My gorgeous and huge tree.Christmas Eve with my babies.Enjoying Christmas Morning
I can’t believe Christmas 2020 is past. The season went by so quickly. I’m still a little bit shocked that it even happened, but it did. I’m trying to process 2020, but I’m having a very hard time with it all. So I am going to begin by processing the easiest things first: Christmas!
I did not get nearly enough done. Oops.
Five books went unreviewed.
Christmas content was completely nonexistent from me this year.
I managed to bake a total of zero Christmas cookies.
I watched the same Christmas movies on repeat and didn’t even see any of the new Netflix Christmas movies.
Santa didn’t get me a single thing this year… Not even coal. I feel forgotten.
I’m still not done Christmas shopping.
I failed as a mother because the puppies didn’t get a single present. I’m the worst mother ever. Poor babies.
I’m sad my office Christmas tree was never put up.
I wish I would’ve seen more Christmas lights.
I really missed getting to go out and do Christmassy things.
Those are a few of my post Christmas musings. I’m hoping next year will be better… Well, next year, I’ll be better. I was lazy and slacking this year. Oh well. I had a great Christmas day with family and puppies, so that is all that matters.
bisous und обьятий, RaeAnna
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Christmas tree hunting has been a tradition my entire life.
What is the definition of Christmas tree hunting? For me, it means, first, locating a Christmas tree farm: one that grows Christmas trees. [My personal favorite in the Houston area is High Star Christmas Tree Farm. It’s north of Houston. They have amazing prices and friendly staff.] Once at the farm, the hunt is on. Grab a saw and a measuring stick. Find the plumpest, tallest, most symmetrical tree that your space allows. Lay down on the ground, saw that tree down. Shake it, bundle it, pay for it, put it in the truck, head home to set it up and decorate!
Every single year, minus 1999, 2014, and 2015, I have gone to a tree farm, hunted the perfect tree, and cut it down. By I cut it down, I mean, my father, my boyfriend, my friend, my boyfriend, anyone that wasn’t me cut it down. We’ll get to that in a moment. The reason for no tree hunting in 1999 was: My family and I weren’t home for Christmas. We were celebrating in California with family, so we decorated a Christmas cactus. 2014 and 2015 did not have a tree hunt because I was living with my best friend’s family, and they have a fake tree.
Beau loves the big dogs that moo so much!!!
Out of my thirty Christmases, I have had a real live tree personally cut down (by a someone close to me but not me) for twenty-seven of those Christmases.
The most fun part about Christmas trees… I’M ALLERGIC!!! Our love is greater than my inability to touch them. I have a commitment to real trees because I love them, I love their smell, I love having a real tree that I picked out of the ground. Luckily, I have people who love me enough to struggle cutting down a tree, setting it up, and decorating it. I, graciously, take on the role of manager, pastry chef, and barista. Everyone gets what they want, but mostly I do.
Loving on the best girl in the whole world.
Once Beau entered the family, she started coming on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. This is her fourth year. This year, we have five extra dogs in the house. We decided to save our sanity, and only brought Beau with us to hunt. She loves it. She loved looking at the big dogs that go moo and rubbing up against the pine needles. She did her very best to try and greet every human and pupper she met. And per usual, she did not want to cooperate for family pictures, but I managed to get one nonetheless.
This is also the first Christmas in my own house. A house with a very high ceiling, a very large living room, and fireplace warranting a large ass tree. I managed to find the chonkiest twelve foot tree I could find. It is a giant of a tree. I love it so much. The amount of joy it brings me is too great for words. Pictures will be coming soon. Bringing it in, setting it up, and decorating it was a several day process because it’s very large and very beautiful. I am in love with my Christmas tree.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
bisous und обьятий, RaeAnna + Beau
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I’ve been having difficulty getting into the Christmas spirit this year. There’s not really a reason, but I have a sneaking suspicion it may have something to do with 2020.
In America, there is a long and heated debate on when Christmassing begins. For the correct people, like me, it starts at midnight on November 1st. Halloween is the gateway holiday to Christmas. For the wrong people, it begins after Thanksgiving.
My love of Christmas has not waivered, but I think 2020 has taken an emotional toll. Just maybe. There’s a slim possibility. Teensy chance. COVID, the election, buying a house, having a herd of dogs, quarantine, not traveling, and the in betweens has sapped my perpetual enthusiasm. I’ve been able to tap into my Christmabsession at friends’ homes, but my own house is lacking even a hint of Christmas. So I’m trying to really get into the spirit now that Thanksgiving is behind us.
Celtic Christmas at The Renaissance Festival Last Saturday, I went to the Renaissance Festival here in Texas. The theme of the weekend was Celtic Christmas, which was very fun. There were loads of Christmas trees and decorations everywhere. A lot of musicians were playing carols. The only down part of the day was the rain. It poured—and I mean POURED—the entire time we were there. It only got worse the longer we stayed. Honestly, the most authentic part of the festival was the mud.
Baking I’ve been spending a lot of time at my friends’ homes the past few weeks, and I decided to fill their houses with Christmas cookies. It definitely helps.
Decorating I was a part of decorating my friends’ house. That counts, right?
Fires I love a good fire. There is something so cozy and lovely about it. They make me feel like it’s winter and Christmas is coming. In my house, I have a gorgeous fireplace; unfortunately, it’s gas, but now I don’t have to clean it out. I recently became the owner of a fireplace key, so I can use it. Man oh man, I have had a fire everyday this week. It’s been amazing.
Christmas Music I have turned the Christmas music on. It makes me sing and dance, which helps me get into the mood.
White Christmas This is my favorite Christmas movie. I will watch it all year round, but it definitely gets played on repeat this time of year. I finally watched it the first time this season on Saturday night.
Starbucks Christmas Cups They always bring me joy when they’re released. I love them. They bring the joy of the season with them.
Grinch, Home Alone, Elf These three movies have already been watched a few times because my friends love them. I can’t argue; they are classics and deserve to be watched repetitively. So good.
Holiday Reading Every year since I started blogging, I only read holiday books and publish holiday book reviews, so prepare yourself for the onslaught. This year I’ve tried a few different ones than usual.
Christmas Content I love taking Christmas content. It’s so fun and helps get me in the spirit. Although, it will probably look a little different this year because of COVID and the world being a dumpster fire. Hopefully I can find a few Christmas locales to take advantage of.
Thinking About the Family Christmas Card With five new additions to the family, I’m not sure what this card will look like. The last few years, we’ve dressed up and included Beau. I’m not sure if all six of the dogs will have Christmas outfits this year or not. Stay tuned to find out!
bisous und обьятий, RaeAnna
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I’m writing this at 4:35 in the morning. I started working the election as a poll worker for early voting last Wednesday. I was going to work a twelve hour shift three days a week, but I ended up being put on the schedule to work seven days a week, twelve hour shifts all the way through until election day. Yay! I’m doing my civic duty and helping make sure this election goes well in a very, very miniscule way.
I had lots of plans for the four days I wasn’t working the election for the next two weeks of October, but that’s obviously not happening now. Busy, busy, busy.
Take a bunch of content photos because I’m beyond behind. Oops. COVID has kept me at home. Oh, and so have the puppies.
Write all of the book reviews. Probably not all of them, but I was hoping to make a serious dent in the stack that is growing at an alarming rate next to my desk. Guess not.
Write a bunch of social justice pieces to remind the public that Trump is the worst and this country needs, quite frankly, anyone but that hot orange garbage pile of a human.
Bake. I was really in a baking mood and felt the fall spice fire burning in my soul. I’m too tired for that now.
Sleep. I am doing that, but not as much as I would like.
Not wake up at 5:00 am. This is always a goal, but I never thought I would write it in a listicle. I guess I do now. 5:00am is horrible. I quit corporate America almost solely because I hate early mornings — I also hated my job. The only time I like to be up before the sun is to catch a plane.
Go to the beach. I’m working by the beach. Unfortunately, I get to the election office before the sun rises and leave after the sun sets. Beach will wait until after November 3.
Post a few book reviews about how Trump and his administration is awful. Because… they are awful. Time to go. Bye.
See my dogs. I think they’re about to have a nervous break because they’re not used to mommy not being home. Right now, mommy is gone a whole fucking lot. I’m ready to be home again.
Really double down on some freelancing efforts. COVID hit freelancers and creatives hard. I’m definitely feeling it monetarily. I’m fine, but I’d like to get my income back up, up, up to where it was and even higher. So I was going to take some time to revamp some things and get back in the groove.
Pain my office… I’m working behind the bar in my house. Yes I have a bar in the living room, which has turned into my home office. The puppies have made it hard for me to get my office put together, but I was determined to have it done by Halloween. Well… no.
I’m so happy I’m working the election. That is far more important than accomplishing any of the above eleven. These are all goals I had, but they can all wait. I’m learning so much being out and around people who are voting. I’m definitely collecting stories from working the election during COVID, so stay tuned for that post coming your way eventually.
bisous und обьятий, RaeAnna
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Duke loves to look out the windows and watch the world go by.
My sweet boy always makes me laugh.
Three month old Duke smiling for the camera.
Had you told me a year ago, I was going to own a house and fill it with six dogs, I would have been surprised but not shocked. I was happily living in an apartment with one dog and pushing against the constant “Can we get a second dog?” My answer was always “No.” I wanted to keep my life as simple as possible. One dog is not simple, but it is simpler than two dogs. Why would I not have been shocked? Buying a house was an ongoing conversation. I have a heart for animals, so there was probably a good reason I would have six dogs.
In February, I brought home a stray dog, Tessa. We had already started the home buying process. Tess had thirteen puppies five days later. I kept saying we weren’t going to keep any except the mama. Dylan said, “We’ll keep one. We have to keep one.” I said, “Fine.” Then it turned into keeping two dogs. One for him, one for me. That turned into three dogs because the runtiest had made an extra special place for himself in our hearts after working our butts off to keep him alive and he had some health issues we wanted to make sure were properly seen to his whole life long.
Keeping four puppies was an accident. Everyone had been claimed by the beginning of June, except Duke. He was the second runt and sweet as pie. Every prospective family fell through. The wife wanted him, but the husband said no. It wasn’t the right time. They didn’t pass my tests.
He loves sitting with his face propped up on something.
It ended up being such a blessing Duke stayed in the family.
I can’t imagine our family without Duke. He brings me so much joy. He’s the only one who likes to fall asleep in Mommy’s arms, and, dammit, I want a cuddler! If I didn’t, I’d have cats. Duke listens and learns better than the other dogs. He’s gentle and sweet and keeps Knight company. He loves playing with others but also being alone. He loves hanging around outside after everyone has gone in to soak up some sun. The addition to the family isn’t just because of his amazing personality, it is because he has some serious health problems.
Duke’s top jaw is much longer than his bottom jaw. His lower canines are boring holes into his top palette. If the problem is not taken care of it will eventually lead to open sores, abscesses, infection, and a host of other serious problems. That’s just what we could see. His overbite started becoming noticeable around eight weeks old, but it wasn’t extravagant. By the time he was four months, it started being incredibly noticeable. And we started worrying.
You can kind of see his funny overbite.
We took Duke to the vet regularly so they could check up on him. The beginning of September, I took him to the vet to have it checked because we were noticing significant effects. We were referred to several dental specialists so we could get him in ASAP. He had grown so quickly in two weeks; extensive damage/trauma happened in a very short period of time. We had several appointments saved with different dental specialists across the state. Finally one of the best dental specialists in the state/country was able to squeeze him a month ahead of everyone else.
I have had so very many sleepless nights worrying about him and quite frankly how we’ll pay for it if the procedures end up being even more extravagant. The puppies have been a series of rare problems, and it has been expensive. LIke, really expensive. I don’t regret it, but we are to the very end of our financial string. We’ll make more money, but Tess and her thirteen puppies have one chance at life and we want to make sure those lives are happy and healthy.
Up until a few days ago, we weren’t sure if Duke was going to have his toofers removed or need facial reconstructive surgery. His needs and future were up in the air until the specialist could take a look.
Lounging is his favorite activity. He is such a fancy boy.
Thankfully, Duke’s is the best worst case scenario. All of his teeth have, miraculously, aligned well except his bottom two canines.
We have a surgery date! On November 5, he will go in for tooth reduction and vital pulp therapy—it’s a weird process that you can google if you really want to know what it is. As long as everything goes well, he’ll come home the same night. He’ll have seven days of taking it easy on his little mouth, and six months later, he’ll get to go back for a check in to make sure everything worked wonders.
Duke gets to keep his teeth and his cute fucked up face forever. We are so, so, so happy and relieved. I have been an absolute mess worrying about him for the last three months wondering if this will be problematic and affect his quality of life forever, which has been my biggest fear for him. It won’t! He gets to be a happy, healthy member of the pack for years to come.
bisous und обьятий, RaeAnna + Duke
He just wants to cuddle and look up at you with his big happy eyes.
The recipe for this delicious salad is at the bottom of the article.
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 marked the official start to fall in all its glory. I grew up in a place that had a bonafide fall season; though its length and strength changed from year to year or even day to day, there was a changing of the leaves, a crisp smell hanging in the air, and a reason to don sweaters and a jacket. I no longer live in a place filled with fall, but it’s still fueled with fall or at least the illusion of fall.
Houston is a crazy place where fall doesn’t exist in any kind of satisfying way. There are sweaters in stores with no reason to wear them for more than a month. Pumpkin spice is everywhere, but people get it iced to cool off from the 90° heat stroke. Leaves don’t so much as turn an array of colors as they turn brown and hang out on the ground.
Pretty much the most autumnal I can get around here are the solids and liquids I shove in my mouth on as regular basis as I can during the “fall” months, or as I like to call them in Houston: the slightly, less hot continuation of summer months.. So here are eleven fall foods and drinks I love to consume.
Apple Cider—I love apple cider so much. I have to go light on the cinnamon because it gives me migraines. Sometimes I throw caramel in there because I’m super fancy and I like calories. Houston doesn’t have apple orchards, so I don’t get to that cute crap. I’ll just drink apple cider and pretend.
Pumpkin Pie—It’s an autumnal staple for a reason. It’s delicious, and I love it. The smell fills the whole house as it’s baking. I hate store bought pumpkin pie, they never get the spices right. I will literally eat a whole pumpkin pie all by myself. You don’t even have to dare me.
Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, and Gravy—Maybe it’s because I’m from the Midwest and we thrive on meat and potatoes. But there is something positively homely about a house filled with the smell of roast beef, mashed potatoes, and all the yummy juices that will turn into gravy.
Hot Chocolate—Hot chocolate is the best. It’s the best thing about cold weather, especially when it’s topped with more marshmallows than a cup can physically hold. I make awesome hot chocolate in the French way.
Ginger Cookies—I use my great-grandma’s recipe. They are to die for. Soft in the middle, crisp around the edges, delightful all the way around. I start making them by the dozens this time of year.
Fall Salads—I can’t narrow it down to just one. I love fall salads. They’re heavy on the arugula and squash and warm, yummy goodness.
Red Beans and Rice—A Louisiana staple. I spent a lot of time in New Orleans growing up. This is one of my happy foods. It’s warm, filling, and delicious. It’s one of my favorite dishes to make for entertaining because I can make a huge batch. What doesn’t get used can be frozen to be enjoyed easier.
Sweet Potato/Squash Everything—These things make me so happy. Roasted, pureed, soup, sweet, savory, happiness. I love grabbing them from a farmer’s market or produce stand. They’re such humble ingredients that can be turned into really amazing dishes. I can’t choose; I love them all ways.
White Chili—I really… hate chili. Normal chili. The red, beefy chili. I find it gross. I don’t know why; I just do. However, I love white chili. It’s basically just a chicken, bean soup with lots of yummy goodness.
Cherry Pie with Crumble Topping—Crumble topping is the only way to go. I don’t know why, but a normal pie crust topping doesn’t cut it. The crumble is the best. Cherry pie literally tastes better in the fall. I only eat it in the fall. I love it and will eat it so enthusiastically.
Pecans in Baked Goods—Pecans reign supreme over all other nuts. Mixing them with butter and sugar and carbs makes them a complete mouth orgasm. I’m gonna go grab a handful now. I love them in a bourbon bread pudding, cookies, brownies, cake, everything, and all the things. So good. So, so, so good.
Basically, fall is the time to start eating as much sugar in any and every way possible. Gotta fluff up for the colder months. Fall foods are all about happiness for me. They just bring joy and comfort for me.
I started making the following salad over the summer. It’s not necessarily super fall, but it is perfect for the warmer fall we experience in the south. It’s cool and filling but hearty for fall. I love it as a side dish or as a light lunch or dinner. It keeps for up to a week in the fridge, so I make a big batch and eat away at it.
So much healthy yum in one bowl.
Ingredients
3 cups White Beans (canned or dry)
1 large Purple Onion
3 cloves Garlic
1 bunch Oregano (or whatever your favorite herb is)
3 lemons
Olive Oil
1 Red Pepper
1 Orange Pepper
1 Jalapeno
1 Cucumber
3 handfuls Grape Tomatoes
Salt
Pepper
Feta
Chives
Instructions
The hardest part of this recipe is cutting all of the ingredients to whatever size you want them to be, but cut them all up!
If you’re using dry beans, make sure to rehydrate and cook them. If you’re using canned beans, drain them and wash them in cold water.
Pour beans into a big mixing bowl.
Cut onions into as small or big as you want them to be. Put them into a small bowl and cover with water. This takes away their bite.
Chop the garlic and toss in the bowl with the beans.
Deseed and cut up the peppers, jalapenos, and cucumbers and toss them into the bowl with the beans.
Cut the grape tomatoes into quarters and toss in the bowl with the beans.
Chop the oregano (herb) and chives and toss in the bowl with the beans.
Add as much or as little feta as you want into the bowl.
Drain the purple onions of all water and toss in the bowl.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Drizzle with olive oil as much as you like.
Cut lemons in half and squeeze the juice into the bowl.
Mix the salad and let sit for a few hours before enjoying.
It’s a really, really easy salad to make. It takes a little time because you have to cut all the veggies into little pieces, but it’s healthy and so worth it.
