Confessions of a Grandma

 I went for a walk on Sunday afternoon and noticed there was a pile of white paper bags in the driveway at the end of our street. I mentioned to Don that our neighbors were going to line their drive with luminaria. He'd never seen that done before -- thought it was something made up for the movies! It turns out, at dusk, the couple lined the whole street with the bags and put tealights in each one. They lit the candles after the sun set.  It was a beautiful sight: Even more beautiful with the backstory we learned. The family that lived in the house across from ours (moved to a new house just after we moved in) have a severely handicapped son. His dad lined the street with luminaria every Christmas Eve as a special gift. There are eight houses on the street and in thepast year five of them have changed hands (!) since last Christmas, but the tradition was honored still.

  No matter where your name falls on the list. Happy Christmas.

 The UU church I attend in Florida had a cookie decorating/carol singing gathering this past weekend. I made some sugar cookies on Saturday morning. I don't remember if I blogged about making cookies last Christmas. Don had asked me to make some Christmas cookies so I made the cookies I associate with the season -- rugelach and Scottish shortbread. Don was startled since he meant sugar cookies shaped liked Christmas decorations and decorated with icing and sprinkles. I no longer have cookie cutters so I just made roundish cookies and took them to the gathering to decorate. There were also sweater cookies to purchase that could be decorated -- ugly sweater contests ate not part of my traditions though. I'm on the upper left.  There were about a dozen of us decorating cookies. Don was quite pleased with sugar and Day-Glo icing. Quite a few more people came for the carol singing but I left before that started. It's one of those situations where the congregation pays me to just...

 I found Christmas decorations. I have downsized each year for a few years now. I have some candles in the windows and a few other touches around the house. I do have some Santas, but angels are a theme as well. A gift from my niece. A gift from my friend, Donna. I made paper cut trees a few years ago. I found this fungus on a forest walk and turned it into an angel. I bought this in a craft shop and choose to call it a Santa.  No fireplace so the old stereo will do.

  Our puppy turned one in October. He is such a sweet boy -- playful, super friendly, affectionate. My friends and family were all flabbergasted that I got a dog. It was Don's idea and he thought Absolutely Not would make a fine name but he named him Levi after his paternal grandfather. I've lived with dogs before, but they were never "my" dog. Levi is definitely my dog. People constantly stop me on the street to remark about my handsome companion. Sometimes he can be a little naughty, like when he steals the bathmat and plays keep-away. It's all part of the routine.

Monday morning fog did not deter the pickle ball players. Who knew that sandhill cranes were fans? But here they are watching from the sidelines.