A Real, True Winter

We see the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets around here in the winter. My first inclination is to rush to my phone camera to take a photo. I can never capture the true color and feeling of the sky because I am not a photographer. I don't know why I feel the need to preserve and share the sunrises and sunsets. Two weeks ago I felt compelled to text our neighbor to look at the sky beyond her house, it was so beautiful. Steve and I do find each other from different parts of the house to come and see the sky. On these last couple of days I have held back from grabbing my phone. I thought I should slow down and stop rushing to the phone. It felt good to be still and just stand at the window and appreciate the sky. So this photo is from last week. But, hey! Y'all need to go to your windows!

Sunrise

 Today's forecast calls for the second snowfall in a week. Both come with minor snow accumulations of three or four inches. The ice and sleet are what has made a real mess of driveways and back roads. Schools were closed all week, businesses were closed or delayed, and people are grumbling. I have kept quiet about it because I love it. I understand why not everybody does, but it feels "right" to me for it to be this way. This is a real winter.

Steve has been putting out seed for the birds again. We see many more Mourning Doves this year. I suppose they must be from the two broods that hatched in our yard last summer. They huddle together under the patio table and rest in a plump bundle. I noticed that the Basil plants were rustling with movement the other day. The plants that I neglected to pull up last fall are providing tons of seeds for the little birds. From now on, I will leave all the Basil that goes to seed for the birds.

An Extended Christmas Holiday

After celebrating the holidays with us, Claire and her family left for home two days ago. Their visit didn't begin until New Year's Eve. so it extended our Christmas in a good way. The Advent preparations, festooning of the house, cooking special meals; everything had its place in making our holiday memorable. The visits from family and friends turned it golden. 

Something special to note is that Steve helped with half the gift wrapping this year! It was also his second year of installing the star over the manger at church AND he bought me a surprise Christmas gift. I mention this only to note that we will cheer the humbug out of him yet. He is not really a grump, but he can be lackluster when it comes to celebrating Christmas. 

His participation was critical in our impromptu New Year's Eve party. We threw it together three days before. Everyone brought food, which we laid it out in a buffet. We ate, played games, drank a little, toasted the New Year (early), claimed we would not stay up until midnight but did anyway.

As I was transferring all the photos off my phone yesterday, it gave me a nice moment to recall the highlights of the holiday. I recognize that all of these moments happened because we were healthy, warm, sheltered, loved, and loving in return. We also felt joy and hope. May these blessings continue for everyone into the new year!

A bucket of cuttings Kay and I picked and used to decorate the church.

The table is set for Christmas dinner with Audrey and Tess's families. They requested I make Grandma's meatballs and sauce. We also had eggplant Parmesan, salad and bread, and red wine. : )

This little needle drum was finished in the quieter moments. It will receive an embellishment of white chenille around the top and bottom.

 

 

 

 

 

I went with Claire and four of the children to the Pinball Museum in Roanoke. It's called a museum but for $15 you can play all the machines all day. There were loads of pinball games from, I'm guessing, the 1950's to present. It was a lot of fun. (But make sure you wash your hands when you're done.)

Granddaughter and grandson attended the 30th annual Vintage Ball for home schoolers. Three hundred guests attended. Tess went to this ball fifteen years ago when she was a teen. At that time, seventy-five guests attended. The kids and their cousins were over-the-moon happy to be going to the ball.

Claire's family stayed an extra day so they could enjoy the snow. It wasn't very deep but the ice coating made sledding fun.

 

 

 

Steve built this sled from an old pair of skis and wood. It flies!

Christmas Around the House- In Bits and Pieces

Aside from doing some last minute rug hooking, Christmas is wrapped up and decorated! It was slow coming this year and I have no idea why. I feel like I have forgotten something but that might just be the eggs I need to buy. 

My approach to decorating this year was to pull items from the Christmas storage tubs and decide if and where to place them. I had no plan and no theme. I mostly use the same items every year but, of all the items in the tubs, I don't use more than I do use. This means a lot of the stuff should probably go. But, it is all sentimental so I wrap it back up and put it away for another year. 

A friend came for lunch yesterday. We stayed at the table and chatted for four hours. She lost her husband suddenly this year and we have made a point to get together more often. She enjoyed the bits of Christmas I had up around the house, especially the lighted village. She is an artist and has been keenly interested in my rug hooking. She went as far as to purchase linen backing and told me she plans to design a rug for me to hook. I only hope I can do it justice.

 

The sleigh is another hand-me-down from my late aunt and uncle.

Decorating is mostly about putting greenery everywhere.

And the winter rugs and embroideries are hung.

This rug is in the guest bathroom. Yes, we may stand on it. : )

The choir candles were my mom's. The snowman mug was made by my Aunt Isabelle and given to me when I was two and a half years old. I still remember the moment I received it.

The Christmas Tree

 Regardless of the disarray around the house, I got the Christmas tree decorated. There was no fanfare, no music, no cookies, no helpers. It simply got done. A pause occurred when I drove down to the post office and another when I prepared some dinner. It started as a chore and ended up, as Christmas trees always do, magical. 

 

This plastic snowman and strands of mercury beads belonged to my Uncle Dan and Aunt Catherine. I was given them in the 1980's when they passed away. I treasure them so much that I began searching for old ornaments ever since. They remind me of the Christmases of my childhood.

This is one of the ugliest artificial tree I have ever seen. I recall the disappointment I felt when I opened my box from Balsam Hill three years ago. It is pure plastic. HOWEVER, the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree magic is real. We love this tree in our bedroom.

Colonial Williamsburg, VA

 Three days after the family left from our Thanksgiving gathering, we got on the road with our friends Tim and Kay for a long weekend in Colonial Williamsburg. It was a scramble to get away. Those three days before we left were packed with laundry, meetings, and two Christmas parties. We had to leave the Christmas tree outside in a tub of water and forego any decorating for the time being. It was a mad rush to get away but it was worth it. 

The weather in Williamsburg was bitterly cold and clear and wonderful! The town was decorated in historic Williamsburg fashion. It was only a little crowded but the crowds are what made it feel festive. We began our weekend with a morning of antiquing followed by lunch. Then, we spent the afternoon and evening in and out of the shops at Williamsburg. We took an evening stroll up and down the length of  town until well after dark. Early the next morning, we returned to Williamsburg for the Farmer's Market. We again walked up and down the length of town, browsing the little historic shops along the way. The shops feature items related to colonial times like candles, children's toys, housewares, decor, etc. We ducked into a side alley bakery for hot cups of cider and coffee to warm ourselves. While on the back street we studied the architecture, outbuildings, drains, chimneys, etc. Every nook and cranny of Colonial Williamsburg is meticulously maintained. Then, we drove to a wonderful deli for lunch after which we continued on with more antiquing and an important stop at Liberty Hill Needleworks. Our husband's knew not to wait around for us at a cross stitch shop. So, they dropped us off there and went to a local brewery for themselves. After this, the guys wanted to rest for the afternoon. Kay and I dropped them off at our rental and we drove a couple of miles to the Premium Outlets. I do not enjoy shopping malls but we had fun popping in and out of stores that were of interest to us. There was nothing pressing that we needed to buy so the whole experience was laid back and enjoyable. We ended the day with a dinner out, of the guys' choosing. We packed up and drove home the following morning. I could have spent at least two more days exploring the historic parts of town. But, we needed to be be home. It was time to prepare for Christmas!

The main street in Colonial Williamsburg- Duke of Gloucester Street

 

A warming bonfire in the center of town.

A live evergreen in the town center.

The ice skating rink is set up in the middle of the road.

Everything in Colonial Williamsburg is beautifully landscaped. Christmas music played from speakers for the skaters.

Christmas time in Colonial Williamsburg is all about the natural decor!

The door and two windows were hung with signs that read, "Peace", "Hope", and "Love".

I wished I had read some of the papers. All were hand written and one appears to be a prayer.

We asked the garden tour guide about this large, unusual basket. She said it was found in an antique shop for twenty-five dollars.

November Blows Through

 And just like that, it is December.

Three of our daughters spent the Thanksgiving holiday with us. It was a busy, productive, joy filled week. Everyone pitched in to help prepare the Thanksgiving meal. Over two days' time, everyone also helped consume it. 

This ten year old was very excited about the dinner. I think he likes to cook as much as I do. He especially loves Sweet Potato Mallow. It is rewarding to see people enjoy a meal I have prepared for them.  

A vignette from the Woodrow Wilson home.

The day after Thanksgiving, we took two cars and drove up to Staunton to see the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. We toured the 1850's birth home of Wilson. The museum housed Wilson's beloved Pierce Arrow. I found that vehicle to be impressive, indeed. If a machine can be beautiful, this was it. Afterwards, we had lunch at a busy Chik Fil-A. Then Steve and I did a little antiquing after which we drove back roads home. It was lovely day for a scenic drive.

We drove through four counties to get home; Augusta, Rockbridge, Alleghany, and Botetourt. They were all beautiful.

 On Saturday, Claire and I ran some errands at Country Corners Nursery, Harrison Hall of Antiques, and Heritage Family Market. The stores were busy but not overly crowded. It was festive to be out among Christmas shoppers. I bought four winter themed place mats and a few odds and ends at the Heritage Market. Daughter bought a vintage measuring cup. I had a chance to visit with old friends from New York who also happen to be our daughter's in-laws. They now live in Kentucky but come to Botetourt to visit two of their children who have settled here. It is always good to see old friends.

Audrey was very excited to begin Christmas preparations. She was the driving force behind the crafts and the walk to the tree farm on Sunday. Everyone caught her excitement and happily joined in. The kitchen and dining room smelled wonderfully of citrus and cloves from the orange pomanders they decorated. 

It was a cold day and we noticed snow flurries outside the window. We decided it was the perfect weather for a walk to the tree farm. Claire and her family needed to be off to make the drive home. After we said our good-byes, Audrey, Tess, Violet and I bundled up and walked up the hill and over to the Christmas tree farm. They were doing good business this day! We reveled in the snow that continuously fell as we searched for a tree. Rather than take the time to go home for the truck, the girls carried the tree home for us. Choosing the Christmas tree helped me shift gears from the Thanksgiving holiday into the Christmas season. Ready or not, it is coming!

Up the hill...

...up the road, then down the field to home.

Home for the Holiday, Meal Prep, Fancy Meeting You Here

Claire's family bustles in late after their long drive. Suitcases, bags, goodies and children are shuttled into the house. We pause on the front steps and look at the stars. I reach inside to turn off the lights. Turning back to the sky, the stars now appear brighter and the space between them is blacker. Two or three us point out constellations as we strain our eyes to see what is there. 

After greetings and hugs, they carry belongings off to their rooms. Then everyone returns to the kitchen for a little catching up before we are all off to bed.

It was a good day's work. The pies are baked, some side dishes are partially cooked and refrigerated, bread for stuffing is cubed, cranberry salad prepared, lists and recipes wait their turn on the counter. Everything is staged to perform on its big day.  I have prepared this meal every year for decades. It runs like a well oiled machine. The only variations have been the number of people sitting at the table to eat it. Sometimes there have been twenty-three and other times six or seven. It has never been two. 

I pulled into the gas station and waited behind a car being fueled. I realized it was my friend, Farhana. I turned off my engine and got out of the car to greet her. We hugged and chatted while she pumped her gas. She is on her way to Tennessee for the holiday. We agreed to meet up after she is back. She said has Christmas ornaments to give me and I said I have Steve's hot sauce to give her.