Given the plummeting nighttime temperatures in Sacramento, winter has (finally) decided to join us. And since my calendar reads November, I have access to two of my favorite evening inspirations: Fires and Gingerbread Lattes. I love curling up by a crackling fire with a book, my computer, or even just a blanket and a dream. Fire lights my imagination every time. As a child, I loved to read by the…
I love funny books. Not ones that are archly funny, always examining whether or not they’re funny all the time, but ones that seem to effortlessly reveal a hilarious new angle on life. I enjoy David Sedaris (his description of taking French in Paris is the best) and Bill Bryson’s take on American culture. They often are laughing at themselves as much as the people around them. And I always…
A few years back, just before Christmas, I was sitting in a hair salon and the woman cutting my hair asked me the quintessential seasonal question: “So, are you ready for Christmas?” “As a matter of fact, I am,” I answered, because for the first time, I felt I really was. I was in Divinity School then and doing a lot of thinking about what the meaning of Christmas might…
In my family, expensive gifts were always frowned upon. The holidays were not about how much you spent but how much you cared. So a gift made with your hands was highly prized. It showed not only talent and time spent on someone else, but also thrift. My family is very fond of lists. Every birthday or Christmas you were encouraged to write a wish list of things you needed…
I’m thumbing through my mental filing cabinets, trying to remember the holiday traditions my family is supposed to have. But see, the problem is this: our traditions are kind of flickering, waffling a little, not quite sure if they want to stay or go. Get every family member a gift, or just pick names? Open gifts on Christmas Eve, or Christmas morning? Christmas brunch or Christmas dinner? Midnight mass or…
Everyone on my mom’s side of the family has a homemade stocking. They are made of felt and usually have a snowman with a variety of jaunty hats, vests, buttons, etcetera, and the person’s name in letters along the top. (The exception is the one my aunt made for my grandmother in the 60s which is decorated with many flowers and has the word “PEACE” instead of my grandmother’s name.)…
Christmas Day 2007 will forever be referred to as “The Day the Gravy Exploded”, joining the ranks with such other exciting and memorable days as “The Year The Cat Stepped in the Stuffing” and “The One Where We Got Five Feet of Snow on Christmas Eve and Lisa’s Big Christmas Present (a waterbed!) Was Across The Street In The Neighbors Garage.” * *This was back in the late 70’s when…
It’s a rare thing for me to cook, from a recipe or otherwise, but a few years ago I made eggnog Christmas morning and it was so delicious, it nearly became a family tradition. Notice I said nearly. Because this eggnog is not only delicious, it’s deceptive, dangerous, devilishly prone to producing drunkards, dozers and all kinds of family debacles. (Not to mention, just the memory of it awakens Deb…
Fifteen Minutes of Shame by Lisa Daily
Joining us today is Sheila Roberts, whose novel ON STRIKE FOR CHRISTMAS is the story of the women of Holly who brace themselves each year for stress, overwork, and very little understanding or appreciation from the men in their lives. (Hell-o, those little cranberries don’t just string themselves…) But then inspiration hits and the ladies decide to “go on strike” and give the men an opportunity to see firsthand what…
