Lunch at Preservation Kitchen

Early in the week, I finally had the chance to have lunch with my neighbor Kelly. We live across the gravel road from each other, and have been neighbors for about five years now. Our families know each other well, and often throughout the year, we come over to each others' house for dinner or conversation on the porch or iced tea in the gazebo. We visit over the picket fence and share anecdotes about our families and dogs. They're wonderful neighbors.

Kelly and I decided last month that we would actually go to a restaurant, sit down over our meal, and have a real conversation (no kids, dogs, distractions). So, off we went early in the week to my favorite restaurant, Preservation Kitchen. Kelly had never been there before, so I was happy to share the experience with her.

We arrived around noon, and were seated in the beautiful old bungalow in front of a great fire in the hearth. We had a lunch of Cream of Smoked Chicken Soup and chicken sandwiches on artisan bread with basil, cheese and tomatoes. We had time to get caught up on family news and learn a little more about each other. I learned more about the church that Kelly and her husband John are starting next month in our community, and all of the challenges involved with an effort of this magnitude. We left the restaurant that day feeling like we knew each other a little better, and Kelly was already talking about coming back with her family and church members for dinner at the Preservation Kitchen. After all, you've got to share a great place like this restaurant with everyone!

Christmas Mice

Years ago, I began collecting small Christmas mice that I found at holiday bazaars and in gift shops. This year, Starbucks featured a small stuffed mouse with the lofty name of Huxley. He was so engaging that I bought two of him, and he/they have settled on the ledge of the third floor of the house. He joins six other mice who have lived here with me for some time, so I'm sure they are all getting to know each other as they congregate around a couple of old antique doll chairs that have been in the family for three generations.

They are my symbols of the holiday season, with their smiling faces and festive costumes. I smile every time I pass by, and I often imagine one of them smiles back at me. It sounds like something a Christmas mouse would do!

A Rainbow After the Storm

Yesterday, we had a violent rainstorm with thunder and lightning, and a short power outage in my area. It was cold and damp, and after I lit every candle I had in the house, I started a fire in the woodstove. Pretty soon, Juno the dog and I were warm and toasty in the living room, enjoying the heat and the light from the fire. What a great time to just sit back and relax and experience the simple life for a few hours!

Flower World in Winter

Today, during my week of vacation, I went to Flower World in Maltby to dream of my Spring garden. Even for a rather cool and wet day, Flower World looked beckoning as I pulled into one of the many small parking areas. I walked through the long gravel walkways lined with red-caned shrubs, which always create such a band of color in the dull hues of early winter. The ducks and geese covered the grassy areas, and a dozen or so chickens ran to greet me. What an array of chickens there were--I counted at least 8 different varieties, with a male and female peacock thrown in for good measure!

The pond looked serene, and I could hear the water falling from the water wheel up on the incline toward the main road into the area. No one was around except me, and it was a very soothing few moments as I walked the gravel path back to my car. It was a perfect break for me today, and I came over to this place to find a small time of quiet before I started on the next errands that would fill up the rest of my day.

Only three months until Spring!

The History of the Christmas Wreath

The wreath has an important place in the history of Christmas. According to historians, wreaths originated in the pre-Christian era. It is said that in Eastern Europe, people used to illuminate wreaths made of evergreen leaves in winter, with the belief that it would bring spring and sunshine. Since its origin, the Christmas wreath has gone through a multitude of changes, but has retained its significance in symbolizing the festive spirit of the Christmas and Advent season.

Each year, I head over to Flower World to get a handmade wreath. This year, they had a large and lovely selection of boughs and holly and berries. They even have a class you can attend if you wish to make a custom wreath for your home! (maybe next year...)

I found two small wreaths for my picket fence entry to my gravel driveway, and one large wreath for my front door. It looks lovely, and invites everyone who walks up the front stairs into a world of Christmas here in Maltby, where the Slow Life is alive and well, and ready to celebrate the season.

Christmas Concert at Benaroya Hall

Last Monday evening, I attended Seattle Pacific University's "Sounds of the Seasons" concert, an annual event for the last 11 years. As a former music major at SPU, I have to admit that I have never attended this event. I thought that this has to be the year I treat myself to this wonderful concert.

We got dressed up, and drove downtown to the concert hall with the best acoustics in Seattle. The concert was a great mix of choral and orchestral pieces, along with readings and thoughts about the Christmas season. Having performed in these annual events during my four years at SPU, this concert really took me back to those years of academic study and great discipline that all music majors had to have--practicing four hours a day, taking a full course load, and studying all the time.

Back in the 60's and 70's, we performed Handel's Messiah at the Seattle Opera House every year. It was a huge production, with our choirs and orchestras, and soloists flying in from all over the country to sing the four parts of the vocal portions of this great work.

It was a magical evening, just being able to sit back and enjoy the music and take in the beautiful hall. I'm ready for Christmas already!

Decorating the Christmas Tree

This week, I finally got my Christmas tree up, with strings of white lights, and my collection of vintage Shiny Brite decorations. Over the last few years, I've collected over 200 of them, and they dress up the tree beautifully. Each ornament has a story, and it recalls my childhood years, when my whole family would set aside one whole day to get a tree, decorate it in front of a roaring fire, and listen to Christmas music. We were always eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate, too. Memories like these never fade.

My tree looks ready to be the focal point of the upcoming season, which also includes a cookie-baking marathon, a Christmas tea for the women in my neighborhood, and caroling from house to house on Christmas Eve. The fun is just beginning!