Christmas Day With Family

The greatest gift I receive at Christmas is being with my family. Theresa and I often say that we are fortunate in having the most beautiful Family. Every time we get together our feelings are proven to be accurate as we observe the deep bond and love each member has for each other.This get together was no different as we converged n Lynda's and Peters country home and shared great food, conversation and bonding. The noise level rises when some of the younger ones try to join the circle and tell of their latest exploits in the education field.

We have several now either teaching or completing their studies and as teachers are, the subject comes around to their work. The leader of the pack is Glenda who has many years in the special ed field and Harmony and Darcy join in and away we go. They are passionate about their work and it makes me very happy to see the young people involving themselves in the social continuum. The others are just as involved in their field of interest and manage to make their case.

It was a great day with Doris managing to share her time with all present and to astonish them with her great looks and ability at age 98. This Xmas is over but the good will and joy will remain with us until we get together in the near future.

Planting Garlic on Xmas Eve

The temperature is hovering near the plus twenty when I decided to plant some more garlic. I had already planted my regular amount and it is growing so I had some more cloves and planted some more. This hot weather is playing havoc with our trees as they are budding and even opening .I fear for the fruit trees as one other year we had a similar situation and the crop was a failour.

This December the Xmas cactus is blooming right on time for the holidays. They like the hot weather.

Tortiere Baking with Theresa and Doris

The baking of tortiere was a custom at our home for years. We used to make many in the past but now we settle for five. This year Doris was home to help with the top crust as no one can roll out crust like Doris. This year was no different as she rolled the top crust thin and smooth and placed it carefully on the top of the pie and made perfect pinches along the edge.

It was good to have her help as it brings her back to her younger days when she baked up a storm at Xmas time. Now I have a partner to make the Xmas buns for the family dinner.

Back Home

Theresa and I have been away for a months holiday in Florida. Of course the weather was perfect but a little too hot during the first week where the temp soared .It was a homecoming of sorts as we joined our old friends in many activities. Eating at get together dinners seemed to be a favourite as we once again socialized with our American { Cuban ] neighbors.  I played golf with my old partners every Tuesday and enjoyed the news about their life for the past couple of years.

We played for a pot of money collected over the past fifteen years from the new comers club. We each donated a dollar for a hole in one and over that time we never had one. With a $148 at stake we played for the pot. We were the last members of the club so we had a tournament. We shared the winnings and drank to the wealth we just acquired.

Theresa and friends did a great job of shopping and every day after our adventures we used the pool to cool off and gossip about our day. There was something soothing about being away and not having the usual contact with family as we had restricted communication as our accommodation had no phone or WY-FY It did cause us to miss our family.

Our trip by car was super both ways and the time shared during the drive gave us a great personal time . We had a good time but were happy to

be back home with family and friends.