Welcome to Chaos !!

Today I felt like a soggy wet shoe lace. That I got anything productive done surprises me. All I wanted to do is stay at home and hibernate but I forced myself to go and do stuff.
I went and got a hair trim, about three inches. I told the hair dresser that I wanted those inches to come home with me. I am going to burn that hair, a first for me.
"When we cut our hair, it represents the end of something that once was and a new beginning. When we do have to cut our hair, it is never to be thrown away, but rather, burned with sage or sweetgrass in a ceremonial way. When our hair is burned, all of our thoughts, prayers, dreams, aspirations, experiences, and history rise to the Creator to be properly taken care of. We are then guided in the direction for our prayers to be answered. Throwing our hair away is a form of personal disrespect." From sistersky.com



I've had two cups of tea today. I love tea. I found this Earl Grey with double Bergamot.



So Christmas is over. It's like it didn't happen. New Year's Eve is tomorrow. Before I go to bed I am going to take a bath and do some laundry, I need to hand wash some things.
Bye Christmas until next time.....

Hello from another year older Tati. Feel the same and pretty much look the same as I did 20 years ago. I don't think I will be able to say the same in another 20 years but you never know.
I tried the Swedish pancakes (pannkakor) and they are excellent, I am so getting those again!



Today I slept in. Finally got up and got a London Fog, found out that I can start bringing in my own reusable mugs into the coffee shops so I will start doing that. Until I get my own espresso machine, which I will as soon as I decide on which one I want. And since I procrastinate, it might take me a while. So do not be surprised if it takes me another year.....again, I procrastinate (sometimes).
The other night I watched Elves (all the episodes) and tonight I am planning on doing the same with some other Netflix series. Not many plans besides relax and eat. Feels good.

This is what I eat.....basically every Christmas and Thanksgiving.
And throughout the year too. Potatoes. I LOVE potatoes. I boil them and make mashed potatoes and have them with brown sauce. Add lots of ground pepper and of course mash the potatoes with butter and heavy whipping cream.



Red cabbage. Pierogis (if I can find any decent ones). I have not tried these ones before. They better be good because I am planning on having them on my birthday. If they are not good I will go back to the Russian Deli that I found them at and complain in Polish, they will understand me. My fave pierogis are the ones filled with sauerkraut and my second faves are filled with potatoes. I chop up a large red onion and fry it. And eat the pierogis with the onion and sour cream.
Growing up my Mom would make them from scratch and I would help her but I am not much of a make it from scratch cook myself.



Pies. Always a few different ones.



I also have green beans and Brussels sprouts. That is what I eat.
I love food. No diets for me. Well, I am on the vegetarian "diet" but that is not a diet, I just don't want to eat meat. I love animals too much.

Christmas 2021 came and went.....During the day on Christmas Eve I made sure to go and get some pictures with my reindeer friend.







What else did I do? I did not have the best Christmas so I am not going to sit here and pretend that I did. I was upset and sad but also normal and OK. I did not feel too sad though because I do not have it bad at all compared to some.
Here is a recipe for glögg in case you want one. I love glögg. Did not have any this year though.



There is a weather advisory in effect here in Portland for the next few days. It snowed and got cold so the city opened up four emergency shelter for the homeless AND their pets. Since I am part of Portland Pet Pack I have access to dog and cat food plus other supplies (like clothing, crates, toys etc). So I took some dog and cat food to two of the shelters.
I hope that everybody that needed to find a place warm and safe was able to do so.
There are a few dogs that I especially worry about that I see come through on Sundays when I volunteer. I hope their humans made sure to keep them warm.
I also went by Pioneer Square to look at the beautiful Christmas tree.



Merry Christmas everybody!

I got some new face stuff at Sephora a couple of days ago.
Some products I have been wanting to try for a while. I have been reading a lot about, The Ordinary, very affordable. Both the hyaluronic acid and the retinoid (granactive retinoid 2% emulsion) are under $10 each.
Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant is a bit pricier but I heard (read actually) some good things about it.
I used to be so much more diligent with taking care of my skin but nowadays I kind of don't care.
Perhaps I will try to make an effort to start taking better care of myself skin and body next year. Just a bit more self care and self love. Good idea!



So it is Christmas Eve, like I said I decided to not decorate this year. It's been raining every day here and I am not feeling it.
The decorations can stay put away until next year or who knows.....maybe the year after that? I am on the couch with a snoring puppy next to me. I'm comfortable. I hope you are too.

I squeezed in an IKEA visit this evening. I have not been there in a long time so of course I needed some non meat balls with potatoes (mashed), brown sauce and some dessert, they had apple pie yesterday.
I sat down and decompressed, I have been working a lot lately, so I slowly enjoyed every bite.



Then I walked around a bit, made it downstairs and decided that I definitely need to go back soon to get a few items. The reason for my visit was to get Marabou chocolate bars for people.
And then I saw these Swedish pancakes (pannkakor). I needed those. Sure frozen but I am sure they are good. I will have them with a fruit jam and whipped cream. YUMMY!



And lastly a message in Swedish....



I have a long day tomorrow, early rise and until late but after that I am off until sometime early January. Looking forward to just BEING.