This was a weekend of food.

Here’s a food diary: Thursday night it was Pasta Shells Stuffed with Ricotta, Onion, Sausage; dessert, ginger snaps and coffee; Friday breakfast, Sausage & Egg Omlettes; lunch, chips & salsa; dinner at Ann Sather, 2 glasses of glogg (hot mulled wine), cinnamon roll, Shepherd’s Pie, Spaetzel, rice medley; dessert, homemade french apple pie with whipped cream, coffee; Christmas morning, cinnamon rolls and coffee; dinner, Round Roast, Scalloped Potatoes, Winter Veggies Braised in Red Wine, browned rolls; dessert, apple pie with whipped cream, Hot Buttered Rum; yesterday’s breakfast, cereal and coffee; lunch, leftover Pasta Shells, apple pie with whipped cream; dinner, leftover Roast, Scalloped Potatoes, Winter Veggies; dessert, ginger snaps.

It’s a weird time. This was probably one of the most wonderful Christmases I’ve ever had. There was a bounty of comfort, relaxation, good spirit and amusement. But there was also the horrible news since yesterday of the earthquake devestation in Asia, the likes of which probably none of us (we should hope) will ever personally see. And this is a time here in the U.S. where the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. It’s no surprise that luxury retailers performed well this month, unlike pretty much every other type of retailer. I made a donation to the Chicago Food Bank. And I’m sure the tony amount I gave has alreeady been used. Work at the office this week will be slow, slow, slow, with only the annoying frippery of the year-end wrapup to mark the time. I wish I were home, but so many people would overjoyed to have my job. I damn glad to have it. 2004 was the Year of My First-Ever White Collar Job.

I know I’ve said it before, but the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day always creates a wistful bittersweet feeling inside of me. It’s a limbo week: no longer the old year exactly but not quite the new one yet. I always feel vague regrets for the past 12 months, some nice memories, some pangs of hope for the future. If we had more intelligence, we’d make it a week-long holiday so we could all reflect and ponder.

After work I’m heading over to Binny’s to stock up for our Tiny New Year’s Eve Party. Gee, it’s gonna be fun. Among the new games we can play is Truth or Dare Jenga (courtesy Santa AKA Andy). Hubba Hubba.