Last day of 2009

Cold, grey day. About 2" of snow fell last night, which was easily dispatched after Mass. While spreading salt on the walk, Arianna appeared. We played a bit and then I went indoors. Later, Sharon went outside.



Arianna had planned on staying up late tonight to ring in 2010. Given that she was outside for a couple hours this morning, I wonder if she'll make it.



I knocked down the icicles along the front of the house on Tuesday. All but one. Arianna and I are curious to know if this stalactite of an icicle will / can freeze to the concrete. This icicle is already more than three feet in length.

Play Date

We're surrounded by icicles!






The "bars" of our cell weren't enough to keep Arianna's friend away though.



Peyton J. and Arianna playing Battleship.

. . . the mother of invention

With a new American Girl doll and with add'l accessories comes the need to find a storage solution. Short of buying Arianna an armoire, Sharon came up with a neat craft project on Monday, which she and Arianna spent several hours on.



I. Sharon fastening a floral covering to the Kirsten and Samantha's new closet





II. Arianna contributing to the project

More (unexpected) snow

Yesterday morning I walked out for the morning paper and found a light, fluffy snow had fallen over night. Later, when I went for the mail, all my earlier tracks had been covered. We didn't think much of the continuous snowfall. We played Quirkle, Battleship, Gnip Gnop, and lazed around the house.

But, after supper, anticipating our drive to Mass this morning, I went outside to shovel. Much to my surprise, 10.25" of snow covered the driveway!



I. View east, along Hillcrest





II. A tangle of Oak and Hickory




III. Squirrel eyes bird feeder

Christmas Day

After our light breakfast of plum pirogi, Bruno and Sharon started with dinner preparations. This year we planned a late dinner: 4 o'clock. So, we all had plenty of time to see to our tasks before Bruno's brother's family arrived.




I. Bruno stuffs the capon





II. Sharon's centerpiece -- a wreath made of Christmas ornaments





III. Sharon's cousin Barbara and her husband, Greg





IV. Sharon's cousin Linda baked Bruno a rum cake





V. Uncle Lester in animated conversation





VI. Ruth (a long-time friend of the family), Aunt Myra, Linda, and Barbara opening gifts





VII. Arianna received a Barbie pool from Barbara and Greg





VIII. Arianna and Uncle Greg play Gnip Gnop





IX. After dinner cookies




X. Bruno's face says it all -- he enjoyed his (87th) Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning! A time for children's smiles.



I. Arianna shows Grandpa the Christmas cartoon she drew for him"




II. And so it begins . . . Arianna opening one of many gifts from Oma




III. A handmade gift from Mrs Dalleska -- our friend from St. Catherine




IV. Grandpa appreciates the craftsmanship of the candy bowl Arianna made for him




V. A puzzling gift from Iowa holds Arianna's attention




VI. PJ's from our neighbor




VII. Kristen, a gift from the big guy -- Mr. C.




VIII. American Girl trivia cards from Arianna's Godfather and family in California

Excitement!

7 pm - Mass at St. Catherine of Siena.

8:15 pm - Home

9:15 pm - Bedtime



But, Arianna would not / could not sleep. After her bedtime story, she got up three times. Then, after she fell asleep, she woke up at 2 am. She crawled into bed with Sharon and me for maybe an hour. She returned to her own bedroom with me for, say, 45 minutes -- during which time she thrashed about until I finally returned to my own room. Shortly thereafter . . . who was standing beside our bed? This time Sharon accompanied her to bed. Of course, now it's 4 am, Christmas morning.

Although Arianna scouted out the living room around 7 am to see whether Santa had visited, the rest of the family got up closer to 8 o'clock. In fact, this year Grandpa was up and about before Sharon and me.

Ice

Yesterday we spent the day tidying the house. My job was the basement. While preparing for Christmas Day festivities I took time to look into why my old stereo phonograph was not performing as designed. I pulled all the pieces from the cabinet, cleaned the shelves, disconnected and reconnected everything. Happily, the hum is no longer a problem and I can play some LPs without distraction.

After all our labors I sprang for Chinese. On route to picking up dinner I encountered a snarl of traffic, all due to the sleet.

This morning, I was not surprised to find the driveway iced-over.

Thankfully we suffered no loss of power.




I. Bird feeder on Sugar Maple




II. Suet cake at Grape Ivy




III. Sugar Maple leaves hold fast in the gloom

A quiet day of preparation. Last packages wrapped. Chairs retrieved from the attic. Arianna made up relish and cookie trays. Bruno has already extracted the giblets from the capon and has made soup for tonight's supper and tomorrow's bread stuffing.

It arrives slowly and departs quickly -- this time of peace and generosity.

Why?

Unexpected Snowfall

It snowed Monday night. Not surprisingly, Arianna wanted to spend time outside. It is curious to me that Arianna prefers to be outside during the Winter. When asked about this, her answer is singular: 'Summer is boring; there's nothing to do. In Winter you can sled!'




I. Arianna scouting out a "hill"



II. Smiley eyes




III. Snow covered bird feeders




IV. Monarda




V. Birdhouse




VI. Bird bath

Xmas Town

Arianna decorated Christmas Town, using Lego. The town even includes a sign, which careful reading reveals XMAS and TOWN.




I. Xmas




II. Town




III. Engineer Arianna

All Down Hill

After an afternoon of running errands, Arianna grabbed the saucer and we headed over to our favorite "hill". Although the thermometer wasn't especially forbidding, our spontaneity precluded my having taken the time to dress appropriately. I was cold. So, we only spent 30 minutes outside.





But, there'll be more opportunities to sled in the coming weeks and months.

The taste of Christmas

I think more than any other time of year, Christmas memories heighten the magic and joy of the season.



Not much of a baker, my Mother preferred to visit Heinrich's -- the German baker. However, when my sisters and I were very young, she did gather us into the kitchen to turn-out and bake spritzes -- the taste of Christmas.



Earlier today Sharon finished this year's baking, which included the spritzes.

Smokin' Joe pulls into Xmas Town

I don't know who enjoys the train more -- Arianna or Grandpa.




Since we setup the Christmas tree in a new location last year, we decided not to pull Smokin' Joe out of storage. This year however, we not only brought it out of storage, we put it where it belongs -- under the tree.

Christmas cookies

Sharon started the annual adventure in baking this evening. She prepared the ginger bread cookie dough and let Arianna and Grandpa roll it out and make shapes.





Over the course of the next week or so, Sharon, her Dad, and Arianna will bake at least a half dozen different kinds of cookies.

Trimming the Christmas Tree

I. Arianna helps Sharon with the lights




II. Sharon uncovering antique gems




III. Arianna heads back to the boxes for more decorations




IV. Stringing popcorn



V. Not quite done, but a good start