Festive Anticipation

I've hung the greens. Garlands piled up at the entrance to the grocery store smell delicious. This year I vow to spritz them with water. Two pots of poinsettias jumped in my shopping buggy, too. Now, the cleaning. Before I dig out the tree, the floor must be mopped and that dust (still there!) must be removed.

I like to take pictures of celery. Don't you think it is the very best green? This year, my bread stuffing was actually good. Most years it turns out looking like a mushy mess, but somehow this year, it tasted delicious.

Julia Child was right. Butter is lovely.

Muffins and corn bread are pretty, too!

That's all I have to say about Thanksgiving dinner. It was snug and good. Bill did all the dishes. It wasn't my best pie year. I really should have listened to myself and bought them.

I also bought myself a hat at the grocery store. I am quite thrilled with my new hat and it was priced just right: under four dollars.

When I do dig out the tree, I shall bedeck it with red. I am giving our ornaments a year off. Red gingham ribbons and these grocery store glass balls. That's it. Oh, and candy canes.

More bedecking to come! Yes, I've had a bad cold and needed long reads and cozy naps. I'm banking on a surge of energy, even if it comes at a random time. It'll come.

The sky is pink and I'm off to the trail for a chatty walk with a friend and an hour of coffee and fellowship. On with my sweater and mittens and out into the cold air. I hope you are having a warm and meaningful weekend. Thank you for stopping in for a jolly hello.

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind to cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
~ Calvin Coolidge