Finally done with work; I would plop down on the couch, soft pillows wrapping around me…some time off..I get sleepy just thinking about it.
The last of the summer heat baked the layer of leaves on the lawn outside the picture windows…the afternoon light was golden through the turned leaves on the oaks and maples. The nights were getting cold. It had that crisp smell of the coming winter.
Visions of cold and snow would dance briefly through my mind; I looked forward to x-county skiing..the stillness of the woods with the new fallen snow, the rush of the downhill plunge, the hot, hot chocolate to warm my hands and hopefully not burn my tongue at the end of the trek.
Then of course there was the dinner …
Everyone had there favorite thing; for me it was the pumpkin pie, lots of pumpkin pie! Golden and sweet but not too sweet. I wanted to taste the squash underneath. Ysabel liked the mash potatoes with plenty of butter and salt. Susan liked the cranberry relish with orange zest. Of course, Nina was eating the turkey now that she was no longer a vegetarian. And Liam liked everything.
Of course, now it’s cold everyday…40 degrees in the morning most days but never really cold like Michigan….we are near the coast and the ocean cools everything down and keeps everything warm at the same time.
I like being in the warm kitchen when it is cold and rainy outside. I like the noise of the family when everyone is here; loud and competitive but still full of fun and admiration for each other, each wanting the other to succeed and do great things.
It will be really great to see everyone again. I hope they can make it this year.
