Along with the paw wax (which we have not yet used despite now 10′ mountains of snow just from yesterday’s flurries) Zoe has a new velveteen jingle bell collar. You’ll need a photo for this one and my camera batteries are low and better light would be preferable.
The sidewalks Zoe and I trod upon just yesterday are covered with mountains of snow. As we are in ski country, in the mountains, it’s not going to melt but will be here until June or July. That is a fact that we have to deal with in motor vehicles, outerwear and boots.
Jim had a long week last week at work that sometimes extended until early morning hours. I wanted him to get caught up on his sleep this past weekend. I made one of his favorite dinners last night and we settled down in front of the fire to see a really crummy Christmas movie (I’ll demur on the name to protect the guilty) or Mel Gibson in The Patriot.
We went to bed early, started the extra heater and the humidifier while we watched several inches of snow land overnight. He fell asleep right away. I tried for 1/2 hour but didn’t want to fidget and awaken him and the dog. So, as I got out of bed he said “Santa must have a really fast sleigh” and I responded, “Yes, he must.” Then I looked back and he was snoring again. A precious moment, and he allowed me to share it here. I’m sure his mother would’ve wanted to hear it first, but since we’re not allowed Thanksgiving, we must look forward to Christmas.
Zoe’s velvet sleigh bells will glisten in the new snow and we always look forward to seeing family on the holidays. Keep your family together, don’t fight about the turkey or side dishes and have a wonderful day! Dee
Categories: Editorial · Utah
Our family Thanksgiving was immediate family. When I met the man who was to become my husband, I girded myself for a long weekend with his parents, and Thanksgiving with fifty of his relatives. It was a life-changing weekend and we eloped two months later.
Now, Jim’s job prevents him from taking even one day off during November/December and he’ll miss his annual joyous union with his parents, brother, grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins. I should have titled this “Over The River, and Through the Woods…” but this would be my eighth year there. We’ll miss all the folks who get together only once a year. It’s some consolation that Jim’s mother has a new computer with video capabilities so we can have a video conference after dinner.
There may be near sixty this year. More babies were born. A dear one was lost. This is the closest to a grandmother I’ve ever had. You should see the spread. Of course there are turkey and ham but the sides are very southern and that tends to sweet, not what this Yankee initially expected. I never tried to bring a dessert because all the other ladies do so and dessert is a sumptuous feat in and of itself! As my husband is not very adept at culinary traditions (forget female hierarchy) he always told me to bring nothing.
Now I’m known for teaching teenagers how to cook, the day after Thanksgiving, and also for my spinach balls, spiced almonds and cashews, and boursin. I’ve already given spinach balls to my newest married cousin Brenda. We’ll really miss that big hug from Nanny when we walk in the door, plus conversations with family we haven’t seen in a year: Zoe’s hip surgeon Val the Vet; brother John and Patti and their children; Sharon and Mary and their kids; Scott and Jen and two babies, one we’ve never met; and on and on. And Gina’s going to be there this year. We’ve both been rooting for Gina for years, and she’s successful and living on the West Coast.
Someday I’ll tell you the story of the first Thanksgiving with Jim’s family. Not now. Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving, Dee
Categories: Editorial
Tagged: family, Mom, Nanny, Thanksgiving
