As I type this, Al is out running and the kids are napping. I'm cozied up by the fire with a cup of coffee, watching the last dregs of sunlight try to reach the lowest part of the valley. Last night I got to do some baking with my boyfriend's 5 year old daughter. I took a few pictures, but I'm not putting them up. In fact, I'm not going to put her name on here. I'll just use AD for Al's Daughter. So AD wanted to make some banana bread. For a few weeks she's been talking about it and last night was the first time we've had a chance, so we took it. I asked if I could put my grandma's old apron on her to take a picture. She said yes, but that she'd prefer to use her own apron for baking.
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The banana bread was a hit. A few weeks went by and the little baker was at it again. For Christmas we made some fudge, a blackberry cobbler, two sweet potato pies, gingerbread cookies and frosted sugar cookies. AD is a good baker. And it helps us to have a positive relationship. When kids get bored they get into mischief and so keeping her busy and at the same time showing her how kitchen chemistry works is neat. And she gets to eat the reward and receive accolades from other adults when they eat her creations. I see why people bake so much. It's not awful and you get treats at the end. My cats and I stayed with Al and the kids for 11 days over the break. I came home and immediately went back to work. I'm glad we did it, but I'm tired.
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I'm glad the holidays are over. I know it seems as though I would be overly sentimental but I'm not. I love to share the holidays with kids or to attend light hearted holiday parties or to sit at home with a fireplace and a warm cup of something. Maybe take in a beautiful Christmas Eve mass. But January is invigorating and I can't wait to get back to the hum of classes and the forward push of my job. It's a rewarding life and I'm glad to live it.
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Having said all of those things, I'm still waiting for the beginning of winter. It seriously was 55 degrees today and sunny starting around 11:30. I was at a state meeting in Monmouth and whereas it was supposed to somehow have snow flurries (??), I walked outside to get to my car at 3 and just carried my scarf and jacket. Sure, Oregon. You're a tough place. Sure you are.
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The banana bread was a hit. A few weeks went by and the little baker was at it again. For Christmas we made some fudge, a blackberry cobbler, two sweet potato pies, gingerbread cookies and frosted sugar cookies. AD is a good baker. And it helps us to have a positive relationship. When kids get bored they get into mischief and so keeping her busy and at the same time showing her how kitchen chemistry works is neat. And she gets to eat the reward and receive accolades from other adults when they eat her creations. I see why people bake so much. It's not awful and you get treats at the end. My cats and I stayed with Al and the kids for 11 days over the break. I came home and immediately went back to work. I'm glad we did it, but I'm tired.
____
I'm glad the holidays are over. I know it seems as though I would be overly sentimental but I'm not. I love to share the holidays with kids or to attend light hearted holiday parties or to sit at home with a fireplace and a warm cup of something. Maybe take in a beautiful Christmas Eve mass. But January is invigorating and I can't wait to get back to the hum of classes and the forward push of my job. It's a rewarding life and I'm glad to live it.
____
Having said all of those things, I'm still waiting for the beginning of winter. It seriously was 55 degrees today and sunny starting around 11:30. I was at a state meeting in Monmouth and whereas it was supposed to somehow have snow flurries (??), I walked outside to get to my car at 3 and just carried my scarf and jacket. Sure, Oregon. You're a tough place. Sure you are.
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