December 20th

 

Turkeys finding refuge at my front door this morning.

December 20th is Grammy and Adamma's Birthdays!  Adamma had a 10th Montana birthday with family & friends in 5 degree temps, snow falling, sledding, hot cocoa, cookies, ending with taco dinner and beautifully lit bundt cake as seen on Instagram.  Here in Trout Lake, Grandpa had given the upper rooms fresh coats of paint, and Grammy had furnished and redecorated.  Mom found just the right lamps on Marketplace, but the seller wouldn't ship them.  That gave Gabe and me the opportunity to take a road trip between inclement weather in the Gorge and gift her lamps for her birthday!  Mom and I had fun putting the finishing touches on her upper attic room, with table lamps, and hanging her mother's girlhood portrait over the bed.

Grammy's Attic Finishing Touches

Sea shells by many a sea shore on display.

We rearranged the book shelf on the stairway landing to accommodate an aquarium of sea shells.  Mom had a tub of carefully wrapped and preserved sea stars, coral, conches, murex, sand dollars, angel wings, cockles, augers, scallops, and so many more that I don't know the name.  We reflected on the week in Thailand at Dolphin Bay many years ago and not being able to pull ourselves away from beach combing all day! Sea shells are such a witness of God's never ending intricate design with unsurpassable beauty everywhere.

I volunteered to host the relaxed dinner party after milking the Jersey cow, Ingrid.

I love a full house!

Hubby and Shane (Home for Christmas) with the glow of the hearth fire.

Birthday Mom is on the phone with Caleb, as we stall a bit before dinner.

Caroling on the Jonah bus was held tonight, but the day had ended with cold sleet and slippery roads on a dark night.  Everyone decided to snuggle into my home with the warmth of fire and love, enjoying dinner and one another in celebration of Mom/Grammy with lingering leisure.  We had crockpots of hot chili with condiments on the side, and pans of cornbread with butter and honey.  Perfect meal for such a night.

Happy Birthday to our beloved Mom and Grammy to 30!
Birthday Gingerbread Stack to be served with lemon curd and fresh "Ingrid" whipped cream.