Category: holidays

What are you doing New Year’s Eve?

(Before you read this I suggest queuing up Ella Fitzgerald’s version of the title song. It’s one of the finest vocals ever.) New Year’s Eve is kind of a weird holiday to me. Long after the childthood challenge of staying up until the ball dropped lost its novelty, it remains a night of varying significance … Continue reading What are you doing New Year’s Eve? →

Ode to panettone

I don’t remember what made me buy the first one. Despite my mother’s German origins, it wasn’t as if fruit cake was part of my holiday traditions. As a matter of fact, I had distinct and negative memories of an episode involving fruitcakes baked in November, and left to soak in rum until Christmas, and … Continue reading Ode to panettone →

Christmas gift to myself (Aside from the gifts I’ve already given myself)

I’ve decided to abstain from weighing myself from the remainder of the month. That’s right, I’m going to deny myself the chance to feel badly beginning first thing in the morning when I step on the scale. Because that’s what inevitably happens if the number reads higher than I had hoped. Not checking in daily … Continue reading Christmas gift to myself (Aside from the gifts I’ve already given myself) →

The art of being fit in Albany

Saturday was a great day to be an active Albanian. The day began with yoga and while the evening’s activity was a no-brainer, the choice of which class to take was a real dilemma. For the sake of trying something new, I went with the pop up yoga class being offered at the art museum … Continue reading The art of being fit in Albany →

Easter – a new covenant

When I was a child, Easter meant a new dress and shoes, chocolate for breakfast and ham for dinner and maybe an egg hunt. Those were good days, but there was never a better Easter than the one I had this year. The day started with mass in the magnificent cathedral in Neustadt. This was … Continue reading Easter – a new covenant →