Thursday, December 26, 2013

The morning after

I’m writing from my favorite seat in the house. It’s been snowing for the past several hours but the sun has since come out and all evidence of the white stuff is gone.

It’s good to see the sun.

 

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The crazy cardinal visits several times daily.

He is keeping Miss Blackie entertained.

 

 

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George says hello.

He had a Christmas bath on Monday.

He was a very good boy.

:   :   :

 

I’ve kept busy since school finished for the holiday break on the 18th. I’ve gone to dinner with friends, to a cocktail party, a Christmas party, hosted a dinner party, and just kept at it. Early tomorrow, I’m leaving on an adventure. I figured that if I just kept busy that I would have no time to be sad.

I was partly right.

But mostly wrong.

 

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I’ve spent some time in the kitchen this holiday. I made this soup for a small dinner party I had here and served it with garlic bruschetta. It’s called winter minestrone soup and I found the recipe on Pinterest. A lot of chopping prep involved, but so worth it. It was absolutely divine. (And now my friends think I am a good cook).

{Recipe here}

I also made a fabulous chicken pot pie that was a big hit with my sons. I don’t have a picture, sorry.

{Recipe here}

 

 

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Christmas Eve breakfast: Pain au chocolate

These are surprisingly simple to make, are best eaten warm, and are really delicious.

{Recipe here}

This morning, I set my alarm for 5:00 in order to get my son to the bus station for the ride back to the Big City. He returns to work today.

When I got home, I had some more coffee and then took my special guy for a little walk.

 

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Christmas was hard this year. And that’s all I have to say about that.

 

 

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Can you see George having a good roll?

 

I ran several errands this morning and am now watching a movie that came from Netflix: Dead Poets Society. It was filmed nearby at St. Andrew’s School, Delaware. Such a good movie, featuring Robin Williams at his finest.

I’ll say farewell for now, and hope that your days are merry and bright.

123 Signature[5]

45 comments:

Sheila said...

Your soup looks delicious and of course George is beautiful. Sounds like you have been busy. Take care and have fun on your adventure.

JC said...

Sounds like you've had a busy Holiday. Love the photos of George and Blackie.

Happy Almost New Year to you and your furry family,

JC

Devon said...

I've followed your blog long enough to know you Are a good cook!
The year of 'firsts' without those we miss is so hard. I like how you are making plans, and planning adventures to keep the sadness at bay.
Best wishes for a new year with many happy memories!

Anonymous said...

The soup looks delicious, kate, and I am going to go read the recipe since we are big soup fans during the cold weather, and we have certainly been having some cold days and nights. However, the sun is out today and it's really rather nice outdoors. I'm so glad to hear you are staying busy during the Holiday season, but I knew you would... xox Wishing you a VERY happy 2014.

jinxxxygirl said...

LOVE Robin Williams! I haven't seen that movie. But one of my favorites is Patch Adams. Have you seen that? I have several favorites of his.

Thanks for posting. Its always good to hear from you. Hugs! deb

Debbie From Illinois said...

We have snow here in Illinois, I took a midnight walk with my son and the dog last night. It was so quiet and beautiful.

I have made the little sinful bundles of chocolate before and they were delicious.

Big hugs to you and George.

Anonymous said...

Well...just so you know you were not alone in the hardness. I think the first Christmas alone of sorts is very difficult. Mine was for sure. But it's over we made it...and it will get easier. Enjoy your trip...it's well deserved! Xo

Candace said...

I wish you only the best in 2014, Kate, and look forward to more beautiful photos from you.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

May 2014 be a kinder, gentler year -

and thank you for sharing those terrific recipes!

OH George, you are a handsome devil.

Snap said...

Thanks for all the recipes. I think George gets more handsome every time I see him. I take a deep breath every holiday and put one foot in front of the other and carry on. Tally-ho! Have a wonderful adventure and the best of things in 2014.

leahtbug said...

Glad you and George made it through. This was very first holiday alone and it was hard. I am glad you are busy and enjoy your trip. Have a great 2014, I am going to try.

Nellie said...

I have had you in my thoughts, Kate.

I would have lost my resolve with your Christmas Eve breakfast! Yum!

Incidentally, I am attempting to omit wheat products from my diet. For almost the past three weeks I have been relatively successful. Just a bit of off plan with a few bites of Christmas cookies.:-)

Hugs to you,
Nellie

Gail said...

I have you in my thoughts.

Jeanne Walker said...

Glad that you are keeping busy doing some fun things during this holiday season. I am intrigued by your little bit of info...no info...about your adventure. Do take photos! Wishing you a happy, happy, happy new year...fresh and anew...with many wonderful times and making new memories. xo

Low Tide High Style said...

I hope you have a wonderful adventure, and I'm glad you had your boys with you for the holidays!

xo Kat

JaneK said...

{{{{{hugs}}}}} i am sure that manor house seems awfully big and quiet this year....

Dead Poets society ticked me off the first time I saw b/c I thought it was going to be funny since it had Robin Williams. That's when I learned to ask people if a movie is happy before I go and see :-)
thanks for the recipe :-)
George is such a good boy. I am glad you have him.

Michelle said...

"Busy" only works so well for so long; it doesn't rewrite reality, only gives us something else to focus on. But it IS the best thing to do, staying busy; the sharp edges of reality will be dulled in time. Thank-you for sharing with us; you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Lili said...

Your recipe choices look so appetizing! I think I need the pain au chocolate to pair with some more champagne. I like the sound of you leaving for an adventure, it sounds intriguing. Enjoy! xoxo

Reena said...

Safe travels! We finally had some sun yesterday. Love seeing Blackie. And such a strange cardinal!!! Xoxo

Cloudia said...

MOST eloquent, Dear.
And touching to we who care.

A light touch - and yet you told us so very much about George, son, activities - all from your favorite seat. (That photo of Miss Blackie really should be painted!)

Ah. Sigh. Love



ALOHA to YOU, Dear Pal
from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^= <3

Sabrina Steyling said...

I can understand why Christmas was hard for you, Kate, because unfortunately my grandmother passed away on Monday. This week can't end fast enough, though it hasn't really hit me yet that she's gone...

Hugs to you and George. <3 <3

Annie said...

Thinking of you Kate. Hope you have a good time away, I think I am guessing where you might be going.

There's a fellow called Tom from Delaware who calls in on a national radio quiz we have here at midnight. Strange that people from all over the world listen and call in!!

I enjoyed Dead Poets Society. I hope you did. Trying to think of the other one I like ...grrrr...it'll come to me sometime..after I finish here.

Grief is a strange place to go through. Keeping busy helps at times, sometimes I needed to be on my own.

Sending love and prayers, Annie.

Deborah said...

Dear Kate

I wouldn't expect anything else, and have been thinking of you as so has a lot of others.

I think you're doing so well inspite your loss and I'm sending hugs and all the good thoughts I can think of.

Deborah
http://deborah.dk

jo said...

You got through your first Christmas. The "firsts" are always the hardest. Next year will be a little easier. It's all just a process, Kate, of putting one foot in front of the other every day. Count your blessings instead of your sorrows. It always amazes me that no matter how broken we are on the inside, life marches on and we can't control it at all. But looking back over my last almost 3 years, it's a good thing it does. I would really hate to be stuck in what I was going through 3 years ago. It gets better. Hang in there. But if you need to take time now and then to just cry - do it. I cried almost all day Monday. But Tuesday was a better day. God is with you, and so is your husband.

BB said...

Belated Christmas wishes dear Kate... I know your days cannot all be happy right now, but I do wish you strong spells of smiles, and lasting flashes of laughter through the Season. I think of you often, and hope that George snuggles in close to help you though.
♥♥♥

Daryl said...

hugs to you ... i feel as if i am waiting for Santa, waiting for you ... hurry up and get here!!!!!

Connie in Hartwood said...

I'm planning to try the soup recipe. There's something about cold weather that brings on the urge to simmer dinner in a pot on the stove.

As soon as I saw the photo of George in the distance on the lawn, I knew he was rolling ... happy, happy George!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Love to you at Christmas. You have got through it - be proud of that as he would have been for you. A New Year - go into it with your head held high.

thotlady said...

Happy New Year!

Cait O'Connor said...

Dead Poet's Society is one of my favourite films. And yours is one of my favourite blogs. I sincerely wish you a very happy New Year. Oh and George is sooo beautiful....

altar ego said...

You continue to be in my thoughts and heart as you move through the seasons on your own. Enjoy your adventure.

Carolynn Anctil said...

I thought of you at Christmas and wished you well. It's good that you had friends and family and furry critters to keep you company and help to chase the blues away - or at least into a dark corner.

Dead Poets Society is a classic. I'm going to do my best to get rid of a few unwanted pounds this year, so I'm not going to click the link to your delicious recipes. That said, your apple pie recipe was a success at Christmas dinner.

Sending much love and many more sun-filled days.

Blessings,
Carolynn
A Glowing Ember

beth said...

xoxo...chat when you get back !!!

jmac said...

have thought of you many times during the holiday....and hoping you are coping well. just remember...it's ok to NOT be strong all the time. it's healthy to let loose and just feel the pain.
remember...that cardinal is there for a reason. most likely he is carrying the soul of your sweet one and watching over you with pride!

tj said...

...Dearest Kate, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family. It wasn't until this evening I happened upon your blog and stayed for some time, I needed to revisit this place. I read and admired, as I usually do, when I would visit. I could tell by your words that something was amiss, something had happened, and that is when I came upon the sad news. I am so sorry Kate.

...Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time and always.

...Peace and blessings.

Em Parkinson said...

You got through it Kate and it will get a little bit easier every year. x

thecatalanway said...

Sorry I have been so quiet recently - I have called by but not left my print. But I keep checking in and it is great that you are writing and taking photos and keeping on keeping on. I am very impressed by the chocolate croissants! I made cheese scones on Boxing Day (Here called Saint Esteve Day and we had 11 for lunch!)
Hello beautiful George - glad you are happy and keeping Kate company and taking her for walks.

You are doing so well - there's no other way but through it and you're doing it! Take care at New Year - another biggie I imagine. I will think of you Kate X

Bluebird49 said...

Hope that as the days go by, there will be more good than bad ones---it will take as long as it takes! And we will be checking to make sure you are posting, cause we worry and miss you when you don't! God bless you, Kate!
Trudy/Ellen/Sybil

Bluebird49 said...

By the way when my grandkids saw the "pain au chocolate" and I told them I thought we could make them--they cannot wait til I come back, and bring the ingredients to do it! Something to look forward to in February or March! I cannot wait to make the soup=it sounds so good.
Blessings!

Linda said...

So, kitty in the window isn't a deterrent for Mr. Cardinal huh? Not the brightest bird in the bush is he?

PAj said...

Kept looking for a female cardinal in the colors to the left of the kitty and then as I scrolled up, there he was like a cuckoo from the clock. He must drive Miss Blackie bonkers!
Stumbled in last night powered by insomnia. Hope it is ok to visit? Sympathy and thanks from PA

PAj said...

Kept looking for a female cardinal in the colors to the left of the kitty and then as I scrolled up, there he was like a cuckoo from the clock. He must drive Miss Blackie bonkers!
Stumbled in last night powered by insomnia. Hope it is ok to visit? Sympathy and thanks from PA

The JR said...

I made those chocolate things once after finding them on your blog.

my husband made a hog out of himself eating them.

Custom Comforts said...

Beautiful photo of your home. Just stumbled across your blog. Where in Maryland do you live? Reminds me of the Eastern shore.
Cindy

GailO said...

I am definitely making that winter minestrone soon!