Freelance Post-Holiday: Back to Normal…

artichoke pizza

Well, the holidays are over (for us) and it’s back to the grind of work, cooking, diaper washing and general management of the perpetual juggling act that is freelance-parenthood-life.

I’m sort of breathing a sigh of relief, because not only will our days have a bit more predictability than they did during the festivities, but I’ll be able to work more and spend less.

Something I learned since last Christmas, when I was a leisurely pregnant lady with few holiday assignments: Freelance writers don’t get vacation days. Last week, I was the loser who was working in the guestroom while the rest of my family partied in my aunt’s Ohio living room. Such is life.

Time for a clean slate, renewed energy and a good holiday detox diet. I will make more effort to find new clients. I will find more time to do yoga. I will start saying no when an artichoke laden pizza weasels its way into my sight.

Let’s do this, January.

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And a Happy New Year!

six months pregnant at New YearThat’s me one year ago today – with a Shirley Temple and a six month plus bump.

How life does change.

Interestingly, this New Year’s Eve will be more relaxing than last year’s, mainly because of the fact that it’s not acceptable to bring the baby to the bar. However, there’s also the fact that a nine month old makes the holidays evenĀ  more exhausting than they already are. I’m ready for a break.

Of course, a nine month old also gives a whole new meaning to the season, and creates wild excitement in the most time-tested and routine of holiday traditions. So far, Iris has donned her Santa outfit twice and tried to climb numerous piles of presents. She’s had her first taste of peppermint stick ice cream, and is passionate about anything with colored lights and goofy music. Imagine that.

But, as I said, it makes for a tired mum and da (who has been working since 5:30 this morning, good man). So I’ve made a giant crock of soup, am packing up the pj’s and preparing to head to my sister’s for an evening of eating, low key bevy drinking and watching their basset hound love my baby with his giant tongue.

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Happiest of Holidays to You!

mom dad baby girl holiday

As we dive into the holidays this week, I want to wish you and yours a happy, safe and relaxing time of peace or celebration – whichever you prefer.

I think Christmas with a baby is going to rock.

The picture above is one of my favorites taken by Vanderdutch last week… That baby and her father are up to something, it seems.

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I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Tentacles, Diddly Doo Doo…

As the first invertebrate known to use a tool, this octopus has found a great purpose for empty coconut shells. Enjoy!

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December 14, 2012

one candle flame

Not all that long ago, I wrote a post about the state of mental health care in this country.

Last week, a young man brutally took the lives of 20 first graders and six educators. I cannot imagine anyone doing such a thing while living in excellent mental health.

As far as I know, there is no confirmation on whether or not the shooter was officially mentally ill. Still, even if he didn’t have a diagnosis like schizophrenia or dissociative identity disorder (formerly multiple personality disorder), there must have been something seriously wrong. Taking actions that so go against biological and social programming just has to be indicative of a problem.

I’m certainly not looking to condone what he did. I simply hope that there is an explanation, and one that points to a method of future prevention, naive as that may seem.

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Foxy British Bingo Birthday!

Foxy Bingo fox purple disco suit

It’s often said that “the little things” are what really set us apart from countries like England. Pounds instead of dollars, tea instead of coffee, lorries instead of trucks…

Really though, we know about all that stuff without even visiting the UK. These days, I’m more intrigued by the similarities – the things that are surprisingly familiar and make me realize how much we have in common with our friends across the puddle.

Case in point: Foxy Bingo. I think of games like Bingo as quintessentially American, and of course flashy mascots and words like “jackpot” are habits that have remained west of the Atlantic, right?

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The Place You Belong

homemade candles with ribbons

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I advocate shopping locally, sustainably and with character for the holidays.

That is, if I advocate for shopping at all. I really am not a shopper, especially as my current situation doesn’t provide the excess cash or storage space such a pastime requires.

In all honesty though, I do give Christmas gifts, and in recent years I’ve striven to make that practice fit with my year ’round attempts to be a responsible consumer.

Happily, this year, that ideal is going to be quite a bit easier.

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Freelance Clinic: Donating Plasma

what blood is made of

I donated plasma for several months back in college. It was a great way to make some extra cash, help out the community and snag a little downtime for reading.

This week, I donated for the first time in more than five years. When I told the husband we could bring in an extra $400 a month if we both did it, he hopped right on board. Between the water and peanut butter sandwich feast beforehand, and the free childcare during donation, it’s a regular date!

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Squash and Spinach Lasagna – Conquered(ish)

piece of spinach squash lasagna

Last week, in this post, I mentioned this recipe.

I have not stopped thinking about it since. The colors, textures and promise of indulgences like cheese and pasta nudged even my most jaded holiday sensibilities over the line into straight up festive.

When the hubs was making a weekend trip to the store for potatoes and onions (or maybe whiskey), I handed him a list that included beautiful things like ricotta cheese, butternut squash and whole wheat noodles (and also whiskey). My plan was to save the joyous cooking for post-baby-bedtime/cocktail hour.

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Veggie Friendly Thanksgiving Dishes

Thanksgiving vegetables green orange red

Someday, I imagine, I’ll have to host a Thanksgiving dinner.

When that day comes, while I do not plan to force tofu and beans down the throat of every omnivore in attendance, I do plan to offer up some new and less animal-dependent dishes. I’m confident that a balance can be struck between traditional indulgences and their healthier alternatives.

Below are links to some tempting recipes I’ve found while preparing for this year’s festivities. It seems like vegan recipes are even more popular than vegetarian, and I’m not a vegan, but they do look goooooood.

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