Christmas at Epiphany

As we all know from personal experience, sometimes life can take us in unexpected directions and this past December was no exception.  When last I posted, the Christmas season was just beginning.  When last I posted, I expected to be shortly sharing lovely photos of all the wonderful holiday festivities I was planning to take part in.  When last I posted, I was also lamenting that this would be the first Christmas I had ever celebrated without my daughter.  However, as it turned out, it was a good thing that she wasn't here as Influenza A swept through the family right in the middle of the month.  My oldest son's family caught it first.  I came down with it ten days before Christmas.  It took four weeks, two visits to the urgent care and a third trip to my family clinic before I finally came back to the land of the living.  My husband caught it from me a few days later and my mother, in spite of our best efforts to isolate ourselves from her, came down with it a week later.  Within 24 hours of her first symptom she had double pneumonia and we had to call an aid car for her.  She was hospitalized twice and we were unable to help her at all because we were too ill ourselves.  She spent Christmas in the hospital and we spent it in bed.  Eventually we had her transferred to a rehab nursing facility where she has been for the past few weeks. It was a rather harrowing time but we made it through and finally were able to celebrate with our children and grandchildren on the 12th day of Christmas, Epiphany.

My mother was still in the hospital, but knowing that she was both safe and receiving excellent care made it easier for us to come together and share the holiday, especially for the sake of the grandchildren.  Fortunately, I had decorated the house earlier in the month so all bright and festive.

 

Molly Kitty was quite curious about the tree, but she went into hiding for the rest of the day once the grandchildren arrived!

 We began our day with a lovely holiday breakfast of egg casserole, roasted potatoes, bacon, biscuits and gravy, and fresh fruit. Yum! I changed out all the candles on my Advent pillars to white as Advent was over and Christ has come.

The day was spent exchanging gifts, playing games, and sharing a holiday dinner together.  It was much quieter than in past years. but truthfully most of us were still in recovery so it was just what we needed.  Our grandson loved his new toy tractor!

 

Last week we were able to come together once again to celebrate Christmas with my mother at the nursing facility.  We also celebrated our granddaughter's birthday at the same time.

 

Now as this first month of the year is beginning to come to a close, I have been preparing for my mother to come home to stay with us for a little while as she continues to gain her strength and Lord willing is able to return to her own home.  God's mercies are great and he is with us whatever the future will bring. A belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May the Lord bless and keep each of you in this new year ahead.

Adieu!

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Tree lightings and a Christmas Tea

 I have been feeling a bit blue these past few weeks as I have been really missing my daughter.  This will be the first time in her entire life that she has not been a part of our Christmas celebrations. However, the reason for the season has not changed, and I have some lovely friends who have been helping me get into the spirit of the holidays.

My husband and I went down to the cove park in town to attend the local Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony last weekend. It was fun to see our little town all decked out in its Christmas finery.  The community band was playing, children were busy writing letters to Santa, and free cups of hot chocolate were being passed around while we waited for the tree to light up.

It felt almost magical looking out over the lake at night.   

 

Our local town museum was open.  So we stepped inside to see the old turn of the 20th century mill house all decorated for the season.

 

We were so busy looking around inside the house that we missed the actual tree light ceremony, lol!! When we stepped back outside there it was, our city tree marking the beginning of our town's Christmas celebrations. 

Walking back to our car we spied this home all decked out like Babes in Toyland. I was a huge Annette Funicello fan as a child.

 

Three days after that lively celebration, I was invited to an amazing Victorian Tea given by one of my bible study friends. My friend is of Norwegian descent and her entire home was a refection of her love of her cultural heritage and more importantly her love of God. 

 

 

She put the Afternoon Tea served at the Royal Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia to shame with her gorgeous table settings and delicious menu of tasty treats, all of which she made herself.  There aren't enough words to describe all her wonderful flavor combinations.

 

It was such a lovely presentation.  It felt like we were transported to another place and time.  I couldn't have imagined a more delightfully charming and delectable way to begin the Christmas season. I returned home with a heart full of appreciation to have been given the opportunity to celebrate, not just good food, but also the company of wonderful friends.

 

As this Advent/Christmas Season continues to unfold may each of you be blessed with your own opportunities to share special times with those who are near and dear to you.

 

Adieu!

 

 

 

 

Looking Back on December

 The past few weeks have been a whirlwind! From Thanksgiving to New Years Eve we just jumped from one event to the next.  This time of year is always busy, but this year some extra activities added to the chaos.  On top of that,I got really sick again so my energy level was pretty low. Still, I wouldn't trade my time with my loved ones for anything.  

One of the highlights of the month was the celebration of my mother's 90th birthday. I am one of those people who believe that the Christmas season doesn't begin until after Thanksgiving is over.  That meant that the day after hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for the  family I had one week in which to remove all my fall deco and transform my house from Autumn into a Victorian Christmas scene for sixteen luncheon guests.  Fortunately, I had my plan all organized and ready to go.

I used my mother's Haviland china for one table and my wedding china for the other.
 

It was a wonderful celebration and was followed by two church receptions, one on that Saturday night at her Anglican Church and another on Sunday morning at our Lutheran Church.

 As soon as all festivities  were over, I fell sick again and spent about 10 days fighting that awful respiratory virus that was floating around. I was just back on my feet when my family arrived from Atlanta.

My daughter arrived with her family in mid December and we were able to enjoy their company for over two weeks.  What a wonderful blessing.  With her came an unexpected icy cold front which kept us from some of the activities we had planned, but being together was all that mattered.

The Cousins had a wonderful time together. Connor at two is almost as tall as his three year old cousin!

 

Santa brought somebody princess outfits!

All too soon the holiday season was over and was it time for this guy to head home to Atlanta.  We miss him already!

Now we have settled into the new year. and already it has brought new challenges which is why it has been so long since I have done any blogging.  

My beautiful mother is in the hospital with Covid Pneumonia. It  came on quickly.  She is doing well for 90 years old but will need much care in the weeks to come. Lord willing she will be able to come home soon.  Whatever, happens God is on the Throne and though it's hard, we are resting in that.

All blessings to each of you who visit.  May the Lord be with you through the joys and challenges each year brings. 

Adieu!