Pushing on a Rope
Family
Scenes from a steakhouse on New Year’s Eve
With just a few hours of 2011 left, there seemed to be just one way to celebrate — a good meal and a bit of laughter. Neither was planned, but both offered a welcome respite from life’s insanity while helping us usher the year out. We lucked out and got a last-minute table in the … Continue reading
A solemn resolution to go with the flow in 2012
What is your new year’s resolution? I stopped making them a while back. Weight loss and exercise are already in hand, thanks to my good friends at Jazzercise of Southwestern CT; I don’t smoke and rarely drink. And heaven knows that even the most Herculean efforts won’t get me to hold my tongue or suddenly … Continue reading
In praise of the household’s unsung hero
One of the things about having a few days off is the chance to do things I wouldn’t do otherwise, like watch mindless television programs. On the ET-Insider last night, I caught the “11 of 2011” awards and consider myself much better informed now. Among the great minds getting a nod for their contributions to … Continue reading
Pieces on Earth
Add a new catch phrase to Christmas at the Vaneches: TIMMMMMMBER! It was already a crazy day — the end to yet another teeth-clenching, chaotic week that had me way behind the eight ball as the Big Day neared. For the first time I can remember, I am not ready for Christmas. Earlier today, I … Continue reading
Yes, Catherine, there is a Santa Claus
One of the great things about being a parent is a chance to reconnect with your own childhood –something Basil and I do with gusto at this time of year. Playing Santa is perhaps a parent’s biggest pleasure — even when the kid would rather play with the box than the present in it, as … Continue reading
Going out on a limb for Christmas
Trimming the tree is therapeutic this year. It’s taking a long time — our crazy schedule means decorating piecemeal, and there’s a hidden blessing in that: There’s more time for reflection than in years past when the tree was dressed in the time it took “It’s a Wonderful Life” and a couple of Bing Crosby CDs to finish … Continue reading
It takes a lot of dough to say ‘I Love You’
The great Christmas Cookie Bakeoff got underway Sunday. Though a mere shadow of its former self, it’s a massive undertaking — my holiday gift to family and friends, a little something sweet with which to end the year. The cookies are a gift passed down from my mother and grandmother, who together baked thousands of … Continue reading
A step-by-step guide to celebrating the holidays
We’ve got little rituals we follow all year, but holiday time is fairly steeped in traditions. I don’t know about you, but starting the third week in November, there’s practically a checklist I run down. Some of these activities are rooted in childhood, others are the result of our efforts to forge uniquely Basil-Terri-Catherine rituals. And … Continue reading
Shedding light on childhood memories
Basil’s birthday is today and to celebrate, Catherine and I gave him something he’s been missing for years: A Humpty Dumpy lamp to replace the one his mom got rid of when Basil was a child. Unfortunately, Basil did not agree with her choice. He’s mourned the loss of that stalwart egg for many decades. Thanks to … Continue reading
Talkin’ turkey
The annual week’s worth of cooking madness is about to begin. I’ve got my spatula ready. How about you? Compared to a lot of folks (like a fellow Jazzercise instructor who’s expecting 40 guests), my turkey madness is pretty tame, a far cry from the annual food orgy I grew up with. When I was … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 