La Tamalera Mas Guera

A nice chill day today in Worcester, MA, where I have been for the past few days. Laura and I walked down to starbucks for some refreshing drinkies, followed by a shopping spree at the Goodwill, where I found my wedding dress--now all I need is a fella!--and then headed back up the hill, where I promptly made a bucket of tamales.

About Damn Time

Alright, I'm not famous for having regular blog updates. So, after about a year, I present to you:

FINALS WEEK!
I have my first exam in a couple of hours. Wish me luck!

The Cold

After a snowy start to Matt's arrival--we were planning to head back Saturday morning with Greer, but the crazy over-night snowstorm put us back to the afternoon with Erin--we arrived home all in one piece.

It's a lot colder in Helena than it is in Missoula. Mother said that this morning it was -24 when she got up. I wasn't awake for that, thank goodness, having chosen instead to sleep in until a sensible, warmer hour. Like Noon.

Also, this morning, we discovered that the strange popping/snapping noise we heard least night was one of the windows in the living room cracking, it was THAT COLD.

And now I'm down in the basement, several layers deep in clothing, cleaning my old room and building a nest to sleep in and listening to music. I might have to kidnap Ruby from upstairs and use her as a heater later. I'm sure she'll love that.

Election Night

I have just gotten back from the bars (don't judge) in one of the most epic nights I can remember, not on a personal level, but communal. I suffered from anxiety all day, well, for weeks, induced most strongly by the RNC and Sarah Palin's silver speech.

Two days ago I was thinking what I would do, really, REALLY, if Obama lost, and how I would feel. And that imminent feeling of doom sat heavy with me. I said I would cry. And I meant it. Had Obama lost, I would have been deflated, and hurt, for lack of better words, and yes, I would have most likely cried. It's my country, and although I dont wear patriotic colors or shirts, don't chant USA USA in large crowds or jump to declare my nationality, I love it.

And tonight, yes, I cried. But out of relief and joy in the fact that for once, something I believe in counted and had weight. It's just so nice to be noticed everyonce in a while. GO BLUE!

Keeping with the tomato theme... SALSA

And day of the dead.

Saturday was salsa night, and also the official day of the dead. SO I dressed up with a marigold or two. And Sunday, yesterday, was the celebration of day of the dead, and Greer, Erin, and I went down to the parade in the rain and froze our toes off and admired the african dancing and cheered the zombies dancing "thriller" down the middle of the street.

Here, witness the amazing before and after, Saturday to Sunday...


















Of course the day of the dead is best spent in company....











UPDATE: A few photos from the Halloweens
VALKYRIE POWER!

Soup's Up!

I have been recovering from a nice strong cold--it's that time of year again--and I believe I have found the cure. Or at least an aid, and it's much more delicious than NyQuil: Tom Yum Gai soup. It clears out the sinuses with its spicy zing, is packed with lemon grass and lime juice for vitamin C, and based on a chicken broth, which we all know is good for what ails you.

Hurray for a happy tummy, a clearer head, and hopefully a happier immune system as well.

Ketchup

Last Sunday Greer, Erin, Bill, Eliza, and I piled into the car and drove up to Big Fork for a cider press. When we stepped out of the car, it was like walking down the road into an LL Bean catalogue. There was golden afternoon sunlight, leaves everywhere, children running all over the place laughing and wrestling, live music coming from the garage, and the hum of small talk. Add to that a spectrum of fuzzy hats, gloves, and scarves, various jackets and vests, but no heavy coats, and no bitter cold. It was the perfect fall afternoon.

We took turns slicing apples, cutting out wormy bits, sorting them and tossing them into clean water, and Eliza took her hand at cranking the press, which was old, and from Kentucky. There were wheelbarrows full of apple mush, the remnants after all the juice has been forced out, and I expect the neighborhood deer were looking forward to a nice dinner, as the mush was going to be scattered throughout the trees later in the evening.

It was just as fall should be. I have a few photos on Bill's cellphone, when I talk him into giving them to me, I'll put them up.

EDIT: Here they are!