Snuggling up to Read

It's cold out, and the oil gauge on our basement tank is down to "E," but it's snug in here and there's enough to keep us warm until we can pay for another delivery.  I didn't finish 70 pages of the book-group book, so about to curl up and sink in.

Our first meeting was good. Elly made a lovely Israeli milk pudding [malabi], chilled in delicate little stemmed goblets and glasses. She sprinkled the top of the creamy puddings with coconut and chopped pistachios, and carried the whole sweet army of them to the coffee table on a big hostess tray with silver spoons.

And while the malabi went down smooth and easy, like nursery food, the talking was a comfort, too. I really enjoyed laughing with and learning from Julie, Anne, another Anne, Elly, Jeanne, Karen and Barbara between sipping wine and eating falafel.

Grateful for the women in my life.

TCOY

1. Mass. Time to contemplate.
2. Baked--complicated recipe for today's book group theme, but it was therapeutic, the measuring, stirring, whipping, folding, melting and glazing. Chocolate cake sliced into two slim layers, cherry jam, cinnamon-scented whipped cream, and dark, shiny glaze flavored with chai-simmered cream. Lots of steps. Step by careful step to a beautiful cake. Can same principle apply to a beautiful life? Complicated, a lot of work?
3. Seeing my friends.