• Today we start in with rain, snow, sleet and everything else under the sun. It will be dangerous out there for the next few days. Tomorrow’s high in the mid-fifties will drop almost 50 degrees overnight. High winds, also (you know how much I dislike that.) Insane. Lots of rain predicted, more than 2 inches. Yikes. And frigid temperatures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. If we get any snow, it will only be a bit. And that seems highly doubtful. I know the same storm is dumping lots of snow on many of you. I’d much rather have the snow.
I guess I’ll have to blare Christmas music to mute the sound of wind.
• We watched The Bishop’s Wife last night. Love that movie.
• Don only needs 8 more subscribers to his YouTube channel to qualify for his own URL (a unique address on the web.) Thank you to those of you who graciously subscribed! Brenda, give a listen to “Nova Scotia” – I believe Don left you a message. He loved your comment yesterday.
• I received a lovely package from reader Kathy yesterday. In it were two lovely holiday plates from Target (we’re going to use them for the Linzer Tart Cookies I’m making this year.) And also included was this:
To Kill a Mockingbird published in Estonia! It’s the hardcover version with a copyright of 1964, just two years after it was first published in America. This is the original dust jacket and the illustration/artwork is stunning! Oh my. Thank you so much, Kathy! This is amazing. I wrote you a note in yesterday’s comment, but my question is: Where, oh, where did you find this???
• Update on my job offer – The woman who is coordinating the workshop managed to come up with some more money from the producers, so I will be paid my normal fee with a little extra money to cover six days of commuting back and forth from here to the city. It worked out! And, once I got out of the way, it was effortless. A lesson I have to learn over and over again. It turned out better than I had even hoped. So, that’s taken care of and I can work with dear Darko again. Hurrah!
• And finally, the last sweater-ornament-turned-into-Blythe-sweater. This one is modeled by Madeleine.
It’s been fun adapting these sweaters to fit on my girls. I, of course, will be looking for even more of these next year. I have 8 of them and goodness knows, all 12 of my girls should have one.
• Okay. Don is baking a pie this morning. I am baking cookies tomorrow. I have to run to the library at noon (they don’t open until then) to pick up a book that has arrived – Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman. I could try to do it tomorrow, but the weather will be horrendous. As it is, I will be trying to get there and back before it starts snowing/sleeting/raining. The only other option is Tuesday and who knows if it will still be icy around here? This subzero weather that’s on the way is supposed to last through Tuesday or Wednesday.
Stay safe.
Happy Thursday.
Claudia, I feel like you have a lot going on. But I’m so glad things got worked out for your next paying job.
The weather sounds VERY forbidding. Another gratitude; that you don’t have to be out in it and can stay safe and warm indoors. Here near Los Angeles, we’re forecasted for 80 degrees on Christmas Day, so it just doesn’t seem fair or right. It’s almost embarrassing.
Linzer Tart Cookies; OMG, my fave at Christmas; I had my husband going all over the place trying to find Pepperidge Farm’s. I’m on my last sack of them. You’ll have to post the recipe and take a photo for us.
I don’t remember a busier time leading up to the holiday and I haven’t liked it; just too much going on; last medical appointment was yesterday; errands STILL today, and I want to put flowers out on my family’s graves at the cemetery tomorrow/Friday unless it’s too hot here, wilting the florals too quickly; otherwise, the plan is that once Friday night hits, I don’t want to move from this house til Monday; just let me get calm, quiet the days for Christmas Eve and Christmas; let me reflect in the perfection of the season (and remember the reason for the season), be soothed; sink into my favorite musical recordings of the carols; have some good food; be grateful for my husband and dog (and that, thankfully, some of my sick Covid/flu friends and relatives are on the mend). I just need this quiet weekend really badly. Then, get some sense of feeling organized for the new year. Quiet is okay; it doesn’t mean it’s lonely.
hope you get that quiet, vicki. also peace, ease and time to be and rest/relax without a to-do list adding pressure.
and that you get those cookies! are they available only seasonally? if I find some, i’d be glad to send them to you!
praying for you and your family and friends.
kathy
…you’re the sweetest, kathy in iowa (more sweet than any cookie!!!); have a wonderful holiday weekend with your loved ones! (yes, they’re seasonal treats from Pepperidge Farm along with their choco-wafer cookies with the crushed peppermint candy canes on top; but I am finished after my one last sack because I desperately need to lose some weight after my holiday indulgences; the day after Christmas starts with serious dieting (again)…and (change of subject) the friend I’ve been nail-biting over who was directly exposed to Covid has NOT come down with the virus this week, AND her brother-in-law who WAS infected is continuing now to test negative, so ‘all’s right with the world’…
thanks for your kind words. :)
good to hear that your friend is alright and her brother-in-law now tests negative, too! hope you and all your loves feel well and are healthy.
i always feel that way about my food choices during the holidays!! ):( there’s a pertinent quote now in my head (that i can’t recall or know to whom to give credit ) about building on the good feelings that come from making good choices. that’s what i try to do (focus on what brings good feelings) … but sometimes cookies or whatever taste sooo good!
thanks again, vicki.
i hope you and your family have a wonderful (safe, healthy and happy) Christmas and new year.
hugs,
kathy
Yes, stay home. Stop any unnecessary activities. Sit, look at the lights, and play Christmas music.
Much love,
and stay safe.
I have been enjoying Don’s music and subscribed to his channel. A bonus is seeing your warm cottage and the lovely Christmas tree behind him as he sings!
Thank you so much for subscribing!
Stay safe, Emily.
cookies and pie sound good.
your mix of winter weather, on the other hand, does not sound good. hope you get that library book as soon as possible and stay safe and warm.
glad the package arrived. that book was bought pre-covid (so i waited for a safer-ish time to send it) and found online. etsy, i think.
hope everyone is ready for the holidays and whatever weather you have. stay safe and well.
kathy
oops … pushed print too soon! meant to also say i am very happy that the job opportunity will work out for you and that don’s channel is growing and getting more well-deserved recognition, too!
kathy
xo
The weather is horrible here and will continue to be. I’d much, much rather have snow falling. Ah, well.
Stay safe, Kathy.
That’s great news on the coaching job! When does that begin?
The weather is crazy this year. This will be our first white Christmas in a while I believe. But, it does come with frigid temps and high winds. And, “Yes” to the blaring of Christmas music to drown out the winds!
Tomorrow is baking day for me…apple pie sounds wonderful. Enjoy your day….and travel safe if you go out! ;)
It begins mid-January – it’s only about 6 days work.
Stay safe, Donnamae!
I love Don’s channel!
We’re expecting blizzard conditions all day Friday and most of Saturday plus 12 to 24 inches of snow. Our plans to see the kids will be postponed. Hopefully, we’ll keep power but we’re filling up buckets and pitchers of water just in case. The good things are that it will be beautiful, I’ll get a lot of exercise shoveling snow, and the dog will love jumping in snow banks.
You upcoming jobs sounds like some very long days. Will it be soon?
Love reading the blog,
Eileen
I remember how much our dogs loved the snow. So joyful to watch them rolling in the snow and jumping in snow banks.
The job starts Jan 11th and I’ll have 4 long days in the city the first week and 2 more the next week. I’ll just have to gear up for the whole thing.
Stay safe in that blizzard, Eileen. Love you. And give my love to Woody.
Glad for your good news.
I saw Don’s Comments. . There is something soothing about his music and as I have a couple of bittersweet days this week, I have enjoyed them. RODEO was different and innovative. Don is a talented and gifted singer. I always enjoy his music. The two of you match. Sometimes Christmas music and movies can be out of place on certain days. I am praying the snow and cold stay away with the travelers and gatherings. We r okay here though. Merry Christmas early to a fantastic caring couple. Blessings
hej, brenda …
a wish and prayers for you and everyone else:
may joyful days outnumber those that are bittersweet. may the sweet outweigh the bitter on bittersweet days. may you know your own strength and goodness, that you are a wonderful person with a big and kind heart. and may you know there are people who care about you and pray for you (i am one of them).
sending hugs and an early wish for a merry Christmas and wonderful, easy new year.
kathy
Merry Christmas to you also.
I love your comments on this sweet blog. I have a fantastic life and am thankful.
Have you read Little Women? My favorite book ever Also the Litte House Books…
hej, brenda.
thanks for your kind words. :)
from what you’ve shared here over time, i know you’ve done so much in your life and also dealt/deal with pain … and you always have a great attitude. thanks for sharing that here, too.
wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and new year. be safe and well, have fun …
hugs,
kathy
oh, yeah …
received the “little house” books from members of my family for Christmas last year. not done yet.
then i will read the “little women” book i bought myself a couple months ago.
what are you reading now?
Thank you so much for your kind words, Brenda.
Enjoy the holiday and Merry Christmas!
Such good news about your job offer. You deserved it. Madeleine looked cute in her Christmas sweater with her stripy tights. Would you like some more of the red sweaters if I can find them? I’ll check after Christmas. They may even be on sale. You and Don stay safe in the sto rms. i’m going to check out his channel. Hugs, Elaine
Sure, if you can find them. I’d appreciate that.
Thank you, Elaine – we’re doing our best to stay inside during this mess.
Stay safe.
Good news that the job dilemma has been resolved. I read about the expected weather for the USA and pray for everyone’s safety.
We’ve recently had extremely cold weather for the UK. I was waiting for the bus to work and my phone was showing temperatures around 12 degrees which is almost unheard of unless it’s within a mountainous region.
I am also awaiting the Alan Rickman diaries, I had a quick look through it when I was putting it into stock and thought I definitely want to read this book.
Happy Thursday
Just started the book yesterday. I’ll read bits of it along with the newest Mick Herron. Another book has arrived at the library as well. How am I going to finish all of them before the due date??
Stay safe, Dee Dee.
Bishop’s Wife — I adore it. And I haven’t seen it in two or three years. I need to just buy it. I have Alan Rickman’s book under my tree at home. I’ll be digging into it soon. And good news about the job. I’m reading backwards (or maybe bouncing) so I didn’t know a job was in the offing. That’s the best.
We’re waiting for Snowmageddon –and for a four and five year old to come home from school. All will not be calm, but it will be bright!
I mentioned the job a month or so ago. I knew it was going to happen, it’s just the dickering over pay that I had to deal wiht.
Stay safe during all of that snow, Jeanie!