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I get the impression that chiles rellenos are a point of pride in Mexican families as every household (and restaurant) has their own unique recipe. Always one to pile in with the crowd, we’ve got our own recipe, too. These are modeled after my favorite chiles rellenos from Chuys. Like Chuy’s rellenos, our batter is […]

I realized yesterday that my favorite Christmas songs were all written by men who don’t even celebrate the holiday – “There’s no place like home for the holidays” was written by Al Stillman (aka Al Silverman), “Let it snow!” by Sammy Cahn, and “Donde esta Santa Claus” by Guster. Although for us Christmas has very […]

Now that Christmas is on it’s way out, I’m ready to bring in the new year. I’m from the south, and so my new year tradition involves eating cabbage/greens (for money) and black eyed peas (for luck) in my first meal of each year. My husband, a true Californian, can’t be bothered with these foods, […]

Hope you are having (have had) a very Merry Christmas. Video evidence that Santa visited our house: Will was unenthusiastic about the video footage of Santa. He didn’t find the half eaten cookie, dribble of milk or eaten carrot interesting, either. And he wanted to know why Santa brought him so many presents. (Between you […]

In the Christmas reading list is Santa Mouse about a mouse who gives Santa a present and in return is made into Santa Mouse. We’ve got a mouse problem. The suckers have come into the house to winter, and are sneaking into my kitchen pantry through an unfinished electrical outlet. When we catch one (humanely […]

I’m not one for vapid feel good movies. So if you are looking for a list of saccharin movies to get you in a holiday mood, turn back now. This is not it. If, instead, you are looking for a few movies that remind you what you have to be thankful for or that some joy […]

What is it about that white beard, fur trimmed suit, and jolly laugh that strikes fear in hearts of toddlers? This guy is supposed to be beloved! After all, he brings toys to all good girls and boys across the world. I admit something about the story doesn’t add up – he parks his sleigh […]

I was in a Christmas mood until I read Bob Boilen’s best songs of 2008 list, and since I’ve been dying to listen to the music from his list that I purchased. (Such an NPR zombie.) To get myself back in the mood, I’ve found some good free Christmas music. And because I’m practicing this […]

To answer the age-old question: When a kid falls on the pavement and there is no one around to care, does he cry? No. Witnessed Will take flight superman style and completely eat it a block away from me. He laid there stunned for a moment, and then, since no one was around to console […]

I’d forgotten until last night one of the primary reasons I had kids – to share my favorite books. Sure, there were many other reasons, but I’d been looking forward to building traditions around books like we’d had growing up. Yeah, yeah – I’m bookish. To this day, Christmas involves reading (and crying through) The […]