Our holidays have become increasingly complex, as the next generation embellishes on established traditions and then adds its own. Describing all this is beyond the scope of this blog, although the pix below will convey some of the holiday fun leading up to the big eve and the big day and its big aftermath.
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| It all begins with Thanksgiving; I was particularly thankful for being back where the best poulet roti in the world is made... Costco; pictured are Jeremy, Penelope, and Rebecca |
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| Penelope at one of Grandma's traditional teas |
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| Making Xmas cookies with Mama |
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| Celebrating Salvador Dali's 117th unbirthday |
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| Recreating Stonehenge, in the camper, December 21st |
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Alas, I forgot to orientate it to the sunrise...but it could well be oriented to the sunrise on Salisbury Plain, that day, 4,000-5,000 years ago |
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| Every day, we (Vicki) labored, going through all the stuff we have stored at Rebecca's since 2012; here, one of many loads going to charity shoppes, recycling, etc. |
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| Vicki did quite well on eBay; approaching the age of 75, I finally conceded that I no longer needed my climbing equipment (even for wall decor, as in Montana); the Chouinard piton hammer went for $129 |
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| The pitons, carabiners, chocks (above, a set of 1972 Chouinard hexentrics, tied at the REI store in Seattle) and such for $369 |
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| Decorating the camper Xmas tree |
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| Looking at Xmas lights in Palo Alto |
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| Thank you, nice stranger who took the picture |
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| Un pour tous et tous pour un: chocolate fondue occurred a few days after Xmas this year |
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| As did the dyeing of Grandma's hair, a Xmas gift Grandma gave Penelope |
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| Xmas morning did not start well...a frantic call from Rebecca, who had pre-heated the oven without knowing Vicki's traditional Swedish tea ring was waiting in it; just the day before Vicki had delivered an injunction to always check the oven before pre-heating; but all was well... Grandmas rarely have a chance to say "I told you so"; plus Vicki had a welcome opportunity to channel Ewell Gibbons' "some parts are edible" |
