Well, it is. Six weeks of planning, baking, preparing, wrapping, sending off to family all their gifts, writing the usual Christmas letter and mailing them out (did I miss anyone? Must go back AGAIN and check).
Table setting planned and laid out, pick up one beautiful daughter at the airport and ready to partay……(not spelled incorrectly)….
Firstly, go back a week, it snows the night we were to go carolling and had to wait another night…okay! Then it snows so much here our company cannot come over. Food planned and laid out….food wrapped and put away.
Now, one kid gets here and we go have a wonderful luncheon spread at Hester Creek’s Terrafina Restaurant. Come home and Oops! one kid is sick. We still went with the Shrimp Pad Thai and escargot. That was the end of eating for my daughter for three (3) days.
Christmas morning……s – l – o – w start….guess why? Then later on in the day, we have the B- I- G turkey dinner with all the trimmings we can muster. Down to the Gathering Room to watch a movie and to bed….
Boxing Day…hopefully all is well….not! This bug is not fun. But it shows to one and all what Christmas is all about. Family together, laughter, sharing, comforting the sick….I had to say that….and not wanting to change a minute of the time together.
We will hope tomorrow is even better…plans are for a pedicure, going to see Les Miserable, having lunch and really having fun. ‘Cuz the next day, visit is over for another space of time, but the love in this house is amazing. I am even sending a “care package” of baking for one of Kelly’s bestest friends and her family.
I mean, when you bake for 9 give away trays (see picture on site), several get togethers with family and friends and not much is eaten….give away so someone else’s waist band is stretched and ours will still go to the gym and be good.
See you next time with another reason we do all this.
Is there an eggnog somewhere? Anyone?
Thanksgiving Day
This is a beautiful time of year to sit back, enjoy family, big turkey dinners and watch football on television…or is it?
Friday morning I had another surgery, for the umpteenth time and this time, hopefully, the last for awhile. My husband stayed with me and after, when he came to pick me up and take me to a hotel to stay overnight before heading home, he had bought me a bouquet of my favourite flower-tulips in an autumn colour. I was so thankful.
The next day as we were driving home (1 1/2-2 hr drive) the colours on the trees are changing ever so slowly, the sky was clear blue and the sun shining. Every time we make this drive, we chat about how beautiul it is, how lucky we are and it is true.
Getting back to Thanksgiving…so many times while waiting for my surgery, the Dr. was coming out and speaking either to a parent or spouse about what they found on their loved one and it wasn’t very good news. This is when we say thank you for God (or your religious leader) to put you in the position you are now…one where help is available, another day dawns and your loved ones are there for you. I hav e been fighting cancer now for twelve long years and have never had a pity party for me….it is not needed. I have always believed that God has put me where I should be and I am so thankful for that.
I am thankful for my daughter for what she has accomplished; my husband for what he has been through and for what he has given me – his undying love and care; my “step-children” whom I love very much and my grandchildren, all whom I adore; our new home and all what it took to get here; friends from far and wide, Doctors who really care…yes, this is a time to be thankful and I am so thankful I had the parents I had, and what they taught me.
Blessings to all and enjoy that turkey dinner.
Father’s Day Weekend
My husband, his two sons go on a golf weekend along with about 16 other fellows and it is a tradition. A nice tradition I can assure you. To see father and sons together for fun times is a wonderful thing to watch.
We had a nice steak dinner with Trevor on Friday night as he leaves Sunday afternoon and tomorrow I am preparing scallops and lobster tails for Maurice and Don for their special day.
For those who still have their fathers, enjoy them, love them and keep them in your hearts. For us who have lost our fathers, there is a large hole in my heart, wishing my Dad would be at the end of the table tomorrow revelling in the spotlight. It was always a joy and believe me,he is ever missed and loved.
Time for a martini I think. Back at it tomorrow. Enjoy the day and put in your memory book in your mind. They are a treasure.