Green Smiley Monday
Merry Christmas to all the wonderful Moms of FMO!
It has been a very good week - busy but good. Andrew and Tiina arrived on Saturday. We had our Christmas dinner with turkey and trimmings that evening. We invited a couple of friends to join us but only one made it. Lorraine has a cold and has enough problems as she is still recovering from her lung surgery.
Yesterday, we had our neigbours over for brunch. As usual, I overdid it with food! But we had a great time - good food, good wine and best of all, good company.
Today, Tiina and I went shopping. A&T were going to go to a friend's party tonight but Andrew has a sore throat. So I made our traditional, after Christmas turkey croquettes for dinner. When Andrew and Lisa were children, I was looking for a recipe to use up leftover turkey. I made croquettes - they went over so well that we have had them every Christmas since. Lisa loved them too, so we had them in Ottawa for several Christmases.
I only got teary eyed once today (okay twice because I am tearing up now) - when we went past the Kernel's popcorn stand. Lisa always stopped to get her Pickle Panic popcorn. Andrew keeps up that tradition - Tiina says that they start getting it ready when they see them heading towards the stand! Lisa and I would eat it until the inside of our mouths were raw. It is a mixture of Dill Pickle and Salt and Vinegar.
Our shopping trip was very nostalgic. First Kernels, then Laura Secord chocolates - Lisa loved the hedgehog chocolates; and then Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory - she loved the caramel. She and Tiina loved shopping together and one of their favourite shops was Lush - it sells soaps, lotions etc. I get a sinus headache so I always went elsewhere when they visited Lush. The scents don't agree with me. Tiina went to get her fav soap, so I went next door and poked around.
This time of year brings up so many memories.
I talked to Cevyn today. She seems to be doing well. Actually Beth answered the phone and was pleasant! I guess we get along as long as we are 1500 miles apart! Andrew had a long chat with Cevyn. They were discussing art schools. I think she is going to try to get in to an art school in Toronto - one that has film studies. She researched on in LA but opted not to go when she saw the tuition and the $500 application fee! She eventually would like to be a movie director. She is movie crazy and is quite the critic. She is so much like her uncle!
Tomorrow, Andrew and Tiina go home. We will miss them, and the house will be empty; but on the upside, we will have a day of downtime. On Christmas, we are going to dinner with our neigbours.
So I am surviving the holiday. I just mourn for the Christmases past.
I wish all a gentle holiday season filled with love and peace.
Lisa: I miss you so much. I have green candles all over the place. I wish I could find the Finnish candles here to go in the Iitala candle holders that I got at the flea market - like the ones that you never go to open. You have been with me over these past weeks. I just miss your hugs and quirky outlook on life.
I miss you always and love you forever. Mummy
It has been a very good week - busy but good. Andrew and Tiina arrived on Saturday. We had our Christmas dinner with turkey and trimmings that evening. We invited a couple of friends to join us but only one made it. Lorraine has a cold and has enough problems as she is still recovering from her lung surgery.
Yesterday, we had our neigbours over for brunch. As usual, I overdid it with food! But we had a great time - good food, good wine and best of all, good company.
Today, Tiina and I went shopping. A&T were going to go to a friend's party tonight but Andrew has a sore throat. So I made our traditional, after Christmas turkey croquettes for dinner. When Andrew and Lisa were children, I was looking for a recipe to use up leftover turkey. I made croquettes - they went over so well that we have had them every Christmas since. Lisa loved them too, so we had them in Ottawa for several Christmases.
I only got teary eyed once today (okay twice because I am tearing up now) - when we went past the Kernel's popcorn stand. Lisa always stopped to get her Pickle Panic popcorn. Andrew keeps up that tradition - Tiina says that they start getting it ready when they see them heading towards the stand! Lisa and I would eat it until the inside of our mouths were raw. It is a mixture of Dill Pickle and Salt and Vinegar.
Our shopping trip was very nostalgic. First Kernels, then Laura Secord chocolates - Lisa loved the hedgehog chocolates; and then Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory - she loved the caramel. She and Tiina loved shopping together and one of their favourite shops was Lush - it sells soaps, lotions etc. I get a sinus headache so I always went elsewhere when they visited Lush. The scents don't agree with me. Tiina went to get her fav soap, so I went next door and poked around.
This time of year brings up so many memories.
I talked to Cevyn today. She seems to be doing well. Actually Beth answered the phone and was pleasant! I guess we get along as long as we are 1500 miles apart! Andrew had a long chat with Cevyn. They were discussing art schools. I think she is going to try to get in to an art school in Toronto - one that has film studies. She researched on in LA but opted not to go when she saw the tuition and the $500 application fee! She eventually would like to be a movie director. She is movie crazy and is quite the critic. She is so much like her uncle!
Tomorrow, Andrew and Tiina go home. We will miss them, and the house will be empty; but on the upside, we will have a day of downtime. On Christmas, we are going to dinner with our neigbours.
So I am surviving the holiday. I just mourn for the Christmases past.
I wish all a gentle holiday season filled with love and peace.
Lisa: I miss you so much. I have green candles all over the place. I wish I could find the Finnish candles here to go in the Iitala candle holders that I got at the flea market - like the ones that you never go to open. You have been with me over these past weeks. I just miss your hugs and quirky outlook on life.
I miss you always and love you forever. Mummy
Replies
Staying busy always helps me keep my mind off troubling things..I\'m glad you\'ve had lots of distraction this holiday seasonyou have been busy! I love your positive attitude and that you\'re a \"people person\"! Our Lisas are having their own kind of party going up there! They must REALLY celebrate Christmas up there! Merry Christmas to you also, Marlene! Love, Donna
YOU honor Lisa well by living your life as abundantly as you do dear Marlene.
All their loves and the memories are what are sustaining and also the creating of new ones too. This is what I always feel when I read your journals.
May a blessed Christmas be yours with some rest as you have been busy and feeling all that you need to. Tears are all a part of it as is the laughter.
Wish I could have tasted some of those yummy left overs as I know how hard it is to gauge the food quota these days. Always best to have more than enough!
Loving care dear friend and may the rest of this holiday time be gentle on that beautiful heart of yours.
XO Joanie
Tender care my friend...we all will make it out the other side of the holidays.
Our warm memories will sustain us (but leave us wanting more)...I am holding up pretty well, but do feel the tears under the surface...I, too am enjoying the company of family and the real reason for the season warms me this year...it has been a while since I have been able to put up a tree without tears...to plan and cook meals without thinking of what Daren\'s favorite dish is...of seeing things that i would have got for his stocking and drying tears streaming down my face...does that mean I do not miss him??? I think you know the answer to that!!!! Does a bear shit in the woods???!!! Now...where is that wine? or is it whine??? lol
Love you, Marlene
AnnM
I think the business of the holiday helps keep me in check. The more I have to do, the less down time.
You have been honoring your Lisa so well throughout these times and I\'ve learned alot from you. It seems we are so close yet very far away. Sending you many warm thoughts this Christmas to keep your memories fresh.
XOXO Debbie
You help guide me, this year I have no Christmas anything, am dreading tonight with my husbands family. He\'s missing his mom and I am missing Matthew, feels like two lost souls who have forgotten to hold onto each other. Your journal will help me at least try! I love you Marlene and Lisa too!
Blowing you kisses Marlene.
Glad to read about another green smiley Monday! Love you, Angela
You do well honoring Lisa, She is with you. The light of those candles show to smile and twinkle in her eyes.
Hugs Penny