Christmas in GTown

"This came to our porch!  What can it be?  Just the box is great fun!"

Having a child to lead the way for Christmas is magical.  Miss C loves everything, especially the lights "nana nana."  Light and LaLa sound the same, so I must be the Light of her Life.  I'm OK with that.

Miss C is dressed in her special Christmas outfit here for a trip to visit Santa.  We have tried twice and missed him both times.  Hopefully, the third time will charm.  Those Santa photos from my children's childhood are treasures; Mrs T is hoping to continue the tradition.

Seasonal Sunday

No snow here like on the Left Hand Coast (I'm watching out for all of you,) but there was a sheet of ice on my car this morning like I had never seen before.  I scraped it off the windshield, got myself to the store for ingredients for a fig appetizer to take to a neighborhood party.  The gate wouldn't unlock, so I had to use a candle lighter to thaw the ice that had formed on the bolt.  Driving was OK as the streets had thawed with the traffic, but the sidewalks were treacherous. 

More cooking today: some toffee that has become a part of the Christmas season.  After many failures of the butter - sugar separation kind, Mrs T "googled" the answer: unsalted butter.  When making toffee, use the salted kind or add salt.  With this new knowledge, we are back in business.  

Later the ice glistened through the sunshine creating a beautiful vista as we walked over to Walnut street for the party.  Fun to meet some of the people who live in the homes that I walk past.   

It's beginning to look a lot like . . . .

This Christmas Elf brings a smile and dancing feet to Miss C every time it comes down from the shelf.  Thank you, Auntie C for this perfect gift!

Caroling with candle light.  Miss C particularly loved all the candles.  Luminaria greeted us at the park, a brass choir provided the music, we sang carols and carols.

The library has provided us with Christmas books, but where are the ducks?  Miss C's favorite topic right now is ducks, but the Santa doesn't do ducks.  Lucky Miss C was given a rubber ducky ornament from the sweet T family in Washington.  Thank you!

Back East

Coming back east feels normal, somehow.  My little aerie on the third floor feels like home.  Luck me: I have two places to call home!

"Big Joe" has a new fan!

Miss C got some new books from my Left Hand Coast home, and she approves!  "Big Joe" was Uncle N's favorite when he was her age. . . .

Now it's time to settle in to Christmas.

St Craig Day

Today is St Craig Day!

Honor this saint by seeing a recently released movie (preferably James Bond!); eating spicy food -- Chinese or Mexican -- and taking the day off work.  All things the wonderful Craig liked to do on his birthday.  Think of him today as you drink beer, hug your spouse, say, "Hi" in an intimate way to a loved one.  I miss him and he is here with me.  

Visit to the Left Hand Coast

A visit home feels surreal: it's home, yet it's not.  Everyone is the same, yet life has gone on here without me.  My life in G Town seems far away, yet ever present in the back of my mind.

I loved seeing so many of you on Sunday; I loved being in B Ham with Mr N; yesterday, I did the vet thing with my kitty Louie; each day it's lunch with someone, dinner with someone else.  Thank you all for your open arms and making time for me in this busy season.

I'll be going back to Miss C with renewed energy and love.  

Playwright

Friday I drove north to visit Mr N and to see his play.  My son is a playwright!  His first full length, one act play, "Mo and Julie" premiered at the Community College he attends.  It's the Romeo and Juliet story set in a restaurant kitchen.  He directed and produced the play: casting, sets, lighting, EVERYTHING.  And what an effort.  It was fun, a little funny at times; thoughtful, with lines to ponder.  I am so proud.  I just must crow about this fine young man who is my son.  He also writes songs, poetry, works as a cook, attends school, paints.  My mind has trouble holding on to the variety of creativity that comes from him.

GO MR N!!