Almost Done

In amazing news, I had all presents bought and wrapped by last night, the house as clean as it's going to be by this morning, and the meat for tomorrow night marinating in the fridge. All I have to do is go to parties and enjoy frivolous needless shopping, like looking for cheese and wine for before dinner.

Best party so far: dessert potluck for the yoga gang. Our teacher just got Anusara certification, which isn't easy! So here were all these tiny people (not me!) and a table full of chocolate, sugar, butter, eggs, and snippets of fruit. We did not do much damage. As it happened, I couldn't make Charlotte Russe b/c apparently ladyfingers no longer exist, so I made an Indian dish: kheer, a rice pudding with cardamom, raisins, and almonds. Was good.

Saddest party was tonight, my old teaching friends. All the talk was illness and aged parents, with much discussion of hospice.

But the day was lovely, bright, warm, and sunny. Mop is surviving so far, with my step-daughter's dog down stairs and the Mop up.