Pouring a proper gin and tonic was most definitely part of our upbringing.

Right? Heh.

11 degrees here.

That clear blue sky is taunting us. I really wish I didn't need groceries.

Last night I pulled out my favorite grey wool sweater only to discover the front of it full of holes. I guess it's an at-home sweater now.

I haven't left the house yet today (and, man, I'm just so amazingly lucky to have my husband who volunteered to walk the dog this morning at 7 AND just took her for her midday walk). I did make a half batch practice run of the cookie swap cookies I'm hoping to make. I ALWAYS say I'm going to practice and NEVER do so I feel like I've gotten a ton done today! I haven't actually baked and eaten the cookies, though, so who knows if they'll actually work! They're Thomas Keller's always delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe with added olives. I'm basing it on a truly amazing olive/chocolate dessert we had a restaurant in Chicago in May (Balena). I'm hoping it will be tasty plus interesting enough to be worthy of cookie swap!

If there were a toxic level of potatoes

(hand up) Man, I miss potatoes. Baked, garlic mashed, twice baked, tots...sigh. 'Taters, man.

That sounds awesome, meara. Also those cookies, lisah! Also non-drafty windows, Jess.

I feel like a talk about it all the time, but HGTV really is the most diverse channel on TV: I assume these two guys are a couple (I just turned it on) and they are middle-aged and nerdy, and an interracial couple. They would literally never be on any scripted entertainment.

Oh, the other thing I'm doing is figuring out some things to do in San Juan when we're there next weekend! Hoping it's sunny enough that we will mostly be hanging out at the beach but I want some rainy day backup plan.

The windows are consistently rattling here with the wind. I suppose this would be a good day to take out the AC unit, especially while my roommate is here to dial 911 if anything untoward occurred.

I have grocery shopped! And planned out with my mom what e still need that I couldn't find or forgot to get so we are ready for our holiday meals. Now I need to get my turkey stock started, since I will need that for the stuffing, which I hope to have made today so it's ready for the Tuesday potluck.

I went to Safeway because work gave us Safeway gift cards as a little holiday bonus, but then I forgot to use the gift card when I checked out. Oh well, not like I'll never need more groceries.

That sounds so fun, meara! I love that y'all played laser tag (blazer tag?) as part of it.

JFC. It's not even worth getting into the specifics, but I have fucking NO SYMPATHY for my mother right now. So aggravated. And yet? Heading over there now. Because apparently no one but me will actually make sure the apartment is cleared before I move in. (And that is not even what I am aggravated about! I mean, it's one part.)

Sorry, Jesse, whatever the actual aggravation is about.

Stock is simmering on a back burner. Gonna set for a bit before starting the cranberry sauce.