Utopia

At Laurel Tree in Utopia, diners escape into a Texas version of Provence.  I have been there more often for lunch than for dinner, but last Saturday night we celebrated with friends.  Always a treat.  And much cheaper than a flight to France. 

Fuzzy Floater

(from January 8)

Who knew that Winnie the Pooh has embraced the life of a tuber!  Texas cousin surprised granddaughters with this puzzle that portrays the honey-loving bear floating in a tube.  They claim to have outgrown Winnie but did giggle at the idea of all the critters enjoying some of their favorite river activities.  Carrying an umbrella might be a good plan to prevent too much Texas sun on Minnesota skin. 

Shoveling the White Stuff

(from January 8)

This Texan knows how to get warm in Minnesota. Daughter and SIL actually hired someone to climb on their roof to remove some weighty snow, then felt guilty when he showed up on New Year's Eve as they were leaving for a party.  At least he was a Minnesotan. 

Hey, no snow on the photographer!

Field Trip

We were lucky enough for daughter to sign us up for the school field trip Wednesday to the Minneapolis Institute of Art.  Last year we chaparoned first graders with older granddaughter, and this time we accompanied our younger granddaughter with the other kindergartners and their fourth grade buddies.  The theme this year was animals in works of art, and students had already studied photos of the selections in their classrooms.  Following policy, we all shed our coats and other winter gear when the bus pulled up to the entrance.  The docent for our assigned group of sixteen was lively and totally Minnesotan.  Children were attentive and participated in her discussions with impressive questions and answers.  Buddies kept their small charges under control, held their hands when helpful, and gave a tug if anyone was tempted to detour.  So obvious was the activity level of children in each grade, younger ones skipping and jumping whenever possible, older ones confidently walking with purpose. 

As soon as we returned to school, kindergarten classes went to lunch later than usual, a mighty hungry bunch. Pawpaw and I dutifully lined up for our trays and drinks to join them.  By the time we left school, napping was priority.  So we did! Daughter is chaperoning older granddaughter Friday to same place, so we're not lucky enough to make two trips this week. 

Zeroed

At least a zero, and maybe a minus one-half!  The weather reports deemed the temperature minus one, so maybe the heavy male cardinal was holding the arrow down a bit.  Life continues as usual in cold country, thanks to snow plows doing their jobs.  School has recess outdoors as long as the windchill is above zero, and the temperature did rise enough by afternoon for children to grab sleds from the storage room and race outside.  Imagine a room of kindergartners putting on all their snow gear and then later removing it without needing help from their teacher.  By the age of five they have had plenty of practice. 

Christmas Countdown

(From December 20)

Oh my, Christmas is right around the corner. The season starts earlier every year and then is almost a surprise when the big day finally arrives. Of course, our big celebration was long ago on Thanksgiving weekend in Minnesota, but we have a few things going on around here. Right now I can either put another log on the fire or call it a night.

Christmas Apron

One of my friends gifted me with this apron because she knew how much granddaughters would love it, especially the twinkling lights.  They did!

Merry Christmas Going

(From December 31)

And going, going, gone! By the second day after Christmas, no trace of Christmas remained inside our home, but a few tokens of the winter season will stay until red and white emerges again for a Valentine theme. I favor leaving up our outdoor lights year round, but I have never won that battle. 

After our triple play celebration in November, most of December is anticlimactic.  I determinedly stay busier than necessary with community and social activities and in the kitchen.  Absent family members contribute to the pensive mood.  Happily, my sisters and their husbands came Christmas day and celebrated with us. 

Next on the calendar will be the birthdays of both granddaughters and another trip to their cold state.  So much fun doing kid things again!  Parties, school trips, movies, lessons, hairdos, cafeteria lunches, books and more books--great way for us to start the new year!

Merry Christmas Coming

The tree shoppers and their purchase!



Up and in the stand!



Always need plenty of lights!



After all the ornaments, the finishing touch!


True to our tradition of Thanksgiving weekend, the Christmas tree goes up on Friday.  This year our helpers are proficient decorators and completed the joyful job in record time.

Thanksgiving

Our turkey day philosophy has always been not to mess with our traditional menu tried and true. However, this year we decided to shake things up and prepare only our outstanding favorites for Thursday and fix other dishes over the weekend. Who ever feasted on the raw veggies? And green bean casserole was never successful at assuaging any guilt. 

Seven people, seven votes, seven items on our first menu of the holiday: turkey, cornbread dressing, sausage bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry relish, and flaky dinner rolls. Can you say carbolicious? We didn't count drinks so therefore managed to justify Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Nap time was right around the corner. Pies could wait for afternoon. We had seven happy faces and stuffed tummies!

One more reason for giving thanks - - - younger granddaughter lost her first tooth tonight while biting into a dinner roll. We're also thankful that she didn't swallow it.