I hope that you and yours stay safe, Shir, and that the fighting ends quickly.

Hey guys. Just thinking of Shir and Nilly and wanted to stop by and hug you.

Hi Lilty!

Have lit a candle for peace, and moved an angel and my little Buffista penguin (from SF f2f?) to the center of my altar. Wish there was more I could do.

Man, I cooked the hell out of some greens tonight. Had two kinds from my CSA and a large bundle of green onions, so I steamed them and then cooked them forever in bacon fat, adding some Steen's cane sugar syrup and apple cider vinegar to help counter the bitterness. I'm going to take them to Thanksgiving, as well as a veggie casserole and maybe some homemade brownies.

I also made myself a big mug of hot cocoa and marshmallows, and am doing some work work. And I've done a bunch of my Flylady nightly routine (trying to actually make it a habit), though I'm pretty much out of time. Which sucks, because I'd like to keep going on this work stuff. Oh, well.

Mmmmm. Greem onions and marshmallows in one post. Two of m'favorite things. Hi smonster.

Blogging and planning my upcoming trip to Austin. Now to bed, 'cause so sleepy.

Hope it is quiet for Shir and Nilly and their loved ones and really, everyone there.

sending my love to all...

Looks like my little T-day dinner has grown a few people more. So, made a dash to Target to get another set of plates. I've kept a set of 4 for a very long time, as incentive to do dishes sooner. Since moving here, this dishwasher is a little bigger, so it seems I'm always doing half loads. So, been wanting to get another set of 4, and this helped bump it up on priority. While at Target, saw cute cheese board with cuts outs for crackers and two knives. Got it home, opened it up, and it was split down the center. Ugg. Now gotta return it.

(I will not get stressed or nervous about hosting a party. I will not get stressed or nervous about hosting a party. I will not get stressed or nervous about hosting a party.)

Another siren in Jeursalem when I'm not there, but my family is.

These were few long minutes before my sister and dad finally answered the phone. Everyone's alright, rockets hit the West Bank (again), no damage reported there.

Ryan continues to be a cutie pie!

He is! What I especially enjoy in this latest set is how much more expressive he's become. Check out this appraising look: [link] It shows in the way he holds himself too, such as here: [link] or here: [link] (There's also this shot: [link] It's always been pretty easy to get a smile out of him, but here it's not directed at the camera, or indeed at anyone else; it's just him enjoying his own self-directed, imaginative play.)

On that note, and noting that he sees himself much more as an agent engaging with the world, his use of props is pretty cool. My sister's husband is a music teacher, and we took this pic at their house: [link] He's also such a little Aussie: [link] His favourite song of the moment is "Santa Koala", set to the tune of Waltzing Matilda.

I think this is his best shot: [link] My favourite, though, might be this effort at product placement: [link]

Many, many good thoughts and vibes for Grace sailing through her procedure and peace of mind for her legions of fans.

Speaking of peace...May negotiations go quickly, and for the good of all, to ease tensions and stop the violence in Shir's world.

Poor Cagney was super sick yesterday and it was all my fault.

He gets neckbones a couple of times a week. I must pay attention to make sure he doesn't eat too much and that he chews efficiently. I lost the plot and he swallowed many sharp bits and one much too large bit.

He was miserable. Threw up 7 times...mostly on the carpet, natch.

His vet was very helpful on the phone, did not overreact and helped me to feel calmer than I would normally while nature took it's course.

He's good today. Phew.