SusieJ's Advent Calendar: December 22, 2007

The recipe: Egg nog

There's something about grocery store egg nog. Maybe it's the artificial rum flavor — or the artificial everything flavor. You just can't beat home-made. Quick and easy eggnog is for those who like to live on the edge; it's made from raw eggs. It really is quick and easy — I've made batches mid-party. Cooked eggnog is richer and creamer, because it is made from a custard base. I find guests prefer smaller servings. Both can be made with as little or as much alcohol as you want; we frequently allow guests to add their own alcohol, because so many people prefer a no- or less-alcohol version.

The surprise: Why cats and trees don't mix.

Our cat was sedentary enough by the time we put up our first tree, she had no interest in investigating it. To be honest, as a rescued barn cat, she was convinced that any expenditure of energy would result in immediate starvation. Not like these cats, who should really cut back on the 'nip. Notice that the grey cats match the blue and silver tree decorations.

Detecting Santa Claus

When the neighbor kids had been telling me for a year that Santa didn't exist (they were much older and more "sophisticated"), I decided I would investigate the question myself, through the following methods:

I wasn't a particularly investigative child, as you can see. It never occurred to me to search for presents in our house.

I could never stay up late enough without a book or a TV. Well, not until adulthood, when I wanted to fall asleep early.

When I saw the gifts, all thoughts of wasting time comparing handwriting fled my mind in the greed and excitement of the moment. Days later I'd remember my grand plan.

I couldn't remember what I'd asked Santa for myself, let alone keep track of remembering to ask for a gift, and remembering not to tell my parents. Or course, Santa never brings everything you ask for.

The cookies were always eaten because no one would be fool enough to turn down my mother's cookies. All that proved was that a real person put out the presents.