The sort of online rabbit hole one is liable to fall down in lockdown times ...

There's a company named Spirit of Spice that specializes in "whole seed" spice mixes all coming in their own little mills: I've been a fan of theirs for quite a while, though so far I've been buying their products in stores, not directly from them.  So when my stock of their garam masala mix went low and lower (during the lockdown of all times), I started to look for ways to replenish it ... it's heavenly with carrot and pumpkin soups, among other things, and has become an absolutely indispensible element of my cooking. -- In short order, I discovered they have an online store.  The outcome of my foray through the rabbit hole thus opening up arrived today ... and I absolutely love it, from the "look" of the package to the contents (of course) and the nice handwritten thank you note from one of the two managers -- who had even included a large-size bonus item in the package.

And when I put it all onto my spice shelves, I noticed that the contents of my Spirit of Spice mix of Provençal herbs (no tomato soup without it, ever again!) is also beginning to run a bit low.  Hmmm ...

I'm clean out of energy to prepare any (even simple) desserts or other dishes, so here, in lieu of a New Year's Eve toast, is the remainder of my holiday goodies in the kitty mug / cup that my BFF gave me for Christmas, with her homemade "Stollen" (Christmas loaf) and a miniature Stollen that my mom obtained from her favorite tea shop.

(Task: Prepare your favorite dessert – in a cup!  Post a photo of it for us to enjoy vicariously.)

My only salvation in stressful times: Creature comforts.  Lots of them.  And BookLikes!

2019 was a hell of a year in virtually every respect, and I don't mean that in a good sense -- I can only hope 2020 will be a LOT better.  BookLikes was my one happy place this year, so thank you all, the whole BookLikes community, for keeping me sane and happy whenever real life was getting a bit overwhelming.

And of course, the boys' love helped as well ...

... and, as I said, creature comforts.  Lots of them.

(Task: How do you stay zen / sane over the holidays or in other stressful periods?)

Sunday late lunch / early dinner:

Chili con carne

... and ...

a bowl of one of my favorite kinds of fruit, pineapples:

(Door 1, Task 2: If you like Mexican food, treat yourself to a favorite dish – and / or make yourself a margarita – and share a photo.

Door 13, Task3: Prepare an apple cider wassail bowl or a wassail bowl containing your favorite drink or fruit.  Post a picture and enjoy!)

Latkes -- the Chinese sweet water chestnut version:

My BFF (Gaby) and I had our traditional post-Christmas gift exchange dinner today: We decided on Chinese (dim sum) this time and, lo'n behold, I have yet another variety of latkes to add to the collection.

The rest of the meal consisted of hot and sour soup and various types of dumplings -- beef meat balls, cumin and beef dumplings, mushroom dumplings (super delicious) and spinach dumplings.

(Task: Latkes or donuts are fried in oil to remind Jews of the oil that lasted for eight days: Fry yourself up some latkes or donuts.  Share your recipe with us if they came out tasty.)