Here are some things I’m hoping to do this cold first weekend in January:

1. Read Turtles All the Way Down.
2. Visit the library.
3. Send the last of the Christmas cards. (Honestly! This is just sad at this point!)
4. Do laundry.
5. Watch a movie. Maybe The Showman or The Post.
6. Bake something.
7. Visit the bookstore to make a return.
8. Go to the farmers market.
9. Get some sleep.
10. Celebrate Russian Christmas.

How about you? What do you have planned this weekend?

Wishing you warmth and comfort and coziness in the new year.

Coffeeneuring Ride #6: Mt. Pleasant Library (3160 16th St., N.W.) and Pear Plum Cafe (3064 Mt Pleasant St., N.W.)

Sunday, Nov. 5; 2.4 miles

Chai, pear-plum and cherry pies

We took Bikeshare up to the Mt. Pleasant Library on a rainy afternoon because the Michelle Obama photo exhibit (showing pictures from Amanda Lucidon’s Chasing Light: Michelle Obama Through the Lens of a White House Photographer) there was going to close later that week. (more…)

It’s late, I’m tired, and so I’m giving you a half-assed blog post:

Tasting: Right now, tooth paste, because I’m literally this blog post’s length from getting into bed. But before that it was reheated tea and peanut butter M&M’s (the candy was raw) to give me enough energy to wash the dishes, put away the leftover pizza, and get ready for bed.

Hearing: The sound of Rudi’s breathing. The fridge humming. Traffic outside. Corey sharpening his claws on my bike tire. (Oh, now he’s here to see what I’m typing, so loud purring.)

Smelling: Nothing, which means the litter box soaking in the tub must be ready to be emptied, dried, and put back into circulation.

Seeing: All the bags in my living room. We haven’t unpacked from our trip north and tonight we went shopping for my contributions to our office adopt-a-family charity and didn’t get home until almost 11. We’ve already agreed tomorrow we’ll put everything away after we get home.

Feeling: How sharp Corey’s claws are (Apparently trimming them is also on tomorrow’s agenda.), but how soft his fur is. The warmth of the quilt. The ache in my back. Tired.

Those last items means it’s time to put the computer away and then put me away for the night. See you tomorrow!

Oh, but before I go, one last thing: There’s still time to sign up to take part in the the Virtual Advent Tour if you’re interested! I sent out emails today to everyone who asked to have a date or two, so if you left me a comment (saying anything other than that you’d be back in touch yourself this week), you should have a message from me. Once I hear back everyone is okay with their dates, I’ll post an updated schedule. And I’ll get badges done tomorrow or Thursday in case anyone wants one. We begin on Friday!

The weekend in Connecticut was lots of fun. I got to see my folks, my brother, and my best friend. There was a lot of talking.

I watched the parade, some old and a new-to-me holiday movies, and a nice chunk of the Great Performances‘ taping of Holiday Inn.

There were old favorites consumed and new favorites sampled. I helped bake rolls, roll pie dough, mash potatoes, and make gravy. I decorated several dozen spritz cookies. I drank hot egg nog and ate gingerbread cake.

I helped my parents set up Christmas trees (or, at least, to get them indoors) and did some Christmas shopping.

I vegged in front of the fire, finished some knitting, and got a little reading done. I did not get to go through many of my boxes in the basement.

And while there was a lot of time in the car, there was no time in the office for six whole days!

I hope you all had a nice holiday weekend, too!