Today would have been my mother’s 94th birthday. This is a photo from October, 1943, a few months before my parents were married.  Without them, yesterday’s post about my newest granddaughter would not have been possible.  Happy Birthday, Mother.  We miss you.

First day

Yes, that’s dad sleeping in the corner.  He didn’t get a lot of sleep the night before. 

After a lot of stop and start labors, when she finally came, she didn’t dawdle. In fact, thanks to a snow storm between Chase’s house and her midwife’s home, Holly actually arrived after Little Cutie did.  The second midwife, who lives closer, arrived in time to catch, but without a lot of time to spare.  The plan to have Dad catch and invite the big sisters to be present for the birth got lost in the last minute rush, with Dad playing midwife’s assistant.

She was 9 pounds, 14 ounces and 22 inches long.

For Rhi, it was love at first sight.  She’s been a big sister for three years and knew just what to do.

Lolly, first time big sister, wasn’t far behind in getting to hold her new little sister.

Everyone is doing well and I’m finally getting a bit more time.  As soon as I finish Little Cutie’s quilt – which I expect to happen in the next week – I’ll have time to actually get some blog posts from my head onto the screen again, even before I head for home again in three weeks.

Boxes always have made the best toys.  I think they have at least half a dozen more they are playing with today.

I had more trouble getting usable photos of the quilts at the library this month.   There were at least three more that I didn’t get to photograph well.  My thanks to the quilters whose skill brightens the dark places in the darkest month of the year.  I wonder what next month will bring.

We woke up this morning to a few inches of snow, painting the world white, clean and lovely.  Cold tonight and tomorrow with the possibility of snow flurries through Christmas day, then warmer, so the snow will probably melt in a few days.  The snow does help it feel like Christmas.

The girls are now more excited about Christmas than waiting for Little Cutie to arrive.  At least we all know when Christmas will arrive. 

It is strange for me this year, being here in Maine, with my husband and son at home in Florida.  Bittersweet, like the name of the plant I have been enjoying all fall.  I see the orange and yellow against the snow as I write this, colorful, ever present, possibly the invasive kind.  Emotions can feel like that sometimes, especially at this time of year.

Tomorrow we will make the Christmas yeast coffee cake, something my mom used to do, making it a family tradition for more than 60 years.  The recipe makes at least four, so neighbors and friends will share the goodness.

Wishing you and yours a lovely Christmas.  Stay safe, those of you who are traveling.  Find peace and love around you wherever you are.

From Chase’s Blessingway.

Belly Art

Have a lovely weekend.

]]> http://carolburris.com/grandchildren/just-a-moment-39/feed/ 1 http://carolburris.com/grandchildren/just-a-moment-38/ http://carolburris.com/grandchildren/just-a-moment-38/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:06:12 +0000 Nin http://carolburris.com/?p=2410 A new Friday ritual inspired by other blogs.  A single photo from this past week…. few no words…. just a moment captured in time.  If you feel inspired to share…. leave a link the comments with your moment.} My thanks to Soulemama for inspiring {just a moment}.

Have a lovely weekend.

a small parade – a couple of police cars and Santa in a horse drawn wagon

and then an opportunity to talk to Santa at the library.  Rhi hung back and was brave about being quiet and letting her little sister enjoy herself while feeling uncomfortable herself. When it was Lolly’s turn, she practically ran the short distance to Santa and wrapped him up in a big hug.

Her delight is what the day was all about.  What a difference a year makes.

The snow in the background is gone for now, but certainly made a nice backdrop.

Warmer temperatures have melted most of the snow from the trees, but these cotton ball wisps remained when I went out with the girls to play in the snow.  Snow fell in clumps today as the sun warmed the air.

The girls discovered an outdoor shower where the runoff from the roof cascaded down at the edge of the porch.  Today was warm enough to let them play there, but soon it will be solid ice and far too cold to get this wet.

Can you see from the shine on the snow pants how wet they have gotten?  With luck they will sleep well tonight.

By tomorrow the temperatures will be in the 50s and soon this batch of snow will be gone again.  Snow in November isn’t meant to last.

The images are difficult to capture on my ancient digital camera, so use your mind’s eye to see the refracted light sparkling like diamonds on the branches.  The trees were dressed in holiday wear as together with friends we celebrated Thanksgiving.