Christmas '24...

 I have been the beneficiary of much thoughtfulness during the past weeks. 

My friend Debi from Georgia bowled me over by sending me an incredible handmade flower quilt she discovered (with many others) when she cleaned her mother's farmhouse after her death. It is a great treasure, lovingly hand-stitched and well cared for. 

Customers brought handmade gifts (a kitten-soft scarf, a whimsical stuffed moose tree ornament, home-baked goodies, and more). It was a joy to find piles of Christmas cards filled with warm wishes and sweet sentiments in our mailbox. As always, our family put a lot of attention into choosing gifts that showed they paid attention to one another's needs and desires. 

My sister invited all of our siblings and some nieces and nephews to gather at her home before the holiday. We rarely get together at Christmas, so it has been a long time since we shared such festivities. Their home was decorated to perfection, and she and her husband prepared a feast for us to share. Rachel and I drove there with the little ones and had such fun. 

Here are the four remaining Waters siblings gathered in the home our father built. Being there with them was a priceless gift. 

A few weeks shy of her first birthday, the Cygnet pushed her little toy and todddled on her tiny feet on the very floors I learned to walk on. What a delight that was to see! 

For a special treat, we met the newest family member and fell in love. Her parents were generous in sharing her, but in the end, they wanted her back! She is perfection, so we couldn't blame them. 

Back at home, we invited some of our favorite people to supper on Christmas Eve. There was jolly conversation, prime rib, twinkling lights, and plenty. I had a grateful heart as I served the meal. 

We welcomed Christmas with a lovely sparkling white blanket of snow, making everything feel a bit more festive. 

More than one friend or acquaintance has had struggles this year, causing them to have a difficult time during the holiday season. Their pain has made me pause even more than usual to think about how fortunate I am and be grateful. 

As we open fresh new calendars to welcome 2025, I wish for them, and anyone reading this, peace, plenty, good health, prosperity, and delight. 

It's a wrap...

 Last Christmas, we expected grandbaby number two to arrive around December 28th. Since babies are not known for arriving exactly on schedule, I did my holiday shopping and wrapping very early so I would be prepared no matter when the birth occurred. The Cygnet made a late appearance, but it was extremely nice to be so organized in advance. Remembering that feeling, I shopped and wrapped early this year, too, and have had a cheerful pile of gifts stacked in Chris's office for weeks. There have been some last-minute gift additions, and today, I got them all bundled and beribboned. I had adorable almost-one-year-old help. 

Recent rain (and wild winds!) washed away our snow, but it has been cold. This morning it was 15 degrees when I fed and watered the animals. The goats have thick coats and don't seem to mind the brisk air. They look adorable in their festive ruffles. 

Yesterday, we took the girls to Farmer Cheryl's to meet Angelo, a Hackney/Clydesdale cross colt. He is as sweet as they come and has the kindest expression on his face. It will be fun to watch him grow and learn. 

This week we celebrated fifteen years of endless love and devotion from this little character. 

She has a bad heart, a bothersome hernia, a mammary tumor, and cataracts, but she doesn't let any of that slow her down much. She still plays fetch, beats Bravo (who is 5 times her size) up a few times a week, eats with gusto, and rules the house with all 8 pounds of her sassy self. I know we won't have her forever, but we treasure the time we do have. She's been a delightful companion. 

We also celebrated Chris's birthday. (He's been a delightful companion, too!)  We took the day off to be together. There was a nice drive, we did some shopping, enjoyed lunch out, and had a fun family supper. Rachel and Evans gifted him something very thoughtful. Chris has often happily remembered a bank he had when he was a little kid. It had a Santa figure on a chimney. When a coin was inserted Santa's eyes would light up and he would ring a bell. They managed to find one of these vintage items and surprised him with it. How kind and thoughtful is that? A new (old!) family treasure. 

The house is decorated and cozy, the holiday menu is planned, the gifts are wrapped. There is nothing left to do except enjoy these sweet days. 

Decking...

 Many years ago, a Jewish friend visited our home in December and said, "It looks like Christmas came and threw up in your house." She wasn't wrong. Today, it happened yet again. Four oversized totes full of snowmen, Santas, angels, and nativity figures were unpacked and carefully arranged. Seasonal music played, and the woodstove snapped and cracked and warmed our space. I loved every minute of it. 

My mother had two copper angel candlesticks she was particularly fond of. Years ago, a friend saw them and then gifted me several similar ones in various sizes that belonged to her mom, giving me an entire flock of angels. They are all a challenge to polish, so I have left them languishing in the basement for too long. I got them out this week and spent a while cleaning and shining them up. I think the mama's would be pleased. The candle snuffer was a gift from my niece, and it fits right in. 

At dusk, my pal Brenda and Rachel came over. We drank mulled wine, ate crackers and chevre, and decorated wreaths. It was a fun way to spend some time, and we had some lovely results. 

It feels like winter outside, and my house looks like Christmas inside. It's the cozy season, and I am happy. 

Train ride...

 Last night, we took the 3-year-old Owlet and baby Cygnet to ride on a vintage steam engine train in Portland, an hour-and-a-half drive from here. There, we met the girls' cousins (ages 7 and 9), their parents, and another niece of mine. The train and crew are set up to mimic the experience of the book and movie "The Polar Express." 

Everyone gathered in the train station first. Staff, dressed in old-fashioned costumes, greeted the children and answered questions. A lovely woman chatted to the Owlet and showed her where she could write a "letter" to Santa and put it in a special mailbox. The Owlet was all on board with this idea and spent a long time creating the perfect missive. 

She proudly placed it in the mailbox. 

The cousins were delighted to see one another, and it was with great excitement that we all boarded the train. We were in the "Caribou Crossing" car. Soon, the train chugged away from the station, and the Owlet delightedly looked out the window. We passed water views and people walking (whom she waved vigorously at!) There were Christmas lights and an illuminated Santa's sleigh to admire.  Soon, someone came and passed out golden tickets to all the children (most of whom wore their holiday-themed pajamas.) 

The Owlet lost her ticket behind the seat cushion. Her parents diligently tried to retrieve it to no avail. 

Cookies and hot chocolate were served. The story of the Polar Express was read out loud over the speaker while a staff member held the book up and turned the pages. 

The seven-year-old cousin noted the Owlet's parents' concern over the lost ticket. Apparently filled with the Christmas spirit, she kindly offered to give the wee Owlet her ticket. My eyes leaked a little. After a while, a costumed conductor came to punch the children's tickets (with the first initial of their name!) and cheerfully replaced the lost ticket, so all was well. 

Soon, Santa entered the car. The Owlet jumped up and down with glee, her eyes wide. But then she felt a little shy and wiggled up on the bench seat between her papa and me. Santa spent a long time talking to the Cygnet and gave her a beautiful silver jingle bell, but he walked right past the Owlet, hidden between big people. She realized what had happened and said, "C'mon, Lovie!" She hopped off the bench and followed behind Santa. I followed her. She flashed me a mischievous look and gave Santa a friendly tickle. Pleased with herself, she collected her bell from the elf following Santa and scurried back to her seat. 

After our delightful trip, we all gathered at a local restaurant for a nice meal. The entire adventure was an excellent way to kick off the holiday season. There was spirit and sharing, family and fun, cocoa and cookies, and tickles. What could be better?