Mostly History Links

I’ve never been inclined toward historical activities. For example, Society for Creative Anacronism was a huge hobby of a number of my friends in college, but it never appealed to me. I never took history electives in school. I thought I understood the proverbs “those who forget history are doomed to repeat it” and “history is written by the winners,” but over the years, I have come to understand how much I did not and do not fully grasp them. I’ve also learned that school history is some watered-down, whitewashed bullshit and history is way more interesting (if also more traumatic at times) than what I learned in school. So, with that in mind, I present today’s “blather” links. Including, for good measure, one interesting present-day link that might be relevant to how today will be “history” in thirty years.… Continue reading →

Happy Thanksgiving

For the second year (not in a row), I’ve managed to make my lobster cranberry sauce gel. I’m pretty pleased about that, and the fact that my in-laws were welcoming to my bringing cranberry sauce. It seems that’s a pretty important part of my adult Thanksgiving holiday. I had to pare down quite a bit, and this was something I opted to keep.

Cranberry sauce in a lobster geletin mold in the foreground, whole cranberries in the back ground. All clearly in a fridge.

I imagine most of you won’t see this until after dinner; more likely Saturday or Sunday. But when you do, know I’m thankful for you guys. And, if you’re interested and willing, tell me the one thing you’d be sure to keep if you suddenly had to change your traditions?

Thank you.… Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Suggestions and Other Links.

Just a quick post today; I’m dealing with household chaos. But I wanted to recommend icing your turkey breast down if you’re going to roast a whole turkey this year.

If you haven’t already made pumpkin pie for the holiday, consider this deep dish deliciousness with a hint of rum! I used to make it or a variant on it every year.

You got my dream holiday beers, but did you go over to Kitchenista Diaries to see the things I recommend? There’s a lot move variety there, and more things that are easy to get.

Do you want to go to a castle to write your NaNoWriMo novel next year? Well, maybe you should go enter to win! My friend Deb told me about this, and I am charmed as hell.… Continue reading →

Cookie Exchange – Meatball Cookies

I have never been to a cookie exchange/swap, so when Jen suggested I write up something for Getting Ready to Go on preparing to go to one, I was at a bit of a loss. I wasn’t even sure of the concept, honestly. But some searches online helped me sort it out. And I may even host one, last minute, exactly the way everything says you shouldn’t, and if I do, I’ll write it up for GRTG.

Cocoa, sugar in a pie plate, two large tupperwares bins. Baking supplies strewn about.

But what it did do is prompt me to consider what cookies I’d take to the exchange. And while I’m very proud of The Groom’s Cookie and I love the fall flavors of the maple cookie and I simply adore cookie cutters, one cookie immediately sprang to mind.… Continue reading →

Pupdate!

Well, we’ve had our cuties for a bit over a year now. And while they’ve been exhausting at times, and still don’t love going outside when it’s cold, it’s been pretty great. I figured I’d share a few photos today, while I think about how lucky we are to have them.

Happy looking up at the camera, suspiciously, from the background. Kiki in the foreground looking at... who knows what.

These two wholly have my heart. Well, ok. Not wholly. They share it.

Bill and Kiki in the car.

Kiki just loves the car. She’d climb into complete strangers’ cars if we’d let her. (And we did, twice. And she did. both times.) She also loves her walks (video link).

She’s also a little neurotic, which is not great. She does a bit of guarding food and toys from Bill and me (more him than me, but both of us). We’ve brought in Katrin from Plucky Puppy on the advice of a canine scientist friend on Twitter who asked several people she trusts.… Continue reading →