Whiteness came for Christmas, albeit two days late.  Yesterday afternoon it started snowing heavily while we were watching our beloved Colts give up their perfect season to the Jets.  Our Christmas Eve gathering was warm and wonderful,  After twenty years I’ve just about got the menu right – an oven ham, three-cheese potatoes, mushrooms Berkeley, a green bean-corn casserole, spiced cranberry sauce, winter squash custards, a holiday bread (this year Galette de gannet).  The red cabbage dish will have to go.  A heated bowl of wassail and warm fire greeted  people as they arrive from church.   And this year I didn’t have to prepare any vegan alternatives as Nathan remained in Boston with the two week old twins.  Four year old Sophie rather dramatically led us in song after dinner

With two small girls enjoying the Christmas spotlight. there was an orgy of gifts on Christmas morning.  I did much of my shopping at Goodwill on Senior Day.   Firetrucks for Sophie, a stuffed Mickey Mouse for Isabel, a “ferris wheel” photo display for my mother, books for just about everyone. I hit the jackpot when I found a 21″ Dell flat screen monitor for Tish’s computer – less than $16 with my senior discount.  My own cache of gifts was modest.  But readers will know that the real gift was just being able to be there for yet another blessed Christmas.

So today it’s off the Boston, flying this time since Tish got a free ticket when the airline overbooked her flight last year.  I’ll be taking my camera, of course.  You can look forward to a plethora of baby photos illustrating future posts.  My son has a Mac so I should be able to keep the website updated.  I spend a lot of time there reading – fewer work distractions than at home.  Hopefully you’ll have a book review of two.  Also some ideas for improving the site for the new year.

I hope you all enjoyed a blessed and joyous Christmas season.  Take care, Dennis

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