the Blethering Spot

Washed the floors today, for the first time in five months a week. Of all the jobs to be done around the house, I hate washing floors the most. I sweep daily, I shovel out the basement now and then, and I keep the bathrooms decent, but I just can’t, can’t seem to wash the floors. I would rather chew glass than wash floors. I would rather walk 500 kms to see Bjork in concert than wash floors. I would rather watch Kickin’ it Old Sk00l 100 times than wash floors.

No, I take that back about Kickin’ it Old Sk00l. I would rather wash 100 floors than endure that again.

Anyway. Moving right along:

All is well in Blether Land. We put up our Christmas decorations, and I had the same epiphany that I had last year but had forgotten. I’m really, really going to cut back on the Christmas baking I’m doing this year. This year I mean it. I plan to just make shortbread cookies, no more than 2 dozen tarts, some Vanillekipferl and gingerbread. That’s it. Well, maybe one tiny batch of Florentine triangles. And some rum balls. But no Nanaimo bars, no Peppermint Twists, no Peanut Butter balls, no shortbread. And no chocolates.

I’m of two minds about my less-is-more baking resolution. On the one hand, it’s just crazy to make dozens and dozens of treats, then spend a month overindulging, feeling mildly nauseous but still unable to stop. On the other hand, it’s a bit Scroogey to not make many cookies. Where’s the love? Where’s the Christmas cheer? Where’s the warmth of the Christmas hearth?

I’m going now, but I want to say one more thing: You know what’s the best thing about not homeschooling this year? the Christmas concerts. I get to go to a Christmas concert at church, and one at school, too. I think Christmas concerts are the best thing since sliced bread, I could go to them every night. I get all cozy just thinking about those cute little pudgy cheeked kids up there singing their little hearts out under the bright lights. Ooohhhh…. I can hardly wait.

Does anyone have a problem with me posting Menu Plan Monday on Tuesday? ‘Cause I don’t.

Here’s the plan, Stan:

Monday: Chicken Pot Pie

Tuesday: Spaghetti w/meat sauce & Focaccia bread (sadly, no wine tonight, as I have counted the paydays until Christmas and realized that without careful planning, we will be squeaking in the church by January.)

Wednesday: Beef Stir Fry (subject to vegetables in the fridge)

Thursday: Chicken Enchiladas w/ Salsa Verde

Friday: Pizza, burgers or similar quick and chemical-laden food between visits to lovely, wonderful, Ten Thousand Villages. (Last one there is a rotten egg.)

Northern BC: Neighbours looked on while RCMP arrested a blogger only identified by the name Gwen this morning in a small Northern BC community. Details are unclear as yet, but RCMP Sergeant Claude Pelletier issued a brief statement regarding the arrest. “Ms. Gwen had clearly stated her intention to post daily updates on her blog,” Sgt. Pelletier said, “but we have reason to believe that she did not do so.” Sgt. Pelletier called the situation “disturbing,” but he refused to comment on why police involvement did not occur sooner.

An investigation is pending.
last updated November 19, 2007 12:22 PST

This morning I was sitting in the waiting room at the medical clinic when I heard a distant police siren. Everybody in the waiting room craned their necks to have a look out the window and see what all the commotion was. When it was clear that the police car would not drive within sight of the clinic, we all sighed in disappointment and went back to our magazines.

I love living in a small town.

Okay, still no conclusion on the Chicken Pox. The fever is a-comin’ down, and no rash is manifesting itself, sooooo…… who’s to say? I don’t know if it’s Chicken Pox or not. We’ll see, soon enough.

I’m laughing my head off at the Menu Plan gone awry. I haven’t made a single thing I said I would. What I planned is in red; what we ate is in green:

Monday: Falafel & pita (Chicken Soup with biscuits)

Tuesday: Moroccan Beef Stew (Tourtiere)

Wednesday: Curried Chicken and Daal (Linguine with Chicken & Tomato/Basil/Pine Nuts and Focaccia)

Thursday: Beef Burritos (Leftovers and hot dogs)

Friday: En route to a wedding (Who knows? Subject to Poxish demands)

Saturday: Wedding reception fare (ditto)

Sunday: McDonald’s (ditto)

Top tier: well, clearly, the top tier is for fancy pantsy decorating doo-dads, as well as for the irritatingly tall White and Black Peppercorns. I should tell you that behind those two gorgeously mammoth sprinkle jars, there are three more (smaller) sprinkle varieties.
Sprinkles, food colouring, peppers, cheap vanilla (for kids’ baking), assorted decorating candies, icing tubes, muffin papers, etc.

Third tier: less frequently used, though still essential, cooking and baking spices. I am particularly fond of my tiny jar of Ras El Hanout, which I make myself in very, very small batches. (This makes a diVINE chicken rub, by the by.)
Overflow spices, Herbes de Provence, dip mixes, alum powder, mace, etc.

Second tier: my favourite shelf holds baking essentials. Sometimes I climb up on the counter, stick my nose into the second tier, and just inhale. Aaaaaaaahhhhhh. Smells like Christmas, baking, my mom, and happiness, all rolled into one lovely moment of time.
Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, Poudre Douce, nutmeg grater, vanilla, cardamom, star anise, etc.

First tier: cooking essentials. It’s impossible to overstate how much I like the Vij’s Masala that my husband bought for me some time ago. This shelf also holds the crushed-chili shaker (at the far right) that I bought after Ames’ visit last May. We were having spaghetti, and she said, in a very pretentious manner, “What, don’t you have crushed chilis? Well.” It was the well that did it, and I slunk away to SaveOn to purchase the pictured shaker.
Oregano, basil, bay leaves, savory, curries, turmeric, sage, thyme, etc.

Now, if I can only refrain from scrabbling through the cupboard in an unbecomingly frenzied manner, I shall be calm and capable and uncluttered for Christmas baking. Horrah!

Incredible, I’m actually doing a post per day. I don’t know what’s got into me.

Didn’t make falafel yesterday. Have a sick child, so opted instead for Chicken Soup and biscuits. As everyone knows, chicken soup is a marvelous cure for colds, although I suspect something more virulent than a cold is going on. In fact, I suspect chicken pox is about to make a guest appearance in our home. Time shall tell!

Right, so this is my first foray into the frightening underworld of Menu Plans. I’ve been so impressed by Jenny’s consistency in MPM, and since I secretly want to be like her, I’m going to give it a whirl. Banner downloaded from I’m An Organizing Junkie? Check. Hunger pangs? Check. Crock pot working? Check. Seems I’m good to go.

Monday: (crikey, that’s today!): Falafel with the works: homemade pita, tzatziki, rice and a boggling assortment of vegetables

Tuesday: Moroccan Beef Stew with Golden Couscous

Wednesday: Curried Chicken and Daal

Thursday: Beef Burritos

Friday: Auf Wiedersehen! Ve are goink to a vedding in anuzzer taun.

Saturday: Wedding reception fare

Sunday: Very likely, McDonald’s on the drive home (great Playland between there and here), followed by some Bifidus tablets