:: It’s eat-from-the-freezer week around here. We came home to a completely empty fridge (which is sparkling and white and clean, and I almost don’t want to fill it!), and have bought only staples like onions, carrots, and milk, and are enjoying lovely dinners. Turkey soup (yum, yum, yum). A huge pot of [loosely interpreted] bolognese. And — oh yes, get this — a whole pumpkin pie I made for Thanksgiving but then froze. That is a treat worth finding in your freezer.

:: I went for a walk this evening. My sister, over the phone, laughed at the ridiculous idea of someone back home taking an evening walk. They’d be found dead the next morning, buried in a snowbank. Not here, though. And I can’t decide how I feel about that. I know I’m supposed to love the green lushness and refreshingly cool and yet balmy air. But there’s a part of me that really likes the PAUSE of a snowed-in January. Doesn’t everyone need to just slow down for a few months each year? I guess not here.

:: Our trip back was, of course, an episode. We spent in the night in Toronto, due to bad weather and delayed flights. William was throwing up both days. And then, hours after we arrived back home, Jameson, me, and even Ryan succumbed to the same tummy bug. Needless to say, the house was chaos. Five days later, the laundry is finally done, and the last suitcase was put away today. Ahhh.

:: Jameson will, at any given moment of the day, suddenly sigh and ask, “Why aren’t we at Nana and Papa’s house?” He had so much fun.

:: When Mom asked me what our family wanted for Christmas, I knew the answer almost immediately (and I never, ever know what I want): children’s songbooks. She got us three of them, and we’ve spent the last two mornings singing away. Well, I sing and play piano while William drums on the couch and howls, and Jameson switches back and forth between his “drum set” and tennis racket guitar. They love it and keep asking for more.

:: My favorite gift was some very cool vintage fabric from Julia. I’m going to wait for just the right inspiration before I cut into that cloth.

:: Some friends and I are going to see Sherlock Holmes on Saturday. It’ll be the first time I see them in a month. I can’t wait.

Outside, a storm is blowing and swirling, and from my cozy chair, the drama of white flakes on gray sky is beautiful. (It’s not as pretty when you’re driving in it.) My littlest brother worried about the possibility of a brown and drab Christmas, but this week’s weather has provided us with the winter wonderland he’s been hoping for.

Jameson is in heaven. He’s always loved being here, but this time I think he’s enjoying it more than ever. He flits in his zest-for-life sort of way from room to room, thrilled to find that here at Nana’s house, there’s someone doing something fun in almost every corner of the house. He helps with stirring the pancake batter, stringing the electric guitar, making snow angels, and consuming hot chocolate. Movies, books, games, and light sabers, not to mention a doting aunt at every turn — this is heaven. His eyes are constant sparkle, and as he recounts his days to me, I hear sheer happiness.

William felt snowflakes on his eyelashes for the first time this afternoon, and his baffled and delighted expression was priceless. He stretched out his arms and turned his face to the sky, while fluffy white gathered on his upturned chubby hands. Yesterday and today, he was left with a friend and an uncle while I went to a concert and a luncheon, and he did fine. This is definitely new! The Christmas tree is all magic to him, but the highlight of this trip, so far, is Louissa’s yellow bird in the white cage hanging in the corner of the kitchen. William is enthralled with Gigi.

And me? I’ve been to the salon for a haircut, to my sisters’ houses for cookie decorating and chats, a concert featuring the Vienna Boys’ Choir, and to church; I’ve decorated a tree, watched movies in a candlelit family room, Christmas shopped with my mama, and snuggled my babies without the cares of a household to maintain. Tonight there will be a little birthday celebration with my two lovely longtime friends who may as well be sisters. And of course, there will be parties and dinners and sing-alongs and impromptu game nights. I wish everyone could celebrate Christmas and family here. It’s the best.