10 Things I Loved This Week

[icmezzo_archive]

#5: ICM's Christmas tree. It's silly, I suppose, but knowing I can manage to get a 7ft tree off the car, into the house, upright, and decorated (without ending up in the ER) makes me so happy. Self sufficiency meets holiday magic. What's not to love?

In no particular order, 10 things that made me giggle, smile, or squeak this week:

1. The best 17 seconds ever, aka A Talking Boat

2. I'm seeing The Desolation of Smaug, at midnight tomorrow night in one of those marathon events that begins with An Unexpected Journey a few hours prior. Headed there with several friends who I knew first from fandom but have grown into special people in my real life. I do not have my act together enough to do any dressing up, but I'm rather Hobbit-like anyway, so I'm just gonna go as a Hobbit in a human who just got out of work costume. Oh, and speaking of The Hobbit, THIS is awesome: Elevenses And Then Some: How To Prepare A Feast Fit For A Hobbit

3. tuesdaymidnight and I solved Cake today while at work. What is Cake, you ask? If you have to ask, you’ll never know. If you know, you need only ask. Or something like that. Okay, not actually anything like that really. (It's not worth explaining. But just know that we did it. We solved cake and, probably, saved the world as well. All in a day's work, my friends. All in a day's work.) And actually, now that I think about it, I'm pretty damn grateful for Tuesday in general. But this week in particular. Because of soup, chapstick, and gintrfffffffffffffffffffffger go spectacularly with satellites. *brain jar nudges Tuesday*

4. bsmog, sapphirescribe, coolbreeeze and I took a fun holiday mixology class last weekend where we learned how to make a few seasonal cocktails and then went to a really great dinner afterward. It was a lot of fun, food, and laughs. My "meat window" (annual non-vegetarian time) extends through the end of the year, and I have been taking advantage of it. (No, my meat window doesn't have curtains!)

5. My Christmas tree (see above). I spent several days this week working from home because of bad weather, which meant I could work and enjoy my days curled up by the tree, with my apple cider candle flickering merrily after it got dark. (That said, I do spend a lot of time these days saying, "Don't eat the tree, Clara. Clara, don't eat the tree! Clara, stop eating the tree. Please stop eating Christmas, Clara. Clara! Stop! Clara!" Ridiculous cat.)

6. It snowed. Okay, it snowed for maybe an hour and it wasn't enough to cover the grass, and it was about 1/8 of what I was supposed to get, but it snowed. It did. And I have truly been starved for snow. (I know you warm weather lovers must believe I've crazy, but after leaving my beloved Maine where 90inches/year is the norm, being down here near DC leaves me longing for it. Imagine moving from your warm climate to a place that never got hot; you'd probably the crave the sun, no?) Anyway, when it *finally* changed from rain to snow, I honestly started crying. Like, actually weeping. (And I am not a crier by any stretch of the imagination.) I went outside and just stood in it. Because...snow. <3

7. My lovely friend sapphirescribe podficced The Shoemaker and the Elves for me, was my hols fic from last year. :)

8. I took a chance and reached out to one of my very favorite authors last week, and not only did she humor me by responding in detail, but it has turned into a week of discussions about writing and fandom and stories and a slew of of other topics. I know that this isn't everyone's cup of tea, so I'm especially thankful she waded through my initial flails so that we could share some great conversation. I hope we can continue to do so. (So, thanks, lettered.)

9. I finally came up with an idea for hd_remix. It will be a fun challenge, but ultimately should be very doable for me. I'm excited to get started on the detailed plotting and writing. And of course hd_erised and all of the other fests currently posting. I try to review consistently at least in the fests I participate in as a writer, and I'm trying to keep up with some of the others as well.

10. I've already received several holiday cards, christmas cookie recipies, and little gifties from so many friends! One reader even made a paper ornament out of one of my stories (thoughtfully avoiding any smutty bits; that might have been difficult to explain if someone looked closely) to hang on my Christmas tree.

It's the little things, isn't it? And these are just 10 of them that made the start of December a little brighter. Wishing you laughs and smiles of your own. I hope you can find some time to revel in the magic of the holiday season. After all, I *know* we're all believers in magic. :)

Comments

[oakstone730.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful list! I was smiling the whole time I was reading it:)

[icmezzo.livejournal.com]

What a coincidence! I was smiling the whole time while I wrote it. :)

[icmezzo.livejournal.com]

BWAHAHAHA.

My cat stepped on the keyboard, hence the last line of #3. Should say "ginger." I'm leaving it, because Clara doesn't type often, so when she does, I figure it's important.

[firethesound]

I love your idea of a ten-things list. This time of year can be so hectic and stressful, and it's a great idea to take a step back and focus on the positive things about it. Your tree is so pretty, and the "Please stop eating Christmas, Clara!" had me giggling aloud. I haven't dared to get a Christmas tree in six years because I have three cats who are small furry terrors, so I am vicariously festive through the Christmas trees of others.

[icmezzo.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes. I tend to actually prefer my Christmas season quiet. Peaceful. Even melancholy. Decembers always seem to end up busy despite my efforts, but I do try my best to build in some solitude as well.

I joke about Clara, and she does nibble, but she only nibbles. She doesn't climb it or take down ornaments or eat enough to make her sick, though, which I'm grateful for. Who knows? Yours may handle it better than you think!

[birdsofshore]

I love your appreciation of life! This was such a joyous post and I want to write one myself, now. Just as soon as I get 5 mins...

[icmezzo.livejournal.com]

Can't wait until that 24-hr use me meme comes true. Eating crumpets from a packet and toweling you down will surely make my top 10 list for the week. No doubt about that!

[birdsofshore]

LOLOL. Who knew that crumpets from a packet would be such a revelation? I have only ever once in 42 years seen a crumpet that was not from a packet. I was gobsmacked. So, you see, it is possible, but a rare thing indeed.

[icmezzo.livejournal.com]

New life goal: use gobsmacked in a sentence. :)

[dysonrules.livejournal.com]

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CAT TOY!!! I mean TREE. *cough* XD

OMG isn't lettered lovely? She is so fun and intelligent and interesting. *adores*

What a great list. *GLOMPS*

[icmezzo.livejournal.com]

I'm lucky she doesn't seem to have the capacity to evaluate ornaments based on toy potential! Nibbling a pine needle or two doesn't seem to be hurting her, thankfully. :)

Yes. lettered is... Well. still having trouble reigning in the flail, tbh. I suspect you're lucky to know her...and her you! (You adorable thing, you!)

[dysonrules.livejournal.com]

She has to show the tree who is boss. LOL

Lettered is muchly fabulous and I am SO lucky. I'm sure she's used to being flailed at. :3

*squishes you*

[geekslave.livejournal.com]

What a lovely tree!

Stacey

[icmezzo.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think so! :)

[sapphirescribe.livejournal.com]

I have to say, it makes me inordinately happy to have been involved in so many of these things. XD

I also remain happy for you about #8. I know how important and meaningful it is to you to be able to have that kind of discourse and interaction with someone, and for it to be with someone whom you've "admired", for lack of a better word, makes it extra special. It's always fun finding new fandom friends.