Out and about (Wax Day, 11 th of Frost, Year 227)

I went to the eye doctor this morning, and as a result of that I now get to put eyedrops in both eyes every evening. Fun.

Afterwards, I met up with fabrisse at the NMAI; I was waiting for her in the coffeeshop/espresso bar as a sweet older couple bought me a chai latte after I helped them find the building. They were from New Mexico, so we talked about green chiles and how hard it was to find them on this side of the Mississippi as we walked around the road closures and construction downtown.

Today and tomorrow are the Native Art Show, held in the rotunda. It was really amazing to see all the different tables. There were a lot of silversmiths (it's something of a Navaho specialty) but also basketry, sculpture, jewelry, furriers, and more. The fine arts photographer had some amazing pieces -- fabrisse especially liked The Light Within, taken at Rattlesnake Canyon. I picked up a lot of cards.

Afterwards, I walked over to Gallery Place (the Green Line at L'Enfant was closed, so walking was definitely the faster option), and met with pleasance and greenygal to see Ralph Breaks The Internet, which was a lot of fun, had a good emotional story at its core, and let its character grown and change without making any of them the bad guy.

Then we ate Bibibop, a fast-casual chain based on Korean cuisine. Then we walked through the Downtown Holiday Market. I bought two glass barrettes and a leather belt with a design of planets for myself.

Also, swung by the Bed, Bath, and Beyond store -- which while I did pick up Brita water filters and some chocolate, didn't have the rubber duck novelty tea infuser, or any tea infuser that we could find. I guess that will have to be an online order, along with a tea mug that I won't feel bad about leaving at the office. Currently I'm using my Carnation Hot Chocolate mug, but that has a bit of sentimental value, since it's from my childhood. I want one that I'll like, but won't feel too bad about if it gets damaged -- preferably with a geeky theme.

Springerle Cookies for New Years (or possibly Christmas)

I just ordered a batch of springerle cookies from Springerle House for New Year's, or possibly Christmas. But probably New Year's, since it's almost certain that I'll be hosting a get-together at my apartment.

My mom got a batch (largest size) of springerle cookies from them for Thanksgiving. They were delicious! And had so many different turkey and harvest-themed cookie molds. I'll try to upload the pictures I took of some of them.

My grandmother used to make springerle cookies for the holidays, but hers were definitely hard dunkers -- Springerle House manages to make theirs with a crisp outside and a light, almost fluffy inside. I now have a springerle rolling pin as my mom gave me one she had, but I really doubt I'd be able to make as good a batch of cookies as Springerle House -- for one thing, the traditional recipe calls for hartshorn, aka baker's ammonia, aka ammonium carbonate, aka 'what IS that smell?!'. It's probably not a good idea to try baking with it in an apartment.

Tonight is the deadline for ordering Christmas cookies, so if you suddenly find yourself with a mighty need for anise-flavored picture cookies, you only have a little time left.