This Christmas, I departed from the usual pattern of travel to Virginia in favor of the ocean. With a handful of friends and a week for total relaxation (look, Ma, no work!), I packed a few pairs of trousers, a fleece, and some cookies.
A few lovely things about the week. Work was split between all of us; cooking and shared meals made it all a joy rather than the normal burden it can be when cooking for one.
How restful the week has been, and how good to enjoy a few lovely people with minimal stress.
By far the most lovely part of the break was the engagement of two lovely people, Matt and Lauren. Matt is Pam's brother, and so Pam was instrumental in pulling off Matt's plan. Me, with my inability to use digression, did not find out about the plans and my small part in them until the 11th hour. Thank goodness for friends who know you are bad at keeping secrets!
Morning of the engagement (Christmas morning!), Pam and I woke up at 5:45. Pam made up tea, packed a cooler with breakfast things, and we headed out to the beach. We set up and then waited in the car for them to arrive at the scene--a swing on the beach faced toward the rising sun.
How wondrous to participate in some small way!
Now, it's packing and letter writing, and then we head back to Nashville in the morning by way of Atlanta. More excitement and adventures to follow, including baking exercises for my first wedding cake!
For a bit of joy for you all, here's a recipe for Zimtsterne, one of the Swiss cookies I made for everyone to enjoy.
