Childhood memories

These are some of my favorite things from Sesame Street. My favorite by far is the stick of butter. LOVE IT!

Sleep No More

A few weeks ago I was at a party and someone was talking about this performance in Brookline. A theater group from was putting on Macbeth, with an awesome twist. They rented this old high school and put together sets in classrooms on four floors of the school. The audience roams the school, all four floors. You can explore the sets and hope to stumble upon a scene in action. Sometimes you are two feet away from the actors, same level and all. The sets are intimate--like a play is happening in your living room. They walk down the hall in character and that's your chance--follow or miss the scene.

The hallways are lit with candles, the sets with whatever they're using in that scene. The temperature, the music, and even the smells are suited to the scene.

They used every aspect of the school--running over the tops of lockers, using old doors as props in fight scenes, jumping up/down stairs and over railings. And you are right there. I mean, I really can't describe it completely--you just had to be there.

Through word of mouth the play was extended through February and EVERY SHOW is sold out. I say call everyday, see if you can get tickets. You will not regret it.

It is one of the best things I have ever seen in my life, seriously. Amazing from every angle.

Sick Day

Today I am home from work sick. I fall asleep when I read, when I watch TV. I'm in and out of being slightly awake or currently awake because I just ate lunch. I'm basically trapped in my apartment but wouldn't want to go anywhere anyway. It's similar to how I felt on the plane trip back from our honeymoon. Trapped, lethargic, gross.

Every year at work we have a patient party and a staff party. We are asked to bring desserts for each of these events. Last year I did the easy thing and bought one of the boxed mixes. It's quick and pretty tasty. But this year I really wanted to make something from scratch, something that we used to make when we were kids. For many years my sister, Mom and I would bake loads of cookies. We made several types of cookies and they were all delicious!

I asked my Mom for one of the recipes. For some reason I never asked for this particular recipe before (but I have several of the others already).

Grandma's molasses cut out cookies!

I can't believe I have missed out on these cookies the past several years. The recipe makes 6 dozen, which seems like a lot. But really, you can never have too many cookies at Christmas. I couldn't stop myself from snacking on the dough and eating a couple cookies when they were done. Ya know, just to be sure they taste OK.

There's something mysteriously wonderful about family traditions. The familiar smell and taste of these cookies brought back some strong and happy feelings. Just sitting in my kitchen I felt peaceful and whole.

And also a little too full of cookie dough.

Home for the Holidays

After a successful "Champsgiving" with some friends P and I are headed to Ohio for Thanksgiving. It has been 8 years since I've gone home for Thanksgiving. In fact I've only gone to Ohio for one holiday since I moved to Boston.

P has never been to my parents for Thanksgiving. When we were dating we would visit each other's families the day after a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Once we were both living in Boston we went to Rochester because we could drive there, and as I'm sure I've mentioned before I can only take time off around one holiday. (And as I've also said before, I really love working at a hospital, so it's OK). Once my parents met us in Rochester for the great turkey. That was a lot of fun.

This year we're going home so P can experience a Bodle Thanksgiving. I'm really excited to be there and hang out with the fam and our extended turkey day fam. Hurray!

Disclaimer to all the Ohio folks: We're going to try to maximize our time with family so don't be offended if we don't get a chance to visit. We'll have a gathering next time we're in town!

Pics from Columbus Day

Columbus Day in Rochester:
We went on this great canal trip and a walking tour of Mount Hope Cemetery. My dad with two cameras of course !



We got to see Susan B Anthony's gravesite. If you're ever in Rochester check our her house--they have a really cool tour. Hurray women's suffrage. Mount Hope is gorgeous too--Frederick Douglas is also buried there. Neat history, beautiful landscape and some cool old monuments. It's so different than the cemeteries in Boston--no skull and cross bones on the stones.

We had a lot of fun-too much food and lots of great conversation.

This is our second Columbus Day trip to Rochester to meet up with my parents and I think we're going to make it an annual event.

Driving

I have never really loved driving. But I could drive myself from home to college and to P's family's house. I moved to Boston (it is crazy to drive here!) and drove to work an hour to and an hour from everyday. Then P and I moved in together and he needed the car for work, and I could take public transportation to work. I much preferred the bus or getting rides from people anyway.

My fear of driving has steadily increased over the last few years. To the point where I might have a panic attack just thinking about it. Yikes!

So I'm working on a self-imposed intervention that I must drive whenever we go on long trips.

Today I had a very successful six hours driving back from Rochester with only a couple minor stresses.

Hurray!