 |
| Omelet with Mizuna and Mugwort |
I made an omelet for brunch, one morning, last week, and added some freshly picked Japanese herbs to it.
Here we are, midway through December already!
On Monday, I wished a cousin's daughter for her birthday, wrapped a few more gifts, got some of the almsgiving donations ready, washed my hair, and took the trash can and recycling bin out to the curb.
In the evening, daughter and I visited my cousin V. One of her daughters who lives in New York was visiting with her two young sons so we had a little family get together. Cousin V made appa (hoppers) for dinner - they are made from a fermented rice flour batter that is swirled around small bowl shaped, mini wok type pan, The batter makes a thin crispy border, while the extra batter collects and steams at the bottom of the pan to made a soft, pillowy center. I didn't take any pictures of the appa this time, but, here's a picture I took on a previous visit when V made appa:
 |
| Appa/Hoppers |
We took the two gifts I had wrapped earlier and tagged with the snowman themed gift tags to give to the two boys as early Christmas gifts.
Daughter drove us there and back. She said she didn't like the drive there, but, felt more relaxed on the drive back.
The rest of the evening went by quickly. I tidied up the big dining table where I had set up my gift wrapping station and ordered more gifts for the people on my gift list, with daughter's help (five of the gifts I ordered were for young women in my daughter's age group and she's friends with them, so she was helpful in selecting their gifts). We ordered seven gifts in total this time, with two of them being shipped directly to relatives who live out of state.
I enjoy giving gifts, although I often struggle with selecting gifts. I budget $25 per month for gifts for the extended family and friends (for birthdays and Christmas/New Year's), for a total of $300 per year. There were some lean years when I budgeted $10 per month for a total of $120 per year. This budget does not include gifts to my daughter. When it comes to Christmas/New Year's gifts, I try to keep the spending to an average of $10 per person. The challenge is to find something suitable in that price range. So far, I've been able to find board games and books, crafts kits and toys, specialty cookies, homemade jams, and accessories.
On Monday, I was grateful for:
- Visiting with my cousins and family
- Cousin making appa for dinner
- Daughter had a safe drive there and back
- Daughter helping me with choosing and ordering gifts
- Free shipping
Monday's joyful activity was getting together at my cousin's house for dinner.
Plans for Tuesday include making cards, wrapping gifts, and maybe decorating the Christmas tree.
What are your plans for the week?
What a nice couple of days you had - spending time with relatives and doing christmassy things at home.
ReplyDeleteYour omelete looks very good. Was there cheese or just the herbs?
I made some vegetable soup and have been eating that for a couple days.
I never used to have a Christmas budget specifically. I always have extra money in my checking and that just added up and I would get money from that for Christmas.
But since knowing you, a few years ago I started saving a specific amount earmarked for Christmas. I save extra so that I don't have any guilt with extra food purchases - extra fancy things I like to have during the holidays - and I also like to send my sister and my niece a cash gift along with a little present.
So now I have a pot of money to easily handle that and I will say I like it much better. The money sitting there and growing every month getting ready for the holiday. So thank you for showing me the way ;)
Thank you, Debra. Yes, we've had a lovely couple of days. It's nice to be with family and friends at this time of the year, isn't it?
DeleteNo cheese in the omelet, but, of course, one could add cheese or other vegetables in addition to the herbs. Your vegetable soup sounds good and warming; I've a chicken carcass waiting to be turned into a soup.
I'm so happy to hear that my way of budgeting for Christmas led you to doing the same. The budget can vary, depending on our own circumstances, but, there's money set aside for this specific purpose and there is no worrying about how to pay for Christmas. I do the same for the almsgiving, too, setting aside a certain amount each month towards it.
Speaking of budgets, I need to sit down and make a new budget for the new year, but, that's another post, isn't it?
My friends and I are doing a gift exchange too - maximum spend is $10 per person, and you try to buy 1 item / as many items for $10. Then everyone gets to make their own little gift bags - so far I have gotten chocolate, some special Canada Dry, and candles. Alas, I find keeping it to $10 very difficult as prices have gone up just about everywhere!
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of your gift exchange, jj. Yes, it is a challenge to keep to a $10 budget, but, I know that you can do it! Sounds like you have already made a good start with the chocolates, special Canada Dry, and candles. Can you include homemade gifts, such as cookies? Do you have something like a dollar store near you? They don't always have the best quality items, but, they have inexpensive kitchen towels that can be paired with a set of measuring cups or spoons and perhaps a whisk or spatula to make up a little themed gift.
DeleteThe Appa/Hoppers looks delicious with the crisp outside. I'm sure the flavour is what really makes it special, though.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't finished my gift purchases, but I did buy one more today.
Both my daughter and I love the appa my cousin makes. Her batter doesn't have a strong fermented taste, which my daughter doesn't like. Cousin gave me directions, but, I didn't write it down (I was too busy eating!) I will write down her recipe, the next time I visit her, and will try to make my own batter. In the meantime, I've an instant hopper mix I bought from the Sri Lankan store to try. :)
DeleteI think I've bought all the gifts I need to buy; I just need to make the rest of my gifts!
Food looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about shopping in thrift stores for the gifts? I've found some lovely new items that people have donated at really reasonable prices.
It must be lovely having daughter home being able to share this time together!
Thank you, Sharon.
DeleteYes, I have thought about shopping in thrift stores for gifts, but, I haven't done a lot of shopping in person. I have been shopping on-line, instead. I ordered the last two gifts today and now I have to make the rest of the gifts I plan to give.
It is lovely to have daughter home and I think that she's also happy to be at home.
Everything looks delicious, and I'm glad you were able to have a nice visit. These days, my family only buys gifts for the little ones. Gift giving is just too expensive these days!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. I am happy we were able to have a nice visit with my cousin and her family. I don't buy big gifts; just small, token gifts including some homemade gifts. But, I do give to the adults as well as the children.
DeleteThe appa looks very nice. Do you fill it with toppings? I only get Christmas gifts for one niece and her kids, and a little gift for my sister. I mailed the package to my niece on Monday, so I think it should be on time. This is the daughter of my sister who passed away, and has no contact with her father. So I want her little family to know they are all thought of and cared for by her mother's family. Your gift giving to extended family and friends is kind.
ReplyDeleteAppa is usually eaten with curries and sambols. One would tear off a piece of the appa and use it to pick up a little curry and then eat it. They are usually eaten with one's fingers. Although, I suppose one could put the curry in the appa and fold it up like a burrito or taco to eat.
DeleteIt's very kind of you to mail a package to your late sister's daughter and her children to let them know that they are cared for by her mother's family. For some odd reason, my sister and I don't exchange gifts unless we are visiting each other during this time of the year, but, I exchange gifts with her daughter who lives out of state!
We give gifts to the youngest generation on both sides of the family. Currently that includes 9 kids 8 and under, and it's fairly easy to keep the cost low for their gifts. For the older generations, we exchange names which helps. For the immediate family, there is no rule about gifts and amounts, but they are usually involve something handmade.
ReplyDeleteGiving gifts to the youngest generation and drawing names for the older generation makes a lot of sense. We tried drawing names in my family, but, it didn't work out. Except for my cousins V and P's grandchildren, everyone else on my gift list are adults. The younger adults (my daughter's age) receive purchased gifts for the most part; the adults who are of my generation, usually get homemade gifts, usually consumables.
Delete