These Times, They are Cherished

Some photos by me, some by C, one by M...

DPP :: Dec 25 :: {{ offspring }}

My cup runneth over.

DPP :: Dec :: {{ happiness }}

A day of preparations ahead.  I can't wipe this smile off my face.  My family is home.

DPP :: Dec 23 :: {{given}}

They're HOME!

Every one on this earth should believe, amid whatever madness or moral failure, that his life and temperament have some object on the earth. Every one on the earth should believe that he has something to give to the world which cannot otherwise be given. ~ GK Chesterton

I got a text @ 5:30 this morning.  M said they had left and were on their way.  I was going through my morning routine... Let the dog out, give her food, make coffee, read my devotions, check email... another text came; "knock knock"... I thought she was going to tell me a joke.  Then I heard a shuffling sound at the front door.  I turned on the porch light and peeked behind the curtain to see them standing there!!!!  Cricket didn't even have time to get worked up before her boy walked through the door and picked her up to cuddle her.

They're here!  Safe and Sound!  Home.  They're upstairs sleeping now.  Cricket's with her favorite fella.  I've got a stew bubbling on the stove for lunchtime, and carols are playing softly as I putter around making the house festive.  Later today we have 10 more coming for games and music and cookies and cider, but the 3 that matter most to my world are snuggled under great grama's quilts, curled up warm and cozy - here. With me. Now.

It is going to be a merry Christmas, indeed.

A Christmas Story

I love Michael Smith's stories (&his accent!), and that Toast made them available to me this season.  Follow the link (click the photo) and have a listen...

DPP :: Dec 21 :: {{ whole }}

 Happy is he who still loves something he loved in the nursery: He has not been broken in two by time; he is not two men, but one, and he has saved not only his soul but his life. 
Gilbert K. Chesterton 

This past year saw me become a true orphan with no direct family older than me left on this earth.  At this time when family is so important, so intrinsic to our personhood, I am finding comfort & joy in traditions passed down from those bygone generations.
My grandparents moved to Washington state just after my mama was born and never left the town they helped establish.  The friends they made in those early years became my "aunts and uncles" and extended family.  One such family were the Browns.  Ray and Bert (short for Roberta).  They lived across the street from Grampa & Grama & were ever present in the day to day workings of our farm life.  I'm not sure when she established the Cinnamon Bundt gifting but it became a much anticipated and awaited part of our Christmas breakfasts.
When I grew up, married and moved far away from home, I called Bert to ask if I could have the recipe to continue the tradition.  She shared it graciously (from memory! She didn't even need to go look it up but just began to recite it.).
It's especially poignant this Christmas.  Bert passed away just a few months ago.  All I knew of the life I had as a child is gone.  The farm, the people, the home... but many of the traditions established still surround this season. Still surround me.

DPP :: Dec 20 :: {{ fatal }}

The fatal metaphor of progress, which means leaving things behind us, has utterly obscured the real idea of growth, which means leaving things inside us. ~ G.K. Chesterton

DPP :: Dec 19 :: {{ gratitude }}

When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude. ~ G. K. Chesterton 

 Someone fancies herself a gift - good thing the rest of us agree.

DPP :: Dec 18 :: {{ mystery }}

Happiness is a mystery like God, and should never be rationalised. ~ G.K. Chesterton

DPP :: Dec 17 :: {{ enough }}

“There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.” 
― G.K. Chesterton

Our annual cookie exchange takes place tonight.  I made GF/DF Vegan Coconut Raspberry Gems.

DPP :: Dec 16 :: {{ want }}

“The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder.” 
― G.K. Chesterton