Lights + Leftovers + Trust Issues

It's still Christmas in my corner of the world. My neighbors decorate our house every year and this year is more of a light fantasia than the last. Every year I try to remember when "Christmas" ends (i.e. when the lights come down), but for now the answer to that question is a definitive "not yet." This is great news because it means you still have a little longer to drive by and get the full effect. From this picture you can't really enjoy the blow-up Santa on his motorcycle or the entire village of Snowmen with spotlight. If you won't be able to make the drive may I recommend you hack into NASA and check the satellite photography. I'm pretty sure we show up. I'm also pretty sure we are on CPS's "Nice" list every year. Before I go further, let me clarify for my non-San Antonio readers...round these parts CPS has got two meanings, but City Public Services is the one to which I refer. This electricity bill subsidizes the river walk lights.

Christmas continues in the leftovers arena as well. When my mom and I were packing up my ziplocks of joy I was stymied as to the best way to transport a slice of carrot cake. (Yes, let me retract the statement that there were only 8 desserts at Christmas...we had 9...the carrot cake was under wraps until late in the day.) My mom and I decided that the best way to get the cake home with icing mostly still in place was to use a plastic plate with foil over the top. My parents have an assortment of kid-friendly dinner ware and mom pulled down the one from the top of that stack -- the Winnie the Pooh plate.

I witnessed an inner struggle. I think she nearly snatched the plate back to offer me a different one. Evidently this is a favorite with her niece and nephew who are both 3. She made it very clear I could take this plate, but only if I brought it back. I would like to note, I have a pretty stellar track record for returning tupper ware, but this plate is clearly a family heirloom and I am a shady character. Mom, I'll have you know the plate is drying and will be returned tomorrow. Oh, and thanks for all the delicious leftovers!

Hope you all have a good wind down to 2009. You ready for the teens?

Bliss of Nothing

Today is the first day in months where I have very few plans, commitments, errands that *have* to be done. I woke up sans alarm and I just lay there. My one major must-do outing today is lunch with friends and then I can sit and stare into space if I so desire. It feels so wide open and spacious to have a whole day that is Mindy-centric. I may choose to clean or run errands, but it is a choice and there is zero hectic frenzy involved.

Allow me to share my day of luxurious time so far:

I sauteed mushrooms with garlic, cut up a home-grown jalepeno, and scrambled an egg with some cheese and avocado. Wrapped up all that goodness in a Central Market tortilla and finished off my deliciousness with some Ritual Roasters espresso. Not too shabby.

Craft time was up next. I have had the supplies to do iron-on stenciling for months. My friend and fellow blogger, Rachel, inspired the freezer paper acquisition and I have been putting off craftiness for far too long. This morning I realized I finally have the time to find my exacto knife, cut out the stencil, and play with fabric paint. I'm fairly pleased with the result, and can see how this could become addictive!

I had lunch at Twin Sisters with fabulous folks and I am now headed out for a long walk in crisp, sunny, "winter" air. After that the next major agenda item is Christmas leftovers...the day is shaping up well. Hope your boxing day is also glorious and relaxing. Best boxing wishes to each and to all!

Merry Christmas

Hello dear readers. Merry Christmas! I hope your day is full of food and fun regardless of whether you officially celebrate. Yesterday the familiy + my Jewish boyfriend decorated Christmas cookies. This was a first for him and he was a star. He even decorated a gingerbread man as Grimace (see picture at right). Last night my family gathered with some family friends of 26 years for Suppe de Pesche. Shout out to Chef Matt on an amazing feast and for noticing Grimace as soon as the cookies were unveiled. Today is just family with plenty of food and at last count I tallied 8 different desserts...it will be a good (read sugar frenzied) day. All the best to all of you!

PS - If you are still reading here is the dessert line up for all you Baker Peggy fans out there: Date Nut Bread, Forget me Cookies, Fudge, Christmas Cookies, Apricot Squares, Walnut Cranberry Cookies, Nut Butter Crunch, Peasant Apple Pie...This holiday brought to you by the sugar council (and Grimace).

Oh Sweet Stereotypes

I am not against stereotypes. A lot of people write off stereotypes as being false, racist, mean-hearted, or a waste of time. Though they may not always be flattering, stereotypes can many times be grounded in some snippet of truth or reality. The valley girl stereotype exists because, like, there are, like, totally people who, you know, act like that, right? Yesterday I was stereotyped in an innocuous way, but reminded me how many of our interactions and assumptions are based on these tricksy things called stereotypes.

I was in the elevator heading out for my lunch break. Ran into one of the executives who offices on my floor (eleven if you must know), he asked:
Exec: Where are you headed for lunch?
Moi: Actually I'm going to finish some more X'mas shopping. I really don't want to shop
the week of X'mas. Actually I just don't really like shopping.
Exec: (As he exits the elevator) Really? But you look so much like a woman.

Sidenote: I would like to pose a question to my lovely non-Texan readers, would that statement be made in Chicago? New York City? San Francisco? I'm really not sure any more because I have been re-immersed in Texas culture for 5 years.

I have lived a blessed life and had never personally felt the racial side of stereotyping until I lived in rural Mississippi. Before the school year even began, there were parents who tried to get their children out of my class based on my whiteness. I was called Cracker and the principal (remember spell it with an "a" because she's your "pal") told me to my face I would fail because I was white, talked to fast, and came from up North. Not the smoothest of beginnings. I understood why this community held such a negative stereotype of White People, but it made me sad to be lumped in.

Here's one final stereotype encounter: I wear scarves to work, many of which are brightly colored. In this conservative corner of the world, that is enough to have me labeled Artsy Bohemian. I don't mind being lumped in under these stereotypes especially because it means I can get away with more. Case in point. One day I was at work all day and then at a work function that night and no one mentioned to me that I was wearing two completely different earrings. When I realized my gaff I had a sneaky suspicion. The next day I asked my colleagues if they had even noticed -- one said no, the other confirmed my suspicion. "Well, sure I noticed, but I just thought it was a fashion choice..." Because of my status under the heading of Bohemian I don't even need to match. Awesome! Thanks stereotypes (this time)!

Christmas Plans

Much to the chagrin of my Jewish boyfriend, my family has a semi-tradition of going to a movie on Christmas afternoon. He is of the opinion that all the Christmas celebrators should not be crowding the official Jewish movie day... I say, "Tough luck." This year I am very excited about Sherlock Holmes. Why? Let me wax cinematic:

• I heart Robert Downey Jr. -- Wonder Boys...Iron Man...What's not to love?!
• It looks like it will appeal to my entire family. (There may only be 6 of us, but we have very diverse taste in movies.)
• I am a big fan of reading and of shoot 'em up movies...what a lovely intersection!

Another major X'mas release this year is It's Complicated with Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin. I went to a screening last night and will reiterate how excited I am about Holmes. It's Complicated felt contrived. Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of romantic comedies and I don't mind a good formula movie, but my rule is I need to like the characters enough to root for them. These characters were enjoyable with some high moments, but, overall, a bit bland. There's also the latest Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. A high contender in my family for sure.

Wine of '09

Dough, my favorite Italian bistro in SA, has been very good to me this year. This place is not much to look at in its strip mall residence, but they make their own cheese, have out-of-this-world food, and a wine list that makes me very happy. Dough introduced me to my 'wine of '09' (i.e. this year's favorite wine varietal) Ripasso. This type of wine uses partially dried grapes (Amarone style) mixed with young, fresh grapes which means lower tannins. (That's what he said.) All that I know is that it is simply delicious and so easy to just keep sip, sip, sippin' away.

Tonight I went for happy hour and was flabbergasted to find zero, zilch, nada, no Ripassos on the wine list. How can Dough do this to me? Will the week be ruined?!? Never fear, the waitstaff had two recommendations and, more importantly, two samples. One was blah, but the other, divine. If you are in need of a lovely, smooth red this holiday season -- Allegrini Palazzo della Torre (2005 I think), Veneto. Yum. Yum. Lip smackin' good.

In my professional research mode, read Google, I just discovered that the Allegrini uses partially dried grapes as well! Evidently I like raisin wine! Who knew? Thanks Dough. Thanks 2009.

Fantastically Fantastisch

I'm not one to tell you what to do, but I will strongly recommend you at least click here to view a few moments of ninja-foxy joy. The Fantastic Mr. Fox was the bees knees, the cat's meow, the foxiest piece of cinema I've seen in quite some time.

I didn't know how well Wes Anderson's dark, dry sense of humor would translate into a Roald Dahl story, but I never should have doubted that Dahl and Anderson would make a great team.

In my opinion it is rare for a movie to appeal to and be appropriate for a seven year old girl, a San Franista, a lawyer, a great aunt, and me. If possible, see this at the Alamo Drafthouse because the animated shorts at the beginning are amazing. I hope you are lucky enough to see Potat.