Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Eve

It’s late and I’ve just put out the presents before heading to bed on this Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, now I can’t seem to get to sleep. So I decided to talk to you before I turn in.

 It’s been a quiet few days here at the manor house and it’s been really nice having our son home. Our youngest turned up today with his backpack and his guitar, and proceeded to play us a song he’d been practicing.

I actually began crying because it was so beautiful.

And because he plays by ear, it makes it even more incredible to me. He’s taught himself the guitar, and has been playing just over a year now. Today we listened to him play Led Zeppelin’s ‘The Rain Song’.

If you’ve never heard this before, it’s really quite beautiful. It was a ballad constructed by Jimmy Page, with lyrics by Robert Plant who always considered it his best vocal performance.


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My son’s rendition was beautiful.

(to listen to the original, click {here}). It’s a long song, but just listening to the beginning will give you a clue. And make some of you remember ~


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Call me a sentimental fool, I don’t care. But I will always remember this gift. And this moment, sitting next to my husband on the couch, listening to music I hadn’t heard since the 70’s coming from our son’s guitar, well it was pretty moving.

Ok. I’ll stop now.

I’ll stop and share some random photos taken throughout the day and the evening.


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Groovy.



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I am a cookie baking fool.



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I love these. They have a sort of cake-like consistency.




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My eldest son made me a sandwich for lunch today that a friend of his copied from a restaurant they used to love in college. This is a Chicken Cali, an open-faced sandwich with Boar’s Head sliced chicken, a layer of gouda cheese, a slice of pineapple, and BBQ sauce, served on sourdough bread. Totally yummy.



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Taken from the front door just after sunset on this somewhat mild Christmas Eve.

I love my view.

: : :

I want to wish all of you a wonderful, peaceful holiday. I hope it’s full of things that gladden your heart. Thank you for your visits to my space here, for your encouraging words and support, and for your friendship.

And now someone else would like to say Merry Christmas . . .



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MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!


: : :


Until next time, my friends . . .

123 Signature[5]

41 comments:

Chrissykat said...

Merry Christmas Kate. This was a lovely post summarizing what was obviously a lovely evening with your family. Now hurry and get to sleep so Santa can come!
Peace, C~
p.s. You are a cookie baking fool...I am a cookie eating fool!

Hilary said...

So touching and beautiful. Merry Christmas, Kate.

tammie said...

Beautiful post to read before going to bed. Merry Christmas. Hope tomorrow is wonderful.

Yvonne said...

Lovely post....Merry Christmas! Hope your day is filled with love and joy!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to Kate, George and the entire family on this mild weathered Christmas Day.

Now I am going to go listen to the song. :-)

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Merry Christmas, Kate & Crew! I think this is my favorite post of yours - love the image of your son, the story behind it... oh, that song. Your lovely little tree... Those cookies! That SANDWICH!!! Thank your son for me, I'm buying the ingredients this week, it sounds just perfect.

Kate, have a wonderful day -

Gretchen said...

Touching, lovely post, including George's great picture. I was so moved by your description of your handsome son's marvelous ability on the guitar. that brought a tear to my eye too.

Hope that 2012 brings health and happiness to your lives.

Snap said...

Many Merry Christmas Wishes to You and Yours!

tj said...

...Merry Christmas Kate & Family! *<:o{

...Thank you Kate for sharing your C'mas Eve with us and what an awesome gift from your son to play that song! Priceless!

...And I love the tree with the large lit globes - beautiful!

...Wishing you a day all merry & bright!

...Love ya!

...Blessings :o)

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas! Your post lightened my heart and reminded me of the simple beauty of the season!

Blessings,
Devon

TexWisGirl said...

enjoy the time with your sons! merry christmas to you, kate.

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Merry Christmas! What a lovely gift from your son!

beth said...

i know those tears and the memories that have been made.....our children truly do that to us sometimes, don't they......

merry christmas sweet friend......xooxxo

Gail said...

Merry Christmas!

What wonderful gifts. I love the ones from the heart.

Deborah said...

Merry Christmas to you, and your family and not least George :-) Thank you again for your nice greeting on Flickr.

Marcie said...

Merry Christmas! I would cry - too - if my son played that song for me! Enjoy!!!

Carolynn Anctil said...

Sounds like the perfect Christmas. So happy for you and your family. Merry Christmas!

Bluebird49 said...

I totally understand-we are at our son's and we all sang karaoke together, and hearing him sing by himself (he also plays guitar) was wonderful. Then our 7-year-old grandson gave us all a humbling moment when he said the blessing--thanking God for the food, all his family and for sending the baby Jesus to the world! I had my cry in the basement later for that one!
There are truly miracles--some at Christmas--some all year round!
I've goatta try that sandwich--BBQ sauce with pineapple has to be good..and GEORGE!--"HI!"

Daryl said...

What a perfect evening .. that sandwich made my mouth water .. and those cookies, I admit I tried to lick the icing off the screen .. sigh .. at least my tongue didnt get stuck .. ho ho ho ... xoxoxo

Reena said...

What a wonderful treat to have your son playing guitar! Great memories! Those cookies ...yum yum yum! Merry merry merry to you and yours! xoxo

ELK said...

what a special gift from your son .. I enjoyed your random shots ~ Merry Christmas friend!

Peppermint Ph.D. said...

Merry Christmas, Kate! What a wonderful gift from your son :):) Gifts from the heart are the ones we remember the most :)

Sweetpea said...

Alright then! I'm going to call you one, you sentimental fool, CG!! But of all the fools to be, I'd say this is the best kind :>]]

A very merry holiday season to you & yours...your hearth (heart) fires are already burning soooo bright...

"Happy Christmas, George!"

Mary said...

Ok, now you've brought a tear to my eye... I'm so glad you had such a wonderful Christmas eve, Kate. And I am going to have to try those cookies. They sound divine! xoxo

Donna S. said...

Merry Christmas Kate & family!! Hope 2012 is healthy & happy for all! Everything looks yummy!!

BB said...

Awwww... how wonderful to have such sweet memories with your son. Hope your Christmas is special and loving (same goes for your readers).

Our Boxing Day is done Down UNder... and we have all survived!!


BB

Kerri Farley said...

Counting my blessings during this Holiday season .... and YOU are one of them my friend! I always leave your blog feeling SO GOOD inside.

Hope the rest of your time off is FANTASTIC!! Give George a scratch from me ;)

thatgirlblogs said...

My teenager got a guitar for Christmas, I hope she can play for me like that one day...

Jill of All Trades said...

That was quite wonderful. What a nice Christmas. Have a fabulous time with your family Kate, oh and happy eating! I certainly have mastered that this year! Happy New Year too! Carla

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Mental P Mama said...

Just wonderful! The Virginian??? xoxo

JaneK said...

Merry Christmas to you! Thanks for sharing. I think your sons gift is a wonderful thing, and I would hae been in tears too.

spindrift,maine said...

A warm and lovely Christmas reflection. Thank you, Kate. All the best to you and yours for Christmas and through the year. xo

Lili said...

Your cookies are GORGEOUS!! I love the way you decorated your snowflakes. And your tree with the backdrop of lace curtains and sweet birdie I saw in it. Not to mention your bokeh tree...all so gorgeous. And the way you described how it made you feel listening to your son is just the icing on the cake Kate. Well, that and George on the Christmas card. Sounds like such a wonderful season you are having. xo ~Lili

Low Tide High Style said...

I hope Christmas Day and today were just as beautiful as your Christmas Eve was! So glad your boys were both able to be home and I love all of your photos. These truly are the days we will remember aren't they?

Kat :)

Jeannelle said...

Happy holidays, Kate!

Kay said...

you had a wonderful Christmas it sure does seem..... I love your pictures of the day and of course seeing George. Have fun in NYC.. All quiet here in Coos Bay, Oregon

Achieve1dream said...

Merry Christmas!!

Deb said...

I know how you feel about your son playing...my son is also self taught...makes me tear up to see him play...

Cloudia said...

how sweet!

Jan's camera said...

Lovely post. Happy New Year.