmade some ornaments and called it good.

I also remember around this time that an anonymous envelope was dropped at our door containing over a hundred bucks. To this day I have no idea who left that there. Can I thank you here, anonymous donor, in hopes that you are reading? (and I kind of think you are.) It was a truly touching gesture.

Despite the leanness, we realize now (as we realized then) that we really have no idea what true want is. Even if you can't buy each other gifts, or get your kids the toys they want, or the ones you want to get them, a bigger perspective shows that doesn't really constitute true need.

We are all pretty blessed.

Growing up, we had many lean years. Much leaner than the one Mike and I had, because there were 7 hungry kids in the house, too. There were definitely Christmases when we struggled pretty badly.

And do you know how I know that? Because I was told so, years later. NOT because I remember it.

Actually, I remember thinking it was pretty fun hanging up pantyhose and large socks for stockings. I didn't know we did that because we couldn't afford ACTUAL stockings.

I remember loving every time my mom made beans and scones for dinner. I didn't know she did that because she couldn't afford to make anything else.

So while it is tempting to make Christmas about what we buy our kids (which IS pretty fun, I have to admit), I think those Whos down in Whoville are a pretty great reminder to be happy no matter what.

So long as we have hands to clasp.

With or without the Jing Tinglers, Tar Tinkers, OR Who Wompers.


In conclusion, I suppose there are worse movies my son could be addicted to.

Baby it's cold outside

It is. It really, really is. The kind of cold where you leave a cup of water in your car overnight and at 1 pm the next day it is still a solid block of ice.

Me no likey.

I've said it before--we've been really blessed in the weather department this year. Spring was springy, summer warm and relatively long, fall was mild and beautiful.

Now it's time to pay the piper. It's definitely, DEFINITELY winter out there. No more parks, no more walks, lots of avoiding trips anywhere and running to the car and back. Brrrr, people.

A coupla things about that. First, we bought our Christmas tree this week (parked, ran out of the car, looked for 5 minutes, nodded, ran back to the car) and Mike started pulling out the ornaments when we got home.
(THE FOLLOWING STORY IS IS NOT A JOKE)

When he pulled this one out, J said:

It's mommy!!

If you don't know why this is funny, see here.

Also, due to the weather, I've been making some soup lately. My friend intro'd me to this one, and it is a favorite around here. So good, and so healthy!

Gingery Chicken Noodle Soup
(adapted from mayoclinic.com)

Ingredients
3 ounces dried soba OR rice noodles
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups chicken stock or broth
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, chopped
1 cup shelled edamame
1 cup plain soy milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (I hate cilantro, so…SKIP!)

Directions

Bring a saucepan 3/4 full of water to a boil, add the noodles and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside until needed.

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the ginger and carrot and saute for 1 minute. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds; don't let the garlic brown. Add the stock and soy sauce and bring to a boil. Add the chicken and edamame and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the chicken is cooked and the edamame are tender, about 4 minutes. Add the soba noodles and soy milk and cook until heated through; don't let boil.

Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro (unless you, like me, HATE IT). Ladle into warmed individual bowls and serve immediately.

Enjoy! And keep warm!

And one more thing for those of you who are still reading.

(DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING STORY IF YOU ARE DRINKING MILK)

As seen on one of my cleverest friends' FB status today pertaining to the MOST OVERLY COVERED CHRISTMAS SONG EVER (and the title of this post):

The Tom Jones version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" is definitely the rapiest.

LIKE.

What to do with December

Thus begins the cold part of the season, when anything outside is unthinkable, and parks are no longer a refuge.

J asked if we could go to the playground tonight. We often do, on long, lonely Sunday nights, but not anymore.

I've never had a two-year-old in an apartment for an entire winter. The prospect has me a little nervous. Back to seeking out indoor refuges, preferably ones that don't break the bank. But whereas last year he was pretty happy to tag along, stay in stroller, OBEY me, nowadays it's more about running away, being determined, and throwing fits (whoa nelly).

The bounce house we can probably afford once a month or so.
The pet store will no doubt come back into play.
Target might suffice in a pinch?
The playground in the mall is worth the 20 minute drive to get there. Every once in a while. Mostly 'cause FREE.

This year I do have memberships to both the Children's and Science museums. We'll definitely be using those. Probably a lot. (I can get you in free, too! Call me!)

Lots of play dates.

And so on.

Also, I have gone from 2 to zero babysitters for the month of December. Not sure how work is going to get done. Also a stressor. Hmm...

The good news is, November was great. Our 11 days with Mike's family was great. The mountains and mountains of food we ate was great. The traveling was not great, but not terrible either. Sucks to pay for 3 plane tickets, but nice to just let the two-year-old go right ahead and throw the fit on the floor and not worry about the other guy on your row.

Hoping for a long spell of Christmas spirit and a short-feeling winter.