December 2010

Next to the fireside last night,
having just watched one of our favorite Christmas
films, getting the photos ready for my last December
post-the power went out. It is amazing how much
that changed things. it didn’t used to, but with Mom
here, the power going out is less an adventure in
simplicity and more a challenge of keeping her warm
and safe and unworried. We sometimes lose power
for days and days, but it was only out several hours
last night, and with the morning has come the
light (to sky and to my mood!) and the continued
snowfall (which can now be enjoyed).

Some of us are in the kitchen, listening to the
radio and uploading new music and reading
new books, some of us (who convinced me that
playing video games in the living room was
“nostalgic” since living away at college) are by the
Christmas tree, controllers in hand. Some of us are
wandering about, nibbling on doughnuts
and almonds and stocking candy.

Outside, the blackbirds are covering the
snow-capped feeder and the goats and hens are
cosily circumscribed in the little rectangle of
dry straw in the paddock, while the snow
continues to blow and fall.

I am anticipating days ahead filled with rest
and good food and lots of reading. I know I will
also pause now and then to receive the truly lovely
and welcome gifts of your notes and visits here,
(as I do always, with so much happiness). It has
been so wonderful to spend
December with you.

I will drop another note in the snowy hedgerow
sometime soon….when the spirit moves.

p.s. I forgot the last picture….of our tiny bell, which
is always placed on the end of the branch of our Christmas
tree that will be most often be brushed against as we
go between kitchen and living room. We have given
so many angel’s their wings since Christmas Eve!

…”sweet Christmas bells are ringing”

Christmas Eve in the kitchen…peeling potoatoes
plucking off sprouts and stirring up the gravy
for our traditional Christmas Day vegetarian
shepherds pie (shepherds-get it?)…

Cheese scones waiting in the freezer to
be baked. Tins of fudge and Special K Cookies
(don’t ask-more badness-but so scrumptious!).
Little quiches in the fridge to accompany the
doughnuts and coffee and eggnog for the sweet
morning hours around the tree.

All day between sink and cooker
and baking table…with a quick dash
to the garden to look for fresh sage,
and a relaxing half-hour on the sofa
with my magazine and a bowl of snowy
vanilla ice cream.

And then some evening moments by
the fireplace, in the candlelight eating supper,
adorning the tree, watching It’s a Wonderful
Life, writing this post.

Such riches…but the best gift of all is
that we are all safe and together under one
roof for a precious little while. Tho’ I’ve
just tucked my mom into bed for the third
time tonight, she is home and whole and
we are not where we were last year at this
time. Tho’ the filling of my eldest’s
stocking this year is as much made up of
my hopes and blessings for his happiness
and success as it is the tangerines and
tokens, he is here within arms’ reach
and eye’s glanceand that
will do for now.

The candles are burning low and
morning will soon arrive, so I will
leave you with deep and warm wishes
that you have a day of contentment
and happiness.

You are a gift to me!