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NarwhalTusk of Ember
Dec. 2nd, 2025 08:53 pmI'm hanging on like grim death until Thursday, when I get the rest of my blood tests to monitor my blood pressure meds, and then I can give myself permission to quit taking them and see if that improves my incessant coughing and stomach trouble. I hope so, because it's getting worse and it's reaaally bothering me. It's only December 2 and I've hung up my Advent calendars and made two Advent wreaths. I like to have one that resides on the table and one that is on a large plate so it can be carried from the family room to the living room and keep us company. It was lucky that I dashed out and cut greens for the wreath in my back yard, just before it started to snow: ivy, two kinds of pine, and a few sprigs of lavender. I've ordered more red candles. I've sent the Secret Santa notifications. The Sparrowhawk sent out Advent calendars and chocolate St. Nicholas Day coins to the kids. We're a little bit behind with all of these things, but LESS behind than in recent years, so I guess that's progress!
I thawed out some chicken drumsticks to cook tonight. I was dubious about them, because there's usually not much meat on a drumstick. But these are from the farm ladies and their organically raised chickens, and they are well-fleshed. I marinated them in a little olive oil, lime juice, a bit of honey to balance the sharpness of the lime juice, and some curry, garam masala, turmeric, and garlic. Then I seared them in the cast iron pan along with some chopped carrots and onion, and put them in the oven. Late in the process, I added a chopped mango and salted them. They suffused the house with a spicy perfume. We ate them with rice and salad.
After dinner, I went out to see my women's group. One person was missing because of a cold, and another because of a visiting daughter in law. Only Strawberry Star, Wood Elf, and Calaveras were present. We called yet another missing member, Cabernet, the one who has a probably terminal cancer diagnosis. She had said she'd be up for a phone visit. This was a lot harder on me than I expected. I'm just kind of over being death-and-dying adjacent. Haha, she laughed grimly. Like I really have a choice at this point in life . . . . Well! Then again, nothing cheers up a German like six (6) jars of sauerkraut. Strawberry Star was trying really hard to give away her own handmade sauerkraut. We like sauerkraut . . . and the kids are all coming for Christmas, and SOME of them like sauerkraut . . . I can probably foist a jar or two on them to take home. And if not, what the heck, we'll eat it ourselves. Marked safe from scurvy!
I thawed out some chicken drumsticks to cook tonight. I was dubious about them, because there's usually not much meat on a drumstick. But these are from the farm ladies and their organically raised chickens, and they are well-fleshed. I marinated them in a little olive oil, lime juice, a bit of honey to balance the sharpness of the lime juice, and some curry, garam masala, turmeric, and garlic. Then I seared them in the cast iron pan along with some chopped carrots and onion, and put them in the oven. Late in the process, I added a chopped mango and salted them. They suffused the house with a spicy perfume. We ate them with rice and salad.
After dinner, I went out to see my women's group. One person was missing because of a cold, and another because of a visiting daughter in law. Only Strawberry Star, Wood Elf, and Calaveras were present. We called yet another missing member, Cabernet, the one who has a probably terminal cancer diagnosis. She had said she'd be up for a phone visit. This was a lot harder on me than I expected. I'm just kind of over being death-and-dying adjacent. Haha, she laughed grimly. Like I really have a choice at this point in life . . . . Well! Then again, nothing cheers up a German like six (6) jars of sauerkraut. Strawberry Star was trying really hard to give away her own handmade sauerkraut. We like sauerkraut . . . and the kids are all coming for Christmas, and SOME of them like sauerkraut . . . I can probably foist a jar or two on them to take home. And if not, what the heck, we'll eat it ourselves. Marked safe from scurvy!
