Christmas

My six words, memorialized for my mother

The pirate is aware that it is Thanksgiving week, and not Christmas.

Not even December yet, as a matter of fact.

However.

Homemade pecan pie for Pastor Tony's family

My post is not as much about the beloved holiday, as it is about the word.

The word Christmas, that is.

Allow me to elaborate.

Spicy Cranberry Meatballs made from scratch

For the past two Friday nights, we have had guests over for dinner.

Last Friday, the seventeenth, it was to be a young family -- Eric and his wife Lauren, and their three-year-old daughter Alaina.

Except, at the last minute Eric was detained at work, and thought he might be able to get away in time to join us, but it turned out being only Lauren and Alaina who came for dinner.

On the seventeenth we had two special guests

But Audrey and Dagny were here, along with Chad and Erica and Rhett and Baby Elliot, and we had a great time even without Eric.

I served hamburgers and hot dogs that TG prepared on the grill. To dress those we had many toppings, including all the condiments and pickles and two kinds of cheese slices.

Our sides were apple pie baked beans, baked macaroni and cheese, an assortment of chips, creamy Southern slaw, and deviled eggs.

Apple Pie Baked Beans

For dessert we had homemade lemon brownies and pumpkin bread, plus a store-bought cookies and cream pie.

The beverage pail overflowed with ice-cold soft drinks and waters. And there was coffee.

What a marvelous visit it was, and we're so thankful that we were able to get together.

Dagny cradling Baby Elliot a/k/a Skippy

But a week ago last Friday night, on the tenth, we had a different bunch for dinner -- in addition to all of us.

It was Pastor Tony, co-pastor of our church, and his family.

Pastor Tony had recently returned from a ten-day trip to South Africa, where he went to encourage our missionaries there.

Tomatoes, onions, and mini cucumbers in a scratch-made vinaigrette

We wanted to hear all about his trip, so we invited them over.

Pastor Tony and his family have been at our church just since May of 2021, and they had never been to our house before.

For dinner that night I served spicy cranberry meatballs (meatballs made from scratch), slow-cooker baked potato casserole, classic green bean casserole, Crock Pot creamed corn, a fresh tomato-onion-mini cucumber salad, and scrumptious Brazi Bites (which I buy at Costco).

All the pumpkin-y stuff goes back into the bins this weekend

We also had three homemade desserts: vanilla pound cake with amaretto icing, pumpkin bread, and pecan pie.

Along with a large assortment of soft drinks, flavored waters, and plain water, both still and carbonated, surrounded by ice in the big pail. Plus coffee, of course.

It was a blast. We all ate, and Pastor Tony told us many stories about his trip, and showed us some pictures.

Pastor Tony sharing pictures with TG

Before supper, while I was showing the house to Pastor Tony's wife, Amanda, she commented on several framed cross stitch art pieces displayed on the wall in our TV room.

Some were made by my mother, some by me, and one by my friend Susan who passed away in 2011.

In that vein, and because it involved a recent happy discovery, I showed Amanda a bookmark that I cross-stitched for my mother about twenty years ago.

Pumpkin Bread

The story behind the bookmark is that when I was about four or five years old and just learning to write and spell, I became obsessed with writing the words CAT DOG RAT I LOVE YOU.

I have no memory of why those six words -- in that order -- resonated with me, but I wrote them constantly.

I've always liked putting pen or pencil to paper, but you have to believe me when I say that I think I may have written CAT DOG RAT I LOVE YOU five hundred times, on everything I could think to write it on.

With our burgers and dogs, we had plenty of chips

My odd scribblings became part of our family lore, and once in a while my mother would tell about it, and we would all laugh.

So it was that, back in 2003 or '04, I decided to make my mother a special gift by cross-stitching those words onto a pre-made Aida cloth bookmark that I got at the craft store. 

My project completed, I gave the bookmark to her in a card. Not for any special occasion that I remember, but just because.

Vanilla pounds cake with amaretto icing

And you'll have to take my word for it when I say, my mother's reaction to the gift was uncharacteristic and certainly not what I expected.

As in, you would have thought I'd given her something made of solid gold and set with precious stones.

Something with actual value other than sentimental. 

The wall of cross stitch pieces I showed to Amanda

She went on and on and on about that bookmark. She raved. She loved it. My mother was an avid reader and owned hundreds of books. In whatever book she was reading from the time I gave her that bookmark, the bookmark was in it.

When in her house over the years I would often see it lying on the table beside her chair, or peeking out from her latest read.

The last time I saw the bookmark (until recently), was not long before my mother died. 

For a crowd, we always make up the beverage bucket

She passed away on October 21, 2020, of pancreatic cancer. 

During the barely three months between the dire diagnosis and her death, I stayed with her and Henry at least half of the time. I'd be with them for a week, then go home for several days, then drive not quite two hours back to Greenville, to be with them for another week. 

Several weeks before her passing, Mom lost the strength to read. Her books were returned to their shelves.

Lemon Brownies

After she died and we had buried her and I went home, Henry began going through her things. I mentioned the bookmark and asked him to set it aside for me when he came across it.

Mom kept an immaculate house, so it should not have been difficult to locate the bookmark -- not least because it was almost sure to be found inside a book we had recently shelved.

But Henry couldn't find it. The next time we visited, a month or so after Mom's passing, I looked for it. I couldn't find it either.

Rhett is never here for long before he gets out the cars

Henry took apart the leather recliner Mom used, looking for it. No luck.

He finally told me that he really thought the bookmark had somehow been thrown away in the days either just before or just after Mom passed away.

I could hardly believe that, but I had to accept it. Still, every time I have been back in Mom's house over the last three years, I have looked for the bookmark (knowing I would not find it).

Deviled eggs are somewhat a specialty of mine

Until a few weeks ago, when Henry called me. As it happened, I did not pick up and he had to leave a voice mail.

He said, reading: Cat Dog Rat, I Love You, by Jenny.

Then he explained that my sister had returned several of my mother's Mitford books, which she had borrowed within the last couple of years.

For the hamburger supper we used melamine trays

And in flipping through the pages of one of those books, Henry came across my bookmark.

He put it into an envelope and mailed it to me, and it reached me safely.

Now, so that it will not be handled too much and my children will know where to find it when I'm gone, I keep the bookmark tucked inside my cherished book The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson, which I received as a gift from my late mother-in-law nearly forty years ago, and which is always on a small table beside my chair.

Store-bought cookies and cream pie

So I was showing the bookmark to Amanda -- Pastor Tony's wife -- and telling her about it, when she shared a story that I know will stay with me always.

It's quite simple: When her son Gideon -- who is now eighteen -- was four or five years old, he discovered, learned to spell, and subsequently became enamored of, the word Christmas.

And he wrote it everywhere.

In tiny letters, both printed and cursive, and very neatly, Gideon inscribed Christmas on everything he found -- random papers, napkins, note pads, what have you.

Gideon showing something to his big sister, Alexis

Amanda told me that she'd be going through the mail, or consulting her shopping list, or sorting a desk, and there it would be: Christmas. Christmas. Christmas.

He simply loved that lovely word, and was addicted to writing it.

I told Amanda later that out of all we talked about and rejoiced over and shared and laughed about during our visit that night, the thing I will never forget is that story about her Gideon loving to write the word Christmas.

Speaking of which: Cat Dog Rat I Love You, and -- hurrah! -- it almost IS Christmas.

In a few days we'll be stacking these plates up again

But first, we must all have a truly happy Thanksgiving.

One that we will always remember, and the memory of which we will treasure amongst all the other simple yet priceless things with which we have been blessed.

One in which we are found to be genuinely grateful. 

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Thanksgiving Week

Comments

[Judee]

Such a beautiful story about the bookmark that you made for your mother. So glad that you finally found it because I know that it is very special to you. It sounds like you enjoy having others for dinner as much as I do. The cranberry meatballs sound interesting and the desserts sound really amazing. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.Here is a link for the cranberry sauce and I fixed the link on my blog. Thanks you for pointing that out. https://www.realfoodblogger.com/2015/11/qucik-homemade-cranberry-sauce.html

[Mari]

I am so happy that the bookmark is found! I remember you writing about it before and being so sad that it was missing I can only imagine how happy you were to get that message.
Your gatherings look wonderful as always. You are the "hostess with the mostest!"
Look at baby Elliot! He is just beautiful. I hope he is doing better and not so colicky anymore.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Cat Dog Rat
I Love You
Christmas

[Donna G]

I am so glad your precious memory filled bookmark was found! It’s amazing the crazy things that can mean so much to us.
I am found to be genuinely grateful, and praising my Lord, for an “all clear” report from a biopsy taken last week. Amen, and Thank You Lord! Which brought to mind your sister, I pray she is doing well.
Quoting Charles Spurgeon: “I think that is a better thing than thanksgiving: thanks living.” Your words speak out clear that you are, thanks living.

[Barwitzki]

Beautiful photos, great dishes. The water in my mouth runs down :-)))
I have quark cake in the oven this afternoon... for coffee.
Many happy greetings from Viola
p.s. How wonderful that your bookmark has reappeared... memories are so valuable.

[Donna]

Aww...what a beautiful story! Your mom wanted you to have that bookmark! Glad Henry found it! Nothing happens by coincidence. I got goosebumps just reading the tale of it...
Dagny and Baby Elliot are SO gorgeous! Look at her eyes!
So Blessed, you are my sweet friend.
Happy Thanksgiving!
hugs
Donna

[Lori]

Jenny this was an absolutely beautiful post and so very fitting for the season. I must add that you did a remarkable job on the cross stich. I hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

[Carla TePaske]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours... I loved reading this story about your bookmark, memories, words and most of all LOVE.

And all the food photos have me very, very hungry. ;-)
Love, Carla

[AC]

Once you commented over at my place, I remembered that I was here when my computer glitched. Pretty sue I was remarking something something about your hospitality. 😎

[Melody]

Dear, I had you have a wonderful Thanksgiving

You are welcome to read my most recent post.

[Skunk (aka Mike Bay)]

My story's not as poignant or personal, but it did give me immense satisfaction due to how it was received: my mom passed in October 2019. We knew and she knew it was coming and being the preparaholic that she was, she had everything ready. Including the dispensing to the family of assorted books and other knick knacks that she'd collected over the years. One of which was a cross-stitched saying, placed in a frame, about what makes a house a home. My late aunt -- and Mom's best family friend -- made that and gave it to Mom decades ago. Mom decided that I should have it. When it came time to do a long overdue trip back to Iowa to visit relatives I hadn't seen since 1991, it occurred to me that my aunt's family would positively adore to have that cross stitch. So in May of this year I loaded up and made it a point to carry three vital things with me: a book that had been a favorite of my late grandfather on my mother's side that was published the year my late uncle (my aunt's husband) was born; a picture of my late grandmother (Mom's mom) with my uncle when he was 3, with an inset of my uncle in his WWII fighter pilot regalia; and the cross stitch. When I finally arrived and was able to present these items to my cousins, I wasn't surprised by their appreciation; I was by the tears. Without really thinking about it, I had brought them gifts "for the ages" that could pass down to their children and children's children. The cross stitch was adorning a key place on the wall amidst four generations of family photos before I left that day. For once I got it right. Christmas in May.

[Jeanette]

Aww1 I'm glad Henry was able to find the bookmark! I totally understand why your mom reacted to receiving it and treasured it like she did! It's those little things we love, isn't it? Love your wall of cross stitch!

[Jennifer]

@Judee ... Thank you and thanks too for the recipe! I will be checking that out for sure! xoxo

@Mari ... Baby Elliot is doing much better and as it turns out, it was reflux and not colic! He's got some medicine now. xoxo

@Donna G ... thanks indeed to God for your wonderful report! What a blessing that is to me. Hope your Thanksgiving was truly memorable and that you're already having a Merry Christmas! xoxo

@Viola ... I am going to have to look up quark cake! I'm sure it was delicious. Yes it is so great to have my bookmark again! xoxo

@Donna ... yes it's pretty special having it back. Praying that Larry is one hundred percent long before Christmas Eve! xoxo

@Lori ... thank you my friend! I hope you're enjoying a lovely holiday season and that TBG is feeling much much better! xoxo

@Carla ... I'm not sure if I'll ever be hungry again, hahaha! xoxo

@AC ... I hope my web site didn't break your computer, haha! I do love to cook for others. xoxo

@Melody ... Thanks for stopping by! xoxo

@Mike ... Well after reading that I'm pretty sure I had something in my eye. YES you sure did get it right, and good job with putting the priceless heirlooms where they belong! Something about cross stitch is special because you know whose hands crossed every single tiny stitch, and the fact that it certainly is a labor of love, because as tedious as it can be to do, only love would motivate one to do it. Merry Christmas to you and Seymour xoxo

@Jeanette ... Yes I'm glad he found it too! I have enjoyed seeing those precious cross stitch pieces all on one wall together. xoxo

[Jim and Barb]

What a great story! I bet you never thought that it would ever be found. My dad died that same year as your mom. (My mom two years later). I have several mementos from my dad, but I cannot think of one from my mom.

[AC]

I've tried to comment on this post several times. Now, I just want to see if this one will take.

[Jennifer]

@Jim and Barb ... Condolences for the loss of your parents. I'm glad you at least have mementoes from your dad! xoxo

@AC ... you did comment, on 11/23! No worries! xoxo

[Barb]

Jenny, It's so good to visit you. I'm smitten with the photo of Dagny and Elliot. Those baby cheeks! You have been entertaining, and I enjoyed reading about your visitors while eying the delicious food. What a relief that your mother's cherished bookmark was found. It's a keepsake for sure. It's snowing and blowing here in CO - just as it should be at this time of the year. Bob had his 79th on Thanksgiving Day (he finally caught up with me). We had a wonderful holiday with family. Happy December!

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... first of all, please wish Bob a belated but no less sincere happy 79th birthday!!! So in 2024, you will both become octogenarians? That is most impressive and I hope you are both enjoying stellar health and still able to get outside as much as you'd like. Snowing and blowing sounds so charming for this time of year! I wouldn't mind a little bit of that but I doubt we will see it, haha! Yes the photo of Dagny and Elliot -- which I did not take -- is my phone wallpaper because that smile on Dagny's face is just so full of joy because she loves that little cousin so much. It warms my heart. Yes we did our share of entertaining in November. December will be a tad bit quieter, though not much, hahaha! We have some good times planned. Love and Merry Christmas to you and Bob!!!! xoxo