I revel in being a grandmother.
And because my grandchildren
Live several hours away
A visit to my house
Lasts for a few days.
So I do all the usual preparations.
Freezer stocked with easy meals.
Craft drawer resupplied.
And at Christmas a little decorating
Left for capable helpers.
This year it was the tree in the den left undecorated.
The ornaments were placed in baskets under the tree.
Each day a few more were added to the tree.
H & H took the icicles outside
And hung from low tree branches.
That really makes sense when you think about it
Because icicles can’t survive long inside!
Then, of course, the garden house was raided
And why not add the butterflies
And dragonfly stakes
That decorate the garden at Easter.
As long as we are all decorated
Let’s have a “Rainbow Butterfly Christmas Party”
Complete with crafts, treats and party favors.
Next came our annual gingerbread house construction
And this year “reconstruction”
After the visiting poodle ate 4 of the 5 houses!!!
But that’s a story in and of itself.
On a sunny Christmas Eve morning
Our neighbors joined in a continuing tradition
As we decorated houses outside on the patio.
A very COVID conscious event.
I love decorating tables
But this year I decided to turn it over
To Harper and Henry.
Harper agreed
As long as it was “sparkly”.
So we opened cabinets they didn’t even know existed
And pulled from generations of treasures.
John’s grandmother’s crystal wedding candleholders.
My mother’s copper charger plates.
Silver trees I purchased years ago.
That come apart to add tea lights
And fascinate Henry.
Hopefully, this weeklong flutter of activities
Created new memories and stories for the next generation.
It took me a week just to find everything
And get it back in place.
A way of extending the joy.
Likely there is still an icicle
Somewhere in the cedar tree.
Someday it will catch the light
Making it sparkle
And catch my eye.
Bringing a rush of memories
Of Christmas week.
Memories indeed.
Gail
In My Garden 