‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house… here I sit. I’m still hobbling around from my foot surgery, but unlike Tiny Tim, I have plenty of blessings. At the moment my foot is elevated with a bone stimulator on for 3 hours as ordered. I’ve split the time throughout the day and have an hour left. Who can complain these busy days to be required to sit for 3 hours with your foot up. Good time for reading, writing, or even taking a nap, my favorite way to pass the time. The fireplace is sending warm comfort as the darkness settles in. The candles are already on the porch ensuring Santa and the Holy Spirit finds our house. The temperature drops in this room after the horizon shifts towards night, leaving a chill from all its surrounding windows.
I’ve sent Carl upstairs to wrap presents, a task he’s earned since I’m usually in the kitchen. This year there’s been no baking done, due to the extra time spent recovering from surgery. There’s no regrets, as I’ve put on plenty of Christmas Day gatherings thru the years, fixing dinners for a large mix of both sides of our extended family’s. We finally gave in to a more sensible approach of just our immediate family, once grandkids started showing up. You can’t beat the joy of having kids around, and unless you have some of your own, you have to borrow some and include their parents. The first year or two, I really missed all the fun and chaos, from those larger gatherings, but I’m content now to do just for us with a much quieter celebration. After a few years, our son moved to CA with our 4 youngest grands, so we settle for FT chat, but still miss them. These 2 grands in the picture are close by and are my oldest. Just as I started to write this, the photo memory from last year appeared compliments of Google photos. What a better time to think about this moment in time and celebrations that came before.
I thought I might have some energy to bake those traditional star cookies tonight, but I was out thru the morning because you always have a couple of things you forgot 🤦🏼♀️. I’m thinking I’ll just make some popovers tomorrow morning before I put the prime rib in the oven. If I plan it right I’ll have everything wrapped, food packed and ready to head to Jen’s by 2 ish. Carl and Chris are delivering meals on wheels so they will be up early. Hopefully, Jen and Ash will be, too, as they are fixing the sides, because I’m not peeling any spuds!
To catch up on the favorite recipe prompt from weeks ago, I’m posting Carl’s grandmother’s sugar cookie recipe. I’m sure they were baked every Christmas when Philomene, my mom in law lived in Sydney Nova Scotia. As the recipe calls for not quite a cup of spry plus a tbsp of butter, I do substitute all butter. The brown sugar gives them a nice crunch and they are super good. Happy holidays to all of you and may blessings surround everything you do in the coming year.
I’ll try to add the photos…Substack is being naughty
Hot. Heat. Sweat drips down. The electric light from the computer screen blazes into my retina blurring the black letters on the screen as I struggle to read/comprehend. Holiday music and laughter drifts in from another section of the house. No. Focus. Focus.
“No interest shall vest…”
The first time I went through this it was hot then too—-July 1996. But the heat then made sense. A summer swampy heat. A DC/Baltimore heat. While the bar exam was intimidating then it was different.Fresh from law school classes, in person professors and study groups it was social. A shared trauma. Now computerized, sterile, a lone experience in a distant place. Ok, focus you did it then you can do it now. Focus.
No interest shall vest….
Hey wait a minute! I am not fresh out of school I have 29 years of trial attorney experience surely there are some marketable skills in there. Maybe I don’t have to pass this test.Lets see…
1. Strutting Around And Talking—-spokesmodel???? No, No you are 54. No one wants to see that…CNN/MSNOW/FOX News Legal Correspondent “Former trial attorney Nicolle says (insert what ever outrage of the day but couched in legalese) hmmmm….Note to self: Seems plausible. Look into this.
2. Writing—-Once upon a time I could do this but spent to much time strutting around talking. See Number 1: Note to Self: Work on this.
3. Spinning facts to fit an argument??? Advertising? Marketing? Politics? Oh God No anything but that….so I guess there are fates worse than the bar exam and dreaded property law.
So with sweat dripping, eyes blurring, I memorize:
No interest shall vest but within 21 years from a life in being…..or something like that don’t really have this down yet 😂😂😂
That was a great twist of different times- the present as yr writing, living in the moment and saying focus now and then the different thoughts you had over time from when you passed the bar. I totally agree w the idea of living in the moment but think it is hard pressed to try to eradicate all the days that led us to that moment. They are intertwined in minute files constantly flipping thru our brain!
Well, Kyle, you brought the reality of a Pineapple Express into full view. It sounds like an incredible experience, and not a fun one. I thought how great you got a mention of 3 generations in yr prompt. I I could see you scrubbing and peeling potatoes infinitum. Enjoy yr holiday and family time.
Never too rich during the holidays. Yesterday my sugar was low and had a cup of egg nog and a Christmas cookie - delightful. Great Haiku. Have a fantastic holiday.
For now, a haiku. Later, I will tell of an East Texas tradition.
Gray skies today
The weather is hot
I want snow for Christmas.
Question for everyone. Do any of you ladies and gents remember the news from 2022, one of the most significant weather events in Texas' history? Of course, I always think people pay attention to Texas. Lol, the blizzard that hit here. We had a whole week of a sub-zero arctic blast that froze us down here. All the way down to Galveston. The temp was below zero. The lakes froze over. What a great anniversary present that was on Valentine's Day. My 20th wedding anniversary, too. Not that we were able to do much. I did get some great photos.
I bring this up because today and tomorrow, our weather is summertime. You could go swimming right now. It will reach 80 degrees and have high humidity. A East Texas saying we have around here. If you don't like the weather, wait for about 15 minutes, and it will change. We might have a chance of snow in January or February, maybe. Is it wrong to pray for snow ❄️ or even a blizzard? I need the most outstanding production value of snow. May God bless all of you who are experiencing cold temperatures. Could you send them this way? Have a great and blessed day. Merry Christmas 🎄
Love yr haiku. I sort of remember that freezing cold you had along with lots of highway accidents…driving on snow is an acquired skill. Altho I think it was likely there were white outs or black ice. And yr comment about if you don’t like the weather wait 15 mins. Well, that’s what we say in Michigan! Today semi sunny and temp near 40. Have the happiest of holidays with you and yours
Kyle prompt Holiday 122425
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house… here I sit. I’m still hobbling around from my foot surgery, but unlike Tiny Tim, I have plenty of blessings. At the moment my foot is elevated with a bone stimulator on for 3 hours as ordered. I’ve split the time throughout the day and have an hour left. Who can complain these busy days to be required to sit for 3 hours with your foot up. Good time for reading, writing, or even taking a nap, my favorite way to pass the time. The fireplace is sending warm comfort as the darkness settles in. The candles are already on the porch ensuring Santa and the Holy Spirit finds our house. The temperature drops in this room after the horizon shifts towards night, leaving a chill from all its surrounding windows.
I’ve sent Carl upstairs to wrap presents, a task he’s earned since I’m usually in the kitchen. This year there’s been no baking done, due to the extra time spent recovering from surgery. There’s no regrets, as I’ve put on plenty of Christmas Day gatherings thru the years, fixing dinners for a large mix of both sides of our extended family’s. We finally gave in to a more sensible approach of just our immediate family, once grandkids started showing up. You can’t beat the joy of having kids around, and unless you have some of your own, you have to borrow some and include their parents. The first year or two, I really missed all the fun and chaos, from those larger gatherings, but I’m content now to do just for us with a much quieter celebration. After a few years, our son moved to CA with our 4 youngest grands, so we settle for FT chat, but still miss them. These 2 grands in the picture are close by and are my oldest. Just as I started to write this, the photo memory from last year appeared compliments of Google photos. What a better time to think about this moment in time and celebrations that came before.
I thought I might have some energy to bake those traditional star cookies tonight, but I was out thru the morning because you always have a couple of things you forgot 🤦🏼♀️. I’m thinking I’ll just make some popovers tomorrow morning before I put the prime rib in the oven. If I plan it right I’ll have everything wrapped, food packed and ready to head to Jen’s by 2 ish. Carl and Chris are delivering meals on wheels so they will be up early. Hopefully, Jen and Ash will be, too, as they are fixing the sides, because I’m not peeling any spuds!
To catch up on the favorite recipe prompt from weeks ago, I’m posting Carl’s grandmother’s sugar cookie recipe. I’m sure they were baked every Christmas when Philomene, my mom in law lived in Sydney Nova Scotia. As the recipe calls for not quite a cup of spry plus a tbsp of butter, I do substitute all butter. The brown sugar gives them a nice crunch and they are super good. Happy holidays to all of you and may blessings surround everything you do in the coming year.
I’ll try to add the photos…Substack is being naughty
Spry? Do you mean, gulp, lye?
😂😂 I had to look it up, but both spry snd crisco are made from vegatable oil- soybean and cottonseed oils, so no not lye, but not good for cholesterol
Hot. Heat. Sweat drips down. The electric light from the computer screen blazes into my retina blurring the black letters on the screen as I struggle to read/comprehend. Holiday music and laughter drifts in from another section of the house. No. Focus. Focus.
“No interest shall vest…”
The first time I went through this it was hot then too—-July 1996. But the heat then made sense. A summer swampy heat. A DC/Baltimore heat. While the bar exam was intimidating then it was different.Fresh from law school classes, in person professors and study groups it was social. A shared trauma. Now computerized, sterile, a lone experience in a distant place. Ok, focus you did it then you can do it now. Focus.
No interest shall vest….
Hey wait a minute! I am not fresh out of school I have 29 years of trial attorney experience surely there are some marketable skills in there. Maybe I don’t have to pass this test.Lets see…
1. Strutting Around And Talking—-spokesmodel???? No, No you are 54. No one wants to see that…CNN/MSNOW/FOX News Legal Correspondent “Former trial attorney Nicolle says (insert what ever outrage of the day but couched in legalese) hmmmm….Note to self: Seems plausible. Look into this.
2. Writing—-Once upon a time I could do this but spent to much time strutting around talking. See Number 1: Note to Self: Work on this.
3. Spinning facts to fit an argument??? Advertising? Marketing? Politics? Oh God No anything but that….so I guess there are fates worse than the bar exam and dreaded property law.
So with sweat dripping, eyes blurring, I memorize:
No interest shall vest but within 21 years from a life in being…..or something like that don’t really have this down yet 😂😂😂
Happy Holidays!
That was a great twist of different times- the present as yr writing, living in the moment and saying focus now and then the different thoughts you had over time from when you passed the bar. I totally agree w the idea of living in the moment but think it is hard pressed to try to eradicate all the days that led us to that moment. They are intertwined in minute files constantly flipping thru our brain!
Stöllen is yummy
Sipping my tea while watching
Christmas Day birds fly
Well, Kyle, you brought the reality of a Pineapple Express into full view. It sounds like an incredible experience, and not a fun one. I thought how great you got a mention of 3 generations in yr prompt. I I could see you scrubbing and peeling potatoes infinitum. Enjoy yr holiday and family time.
Instant haiku!
Just had some candy
Too rich for now, too early
It was a mistake
Never too rich during the holidays. Yesterday my sugar was low and had a cup of egg nog and a Christmas cookie - delightful. Great Haiku. Have a fantastic holiday.
That’s a great one. I can soooo relate. Happy holidays
Have a wonderful holiday season Karen. We need to enjoy all the good food, friends and family.
Thank you, happy holidays to you
Ooh can’t wait to tackle this one!
For now, a haiku. Later, I will tell of an East Texas tradition.
Gray skies today
The weather is hot
I want snow for Christmas.
Question for everyone. Do any of you ladies and gents remember the news from 2022, one of the most significant weather events in Texas' history? Of course, I always think people pay attention to Texas. Lol, the blizzard that hit here. We had a whole week of a sub-zero arctic blast that froze us down here. All the way down to Galveston. The temp was below zero. The lakes froze over. What a great anniversary present that was on Valentine's Day. My 20th wedding anniversary, too. Not that we were able to do much. I did get some great photos.
I bring this up because today and tomorrow, our weather is summertime. You could go swimming right now. It will reach 80 degrees and have high humidity. A East Texas saying we have around here. If you don't like the weather, wait for about 15 minutes, and it will change. We might have a chance of snow in January or February, maybe. Is it wrong to pray for snow ❄️ or even a blizzard? I need the most outstanding production value of snow. May God bless all of you who are experiencing cold temperatures. Could you send them this way? Have a great and blessed day. Merry Christmas 🎄
Love yr haiku. I sort of remember that freezing cold you had along with lots of highway accidents…driving on snow is an acquired skill. Altho I think it was likely there were white outs or black ice. And yr comment about if you don’t like the weather wait 15 mins. Well, that’s what we say in Michigan! Today semi sunny and temp near 40. Have the happiest of holidays with you and yours