12/31: meeting my deadline

I found out this morning that the deadline for a translation project I was working on got moved to mid-January, but I had already decided to finish it today.  Tempting though it was to change my plans and linger for two more weeks, I wrapped it up this afternoon.

12/30: outrageous and fun

Matthew Bourne's Gothic ballet production of Sleeping Beauty, that is.  My sister saw it live last year, but I had to be content with watching the DVD this evening.  It's gorgeously done, and also crazy.

12/29: new and nearby

I finished my translating work early in the afternoon, at just about the time when Chris realized that it was too overcast for him to go flying--so we went on a new-to-us trail at Bell Slough, which we often forget as a possible place to go for a quick hike.  In the brisk air I did more walking than picture-taking, but here's a photo of some bracket fungus from underneath.  I can attest from recent walks that fungus is flourishing in Arkansas these days!

12/28: good news

When our neighbor moved away this summer, she was especially worried about Leonard, a feral cat she had been feeding for years, but the new neighbors happily agreed to take care of him.  We haven't seen Leonard much recently, so we've been hoping that he's been okay.  Today at sunset some of the new neighbors came down to the lake and said that Leonard is doing splendidly--and is being much friendlier and more affectionate than they had expected.

12/27: making

Some frustration today with a translation project, and made more stinging by the fact that I caused myself that frustration--so I turned to other things instead.

I made a Roman sweet cake with rosemary, almonds, spelt flour, and honey from our hives, using this recipe (here).  And then I worked on an art project that I had been picturing in my mind for almost a year (yikes!); it's nice to have it finished and propped up on my desk now as a reality.

12/26: leftovers

Leftover crepes for breakfast.  Leftover orange non-chicken for lunch.  Leftover curry for dinner with leftover stewed apples for dessert.  All good the first time and still good the second time.

12/25: long walk

We went to Woolly Hollow this afternoon and did the 4-mile walk over the creeks and around the lake.

A milkweed pod in the midst of letting go: 

Water and light slipping over rocks:

12/24: good smells & sights

Smells:  coffee beans dropped off at our house by one of our neighbors, spiced apples cooked as part of this evening's crepe dinner, and curry sauce made in advance for tomorrow's meal.

Sights:  bluebirds and cedar waxwings at the birds' water dish.