holiday Sunday

It's always like this and it will remain thus until the day I keel over: they're all here, content, satiated, with food and family filling them up to the max, they talk a little, play with the kids a tiny bit (less and less each time, as the kids like to do their own stuff), do a puzzle, sit back, do nothing too, read maybe, talk some more... And then they get themselves up and one car load returns to their home nearby, and the other car load sets off for the return trip to Chicago, and their departure creates this huge void in me that feels at once empty and happy, because it was so good to have them all here (for brunch, which is our usual habit on the last day) and I know they're returning to happy homes, so that's all good, except that I miss them already so much... 

My Sunday in a nutshell.

I suppose the important background information is that it is bitter cold outside. When I go out to feed the animals (just at sunrise), it's 10F (-12C) outside. How did we get January weather so quickly this year?!

I have some prep work to do for the family brunch, but first, I do drive down to Madison Sourdough to get fresh bread and flaky croissants. They'll go well with the eggs (some of our own, but supplemented by store-bought, because our hens are molting, of all things, so their laying is a rare event this month).

I love putting together a brunch for these guys! You can get creative (I added a side of cold-smoked salmon and, too, garlicy mussels, as well as some turkey slices for the kids), but really, the scrambled eggs (with freshly grated Parmesan for those so inclined) are the base, so you dont need to fuss too much beyond that. Sure, I bake up some bacon (and veggie based bacon for the pescatarian among us), and I find myself having time enough to bake a batch of blueberry muffins as well. To add to the morning buns from Clasen's. And of course, there has to be a plate of veggies (tomatoes and avocado) and a huge platter of fruits. I put out a jar of our home made jam and we get a ridiculous amount of praise from kids and adults alike for our summer jamming efforts.

(one end of the long table, all leaves added to it -- just manages to seat 11!)

None of this takes time. It's simple, it's fun and they are an appreciative bunch!

 

 

I don't take too many photos today. But there are two that kind of speak to the moment: one of my two grandgirls from Chicago and me...

And another -- of the whole five of them. All grins and happy hugs.

They leave in the afternoon. Sigh...

After tidying up, I'm ready to sit down and put my feet up (with this coffee break...)

 

 

 

... but Ed coaxes me up and into a walk. Just in our local park. Yes, its bitter cold, but that's no excuse to sit it out. I acquiesce and as usual, I'm so glad that we do a loop through the forest. It really is wonderful to let go of everything and take deep breaths of woodsy wintry air.

At home again, I decorate our tree. It takes me half an hour to do the whole thing. I dont purchase any more ornaments, feeling now rather attached to what's there. A handful from my past, but most are from my years at the farmhouse. 

Lovely, all of it -- just lovely. (I like looking at it close up!)

 

Happy December, Ocean readers! Stay cheerful if you can. We've got each other. Good hearts, good, caring people. Reason enough to smile.

with so much love...

holiday weekend, continued

Which holiday are we celebrating anyway? Opinions differ! Me, I have to say Christmas kicked Thanksgiving to the past pretty quickly this year. Honestly, I think it's because the bitter cold hit us with such force so early. And I mean bitter cold! A high of -6c (21F) again.

A quick walk to feed the animals. 

 

A quick breakfast with Ed.

And then I join up with the two young families at our local cinema to watch the newly released Moana 2. (I brought ear plugs with me because I find the theaters to be amazingly loud. But here's a hint for all you sensitive types -- Moana 2 doesn't need noise cancelers!) It's the first show on a big screen for the almost three year old (Juniper), and the totally three year old (Sandpiper), but of course, they've watched movies on their home not-so-small TV screens, so they have no problem adapting to the cinema experience.

The kids absolutely love this movie outing! And why shouldn't they -- the screen is entirely visible, the seats are booked in advance, the chairs are plush and they stretch out into remarkable positions that you could only wish for on an overnight flight, for example.

(the five cousins)

Candy, popcorn, parents, cousins. And a flashy and thrilling story that is as predictable as they come and yet, the ending never fails to bring kids joy.

From there, they go for lunch at Culvers (call it above average fast food) and I retreat to Barriques (our local coffee shop chain) for a quiet senior moment over a cup of coffee. I find these little pauses to be essential in days of chaos, even when the chaos is one of pure happiness.

It's back to Clasen's after that! The youngest family hasn't been there yet this year!

(and now they are five...)

From there, we move the whole gang to my older daughter's home for tree trimming. She has this down pat: a wonderful tray of cheeses and meats, including the most special one, only on the market for a month -- Rush Creek Reserve, beloved by all...

 

 

 

The tree up and ready, the kids also of an age where they are a help rather than a hindrance.

Each and everyone of us does her or his share.

Done!

Singing and dancing ensue.

(group shot of the wild bunch!)

And tradition has it that we all watch the Muppets Christmas Carol together. Over pizza. 

Do you see why I think of this as a pre-Christmas weekend rather than a post-Thanksgiving one? And why I find it to be so beautiful, down to the last crumb?

(with my two once-little ones)

 

 

At home, my own tree waits for its share of color. The lights arrived, I do put them up. The rest? Tomorrow. There's no rush. The tree will "don its apparel" December 1st. That's pefect. Maybe I'll put on some Christmas music. Ed wont mind. He has exercised his veto power over scented candles. The rest? The truth of the matter is that the holiday season is very short. It will all pass all too soon. For now -- happy winter holiday season to all!  That sort of captures the spirit of all these festive days, no?

with so much love...

Christmas season

Driving with the radio on, tuned to a station that plays holiday music. Yes, I'm one of those who really enjoys the Christmas season and all its excesses, including excessive repetition of holiday songs. Last evening we had Clare College and Kings College Carols playing in the background. Those soothing melodies have been with me since I discovered them when I was half the age of my daughters. Back then, finding a place that sold albums from all the Cambridge University choirs was hard. But I persevered and my daughters grew up with a season full of those sweet songs of Christmas. 

I always loved the stuff. As a kid, I'd adored Alvin and the Chipmunks singing Christmas songs. And the Polish boys choir doing their holiday repertoire. In recent decades, I grew especially fond of jazzy Christmas stuff. Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald -- and beyond. But hey, I'm good for the bouncy stuff on the radio too! I'm not fussy. The fact is, December can seem very bleak without the holiday colors. I love opening up to all of it, even if Christmas is an adopted holiday for me, as my parents weren't especially Christmas-inclined. Possibly the only two Poles on the planet who did not fuss over Christmas Eve. (Even if you weren't religious, you put on a proper feast then. It was and is ingrained into your Polish soul!)

And yes, it is a bleak day otherwise. Freezing, with a high today of 21F (-6C).

The chickens are hiding once again. The cold, the hawks, the lack of greenery -- it's all rather miserable for them.

 

 

But I have a chicken treat for them! Yesterday, I had to make two batches of cranberry corn muffins. Why? Because when the timer pinged for the first dozen, I thought -- ah! Muffins are done. And then continued doing some other prep, forgetting to take those darn things out of the oven. Until much, much later. Here's an interesting fact: chickens love over-baked corn muffins. A mistake may confer unexpected benefits to some.

 

And here's where I can bring in some real color for you: my Ocean friend who, along with her daughter run a very beautiful holiday-themed business (32 Degrees North), once again sent me a gift of old-world Advent calendars for the kids.

All the kids love these -- it's part of December magic to discover a sweet image for the day. Unpacking those calendars was a real pick-me-up to the morning. Breakfast, amid holiday pictures.

Immediately after, I head out.

For I don't know how many decades now, it has been standard fare to go tree hunting on the day after Thanksgiving.  Initially, it was just to help my daughter along with her holiday tree shopping. But despite the fact that I had a tiny bit of resistance on this from Ed, I did finally break down and buy a wee tree for our home as well. That wee tree grew a little over time, and since a couple of years ago, I have a regular old six footer in the farmhouse.

Last year, we all went tree shopping at a local tree farm. Snowdrop really wanted to repeat that excursion but the weather today is just so beastly cold! And, too, that place is insanely popular on the day after Thanksgiving. It feels like an assembly line operation: they guide you to a parking spot, then to trees, then to a packed gift shop, then to the pick-up point. Like herded sheep, from one field to the next. The grownups balked at the idea of doing that today and finally the little girl quit her campaign to get us out to the tree farm. She's an agreeable sort. Here we are, at the far easier shopping venue -- our local nursery, searching for the perfect tree for the young family (they go for the big fat ones).

Finally! Found one! That fat one.

Inside, they pick up a few other odds and ends and, too, the kids allow themselves to be set up for a Christmas photo. I take many, I'll post one I know they wont use for their card, but still, it's a sweet one.

I have always thought that we are a nation inclined to smile for photos. Poles, for example, rarely do that. Sure, they laugh like the rest of us, but those photo grins? Nope. Not for them. In case you think that the more natural expressions are in some way preferable, let me put in a plug for the photo smile: I recently listened to a story detailing studies that have demonstrated that even fake smiles work to stir up your happy juices. In other words, a facial expression can influence your emotions in a good way. Oh yeah!

From Bruce's (where we get their tree), it's just a hop skip over to Clasen's Bakery, where everyone stocks up on more chocolate covered gingerbread cookies (and other delights).

I wave good bye to them then and return to Bruce's on my own to select a farmhouse tree for this year. I don't intend to put it up yet. Maybe Sunday evening, maybe Monday. But back at the farmhouse, Ed is scratching his head over my plan to put it in the mud room for the time being.

Don't you want to keep it in water?

Fine, I'll put it in a bucket...

But then why not just put it up inside in the regular old tree stand?

So we do that.

To be decorated at a later date. When the new lights arrive because of course, half of last year's chain is broken, infuriating the both of us at the waste. (It's impossible to fix these defects in Christmas lights. Believe me, Ed has tried.)

In the evening, my youngest girl and her family drive into town. We all meet up for dinner at Craftsman Table and Tap. 

(here come the two Chicago girls!)

(dinner)

Ah, but it's great to have them all here, together! Total bliss for me. A proper Thanksgiving! Or -- entry into the Christmas season! Or both.

 (happy cousins)

 

with so much love....

Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving! Oh yeah!

I'll start with this: Ed always tells me on birthdays and anniversaries -- every day is like a birthday. An excuse to not make a big fuss, but, too, he means it. I thought of that today as I woke to a day that celebrates gratitude. I cannot tell you how many times each and every day I am overcome with gratitude. Ask me today to enumerate things that make me swell with appreciation? Sure, but I truly feel thankful every day. And Ed will throw in his share too. It's not unusual for him to say "I'm so grateful that we have toilets and running water." And I'll add "and heat, and health care, and you..."

Family, friends, good people everywhere, doing good things for others, for the planet. Health, love, sweet gentle Ed.

And now comes the essential part of today -- a gathering over food with those you love.

What food??

Well, soon to be prepared food. 

The day starts in the usual way: animal feeding. It's cold! And there's a hawk circling, looking for his own Thanksgiving meal. The chickens wisely refuse to leave their hiding place.

 

Next - I drive to Batch bakery to pick up the pie. And bread. And pastries for post breakfast snacks.

(what should I get??)

And then I start in on cooking, right?

Well no, not quite. I have to do my morning foot soak. And of course, I need my own morning meal!

And then the gang arrives. 

So, a small distraction. They turn on the parade. 

 

 

No cooking yet for me! But you know, it doesn't matter. People, it's just a turkey, for heaven's sake. True, the hasselback potato dish that everyone loves is a pain to prepare: a million thin potato slices in a cheesy sauce. But the other sides are a breeze! Garlicy green beans. Cranberry corn muffins. A few roasted carrots. Corn, from our summer stash. Cranberries. Mushroom gravy. Oh, and a plant based turkey slice for our pescatarian.

And still I dont get started. Lunch comes before dinner. I make a squash soup for the grownups, pasta for the kids.

Afterwards? The young family heads out for a walk. They don't last long. It's freezing out there!

 Now is the time that I finally start in on the dinner.

And guess what -- it does get done!

It was, in fact, a beautiful day. The kids played...

 

 

 

... read, built, drew, and in the end helped solve crossword puzzles with their parents. 

The meal was ready on time...

 

 

 ... and the turkey was not undercooked or over roasted (always a miracle!). I suppose I should have spatchcoked the bird rather than splayed it, but the mushroom gravy that topped the meat was fabulous so I forgive myself for taking the easier path. 

(thrilled to land the drumstick!)

In short -- a beautiful day. 

(wait, just one more, of the young family)

Tomorrow we switch our focus to Christmas. It will be an even more freezing day -- coldest post Thanksgiving ever, I hear. And we will happily huddle in the warmth of a heated house, with both young families, content, and so very grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving.

With so much love...