roonie's blog: December 2011

Monday, December 5, 2011

A Walk on a Windy Beach.

Did I mention how windy it was?

Sunday, December 4, 2011

When in Ireland in December...

....the Irish may have a reputation, but you will seem drunk just walking down the street b/c the wind sideswipes you this way and that

....toes will tingle, slippers are necessary

.....the pellating rain against the windows at first sound like marbles chafing, keys jiggling, or leaves crunching, but really as it intensifies, it sounds just like Connect Four pieces dropping on the roof.

hail's a-knockin' at the front door

....you avoid peeing just b/c the seat is so cold

....the rain blows in one direction

....it rains on you even when the sun is shining andyou look up and there isn't a cloud in sight.

....keeping the kettle always filled and constantly sipping a hot tea is one way to deliver warmth into the body

....looking outside looks the same as in the summer.

August

December

.....rain falling down the chimney may evoke fears of drowning inside.

....lessons in firemaking are crucial. small coals on the bottom.

what it looks like when it works.

....it is pitch black before 5pm until after 9am

8:15am

an hour later...

....walking into the wind may seem like a workout, getting nowhere, but walking in the direction of the wind will get you anywhere immediately.

.....a hot toddy may be the only way to warm yourself without heat, and feed yourself without a stove

......there's nothing cozier than reading a book on the couch, a blanket to snuggle in with the sounds of the wind whipping outside.

.....but crawling back into bed with the electric blanket on high is just sometimes the thing to do.

....and you'll realize there's no where else in the world you'll want to be. well, for the holidays.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

The last weeks in America: a Recap

November 5: last Portsmouth Farmer's Market; a very cold, very quiet farewell. Christmas fair with Mum. Required pre-dinner drinks at Ri Ra, dinner at the One Hundred Club with John, Sheelagh, Frank and Judi.

November 12: last shift at Cava (I think? very possible I was cut, but it was the last day of Restaurant Week so probably not).

November 13: John and Sheelagh leave for NYC with two packed suitcases of mine. I'm left with a shoulder bag to last me for the week and to take to DC next weekend.

November 14-17: eat a lot of frozen soups and breads I had made with the leftover farmers market produce. Read a lot of travel essays.

November 15: Read an entire book in one day.

November 17: last night in Portsmouth. Drink with Judi at Mombo, adio's Tj's, Press Room, Ri Ra, etc....

November 18-20: weekend in DC.

Bucknell themed party with Blue and Orange drinks:

Blue Moon, Mango Margaritas, Natty Lite's just because,

national monuments,

catch-phrase,

outdoor markets, smelly dogs, cute dogs, old college photos,

bloody mary brunch,

margaritas and birthday,

homemade hot apple cider, UNISG reminiscence, lots of catch up and laughter.

November 20: Trip to NYC. Hello John, Sheelagh & Jess!

November 21-December 1: pack and unpack, pack and unpack, pack and unpack { insert Arina comment }

November 21: Post Office, Kaluystan's, homemade dinner

November 23: Farmers Market pre-indulgent feast shopping. Cocktail party at Jess's apt. Hello Chris and Beth!

November 24: Thanksgiving.

Ess-a-bagel, the usual.

Thanksgiving Day Parade then cooking.

thanksgiving going to her head...

Neil Diamond!!

Mum after seeing her LOML

Dinner starts with Hibiscus Cava cocktails, homemade turkey liver pate,

cheese plate with not-puffed-up-cheese-puffs,

squash apple soup, farmer's market turkey, cranberry chutney, roasted garlic & maple syrup mashed sweet potatoes, roasted fingerling rosemary potatoes, braised greens with kalamata olives and feta, crispy brussel sprouts with garlic chips, broccoli with cheese sauce and crumbled cheetos, balsamic glazed cipollini onions, apple pie, pumpkin pie, crumbs cupcakes and