Assortment

On Christmas

 

The holiday here unwound in a quiet, restful sort of way. It was the most serene one I can remember, really. A gift of the best kind.

The boys played games by the hour (Their big plan? To play Monopoly until 2:00 a.m. Christmas morning, then go ride their bikes all around the quiet, snowy streets of our tiny nearby town, come back and open presents at 5:00! They fell asleep around 9, and woke up at 6. Grin) 

I puttered in my little kitchen (oh, I love this kitchen!), making and baking just what we wanted for our Christmas Eve dinner. Roast ham, potatoes au gratin, creamy green beans with crisp-fried shallots, roast butternut squash with thyme and garlic, cranberry sauce (straight from the can!), dinner rolls, and for dessert, apple pie and pumpkin bars with either whipped or drizzled cream.

Then, the candlelight service, singing carols in the little white church with its stained-glass windows. I wore my vintage lambswool coat with the mink collar, because, you know, Christmas Eve. And we all held candles, singing Silent Night, and we remembered why we celebrate this.

Next morning, fresh snow, thick and fluffy, covered our world. We smiled at the gift.  And there were more gifts, just enough, under the tree. Some we'd hoped for; others were a complete surprise. And the best gift for the parents was the gift given to three boys that made those three sets of eyebrows shoot straight up. 

And, oh the Nellie-girl. She gathered All The Things and carried them around so, so proud. So many things to gather, so many things to carry, so many things to show us at Christmas. 

 

Now, I'm sending all of you the very best wishes for the New Year and all it holds for you. Thank you for following here, for taking your time to read, to comment, to visit again and again. You mean so much. It'll be quiet here on the blog as we enjoy the rest of the holiday days. I'll see you back here on January 5th. Be well, loves.

 

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When Winter Comes Home

 

We hiked, he and I, on a quiet morning, together in the canyon where the pinecones are, where the cedar and juniper are, too. I brought my basket for carrying the rich fragrance home.

Along the trail, we talked, we planned, we dreamed a little, and I gathered cones. Here one, there another, like treasure hidden in plain view. Then, yellow-tipped cedar and juniper with berries in a deepest purpley-blue.

Along a bend in the trail and a turn in the conversation, I asked him what in the world he'd do without me. He paused, quiet, like he does, then said, well, he wouldn't have nearly as many pinecones.

We sat on the high place and looked down, far down to the icy river, leaned against one of those puzzle-bark pine trees. 

And I wouldn't have nearly as many reasons to love him. 

 

 

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Today, I Love...

 

...this boy, who is now 13!

...all you awesome, wonderful people near and far who bought mixes from the Muffin Men. They're shouting thank you!

...when imaginations take over and boys (and their dog) get totally engrossed in fortbuilding (and fort-sleeping - yes, Nellie is sure they've made this just for her)

...that, even in the middle of birthdays and holidays and all, creative work continues in a full, exciting way

 

Wishing you a lovely weekend, friends! I be wrapping gifts, baking, and preparing the holiday menu. And I still think I need to go cut some fresh cedar and juniper, because, hello Christmas!

 

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