Even colder, more cookies on the agenda, and working on the "menu"--

 ...even colder this morning. Twelve below zero.

I may or may not venture out this morning, depending on if it warms up enough to not cause my car to be cranky. I don't need to go out, really, but I was thinking it would be pleasant to have the makings of a hot toddy in the liquor cabinet. My "recipe" calls for Bacardi Limon, Peachtree schnapps, and then hot water and a sprinkle of nutmeg. All in equal measure (though you could adjust the amounts to taste, I suppose). I don't have a cold, but when I do, this is a comforting drink because I can taste it. But that's neither here nor there; if it's still crazy cold, I won't be going anywhere this morning.

Holly should be joining me for lunch today, then we will make gingerbread cutout cookies. I'll have to make the white icing myself, because I didn't get my brain in gear ahead of time. No matter-- we do have plenty of sprinkles and so on, so they ought to be fun. And messy. Today's a good day to do this project, because I want to wash floors tomorrow morning. Any sticky will be dealt with summarily.

And I have to take the tiny ham out of the freezer, and the ground meats to make tourtiere. I think I'll make one big pie, and maybe play with an idea I have involving flattened Grands biscuits. Little hand pies are so nice, and I used to make them with the crescent roll dough, but they get a little soggy. We are not planning a formal Christmas dinner, per se; instead, I have assembled a de facto menu of this and that, all things we like: ham, deviled eggs, some cut fruits, cheeses and crackers, lots of dessert options. But first, breakfast! Again, not a big event, but one we settled on some years ago: smoked salmon and bagels, and probably cut fruit. If anyone wants anything different, they are welcome to create what they want. Holly may want eggs (when doesn't she want eggs?), so we'll see. The focus is on comfort foods, not formality. We will eat when and what we want, no agenda. Meg is slated to make a lasagna for Boxing Day, and I'm sure we'll have leftover ham. No matter what, no one goes hungry in my house.

I don't plan to slide back into routine until the end of the week. I want to spend time with my family. I have precious little family left, and the ones I have around me are dear to me. Last year, with all of the incipient trauma and worry, left an indelible mark on the holiday season. We won't be able to "go back to how things used to be" -- no one ever can. But we will make sure to hold each other a little closer and treasure the magic. I'm feeling losses of family and friends a lot lately; probably delayed grief, to be honest. Each year is precious. 

Have a good day, and stay warm and safe.

C