BLTs, the finches’ favorite music, and more (7 Quick Takes)

~1~

Some nights it’s hard to believe I need to make dinner yet again. The other evening I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to eat. Then I opened the freezer and saw some bacon.

We had tomatoes and lettuce and bread, so I made BLTs. They took such little effort, and they were so simple and good.

Sometimes there’s something so satisfying about a basic sandwich.

~2~

What groceries do you buy when it’s about to snow? I’ve been surveying my family to try to figure out what we need to have on hand, and so far they want hot chocolate and fondue. I’m thinking brownies or maybe an apple pie. I need to put some thought to this since snow is in the forecast—and this might be the storm of the winter for us.

Our children could really use a snow day on Monday. They won’t get one from the school, but…I am tempted to pull them out of virtual school for an appointment with some outdoor play.

~3~

When I ordered groceries last weekend, I saw there was a family-sized package of broccoli. That sounded great to me. I do love broccoli.

When the groceries arrived, I realized the family-sized package was for a much larger family than mine. I was afraid it would take up most of our freezer space.

Luckily I was able to fit it inside.

~4~

When I was a child, my parents threw me one birthday party with friends, and it was for my half-birthday. They served half-pizzas and I blew off candles on half a cake.

This week happened to be my half-birthday—and my brother’s is the day after mine. I love my half-birthday. It comes during the winter when there’s not much else going on, and when July seems a distant memory and an unreachable dream.

This year was especially fun because the only person who remembered my half-birthday was my brother—and then I was the only one who remembered his the next day. It was our own private joke, and we enjoyed it thoroughly.

During pandemics, you have to find your fun wherever you can.

~5~

Two years ago when our older son was celebrating his Chinese Year of the Boar, I found a stuffed boar, handmade in Hunan Province, for sale online. I ordered it for him, and he keeps it in a special place in his room.

This year when I saw the handmade ox was available, I ordered it for his younger brother, who is an Ox.

It arrived today, and I think it’s even cuter in person than it was online—gangly and sweet and dressed in traditional Chinese attire.

I can’t wait for Chinese New Year.

~6~

We ordered a bunch of Chinese New Year party supplies, and when some of them arrived, there were some extra fishing games thrown in.

It’s a Chinese tradition to serve whole fish for the New Year, but I don’t think fishing with plastic fishing sets is typically part of the festivities.

But I’m open to the possibilities.

~7~

We have a minor family disagreement about our pet finches’ favorite music. I claim that classic country is their favorite—and that John Denver’s “Country Roads” might be at the top of their list.

But my sons remain unconvinced. One of them thinks the birds like Christmas music best. The other one doesn’t think they have a preference at all.

It’s hard to prove, but I’m willing to put the time into this research. And you should hear the birds’ sing when “Alleluia” plays during virtual Mass.

Read more quick takes at Kelly’s blog, This Ain’t the Lyceum, and have a wonderful weekend.

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