Before the Next Party, I Putter

One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides.

W.E. Johns, The Passing Show

We're having a party on Saturday night. Imagine that - the Andersons having a party. After all, it has been about two weeks since the last one.

This next event is a high school graduation party. Held in honor of the third and last kid graduating from high school, this party is a no brainer. I can do this one with my hands tied behind my back. With the Eagle Scout Court of Honor pushed to the end of the month, this day began without a feeling of rush. I embraced that. I have accomplished nothing.

Have puttered the day away. Put my pretty silver shoes from the wedding into their box and onto the shelf in the closet. I unpacked my suitcase from the college graduation and buried it in another closet. Emptied the bag in the living room that held the wrapping paper from the 18 year old's birthday presents. Watered the new flowers I've yet to plant.



The school year is winding down so no teaching today. I could drive to the YMCA and swim 3/4 a mile, but can't muster that much effort today. I'm enjoying the quiet while anticipating a rousing houseful on Saturday night.

I have brushed my teeth, read 50 pages in a library book, ate breakfast, put some handwash items in the washer. Excited to discover I won the Peterson's Field Guide to Birds from Susan at City Girl Moves to Oz Land.

Now I think I need a nap while I ponder last night's Lost finale.

Not only have I read two books in the past few days (remember my lack of concentration for reading), I also took a look around my yard. Stopped to smell the flowers, as they say.

Remember my tomato plant wars of past years?

Look what I have growing on my five plants. I did have to squish a few green tomato worms, so I'm not home free. But, oh, my. How proud of myself, I am.

Yes, I do need to add weeding to my list of things to do - tomorrow.

The Season Continues - Lefsa Included

Why not seize the pleasure at once, how often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparations.

Jane Austen

The muse of writing has left me the past few days as I've been entrenched in the business of Christmas. I'd like to write that I've done something altruistic and spent my time volunteering or aiding those in need. Somehow that aspect of the holidays has escaped me this year. I've entertained and had family and friends around me, but as to giving of myself, no.

Driving around my town the past few days running a myriad of errands, I haven't noticed Christmas decorations. Instead, the autumn leaves ablaze with color have caught my eye. My middle son arrived home from college in northern Arizona this past weekend. As we visited the toy stores in search of Dora items for my young niece, he replied, "It is still Fall here." Indeed, the oranges, reds and yellows are vibrant and have often drawn attention from my driving. Today, I will take my camera with me.

I do hate to put out yet another post of nothing worthwhile in terms of words, but here are a few pictures of the book club party (our December book What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver) and...





... for those of you Scandinavians out there, join our lefsa making party. Lefsa is sort of like the Norwegian/Swedish version of a tortilla, chapati, or mu shu shells. (Now the Norwegians claim it, but the Swedes do also. Little contention there. I was the only Swede in attendance that night.)

Lefsa is made from potatoes. The dough is rolled out very thin before cooking. We had to experiment a little before remembering our strategy from previous years.

We use a long stick to pick up the dough and roll it onto the griddle.

I like mine spread with soft, creamy butter and sprinkled with sugar, then rolled or quartered. I also like it spread with lingonberries. A friend eats his with Caro syrup. Another with cinnamon.

And what would a Scandinavian event be without the appropriate drink - Akvavit!

The results. Wish I could share it with you, but the photos will have to suffice. Please click on my friend, Beth's, blog as she has more photos. Disregard that photo of me. I never look like that.

Greetings until a better post.