Chrismas eve will find me*

We opened a bureau drawer this morning to put away some clothes and noticed out of the corner of our eye that TIny was quivering with excitement. Her eyes feverish with anticipation, she lept up and settled herself in with extreme self-satisfaction amongst the white linens of summer.

"Perhaps the world crisis that is affecting so many families and all of humanity could be the stimulus for rediscovering the warmth, simplicity, amity and solidarity which are the very values of Christmas," we cited Pope Benedict XVI the other day in a post trying to make sense of our "first-time failure to buy any Christmas presents this year." Or, as Wal-Mart, beating the pants off the competition, puts it, "Save money. Live better." Then our sis-in-law happened to mention she was going to stuff the Xmas stockings of her grown daughters with things she already had on hand, like wonderful books she's read and jewelry she no longer uses that might appeal to young women their age. The concept must have percolated in our brain overnight 'cause this morning inspiration struck in a small but kind of nice way. The result was the Corny Cornbread Mini-Muffin favors pictured above, each made up of a plastic tea box containing two CC Minis wrapped in the wax-paper "beggar's purses" we'd invented for a hostess gift last summer and topped off with a festive swath of iridescent ribbons. We'd saved the little boxes just because they were so cute and elegant.  As our sis always says, "Everything happens for a reason."

As we started gathering packing boxes preparatory to heading Down East with our moveable feast for Xmas Eve at Goomp's, the Babe moved front and center. The sequence was classic: Place a box on the counter. Whole being of cat lights up with a frisson of excitation. Cheek meeping outside corners of box commences. Cat jumps into box and claims it as his own. Tiny and the bureau drawer, above, come to mind.

Earlier atop the dining room table, excitement built as Tiny explored the utensils toys we had laid out to facilitate our preparation and presentation of the coming meal provide her with playing opportunities. Above, the camera's eye caught Cartier-Bresson's "Decisive Moment" as the meat thermometer (lower right) hung suspended in air after being plucked up by the Giant Paw.

*Blogpost title is part of "Christmas eve will find me where the love-light gleams" from our sis's fave, "I'll be home for Christmas."

Comments

[goompa]

It will surely glow here DownEast on Christmas Eve when the clan gathers to celebrate in the manner of our dearly loved departed Finnish wife, mother, and grandmother.

[Teresa]

Have a lovely time downeast with everyone together and the kitties providing lots of entertainment. I expect you'll have 1000's more pics over the next few days. LOL. Yay!

[mog]

You are quite resourceful not to mention clever. Home cooked gifts are the best anyway. Enjoy your feast and have a very Merry Christmas.

[Gayle Miller]

Sis and I are spending the day together tomorrow and rather than go into a whole cooking frenzy (as we normally or abnormally would do), we've gotten a pre-made meal from a local upscale market and will, instead, spend the day enjoying each other's company and the delightful antics of the ever-shy Zeus (pitbull, big baby), the ever-needy Harley (corgi, beautiful and totally codependent little girl) and Tim (who believes, with some justification that he, as a Siamese gentleman, rules the roost). Animal slobber is the greatest condiment to a good day!

[Elisson]

Muffins, kitties, and those beautifully-lit photographs tying them all together. If I had wanted a Seasonal Gift, why, I do believe I've just received one!

[No Apology]

Merry Christmas, Sissy!