The Second Day of Winter

Today son-in-law Marc was a major part of the gift giving. He is a professional baker and so I received two gorgeously delicious heavily chocolate M&M cookies. Yum!!! They needed milk of course. I don't know if I am going to share or not. For now, they are rich enough that one a day will suffice. Oh my. So good. Such a treat ~ especially with the delightful family conversation that went along with the unwrapping and eating. 

Here on the corner of the table are gifts for Day 3 ~ 11. They arrived together snuggly packed in a small box. I look forward to opening each one ~ taking care to spend enough time enjoying each one for at least the 24 hours before the next one is unwrapped. And so nice to be able to say to the family, See you tomorrow! 

 

 

The First Day of Winter

On the first day of Winter, my daughters gave to me . . . a pear. 

Thus begins a three month journey through the minds and imaginations of my wonderful daughters. 

Emotionally I have had a rough time since the end of August - having nothing to do with COVID or my own health. Three people that I love dearly almost died. Three people I love dearly did die. Two dear friends of Dean whom I knew died. It seemed I shed a lot of tears of sadness and my daughters saw and recognized that. They decided to do something about it. 

Starting today (see #1) I have a present a day to open for three months - 90 days of winter to keep me entertained and happy in the midst of a cold quarantine. 

Part of the gift is that I call them each time I open the present of the day. We have a WhatsApp account for the three of us so a quick video chat works well. I already have a box that contains 10 more little gifts, wrapped with the number of the day included. Another will soon be on its way. 

When they told me the plan, I cried but this time they were tears of Joy and happiness. 

You may not have to see every little gift, but count on my sharing along the way. We are all very excited about this journey together and as I said to them after eating my pear today ~ see you tomorrow! 

 

The First Sunday in Advent

 

This year's decorations are minimal and as Meredith pointed out, it is my choice. If later I decide I want more decorations, I just get them out and add them. 

One thing that stays the same, however, is the Advent wreath. Simple, plain, and very meaningful.

Another standard is that I get out all my Christmas books so they are within easy reach to read once again. As I was looking at them this morning, I realized I know most of them by heart. There are short stories, full fledged novels, poetry and fun. I usually start with Sandra Boynton's Christmastime, and move on to Anne Perry's Christmas novels. The Grinch gets saved for Christmas Eve with my family. The point being, I suggest that you read something this season that you almost know by heart. It doesn't have to be a Christmas story. Just one that you have read often, that brings you pleasure, and will bring you comfort as you live into this beautiful, frustrating, odd, delightful, painful, hopeful season of the year. 

Blessings, my friends. 

Today I Wore Pearls

 

Today I wore pearls in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

In honor of RBG ~ and Democracy

 ~ and Lady Liberty, the words on your base are not forgotten

~ and Abigail Adams, who said, "Don't forget the ladies, John"

~ and all the Native American mothers who walked the trail of tears

~ and all the black mothers who hold their breaths until their sons return home safely

~ and all the women who marched, were jailed and force fed so that we could vote today

~ and Rosa Parks

~ and all the women who wear the title "the first woman to . . ."

~ and all the LBGTQ folks struggling to have the same rights as everyone else

~ and all the wives and mothers who bear the burden of having sons and daughters at war

~ and all those whose anger is fought against instead of being listened to as legitimate protest

~ and all those who have the courage to flee domestic violence

~ and all those who fight for justice whether in the streets, the courts, the home, or the government

~ and all our daughters whose strength and wisdom is just now rising to the fore.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg,

May her legacy be a blessing and a beacon to us all. 

Mama Susan's Sous Chefs

 

I had good helpers baking sour cream pound cake yesterday. 

After hand washing and assurances that they would follow instructions and take turns,

they started by just watching the butter cream.

Taking turns, the eggs were added one at a time and cups of flour

alternated with the sour cream. 

One of the joys of baking is licking the beater so we all shared

a finger full of the delicious batter. 

The bowl is heavy of course and  I was taller so I poured the batter

into the pans by myself. 

My sous chefs were very happy with the outcome,

and when asked what they did today, the first answer was 

always, "we baked a cake." 

And so I leave you with a question: how do you define "rich" in connection with a cake?

Question: what does the sour cream do?

Answer: it makes the cake richer than ordinary cakes.

Question: what is "richer"?

Answer: hmmmmmm - well, uh, . . .

And there you have it. She is 7. I am 77. I know and understand, I just had a hard 

time defining. I'm open to suggestions. 

First Votes

 Two grandsons turned 18 this year and yesterday voted for the first time ~ in what I believe may be the most important election of their life times. Another grandson and a granddaughter just missed the last Presidential election so although older, this was their first election too. So proud of our families teaching the next generation how important involvement in the political process is. Good for all of you!!

Lettie & Levi On Line

For the first time in months and months we have family visiting. It is so good to see them even though we are staying some distance from each other. The kids are so active that we don't have a chance to be too close to them because they are so busy running around the deck and the house and being on line.

Sister and Brother playing games.

Like Grandfather like grandson. 

Dean on his side of the window seat.

Levi on his side of the window seat. 

Lettie on line ~ virtual school can be attended from anywhere.