It’s 7:09 am. The sun is just about to light up the sky…I can see it at the very edges. This one should be one for the books. So far it’s a faint whisper of pale watercolor orange. I know what will surely follow….the most majestic pronouncement of the perfect Saturday, December 5, 2020, complete with deep magenta and burgundy…

And that should be just enough light to get me going, out of the door, and onto to my many stops along the way.  I can hear my car, warming up and getting ready for the ride. I think that I’ll stop for a cup of coffee and something homemade at Braun n Shorts. There’s just nothing like living in a small town to make you feel the Christmas magic growing stronger every day.   

As I sit here, in my writing chair, visions of yesterday keep circling round. each one begging my attention…and each one deserving of it.  So many wonderful memories….

Mark got home a bit early from work on his birthday.  And THAT never happens. Jackson was so excited that Grandpa was home. Noah was going to make dinner and I LOVE that when that happens.  That boy can cook.

I love it when Brittany comes over and so does Jackson.  We took turns chasing him as he yelled that he was a fireman and wanted to show us where the fires where. He delighted as we cheered for him. He and his toy fire truck put all of the fires out and saved us all.  I love how his laughter fills the room. How I love that little boy. 

Yesterday was full to the brim of everything that makes a house a home.  It was standing room only in the kitchen as Noah fried chicken wings and we ate them, every one, as he piled them on the plates.  His home made barbeque sauce was so GOOD!!! And Beth’s homemade rub was the best I’ve had. Veggies dipped in ranch and blue cheese topped it off so perfectly. 

Then to top off an already wonderful day, while Jackson was sleeping soundly (thank goodness), we grownups were fully invested in making as much noise as 5 grownups can make.  We played a game of “Freedom of Speech”. We didn’t care about the rules. We just made them up as we went along. And the laughter!!! I couldn’t catch my breath and my stomach still hurts today. JOY!