Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Blog Cheating (yet again)

                                                           I had a most content Christmas.
                                                                                   
  The best was 2 days of my family intact and watching them be happy.
A few pictures are posted here, by my Kate. (hence the blog cheating....she writes it perfectly)

~~~

That was followed by 3 days worth of visitors and lots (and lots) of cooking and merriment.
We are set to do it all over again  for New Year's weekend and I could not be happier.

...Just hope I find my missing camera by then.



Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Gingerbread House

During my college days, I worked at my dad's bakery. Christmas time was always bustling around the place and one of our happier tasks was turning out the gingerbread houses. Dad and I had a lot of fun together making them for the customers. I can still hear his voice saying "don't forget the 'chimininies'." The tradition continued for me in the home kitchen every year after the Bake Shop closed. I still use dad's recipe, in his handwriting, and his well used cardboard patterns.


So just how happy do you think I am this year that I had my grandsons to share gingerbread house making day with me?







Sunday, December 18, 2011

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Waiting

The stockings are hung,




the Prayers continue.



All I need is everyone home.



Won't be long now..,




Monday, December 12, 2011

To Light the Way




Linking with
 Barn Charm @ BluffAreaDaily

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Psst..

I'm not the only good secret keeper around.



Sunday, December 4, 2011

Another Weekend Gone By

Hope yours was filled with many moments of calm.


 


Saturday, December 3, 2011

At my Dad's grave side service, I remember vividly glancing over my right shoulder and seeing my oldest cousin Paul, red hair blowing in the wind on that cold December day. He was standing a bit back from the crowd, ever present cigarette in hand, sobbing.
I hadn't thought too much about that moment until my cousin Laura, Paul's sister, posted this picture several weeks ago.


The two Pauls sometime in the late 70's I suppose.
 It was taken at a time when I was self absorbed in my own young adulthood .When family gatherings brought about a roll of the eyes as I bolted out the door in the opposite direction.
I particularly avoided all gatherings where my many relatives with the name Paul, real or hijacked, were in attendance. My dad would inevitably get called 'Jake'. I hated it. Funny that such a simple little thing of convenience pestered me so much. 
Laura recently called my attention to a few more photos.

My Dad Paul, My Grandfather Minard, My Cousin Paul

Then it hit me. My dad and Paul were much more than uncle and nephew that shared a name. They were buds from way back. Not at all unlike my own sons loving their nephews so very much. My Cousin stood back from the crowd and grieved his own way because he loved his Jake.  
~
My brother Paul went into my dying father's hospital room 19 years ago today and gave him permission to let go. It was the kindest thing a son ever did for a dad.
I still miss him.
And now more than ever I miss Paul, the red headed cousin too.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Home

Enjoying the mountains I love, the pursuits I love...




and waiting on the persons I love to get home too.