First of all – love and light to my friends who are celebrating Hanukkah this week!  I hope your holiday has been full of joy, family, and miracles both big and small.  Around here, we are deep in preparations for Christmas and the busiest season is busier than ever.  I was out of town for two days last week – in Philadelphia for a client visit with a group of my new coworkers.  The visit went well, we got in some good coworker bonding, and I was even able to squeeze in a quick breakfast with my lovely friend A.M.B.  Also, I have to say – Philly was in the holiday spirit in a big way.  It’s nice to know of an option for a festive seasonal getaway that’s closer than New York.  Anyway – the rest of the weekend was a bit of a dud.  On Saturday we shoved off early and drove to Baltimore to deliver on a promise to take the kids back to the National Aquarium.  When we got there, we discovered it was “dollar days” and admission was $1.00 instead of $40.00 – and the line wound ALL THE WAY AROUND THE BUILDING.  (It’s not a small building.)  I stood in line, huddled in a biting wind, for twenty minutes before we threw in the towel, bought the kids consolation prizes at the giant Barnes & Noble, and drove back home.  Womp, womp.  On Saturday night, Steve and I went out to my firm’s holiday party – which turned out to be a fun night, and it was nice to introduce Steve to my new colleagues.  Our regular babysitter, Bre, was unavailable so we hired the children’s librarian from our local library branch to watch the kids.  She’s sweet and patient and she did a great job, but the kids (Nugget especially) didn’t let her forget that she was NOT BRE, OKAY.  On Sunday, we just bummed around the house.  I worked on some Christmas presents, ran a couple of errands, watched The Incredibles ii with Nugget (who’s fighting off an icky cold) snuggled up on my lap, and did a marathon batch cooking in the afternoon.  Cozy, but I’m looking forward to doing something more festive next weekend.

Reading.  I spent this reading week in South America, as it turns out.  Most of the week was devoted to The Lost City of Z, which was my book club book for December.  Of course, I got halfway through the book before I realized that I was going to be in Philadelphia on book club night.  But as it turned out, everybody cancelled, so the host called off the meeting and we’ll be discussing The Lost City of Z in January instead.  I’m glad not to miss the discussion, because I really enjoyed the book.  I finished it on the train on the way home from Philly and then turned to The House of the Spirits, which I’ve been meaning to read for ages.  It’s slow going, but I’m really liking it – and I think I may have finally found a magical realism novel I can get behind.

Watching.  With the exception of The Incredibles ii a few times, I haven’t watched any TV this week.  I do really enjoy The Incredibles ii, though – especially the scene in which Jack-Jack wrestles the raccoon.  That slays me every time.

Listening.  This and that – lots of podcasts.  The metro work went on all of last week, so I spent quite a few metro rides squished between people and unable to reach my book – bad for my well-being, but good for listening time.  I went through both of the holiday recommendation shows from The Book Riot Podcast, and a bunch of back episodes of other podcasts too.

Moving.  Sadly, not as much as I wanted to.  I was hoping to squeeze in a sightseeing run to the Liberty Bell while I was in Philly, but it didn’t work out.  I did take two walks around the neighborhood of my hotel, though.  Hoping to fit in more fitness this coming week.

Making.  FOOD!  Lots and lots of food.  Sunday afternoon’s batch cooking includes: pasta e fagioli; red lentil dal; sliced snack veggies; gardein taco “meat”; diced fresh mango; steamed tricolor cauliflower and broccoli; roasted tempeh; roasted tofu; plain chickpeas; steamed einkorn; dry-roasted mushrooms; white bean and sundried tomato dip; raw grain-free granola; and cornmeal breakfast cake with chocolate chips (a concession to the kids).  All in all, less than three hours of work, and this will probably get me through two weeks of lunches and dinners.

No one is allowed to complain that there’s nothing to eat.

Blogging.  I have some fun stuff to share with you this week!  My fall list, recapped, on Wednesday – spoiler alert: it was a busy season – and a tour of my Christmas tree, since it’s been awhile, on Friday.  Check in with me then!

Loving.  The gift guides on treehugger.com are great this year!  I’ve been perusing this year’s selections – gifts for your favorite zero-waster and vegan (those cross-body bags! gorgeous) – and past years’ offerings as well, like 2017’s gift guide for the outdoorsy type and 2015’s green gifts for kids and gifts that give back to wildlife.  I paid extra-close attention to the vegan gift guide, because about a year ago, I quit purchasing any non-vegan fashion or beauty products.  I’m phasing out the leather accessories and non-vegan beauty products I own now – using them until they wear out or run out – and when it’s time to replace items, I’ve been buying cruelty-free products exclusively.  Several of the items from the vegan gift guide might just make it onto my wish list this season!  Do go check all of the gift guides out, and while you’re there, take a look at this article about seven problems facing the ocean and what we can do about them.

Asking.  What are you reading this week?