Wait, it's December?

It's hard to believe Christmas is almost here. Especially since, with one thing and another, there are no presents under the tree yet. And also no tree, in the house, anyway. After killing last year's evergreen with the lack of sunlight in the house, we decided to go with evergreen boughs indoors, and decorations on the plum tree outside. My winter cheer needs are not quite being met, though, so as I write I am forming a plan to buy a potted citrus tree, decorate it and set it atop the presents (just as soon as they are ready - soon!). Then, come next week, I can give it a happy home outdoors. Yep, that's the new plan.

That, and to bring in some more firewood. We had an absurdly warm fall, and are going into shock with the sudden onset of winter and daily frosts. We only started making fires in the last week or so, and I am just today washing the heavy winter coats (right, must go hang those up now! 'Kay, that's done). The winter veggies did great with the unseasonable weather, though, and we've been feasting on (nabe) winter hot-pot with napa cabbage and daikon radish and carrots and green onions from the garden, plus tofu or meat. Probably four nights a week we are eating either that or the same selection of veggies and protein steamed. Possibly it is time for new additions to the menu (certainly my five year old daughter has been hinting as much - any napa cabbage, bok choi or daikon dishes to recommend?).

So anyhow, that is what December is looking like here right now - veggies piling up (and also being sent home with customers, which is nice for everyone), bread and sweets taking on a winter-y and Christmas-y flavor (did I mention the cherry liqueur soaked fruit bread they are baking today? My gluten free self would be more envious if it weren't for the fact that I can drink the cherry liqueur!), and me scrambling to remember how we survive winter in this draughty old farmhouse.

Season's greetings!