transitions

This winter break seems to be practice in the upcoming and ongoing transitions in our family.

Thijs (my son- this is an old and proper Dutch name) is home, yet independently operating as suits his age. I am still mothering him of course, but feel well aware that he is making his own decisions about whether to take my advice or not (such as: please bring plenty of snacks and water for your track to the southern and very snowy part of the state). 

Yesterday we brought Vera and Kevin to the airport for their trip to LA to enjoy a photography meet. And the difference in weather and vegetation is not the transition I am talking about- this is a first-time trip in many ways. For instance, the girls will ring in the New Year thousands of miles apart from each other in different time zones.

from the internet

Also yesterday, we took a walk around the neighborhood where Vera, Kevin, and Jake are hoping to rent an apartment together next year. Of course there was lot of talk about which school and especially how much scholarship, the latter being a huge deciding factor in their choice. Emma may or may not choose to join the others but most likely she will follow her dreams to a different city.

my goddess-of-the-garden wearing a snow crown

And all this is continuously forcing me to look that empty-nest idea square in the eye. It is an enormously ambivalent feeling. I am very much in awe of my young adult children- and enjoy them and their friends livening up our home. I am also looking forward to the time my love and I will get to spend together. And of course the times when my growing family will be joining us home again!

per request

The snow-road travelers wanted me to let you all know that friend-christmas was celebrated and enjoyed.

Dinner was eaten. Fun was had. Presents exchanged (I even got some too!).

And also per request, they would like to be introduced by their given names- so from left to right : Sam, Vera, Emma, Ben, Jake, Kevin. Happy Holidays!

snow

The city was all but closed down, we had so much snow. At least, for this region we did. Apparently it was way worse south of us.

We were lucky, we did not have a power outage, and we have enough food to survive several more days if we have to. A power outage would have been quite catastrophic just because everything in this home runs on electricity, most importantly the water pump.

By now it is early evening, it stopped snowing, and the task of picking up V's boyfriend K from the airport has become a group-undertaking. Hopefully we can welcome them all back later tonight safe and sound for a well-earned dinner.

I am feverishly working on a last present for 'friend-christmas' which they (V, E, and their friends) will celebrate either tonight (present not going to happen) or tomorrow night (small chance it will be done).

Hoping that you are all warm and safe!

all is bright

The cats still haven't learned that the tree is not for their personal entertainment, although playing with the boxes and wrapping paper this morning was a good diversion.

We are having a good and relaxed family time. Too many presents (as usual). Baked goodness, stollen and scones. The kittens and cats making great progress in co-existing.

I was spoiled with many gifts for my hobbies, and I would like to share one that our potter made for me, a beautiful bowl to contain my yarn and guide it when I am knitting.

For tonight and tomorrow we are under blizzard warning- we haven't seen any snowflakes as of yet, but my love has chopped some wood in preparation. I love to be 'snowed in' but can't help thinking about the problems such weather can also cause for many other people. Wishing everyone a warm and safe holiday.

a hard day's work

Hi all! I'm cozy and warming up on the couch, looking at the now completely decorated living room. The two leading men in my live are cooking in the kitchen. My sink, with which I have waged war for years to stay white, is sparkling. The refrigerator is full of freshly shopped yummies, and pictures have been taken of our winter solstice weather.

That, plus more, was all my Love's labor! He was a stay-at-home-dad today while I left in the dead of morning (or so it felt, after scraping the windows of the car while scared that the creaking rustling branches would come crashing down in the high winds). I tackled yet another unit in the adult hospital world and drove home during dusk to all these surprises

and yes, a tree did fall down

And now it is weekend! I hear 'the boys' galloping around. I squint my eyes at the lights in the tree, just like when I was a little girl (oh, so many moons ago!). And I have come -once again- to the realization that only by enjoying life as much as I can, do I honor the memory of my dad. Paying attention to the quiet moments and the feeling of contentment, looking with wonder. Sharing.

Wishing you all a happy winter solstice.

home

Yesterday I took some time to spend at home, with a long to-do list and a visit to the vet with three kittens (remind me not to agree to that again). It was good to have time to breathe, hear silence surround me. I made bread, apple cake, cleaned, cuddled with various felines, even took pictures.

currently fascinated by the grass plumes

I had some time to process, to think. Even if I was not able to cross of everything on the list, it was simply good. I realized how I had missed that solitary time.

And then came news that forced the day in a different direction. My girls came home and we looked for TV coverage of the school shootings in Connecticut.

Not much to put into words about that-

Suffice it to say that I am really really glad that T came home safe and sound from college last night and am feeling fortunate to be able to look forward to some family time around the holidays.

a little bit

It is not looking 'a lot' like Christmas, but we are slowly getting into the holiday spirit. Trees have been set up, living-room re-arranged so we can see the tree (and more importantly I suspect, the presents under the tree).

According to our family tradition, each year we would each buy an ornament plus one that we all picked together (on sale, after the holiday) for the family tree. My love would write name and year on the ornament and we can all see our likes and tastes progress - or regress- over the years. Fun! Also according to tradition, I would have speculaas ready and put holiday music on during the tree decorating event. Of course now that T is at college, things are and feel a little different.

the kids spotted this one at a neighbor's garage sale and it was much loved for some years

to provide a little cultural balance

 Some of the ornaments are gifts, some home-made. Now we have a tree full of memories.

let's see if the gifter remembers this 

Of course we are having a bit of a difficult time convincing the cats that the trees are not  for their enjoyment. This is the third year in a row that we have new feline additions during the season. After our beloved Tribble died, we went to the humane society and brought Homer and Mila home with us.

Last year, Lucy joined us, and this year after Ginny's death we welcomed two little ones, Gus and Charlie. Of course this prompted my love to say "You can't have a new kitten every fall!". I guess not. But I am looking forward to having all of my kids and cats home for the holidays!

spirit

My best guess is, that is what has been lacking me at the moment...spirit. I have tried, I did, but I could not come up with anything to share on the blog, simply because I did not take any pictures, I did not make or bake anything, and even during a flash-visit to a dear friend who lives 'only' ten hours away by car, I did not take any pictures worth sharing. It happens.

Even this collage is from a while ago- still lovely, with all my favorite feline friends.

My guess is, that two new jobs is a bit much to process. I haven't read any books either, and I follow only a very select few of all the blogs that I find so inspiring. My head is full of the new stuff I am learning every day (and also currently in a more literal sense full with stuff that is not so nice, I have a bad cold) and the stories I hear and experience at work-  unbelievable, heartbreaking, maddening, intense stories.

I'm a real sucker for the holiday spirit, I love the lights and (some of) the music, the baking, the gifting, the anticipation, the whole seasonal spirit- it takes some effort to focus on  this year. I love online shopping and getting the packages delivered is as exciting as unwrapping a surprise myself. I just have to get inspired to pick the right present to order!

Luckily, I am now far enough in years that I know this little 'dip' shall pass and also I am very happy with even having two jobs. Every day there is so much to enjoy. But not every moment has the accompanying image to share, it is mostly in my head and heart that these moments happen.

So I'll share a favorite (one of many) painting by Monet. The magpie. Enjoy!