It wasn’t too long ago that I was getting the house ready for Advent, Christmas, New Year, and most importantly, the arrival of my daughter from Florence. Once she was here my world was whole again, and whatever was missing or felt hollow was suddenly filled. But all good things come to an end, and
Category: Christmas Season
Dear Blog Readers, When my Dad dropped me off last Sunday, he did warn Humans T and M that I am a very emotionally needy cat. Neither human realised the extent of my needs until they figured out (very quickly) that if I get picked up and hugged it shuts me up instantly,- well, for
Dear Blog Readers, I have to give it to my foster parents for placing me in a supremely interesting household for the holidays. Boring this place is not. Like I’ve written the past days, I have tried to make friends with Cherry and Lolita, but somehow my attempts to whack them on the head, steal
I broke family tradition by baking my Christmas Cake on Christmas Eve itself. My mother would have been positively livid because I didn’t give it time to age. In her book the Christmas Cake or fruit cake hat to age at least six months, lovingly giving it a monthly hot brandy bath. First of all
When in Berlin for the holidays, my daughter inevitably visits her best friend. M and M have been friends since Pre-School and in spite of the fact that we moved away from Berlin in 2006 the girls managed to keep in touch in the most marvellous way, which I attribute to the magic of the
Dear Blog Readers, I had a restless night by local standards. Cherry and Lolita somehow manage to sleep through the night, getting up to pee and snack only once, but I was up and about, ready for action. So I declared myself to be Sherif Tiffy because I inspected every suspicious corner and item, meowed
My kitchen is the last place you will ever look into for traditional Christmas cookies, especially German Christmas Cookies. Let me tell you why: my mother learned to bake cookies very late in life, and had it not been for the American and European expats she met during our years in Kenya and Mexico, she
Twas several nights before Christmas, when all through our streetEvery creature was stirring, even the crow, that cheat.The dogs were howling by the gate without a care,In hopes that the St Bernard from nearby would pass without a snare. The guards were nestled all wrapped and bound,While visions of chappatis danced in their heads around.And Mulan in
My mother always insisted on setting an extra place at the Christmas table “just in case someone needs a home on Christmas”, and made sure to cook extra portions for whoever might drop by unannounced. I know of several other families who practice this and I carry on the tradition. This practice of never being
It is quintessential Filipino to first fine the humour in tragedy or adversity. Whether it a political debacle or natural disaster, or even personal loss, the Filipino family will strive to find a way to continue to laugh together. For those who are not familiar with this peculiar trait, or who are married into it
