The Christmas Chair

 

... and more snapshots from an extraordinary Ordinary life.

11 months out of the year, this wee chair sits at my bedside, holding my cell phone and water bottle.

The rest of the year, however, it occupies a place of honor under the tree.

Long ago, in a land far away

See it there, holding my book?

It started out fire-engine red, before my dad took some leftover paint to it.

You can still see bits of the original red peeking out.

This trio may be my favorite.

Mother's book given her (I'm guessing) about 1920.

Not to be forgotten!

One of two horse collars belonging to my grandfather.

What I wouldn't give for just one glimpse of my mother and her parents in that sleigh, bundled up to their noses against the harsh Minnesota winter night.

Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle all the waaaay ....

Small-time farmers, my grandparents hadn't much in the way of material things.  In fact, my mother recalls she would receive but ONE Christmas present each year ... and was happy for it.

More recently ...

Yes, we had a wonderful time Thursday night.  The show was ah-mazing ... an experience for the senses.

At Troy's favorite eatery. We enjoyed one of the best seafood dinners I've ever had!

Great conversation and thankfully, a great driver.    Even having been up since 3:30 that morning, they got us safely out of downtown and home by midnight.

Still jazzed, I sat sipping a nightcap and playing word games for another hour. I don't know about y'all, but I can't remember the last time I stayed up past the crack of 9! 

And so it begins ...

Thankfully, I've only wrapping gift bags left to do for the Ladies Study brunch tomorrow morning.

I promised to bring Conecuh (sausage) and cheddar, but now I'm wishing I'd said Potato Soup.

Thanks to Cathy at TCKK, Tom's got a new cold-weather favorite!  It's so ridiculously easy, I thought some of you might like the blueprint ... or my variation thereof!:

Cover bag (28 oz.) Potatoes O'Brien with

box (32 oz.) Chicken Broth (I used low-sodium)

Bring to simmer on stove-top ... est. 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in smaller saucepan, mix Pioneer Peppered Gravy w/ 1-3/4 c. broth.

Pour gravy over potato mix, stir well and transfer to 6 qt. slow cooker.  Cook on high 1 hour.  You can season to taste, but my resident food critic said it didn't need a thing!

Thanks again, Cathy!

... and as last night's news anchor said, "Thank you for the privilege of your company."

Hugs, Myra