Another lovely holiday visit with friends and family! The drive to NJ was one of the worst in years, because the driver forgot that although Monday was a day off for most folks, it was a going-home day for a whole lot of 'em. It was like Sunday afternoon in the summer, and replete with fender-benders. YUCK.
I spent time with Jeri and Sabine, my dear, dear friends who always open their home to me whenever I even hint about coming to NJ. They had to work, so we hung out in the evening. Jeri and I made a whirlwind trip to the Newark Museum to see some quilts that the museum hasn't exhibited in lo these many years. We all saw "The Descendants" (don't miss it!), and Garrison Keillor's show is from Hawaii, with that lovely slack-guitar music that makes me think of the movie all over again. J&S introduced me to a wonderful British TV series (also available on Netflix!), in the spirit of "All Creatures Great and Small", except that the patients are human, called Doc Martin. They gifted me with a huge bag of Sabine's Excellent Granola, (and CHOCOLATES) and fed me delicious Turkey Chili.
I spent time with Alice. She and Pat moved to brand new digs that are Spacious And Modern, and they have the whole unit - hence no downstairs neighbors (garlic at breakfast). They have a garage and Pat has a workshop! They have two Big Bedrooms. The whole thing is cause for rejoicing. We had a delicious lunch at Stamna, which is so close to the new place that I expect Alice will be eating there every weekend ...
I spent time with Dave and Kathy and Katie and Megan. And Alice, too. Katie made the lasagna, and we feasted on lasagna, salad, mozzarella and tomatoes, and delicious white-and-dark-chocolate peppermint bark. Almost too good to eat. Almost is the operative word. In fact, I think we had dessert, but that bark was so good it's overtaken what we did have! Megan is running winter track this year, still outdoors, which is pretty appalling since it's December. Those girls are growing up!! Alice and Kathy started planning their New Year's brunch (sometime in January) and it sounds like it will be An Event. I received a bag of small treasures - new warm gloves, a jar of scented gels for the bathroom, chocolates (!!) and more of the peppermint bark.
I spent time with Mike and Kate. They showed up at Alice's and came to Stamna with us! Wednesday I had lunch-and-movie with them (The Muppet movie, don't miss it!) and we experienced our first Dine-in Theater at Essex Green. I was full from lunch but I think Mike had his popcorn. Mike and Kate gave me a wonderfully soft and cozy bathrobe, which I put on immediately upon getting home. I think my fleece robe can be saved for Really Cold Days.
I spent time with Danielle and Tim, who didn't get to NJ until the 28th. I went up to the Devincenzos on Friday and had lunch with Tim, Danielle, Mr and Mrs D, Danielle's sister Jen and cute, sweet, baby Isabella. I think Bella's going to need another sweater to grow into. I took Tim a birthday cake (!!) and because I had to head to VT I only had time to have one piece. This is probably a good thing, and it left plenty for everyone else! Tim had noticed how old and crappy my toaster oven was, so he and Danielle gave me a new one! What a surprise, and so thoughtful and nice!
Speaking of ovens, I had made an assortment of cookies for everybody, and have a new Christmas Special - rugelach pinwheels! How tasty! How raved about! A new hit, which will probably replace one of the shortbread recipes that is very unreliable. Count on it, readers!
I finished two knitting projects: an office scarf/neckwarmer for myself, and the beer-can gloves for Mike that were a failure last Christmas. They fit him! He likes them! I just have to hide the ends and close a few little knitting holes, and off they go in the mail.
And I spent a lot of time with TV reruns and the New York Times, especially the Arts sections and the Sunday magazine. You can get the Times in VT, for an exorbitant price, but it only includes national news/business/sports. I subscribe to the NYT online, but the free subscription only lets me look at 20 articles per month, and I could use that up in a couple of weekends ...
All in all, a lovely visit. I love Vermont, but I miss everyone already.
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