God Jul! (observe, cooking)

Good Yule, god Jul, and merry Christmas and a festive turning of the season.

I offer you virtual mulled cider (i didn't really make it this year, but it would be sweetened with molasses, and you'd be welcome to add Grand Marnier or spiced rum if you like), and a slice of sweet bread or a hearty gluten free buckwheat loaf studded with figs.

I have all my gifts wrapped and many ready to take to my sister's house tonight. It is the year of the Blackwing pencil accessorized with matching aluminum pencil caps, plastic sharpener, and aluminum pencil holder (for when you are down to a stub).  I did a sketch with one that i kept for myself. I got the "pearl" lead which is "balanced" and... yup, it's a pencil. Christine is a pencil aficionado so she's delighted with the ones for her.

A stationary note: i have a little A6 journal by my desk which i am using for an odd little dopamine hit at work. I've marked out shapes for every 30  or 15 min of the work day, and then i color them in with different patterns (nominally to indicate what i worked on) during the day. Complete whimsy, not to mean anything, but satisfies a tiny creative yearning for color and tactile creation. I'm not quite halfway through the book and i find myself worried about where the next one will come from. Is it time to order more? I guess its working if i worry about a dopamine fix.

I have made cookies with dried figs from 2022, finishing those. https://www.savingdessert.com/italian-fig-cookies-cucidati/ I've not iced them yet, but i'm pondering making the lemon icing and then dusting with home grown poppy seed and lemon zest.