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Dal road shotgun while she and Sam navigated us on into Covington yesterday afternoon. They were amazing, and because they were so amazing (and it wasn't pouring rain) we arrived way ahead of schedule. Carol had made a wonderful lasagna. Keith and Zack got a fire going in the fireplace."Waffles" welcomed us for the first time. We were well fed and feeling almost home. New Orleans Next!
We made it to Grenada, MS safely and grateful last night. The kiddos were troopers. I found a new use for my earmuffs..."muffling" those charming 16 foot truck running on the road sounds! North of the MO border the rain started, so we just took our time and stopped whenever we needed to. Off this morning heading to Covington, LA to pick up a few things and spend the night with Carol and Keith. Sunday morning-New Orleans-Columbus Street-and Team Two-Stew, Eric and whoever else my choose to make an appearance. I worry about that Sammie cat though, she really thinks she can see Paris from these Motel 6 windows!
The last two months in St. Louis have been chock full of life lessons. Why should Christmas day be any different? I now vote for families joining in to whatever festivities are planned by the staff, if you have a family member in a rehab center. We did that on Christmas Eve and had lots of fun. For a moment, we felt holiday and festive.
Christmas day-you'll have to wait for our collection of short stories coming out sometime in the New Year...of which the shot at the top figures prominently.
Happy Boxing Day to All!
A sweet and simple very Merry Christmas to All!
The last two Christmases I've spent working contracts in Brunssum Holland. As wonderful as it is to spend the holidays with my family in St. Louis this season, I find myself missing those big and little kids that made those holidays away so special...rubbing backs at naptime, cooing santa, cookies and presents into a child's ear, dancing around the room to Frosty the Snowman, drawing holiday projects, and even making cookies. Even though I can't be with them this holiday season...I miss them and honor all of our wonderful times with this post! Happy Happy Holidays to my big and little kids of Christmas all over the world!
Coming back to St. Louis after my workshop in New Orleans, I ran over to the Ferguson Bicycle Shop one day and discovered this coaster bike. I got the price and was told the color was "grape jelly". I fell in love with it but felt it was out of my price range under the circumstances.
Since then, I've looked at others. I love Schwins, and found a few that were a little more reasonable than this one. This "grape jelly" baby kept niggling at me. I've been wanting a coaster bike in France and actually considered purchasing one in Brunssum the last two holidays I was working there, but it just always seemed to complicated.
Finally, I called yesterday and yes...it was still there. Tom drove me over...it was on sale...I rode her around the parkiing lot a few times and now she's mine. Why I torture myself like this, I'll never know. The truth is, she is going to be my main mode of transportation in New Orleans. Having something pretty, comfortable, and exactly what I want is making me look forward to our first spin around the hood and our trial run up the Jefferson Davis Parkway Bike Path to Tulane to get the timing down for future trips. Merry Christmas to this big girl!
Saving the corks from wine bottles can become addictive...especially when it just so happens the Cru is "Bourgeois". Mine usually come to St. Louis as tiny gifts for my Dad. I also used one with a pretty ribbon run through it as a page marker for an altered book that I'd made for Mom for her 80th birthday.
Just across the street at Michel and André's the other evening, I discovered another creative way to use the corks...a garland for your Christmas Tree. Michel and Andre have two, one in the living room and one in the dining room-double Christmas! The dining room tree is all corked up! Every corner is and ready for the season!
Buster made an evening of Moms, pork roast, twinkly lights, stars, wine, cheese cake and melodies promising that soon all our troubles will be "far away"; extra special across the street at Michel and André's. He was a trooper; gladly sitting for photos, donning his Santa hat, and snuggling into everyone's lap. We stopped when Michel suggested we try the wine bottle Christmas vest on him. He probably would have obliged us that one too. He's my boy.
Even though Andreé's Mom lives out of town, Michel's and mine joined us for the evening. We agreed that Michel and André make any evening special, but they are particulary wonderful during the holidays.
André and I were talking about just sitting in this room and soaking up the spirit of the season. It made me want to send everyone away, turn off all the lights, and snuggle into my chair under a comforter with Buster and a glass of red wine. It was not to be.
Happy Holidays to all and special thanks to Michel and André (and of course my Buster) for helping us make more magical memories during the holdiays and always!
Group shot below is: André, Tom, Helen, Joan, Michel, and Buster.