After the After...

Saturday evening my sister's son, Mike, and his wife, Ashlyn, and family came to visit. The Marx family stayed till Sunday morning so these cousins could meet each other and share a possible once-in-a-lifetime visit.  The Hurst family came to see Papa. They would leave Monday to visit their other great-grandfather. The cousins had so much fun playing together Saturday evening. Claude brought Papa out and Papa delighted in all these little people and their antics.

Sunday morning Claude, me and the Hurst family prepared to go to Church together.  The Marx family would leave after we were gone.  Time for one really good picture in front of the tree.   

Claude purchased chocolate coins when he was in Frankfort. He stopped at Rebecca Ruth Candy and got these for the kids.  

After church we stopped at Papa's so he could show the kids his wall of pictures. Then we brought Papa out to the house.  Lunch was sandwiches from the left overs.  Then we all got comfortable and headed into Sadieville to see the sights.  The kids enjoyed playing in the caboose, strolling down to City Hall which is the original train depot, and a visit at the Rosenwald School.  Papa stayed in the car except for the Rosenwald School.  He kept comparing it to the Double Church where his mother went to school in Winnfield, Louisiana.  It was also a one room building but about twice as long as our Rosenwald School. It was used by two churches on Sunday and as a school during the week.  Claude led the way through the Kentucky countryside to see Double Culvert.  Papa was very happy for the little journey. 

Papa was ready to go home after that.  I took him home.   The children put on a talent show for us in the basement.  Then we read their books of choice before time to get them ready for bed.  

Mike and Ashlyn were getting their laundry caught up and finished it while we had what we affectionately call 'adult swim' in the evening.  

Monday morning the Hurst family left.  After they were gone a few minutes, we noticed Ashlyn's camera sitting on the counter.  I called and told them to turn around and we would meet them at the Sadieville interchange of I-75.  Lots of memories on that camera.  

Claude and I went on to Georgetown and purchased Papa's groceries. Then took care of some things for Papa before enjoying a quick lunch prepared by someone else and outside our home.  We stopped at Walmart and got our shrimp for our New Year's festivities.  After a tiny nap, we thought we would start taking Christmas decorations down.  Claude started on his outside lights and I started inside the house while washing the linens and towels from the Christmas visits.  We surprised ourselves by sticking with it and finished all the decorations and the trees inside and outside the house.  Tired but it felt good to get that done.

That is a wrap for another Christmas.  Full, fun, sick at times, family, memories, all the elements of a good Christmas.  Now, on to New Year's Eve...

After...

Then Christmas happened...

The Marx family arrived Christmas eve in time for smoked brisket sandwiches and pasta salad for dinner.  Bailey immediately headed for the Bubba Gump glasses because they have flashing lights in the bottom.  I believe her added touch of a little umbrella was truly classy. 

After dinner we began the preparation of cookies for Santa.  This year's offering would be in the form of reindeer and in the flavor of peanut butter cookies.

When all was ready, Andie looked out the window and, lo and behold, Bailey was already out there putting out treats.  She had not waited for the camera.  And, she used her flashing Bubba Gump glass for Santa.  Only the best for Santa.  She was happy to pose for us to try and get a few pictures.  These Mini's were moving fast because it was very cold outside and the ground was a little wet.  Hayden took care of the reindeer treats. 

A good night's rest was had by all.  I was awake at 6am and out the door by 6:20am to go get Papa. Before leaving I checked the Mini's and they were awake and obediently watching the television in the basement until everyone was there and ready for the family photo on the stairs.  I alerted Andie that they were awake before I left.  Then I hurried to bring Papa back to the house.  We made it back by about 7am. Such logistics.  I always feel like my red Buick IS Santa's red sleigh!!

When I got home with Papa, Andie was in the basement with her off-spring.

We all gathered for the traditional family picture on the stairs before the Mini's were allowed up where the tree is in the living room.  They take this 'having to stay in the basement' fairly well.  However, on Christmas eve this year as Andie explained the plans for Christmas morning and the need to stay in the basement till an adult told them it was okay to go upstairs, Hayden simply looked at her and said something like, "I understand, but I don't have to like it."  I think our boy is growing up.

The Mini's even waited long enough for me to get their pictures in front of the tree. Then they dug into their stockings.  

I love this picture of Hayden scoping out the presents.  

Gifts are always an interesting process.  I've seen them bring tears of tender memories, laughter from getting the joke behind the gift, joy in the eyes of the little child who made their gift a school or church, so many levels of emotion.  This year I had a theme of a pair of socks for each family member. There were Bazinga socks, Soft Kitty socks, super hero socks, leopard tights for Bailey. 

Then there was this fun gift I found for Michael.  He loves sports.  While strolling through the Half-price Bookstore in Lexington I found the perfect book for Michael.  It was bright green and caught my attention just by it's color.  When I went down the aisle to look at it. It turned out to be a book about all kinds of sports and their rules.  Lots of nice illustrations.  And that great turf cover.  Had to be done.  I bought it for Michael.  He thought it was just great.  He never had a book with a green turf cover bound on it.

One of Bailey's gifts was the set of Benji movies. These I also found at the Half-priced Bookstore.  Bailey loves pretending she is a dog.  Hope she enjoys the cute movies about a dog. 

This is the Marx family after we opened presents.

Hayden received a big Lego set from us.  He immediately set to work putting it together.  He climbed up on the sofa so Papa could watch his nimble fingers and quick brain at work.  It is fascinating to watch how quickly he does these projects.   

After breakfast and cleaning the kitchen, I set out the things needed for each of the Mini's to make a snowman cake for Christmas dinner dessert.  They each had all the items they would need on their section of the counter.  They were each shown the picture of what they had supplies for and told to use it as a guide but be as creative as they wanted. Hayden stayed close to task and finished efficiently and quickly.  Bailey set her little Frozen snowman character, Olaf, on the counter and worked to come close to him.  She took a bit longer to finish her snowman.  At one point she said, "Ma, do you have any gloves?"  Then she headed to the drawer where she knew they were.  The rest of her decorating project was done with blue rubber gloves on her hands. Such a character.

 We ate a great ham dinner.  Then, out of the blue, I started to feel very bad.  Andie and I started the puzzle and the ucky feeling started to increase.  I never pulled out the Lindt truffles, I never ate a piece of candy or a slice of cake. I just kept feeling worse. Finally I left my beloved puzzle making part of Christmas and headed to our bedroom.  Got ready to lay down on the bed.  Claude laid down beside me and the bed collapsed.  Goodness.  Claude took the side of the frame downstairs and fixed it.  I sat in the chair and waited.  Then I went to the bathroom and hurled my Christmas dinner.  By the time I got back to the bedroom the bed was fixed and I simply curled up and went to sleep.  That was about 8pm and I stayed there until 9am the next morning.  Sleeping is not my strong suit.  I must have been very sick.  It just left me with chills every now and then and so very tired.  All day Friday I was up for an hour or so and then back to bed for a nice nap.  Friday night I went back to bed in the early evening and stayed until late Saturday morning.  I can't tell you what happened during this time.  I do know my family kept up with their celebrations. They followed the grid and knew what there was in the house to eat.  The Mini's played the WiiU in my bedroom but it never stopped the naps.  When I was awake, I tried to work on the puzzle with Andie. I didn't eat because it just didn't even sound good.  By Saturday mid day I was feeling better.  Good thing, the next wave of company was on its way to Sadieville.

The puzzle was finished.  I was feeling better, not great but so much better.  I may have just been worn completely out. Not sure but ever so grateful it was a bug and not the flu. Christmas is never dull. 

Before...

It occurred to me, as I'm finishing last minute things for Christmas, that this is the cleanest and most orderly my home will look for the next week.  To remind myself and to enjoy the effects of 'after' I determined I would take a few pictures of my favorite spots in my home decorated for Christmas. 

Let's begin in the basement since that is where my camera was located...

At the far end of the family room is the kids Christmas tree.  Bailey wanted to decorate it at Thanksgiving so she and I got this far. Michael helped her get the train to work under the tree.  Hayden has a shoe box full of ornaments he will put on tonight. 

At the opposite end of the family room is my piano.  The pictures on the wall above the piano are my mother's grandparents, or my great grandparents.  Between the two pictures is a beautiful wreath my sister, Junie, gave me.  I admired one she had on her front door when she lived in Naperville, Illinois.  She remembered and mailed me one. I didn't want the weather to ruin it so it hangs above my piano every year. I made the gingerbread house out of plastic canvas for my mother. My mother made the gingerbread people. The little tree is made of pine cones and lights. I purchased it at Sadieville in September. It was made by the daughter of Jackie Baron.  Jackie worked at Whitaker Bank when it was in Sadieville.  The picture of Santa on the right was given to me by Jeff Goldshine, my boss when I worked at CAPREIT in Rockville, Maryland.

 

Then I climbed the stairs to the entry way. When you enter our home, there is a gossip bench.  These used to have a telephone on the one end with a seat to the side. Under the seat is storage for blankets and the area where the phone would have sat is a cabinet for phone books and other things.  Nowadays we don't use the land line phones. Phone books are almost obsolete.  But this gossip bench is a great piece of furniture even without those things.  Each year I put my glass tree full of candy on it.  This year I opted out of the candy for the first time and put beads in it.  The Bah-Humbug side of Gramma decided that she didn't want to be the one eating all that left over candy.  Since the Santa Claude in our family can live life without much sugar intake at all, that means left-overs are consumed by me.  This was my one attempt at self-preservation. I also put my little Guatemalan nativity on this bench.  Alas, I found Mary and Joseph but I could not find Baby Jesus.  I went back through all the boxes that held Christmas decorations to no avail. The Guatemalan nativity stays as I'm sure I'll find Baby Jesus at some point.  I can't believe I lost Baby Jesus.  He is in a little basket and he has black hair.  When you look at him, he looks like Baby Elvis Jesus.  Someone I told this story to assured me that Catholics don't put the baby Jesus in the Nativity until Christmas Eve.  I'm hoping for the Christmas miracle to take place and Baby Elvis Jesus to suddenly appear!! 

This beautiful garland has graced a large open doorway in our home in Montgomery Village, Maryland and our home in Sadieville.  The older I get the more lopsided I get in the streamers down the ends.  Last year it was longer on the other end.  That would have driven me crazy at one point in my life.  Now, not so much.  I just love the red and green with that great gold bow in the sort-of-middle.

One last item of note in our entry way is my mother's Christmas tree.  She loved this tree when she found it on one of my mother and father's road trips.  Papa purchased it for her.  She used it in their home.  When they moved to Kentucky, I dutifully put it up each Christmas for a tree in Papa's apartment.  I would turn on the lights when I visited but he didn't really seem to care.  I asked if I could put it up in our home.  Papa was happy about that.  More happy than having it in his apartment. It was missing a few of the little lights.  I finally found a place that sold them and purchased a bag and glued them in the holes.  There is a light bulb in the inside that gives the little plastic bulbs the impression of being lit.  

This is our dining room. Please note the blue picture on the far wall.  That is the Mini's foot prints.  You will also note the turkeys made of the Mini's hand and foot prints from may years ago. Love those kinds of treasures.  

Every year my hubby buys me a poinsettia.  I used to put it in the entry way.  There was too much cold getting to this tropical plant as we opened and closed the front door.  Now I put it at the end of the counter in the kitchen and it lasts a lot long...if I remember to water it.

This is another of those really important treasures.  Nissa made this for us.  It is cutouts of her children's hand prints.  I'm not sure what year she made it but it hangs on our wall every Christmas.  Love this wreath of Katelyn, Paul and Aubrey's hand prints.

On to the living room.  I still have a few stuffed animals I've collected over the years, some with a holiday theme.  They are out for grandmonsters to play with.

The coffee table has the gingerbread house I made for myself and the gingerbread people my mother made for me.

This end table has a gum drop tree on it.  My Gramma Fisch has a gum drop tree I loved as a child.  When Gramma Fisch went to the nursing home, my mother brought her little plastic gum drop tree to me because she knew how much I loved that tree.  My memory as a child was that it was HUGE.  Not so much.  About 9 inches tall was all.  After I used it for many years the plastic gave way and broke.  I searched and found this metal one and purchased one for me and one for each my girls.  I can't remember if I got Jake one or not. I'll have to check on that.  This year I had the hardest time finding gum drops for it.  I finally found these big ones at the Shell gas station.  I bought the four bags they had and brought them home.  They didn't cover it.  I stopped at all the Shell stations in Georgetown and none of them had any.  I waited a week and stopped back at the first Shell station and they had replenished their stock.  I purchased two more bags and that filled the tree.  I think it is important to me because it brings back memories of my grandparents.  My girls have put everything from Cheerio's to marshmallows on theirs.  The picture frame was given to me by Mr. Gertschel.  He was our next door neighbor in Shreveport, Louisiana.  He owned a jewelry store and gave this frame with a mirror in it to me for a birthday.  I loved this very elderly couple and, when the mirror broke, I saved the frame and eventually put this picture of Mary holding the baby Jesus.  I love this picture and the frame.  My mind drifts as I type this and I remember that Mary and Joseph lost the little boy Jesus when they left Jerusalem.  I'm not feeling so bad now about losing Baby Elvis Jesus.  The little nut container was made by my mom.  It was in bad repair and Claude worked his magic to get it to stand upright again.  In truth, he has to do that every December.  It's a fragile little thing but it is my mom's handiwork.  The scented candle was given to me by my visiting teacher this year.  Thanks Ali Manwaring! 

And last but certainly not least, our tree.  I've already blogged about it when we finished decorating it this year.  So I'll just let this picture speak for itself.

The house feels warm and full of love, waiting to share that love with family as they come this evening and then this weekend.  It won't look this good much longer but that is just fine with me.  This home was decorated to be a home, not a show house.  Everything in it is for enjoyment and use, not just display.  I love that about our home.

Merry Christmas to everyone.  Let's get on with the celebration and building family memories.

Reflecting on Blessings...

Today is the Sunday before Christmas.  That means a Sacrament meeting focused on Christmas with some of the music performed by the choir.  It also meant a special Primary re-enactment of the Nativity.  As I enjoyed and participated in all of these moments, I found myself reflecting on the blessings at this time of year.  

Friday, before Claude and I went to our Christmas dinner, we stopped at a friends home.  She lives with her daughter and grandchildren.  She has been under the weather.  I visited her during the week and asked if she needed a priesthood blessing.  She said, "Yes, I would like that."  I told her I would set up one for the next evening.  I asked my husband and contacted our Bishop to see who else might be able to help.  Bishop said he would love to be the other priesthood holder there.  I contacted my friend and she said that 4:10 would be best.  Claude and I met the Bishop at my friend's home.  Bishop gave the blessing.  It was so sweet and peaceful and full of strengthening words for my friend.  This sweet lady asks very little of me as her visiting teacher.  It felt good to be able to serve her in some small way.  Then I reflected on the blessing of the priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I could not give the blessing.  It was done by and through the priesthood which Claude and Bishop hold.  I could set up the time and get all the players in position, but the priesthood gave the dear lady the blessing.  I love that.  At this time, there are members who have issues with men holding the priesthood.  My heart aches at that.  The priesthood is to serve others.  It is not and was never intended to be a male versus female thing.  Today's world environment and thinking have led to this negative feeling.  This need to make men and women compete for the world's view of equality.  Watching this sweet experience and feeling the spirit in the home and two good men provide this service through priesthood power was another proof to me of this being right and good.  A true blessing for everyone involved including her family.

Today in Sacrament meeting the choir sang two beautiful numbers.  There were two speakers who gave beautiful messages about love, service, gifts we receive from our Heavenly Father through his Son, and our responsibility to follow the Savior's example is caring, loving and serving others as He did.  At one point the congregation was asked to stand and sing "Joy to the World".  The organist push lots of stops on the organ and played this beloved Christmas carol full and loud.  The congregation matched him in vigor and enthusiasm.  I was sitting in the choir seats and happened to look down at my father. Papa was standing and singing as well.  I suddenly noticed how he was not standing straight. He looked more frail.  His color didn't look as good as usual.  He isn't sick.  He is fine.  I just saw him for a different view point and it was a bit jarring.  Then I had a very, very strong feeling this would be my last Christmas with Papa.  I felt my eyes fill with tears.  Now, this may or may not be the last Christmas with Papa.  But the feeling was so strong.  While caring for him is often difficult, I have remained grateful to have this time at his end of life to share with him.  I have said and known that when he passes it will be much harder on me than when my mother passed away two years ago.  The situation is different from my mother's passing and the feelings will be different.  I'm grateful I recognized this after my mother's passing so I can prepare myself to deal with it.  Hope this little experience gives me patience when times I difficult and the ability to truly enjoy the times that are light and fun with Papa.  

Then Primary happened.  I only have this week and one more to enjoy these little ones.  Then I will be released as Primary president and begin to teach Institute.  My time will be spent preparing lessons for those 18 to 31 years of age.  I'll miss these little nuggets.

Today, Bernie, my counselor, had costumes for the characters in the Nativity.  I created a play using the scriptures for the narrator to read.  I added some Christmas music so the entire Primary would be participating.  We spent most of our sharing time re-enacting the Nativity story with these precious children performing their parts.  These are some of the pictures of the children.  We have a Junior Primary with children 3 to 8 years of age.  We also have a Senior Primary with children 8 to 11 years of age.  You never know what they will do or say.  Without guile would be a great way to phrase this stage of their lives.  They enjoyed this celebration of the Savior's birth.  Please look at their expressions.  The wise men crack me up in Junior Primary.  The girls who were Mary took to the role in a most natural way.  In Senior Primary one of the wise men asked if they were to give Mary and Joseph their gifts.  Joseph was right ready to take those gifts.  So cute.  We had the doll wrapped in swaddling clothes lying by the pulpit until time to for the birth.  Then the narrator picked the doll up and handed it to Mary.  Please note Joseph's face in the Senior Primary pictures looking at the poor Baby Jesus just laying their till his cue.  There were tender moments and just moments of fun.  But the feeling was a good one, especially to prepare for Christmas.  Again, a blessing to experience Christmas through children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After church, Claude and I went to Papa's.  In the Church, after a person receives a calling, they are given a blessing to help them in their service.  Again, this is done by the priesthood.  In my case with my calling to teach Institute, I needed to have a blessing.  Claude could give it as he holds the priesthood.  But he needed another priesthood holder to be there and assist.  We asked Papa if he would help with this blessing.  One of the difficult things about aging and being in Papa's place in life, is the lack of places you can serve and be active in the Church in that way.  Since Papa lived his life full of service in the Church, this has been particularly hard for him.  Asking him to help with the blessing let's him know he is still able to serve and allowed him to use the priesthood again in that service.  Claude gave a beautiful blessing and Papa was so happy to help.  That my friends was a true blessing in my life.

So, I came home full of gratitude for these little blessing of this weekend.  It felt like the Christmas spirit was a part of my life and that is good.

Christmas Epicurean Delight...

Took a break from the rush to finish up Primary things and have it ready for 2015, begin Institute preparations, prepare the lesson for Countryside Homemakers, do my visiting teaching, etc., etc., etc.  All good things, but time to focus on Claude and my tradition.

The last two years we have gone to the Inn at Shaker Village.  This year Claude had a meal at Holly Hill Inn in Midway, Kentucky.  He suggested we try it for our Christmas feast together.  I agreed.  Claude made the reservations.  Tonight we went and had an absolutely delightful meal.  


The menu is like being on a cruise ship.  You are given a menu with four possible courses.  You pick the items you want in each of the four courses. Claude and I actually chose the same items with the exception of our main course.

We were surprised when they started us off with this little delight.  It is a mini Kentucky Hot Brown.  This is a true Kentucky food.  First served at the Brown Hotel in Louisville.  Some guests returned late from a play and wanted something to eat.  The chef in the kitchen took what he had and created the Kentucky Hot Brown and it has been a favorite for many every since.  This tiny version was delicious.

The first course we ordered was a crab meat and avocado cocktail.  Very, very good but it has some peppers that gave it a little punch.

The second course we ordered was borscht.  It was a 'winter' version with an elegant name which I cannot remember.  Claude nor I had ever eaten borscht.  It is made with beets.  I love pickled beets.  But I always envisioned borscht as being red and having a red watery broth with veggies in it.  This was like a brownish gravy and had a light flavor.  The top was garnished with little croutons.  The nice surprise was pieces of bacon in the soup.  Man it was good.

The main dish portion of our meal is where we differed.  Claude had a steak.  The sides were creamed spinach and some fancy type of twice baked potatoes.  I had the salmon served over some type of rice and I can't even remember what the sauce was to the side.  It sure tasted good with the salmon.

We chose Kentucky Jam Cake for dessert with a caramel icing.  It reminded us of a recipe I have called "Old Fruit Cake".  You make a cake with a quart jar of old home bottle fruit, any kind, that you blend.  The Old Fruit Cake tastes like a fruit cake without all the dried fruit in it.  This cake was like that.  Such a nice treat at the endof a meal. 

We pronounced this meal a winner in every way.  It was fun to have a very nice quiet dinner together.