Busy

Cleaning, unpacking, unwrapping, dusting;then place, study, move slightly, tilt head, move a little more. Traipsing from room to room, moving boxes to this place then that, repacking with unneeded bric-a-brac then restowing boxes. More cleaning, more lights, more decorating, and then making a tree topper to match the hand made ornaments. Darkness falls and makes everything twinkly and colorful, hiding all the dents and scratches the years have caused. Pleased and excited.

Next day, listing, organizing platters, shopping, unloading, placing, storing. Post the menu with its platters numbered according to what will rest on them. Melt, mix, add flour, refrigerate. Roll out with soup can, cut into stars, bells, trees then bake until golden brown. Stir up white, squeeze in gel color for red and green, cover tightly and stash where grandgirls won't see. Glaze two dozen with white to dry and place on tiered dessert tray. Slice, chop, open cans, find real butter, no dip! oh, well. Assign platter management to others. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Wander around. Check this. Check that. A-ok. Let the celebration begin.

Rest in front of fire with sister and husband. Ahhhhh. Company late. Good. More rest and warmth. Here they come!

Eating, chatting, laughing, scootering, cookie decorating contest. Cookies with one whole inch of chocolate piled on, three made into an O an S and a U in honor of Thursday, licking, smacking, photo taking, singing, spilling, laughing, tasting. Peppermint ice creamed, cut-out cookied, all full guests returning to warmth of fire. Mary presents awards all made by her. I win! So does everyone else.

Time to go. House quiet. Fire in embers. Vacuum stored. Dishes whirring in dishwasher. We sigh. Our holiday family gathering at our house over. No fights. No tension. No children melting down. Just easy togetherness. Success.