Let the Celebrating Begin!

Today we were guests at Becky's Brunch. It is the official kick off of the holiday season celebration. 

These are retired teachers connected to Des Moines Elementary School that Tom worked with. They adopted me.  Our host Becky is the lovely lady glittering in the bottom right of the photo. 

We enjoyed good food and lively conversation with topics ranging from driving in ice and snow to former students to health concerns to travel.

Ice and snow were on our minds because of our current weather. Officially you could say it is slushing - light rain interspersed with big wet flakes falling on the remnants of last night's light snowfall. 

 It's cold and nasty and a good day for celebrating warm friendships and a cozy evening at home. 

This was my baking week. In four days, with Tom's help, I made six kinds of cookies, which are now all tucked away in the freezer, awaiting the filling of cookie tins to give as gifts and for our own family enjoyment when the big day arrives. 

This was a photo from last year, but I made the same kinds again this year. They are traditional and each one is someone's favorite. 

The decorating is done, the baking is done, except for the cookie cutter cookies we'll make with the grand kids, and most of the shopping is done. We have no plans for the weekend, other than watching the Sounders play in Toronto for the MLS Cup on Saturday and the Seahawks play in Green Bay on Sunday. I have no desire to be in either of those places in person during the weather they are experiencing. 

I'll work on our Christmas letter and get photo cards ordered. Next week we have a Christmas shops field trip on Tuesday, and weather permitting, a Christmas lunch here at our house on Thursday. The weather man is warning of more snow by mid-week, so we'll have to wait and see what happens. 

At any rate, I have declared that the holiday season has now officially begun. I will find a way to make each day a gift. Today was a good start.