2010: Holidays

November 29     I came to Big Canoe in the mountains for the first time since my return to GA on 11/20.  It was exciting to be back in the house surrounded by mostly barren trees.  But a few leaves with fall color were still hanging on.  Then it was a busy time for me preparing the house for Christmas.  Decorating the tree, decorating the balcony, hanging the wreath over the fireplace and filling shelves with Christmas toys plus wrapping many Christmas presents.  Please see photos of these decorations.

December 7     I drove to Atlanta to have lunch with my son, Page, at an Indian restaurant and then to the One Twelve Gallery to see the 4-person exhibition “Seamless” that had opened while I was in Kyoto.  I was one of the artists who all work in some form of fiber.  The show looked very good and I was pleased to see the work of the other members, including Clay.

December 8 & 9     I drove from Big Canoe to Athens to meet Clay for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants.  I was great to see him again after 3 months and we had a great time catching up on our lives in Kyoto and GA. I also visited three old Athens friends and exchanged small Christmas gifts.  I always have a Christmas tea party with a friend, Carolyn, whom I have known for many years.   I came back to BC the next day after collecting the mail at my Athens house.

December 10     Our Singles Club at Big Canoe had our Christmas party — mostly older folks and just a few men but we had a good cocktail hour, buffet dinner and “crazy” gift exchange that was a lot of fun.  I got a large white ceramic elephant with blue decorations.  I am not sure where he will sit in my house.

December 11     I drove to Atlanta early in the morning to join Page for a sale of gourmet foods at his friend’s warehouse.  We always find lots of goodies very cheap that make great gifts on many occasions.  Then I went to see a couple of films:  “Black Swan” about a ballet dancer, rather erotic and interesting as I love to watch ballet and “Burlesque” with Cher and Christina Anguilera with great singing and dancing.  It was a super film afternoon.

December 12 & 13     We had a beautiful snow fall at Big Canoe and I was not able to drive the car on the slippery mountain roads.  It was delightful and only lasted a few days.

December 16     I drove to Atlanta to have dinner with Clay and Todd in their great condo with very contemporary sense.  Each time I visit them they have added something new and elegant.  I delivered the ceramic bowl that they asked me to buy in Kyoto.  Clay did most of the cooking and we had a delicious dinner and lots of great conversation.  I brought dessert:  strawberry mochi covered ice cream and chocolate brownies.  I always enjoy my time with them so much.

December 21     Weather forecast for Christmas day was freezing rain/snow for BC and Atlanta!  What to do, as I usually drive to Atlanta on Christmas Day?  So I decided to book a room in a motel in ATL for 3 nights (24, 25, 26) just to be safe.

December 23     I have spent the 23^rd with my former student Ben, his wife Dawn, son (not this year) and his younger brother, George who came with me to Japan with the study group.  They used to come to BC but they have 3 dogs now so I go to their house about 90 min drive from BC.  We had a great dinner, lots of talk and wine, bed late.

December 24      We were all up @ 9 AM for a big breakfast and endless gift exchange.  Page called to tell me to come on that night for dinner and mid-night Mass at the Catholic Cathedral and to stay over night.  I told him about my plans with a room already booked so we were prepared for the snow.  I drove back to BC, packed up the car with gifts for ATL, changed clothes and left.  I forgot my suitcase @ BC so I had to turn around and go back!  Stupid me!  I finally got to Page’s by 7 PM, we had our cocktail hour, conversation in front of the fireplace blazing and exchanged our gifts with Jeanne’s mother, Soon-Hee, joining us.  Then a Scottish dinner which Page cooked — cock-a-leekie soup, steak and sausage pie, and veggies.  It was OK but not so great.  Later I realized this was our Christmas dinner!  Due to the snow expected the next day!  I always make English plum pudding for Christmas dessert so we had that with flaming brandy.  We left at 10:30 PM for church to get seats and there were many people there already.  Lee was the oldest of several boys who helped with the service.  Lee carried the special cross for the archbishop both into and out of the service plus he held the prayer book for the archbishop to read from.  It is high honor to do this but I am not into the Catholic service and it lasted a long time.  But we had beautiful Christmas music and I enjoyed that.  Then I went to my motel.

December 25    Christmas Day     It had started to snow but the roads were OK.  I had a simple buffet at the motel and went to Page’s for lunch, which was a sort of Korean New Year’s soup with the won-tons but not the sliced mochi.  That was a treat and finished our holiday meals — almost.  I left to see a movie, ”The King’s Speech” about King George VI and his speech problems.  It was a very interesting movie and I enjoyed it a lot.  The snow kept falling but the roads were OK.   So we had a White Christmas, not usual in Atlanta.

December 26     I went to see “True Grit” in the afternoon and Jeanne’s mother had us all for a Korean dinner at night with many dishes and side dishes.  The roads were still OK but the ground was covered with snow and the neighbors were making a snowman at night.

December 27       I had to drive from Atlanta to Athens to pick up mail and a few other tasks.  But Athens had more snow than ATL so I called to find out if the roads were Ok and was told they were.  But I left my keys for the house @ BC so Andrea, who takes care of the house, met me to get me inside where I had an extra set.  I called BC to see if the roads there were clear and was told I may need to leave my car at the entrance and security would drive me to my house!  I left immediately in case the roads were really bad and would freeze later in the day.  However, I was able to drive very slowly to my house and was relieved to be back home.

December 30     Lee, Ginger and Camille arrived about 4 PM after a 5 ½ hour drive from Savannah.  We had tea and exchanged gifts and had nice conversation and a fire in the fireplace.  Camille ate early and then to bath and bed.  I had a nabe dinner with many substitutions as I could not find the usual veggies.  But I got fish, shrimp and oysters and we had a grand meal.

December 31      It was raining so we stayed inside the whole day.  Lee and & I worked on my website he is developing and Ginger and Camille played games and did crafts.  I prepared a New Year’s Eve western style dinner of many courses which the 3 adults enjoyed very much.  We were all tired so we went to bed before midnight.

January 1, 2011       We had a late breakfast and Lee, Ginger and Camille left about 11 AM in a heavy rain and I kicked back and relaxed after a busy holiday season.