Happy Christmas!

My days are chock full of blessings in the simplest, but most meaningful forms. The celebration of the nativity of our Lord and Savior gives joy and purpose to our gatherings. All of us together under one roof for a few days, good things to eat, kind thoughts given through gifts, friends, laughter and memories. A pretty tablecloth, baby's first smiles, candles, lovely music, a warm house and cozy bed at night, indulgent sweets, the smell of baby's hair, board games, eggnog, wrapping papers and ribbon.
Last night we opened a bottle of Crown Royal that my dad had saved from 1952. It was the year he and my mom built their house. We decided to celebrate the addition of our first grandchild (and his first great-grandchild were he still alive) by opening this saved relic. We're not a family of drinkers, which is probably why my dad never opened the bottle in the first place, but we decided this was a fitting occasion. Life is to be lived today! So we toasted baby Marian and thanked God for our blessings. And under my breath I thanked Dad and hoped he wasn't mad. Of his three daughters, it would be me that opened the bottle.

Tying up loose ends, Filling the stockings, My favorite color of winter day

1. Placing cakes and pies in bakery boxes and then tying them up with ribbon.
2. I made the table in my bedroom into a wrapping station this evening. Here, I could wrap little packages in privacy with all the supplies at my fingertips. The best advantage is that it's not back-breaking like trying to wrap on the floor.
3. The winter solstice. And all day the sky was my ever-favorite color of deep, deep bluish-gray. It's especially beautiful with the white winter hills beneath it.

Simple pleasures, Sweetness, Beautiful voices

1. When I phone Mom this afternoon, she's having a coffee break. "I decided that every afternoon I'm going to have a hot drink and a biscotti", she says.
2. The photographer has put Mari's photos up for us to view. They're so creatively done, I'm laughing and crying at the same time. This baby has my heart in her tiny fist.
3. I finally have time to bake and go at it until 8:00pm, getting everything boxed, tinned, refrigerated or frozen. (8:00 is my cut-off time so that Tess and I can watch "The Sing-Off".)

My kitchen- the lab, Happy baker, You're too old for this

1. The guys decided to perform an experiment. "Why not make beer from horse grain?" They are the funniest pair to watch in action. They took careful notes and made a total mess.
2. Tess took charge of her Buche de Noel for French class. Here, she pipes meringue mushrooms that will decorate the log. She, on the other hand, hardly made any mess.
3. He went out to feed the horses and when he came back in, he said. "I fell!" Frantically, I asked him, "How? Where! Are you hurt!?" He said, "I was sledding down the hill, standing up." He's fine and I slapped him for being stupid.

Up for grabs, Efficiency, White glow

1. Calling out, "Who wants to lick the fudge pan?!"
2. Tacking four errands on the back of another so it all gets done in one sweep.
3. At bedtime, I go from room to room, turning off lights. Even after they're all out, it still looks bright to me. I peer out a window and see that the moon and snow are casting white light everywhere.

Sort of made it, I did it!, The right holiday look

1. We traveled the roads with no trouble. But upon our return, we only made it halfway up our driveway before we got stuck. Some friends pulled up just as we began hauling groceries. With five people to carry bags, we only had to make one trip!
2. For thirty years he has been begging me to do this one thing for him. But I just could not bring myself to do it. My inhibitions and lack of self confidence kept me from saying yes. After all, I'm not a professional. Today, I decided that I am ready to give in to his desires. First, I had to see how this is done (thank you internet). Then, I went to the store and bought the special appliance we needed and hid it in the closet. Next, I sent him a message that said, "Tonight your wildest dreams will come true." When he came home from work, I led him into the master bath and told him to remove his shirt. And then I cut Steve's hair. He is a very happy man... and he owes me twelve bucks.
3. Christmas lights look extra pretty under a blanket of snow.

The sound of winter silence, The gift of an empty day, Light to see

1. A thick blanket of snow silences the world. The only sound I hear are the large white flakes pouring from the gray sky and landing with a gentle, "shh".
2. I spend the entire day sewing a Christmas stocking for Mari. It is embellished with gingerbread boys because I know one day she will be baking them with her mom. I imagine the Christmases in her future and what gifts she might find in her stocking.
3. In order to see my stitches better, I pull a chair up to the picture window in the kitchen. My feet rest over the heater vent while my eyes behold the winter wonderland outside. This is a really nice spot for sewing.