The Five

Big flakes of snow are falling outside. It's so beautiful. I'm taking a break from cleaning to post.

And in the time it took me to start this post, the clouds have passed, the snowflakes are gone, and the sun is shining. You gotta love Minnesota!

I haven't had much time to concentrate on my Five Senses lately. I'm a little behind posting this!

Sight

The Way Life Should Be by Christina Baker Kline

Angela delves into the world of online dating and meets, who she thinks, is the perfect man. He's a sailing instructor in Maine. She pictures a quaint existence in Maine, matching the little seaside cottage she has tacked up on her bulletin board. Losing her job, she packs her old car with her belongings and heads North to her online love match. Of course, things aren't what they seem. But, she gets the life she's dreamed about, it just doesn't happen the way she expected it to.

I adored this book. Yes, it's chick lit. Yes, it was predictable. But, it was exactly what I needed to read during this busy time in my life. I'll definitely read more of Kline's work.

Sound

The Greatest Hits (Remastered) Crosby Stills Nash

The Best of Blondie Blondie

I hit the first few albums that were on my iPod while cleaning. These two kept me bopping while dusting, vacuuming, and picking up our second floor. I haven't listened to Blondie in years! I still have The Tide is High stuck in my head.

I'm also listening to the Christmas hints that Young One keeps dropping into every day conversation. We don't allow Christmas lists in our house--just screams of selfishness to me. Our goal is to celebrate the season, not the presents. AND to learn that presents shouldn't be asked for, but given. As an only child, he has so much. It's a unique challenge that parents of only children have. Probably doesn't sound like much of a problem from the outside, but we're trying to teach selflessness, not selfishness. So far, it's working very well. He's a very generous and appreciative child.

Scent

Pine boughs. That scent is so delightful this time of year.

Taste

The annual, after Thanksgiving, bowl of Turkey Rice Soup made from the turkey carcass (that word, ew, but what else can you call it). Young One just loved it. I wish I would have made a bigger pot. But, after our dinner, freezing some for my Grandma, and delivering some to my mom, there was only one bowl left--and I enjoyed that for lunch today!

I gave my basic poultry soup recipe here. Instead of dumplings in the recipe, just add, rice and cook until done. I strained out the onions and celery so Young One would eat them. Well, here's the scoop, I made turkey broth by simmering the turkey carcass, onions, celery, carrots, and bay leaf in a big stock pot filled with water. I strained out everything and then defatted (is that a word?) the stock by using a gravy separator (which you really should get if you want to cut the fat out of your diet). Then I returned some of the stock to the pot, added more carrots, some peas, and some rice. I seasoned it and it simmered while I labeled and froze the rest of the turkey broth for future use. (And did a load of laundry, and scraped an unknown substance off the counter tops, and sorted through the mail, and talked to Young One about a video game that I really don't get, but his enthusiasm for it is contagious-- you know, I did Mom stuff.)

Touch

Dried orange and grapefruit slices. I do this every year, just before Christmas. I like to make garlands from them or fill clear containers with them. I love to wrap presents with brown packing paper or use plain brown market bags with string handles (I buy them in bulk online).