Comforter

While we have a perfectly serviceable guest bedroom, we've never had a comforter for the bed. It wasn't too much of an issue, as smart guests head south in the cooler months. But when the odd winter guest did come to stay, we'd pull out random blankets from storage and present them with a pile of lime green, cotton candy, and periwinkle blue. (Ugh!)

And yet, despite the pile, anyone who didn't bring a spouse or partner would invariably end up feeling chilly at night unless we turned the thermostat way up.

This fall, we had enough company that we had to come up with a better way. So we set out for the store with our paint swatches and fabric samples, and went through every last comforter or duvet cover in the place.

Finally, in the very last row, we found it: warm and snuggly, and a shade of red that, for the first time ever, did not actively clash with the other colors in the room.

We got it back and spread it out... and it was True Love for the kitties. They congregate there during the day, and sneak in at night to luxuriate in the warmth and softness. If you try to keep them out, they sit in front of the door and cry.

While I do want the comforter to be warm and lovely for our guests, I cherish the hope that they won't be quite as fanatical about it as our connoisseurs of coziness.

Giving and receiving

It must be that time of year again, because we got our first question today about our gift lists.

Once my computer rejoined the world of the living, I spent some time going around the web trying to find budget-friendly items to put on a list. And as time went by and I continued to draw a blank, I got to the point where I was wishing that there were some other way of doing this.

I don't really need anything. And the sorts of things that I want are either intangibles (peace, contentment, etc.), or the outcome of seriously time-intensive endeavours. Neither of which would really fit easily on a list.

Which is not to say that I'm not trying anyway. I have been telling my mother for a couple of years now that I would love to have her write down her memories in autobiographical format. (I'd like my father to do this as well, only I've been too scared to ask him.) This would be priceless both to me and to future generations of our immediate and extended family.

All the same, I am sure my parents would give a lot of money not to have to do it. So in a way it's probably too much to ask.

If the only thing I want is too much... what do I do when they ask and keep asking for a list? They aren't going to accept "nothing" for an answer.

Maybe this is why edible gifts are increasing in popularity. (At least food gets used up!) Too bad nobody's close enough that I could just request a home cooked dinner or dessert (which I think would be enjoyable for both giver and recipient). :)

Treadmill

In the everlasting quest for the ideal exercise gadget, DH recently purchased a treadmill. I tried it out for the first time today. It was my first treadmill experience.

In the past, I've done stair stepping, which is pretty hard on the knees if you use the step at any height at all. Plus, stepping backwards off a step isn't exactly a natural sort of movement for your body (although stepping backwards onto a step is harder!).

In comparison, the treadmill was just so easy. I was on for about 50 minutes, at a very brisk walk, and ended up stopping not because I was tired, but because I was just kind of bored. (I think I need to queue up an engaging movie and just see how long I can keep at it.)

This evening (yes, I came back later to add this!) my computer decided that it no longer wanted to go online. This may be just the incentive I need to redirect some of my time towards pursuits that are a little more physically active. Huzzah!

Thanksgiving

This evening we tried something a little new for Thanksgiving - eating out. We have no family in the area (although as I noted before, I'm still hoping that may change!), and spending all day in the kitchen laboring over a feast just for the two of us seemed a little silly. So we looked on Opentable last night and found that a few local places still had availability.

We ended up at a restaurant in the city where I got to try a few things that I'd only ever heard about before - some amuse bouches, a foam, and a gelée. Very Top Chef in a way ;). I admit that I had a hard time with the gelée (which was sort of a savoury lobster item with the texture of jello), so that is apparently not my thing. But then, I don't love the texture of jello either, so at least I am consistent! More specifics available on request...

At the end of the meal, DH turned to me and said that we should make this a Thankgiving tradition. Sounds good to me!

Book review: I Love You like Crazy Cakes

I had noticed "I Love You Like Crazy Cakes" in my local bookstore before Sandie began her adoption journey. The lovely, peaceful watercolor illustrations caught my eye every time I went past the display, so when I had the excuse of this blog, I jumped at the chance to purchase a copy.

I put it away for a while, intent on other projects. But this summer, when I saw some of Anna's watercolors, I felt they were vaguely reminiscent, and mentioned the book to her. My comment was met with astonishment and delight, for it was, in fact, one of the very books she had referenced.

So the book has been here waiting patiently for me to post about it for a couple of months. And now, flailing about trying to find something to say in the longest November on record, I turn gratefully to it once more.

"I Love You Like Crazy Cakes" follows the story of a woman who adopts a baby girl from China. It is based on the author's own adoption experience, and is written as if in response to a question from her young daughter about how they came to be together.

As you would imagine from this description, the mother simplifies a fair bit for her young listener, so the whole adoption goes off lightning fast and without a single hitch, and the baby takes to her immediately. (Ah, poetic license.) With its simple and direct language, the book works well as a story to read to a young child.

Now, I know that Sandie prefers that the adoption stories she purchases show a family situation as close to her own as possible, and this one does feature a single mother and no siblings. I thought about this when I chose to purchase it, as I'm fully expecting to pass all of these books over to her in time. And I concluded that, while the book focuses specifically on the relationship between the mother and the daughter, it doesn't necessarily exclude the possibility that there may be other members of the family. If one wanted, one could easily add more family members into the list of people who come meet the baby once she's off the plane. (I always felt free to add and change things in the picture books I read to my little brother when he was young. He never called me on it! Authors, please don't kill me for this!) However, Sandie, if you feel hesitant, I'd be happy to keep this one with me. It really is a very pretty book and I wouldn't at all mind having it for my collection.

Buy this book (or just read more about it):