[Casablanca, December 2013.]
SO …. where to begin? How about with the lack of/intermittent shoddy Internet connection that is slowly driving me nuts? (Or, if I’m being honest, not-so-slowly driving me nuts.) I am mildly hopeful it will be sorted out this weekend, but will not hold my breath. But: we are here. That photo is the view from our upstairs room — on a day like today, when it’s drizzly and grey, the ocean isn’t quite as visible. But on a clear, sunny day being able to see the water makes up for a lot.
What also makes up for a lot – more than anything really – is this girl, who is starting to smile a lot and ‘talk’ to us and, despite her ongoing inability to sleep more than 4 hours at a stretch, is a complete delight. I mean, look at that face! So far (and I’m knocking wood here of course) she has remained remarkably unfazed by: long plane trips, the yowling of the cat who now resides with us, a new house, her mom’s stress level, loud noises, and much more. We are so lucky and I know it.
Meanwhile — I am currently drinking lots of coffee and trying to settle in. Thinking about holiday baking: definitely these pretzel cookies via Smitten Kitchen, perhaps some almond crescents, a batch of sesame seed cookies. I baked a chocolate cake over the weekend for a holiday party but of course didn’t get a photo because I thought I’d left my phone in the car (I hadn’t); this is my life these days. I’m contemplating my menus for Christmas (waffles for breakfast, I do think, and maybe a roast? Can one even obtain a piece of roast-like meat here?, with some sort of cake for dessert) and wishing to find some organic dairy … somewhere. I’m hoping for decent Internet oh, any day now. And so hopefully there will be more here, soon.
Your daughter’s smile is a joy! And so much hair – reminds me of my baby pictures, all dark brown, then my mom said it all fell out and came in blond. I would love to see the sea, too , there is something so soothing and wonderful about the water.
Hello, friend. I just read a phrase somewhere this morning – let me see if I can find it – that really resonated with some of my own struggles right now.
Ah, here it is! “A blessing doesn’t cancel out a loss, like some kind of spiritual Jedi mind trick. It’s about holding space for both the disappointment and the gratitude.” (from http://nocigarettesnobologna.com/2013/11/07/feelin-alive/)
Thinking of you, and this transition, and your lack of sleep (and my own impending repeat of years of sleeping in staccato), and the baking. I would like nothing more than to have some of that cake or those cookies and some coffee with you. Someday!