Good afternoon my dears,
This year, we've stayed home, stayed safe, worn a mask, and socially distanced ourselves on the rare occasion we are out in public. There are many reasons as a family we have chosen to do this; in particular because at the beginning of the pandemic I was pregnant, we had a newborn with no immunity, for our elders, and for cancer patients (like my dad was) who are immunocompromised. Pediatric cancer has especially been on my heart lately, and I have shed many a tear because innocent newborns, babies, infants, and toddlers have died because their immune systems have been compromised. I couldn't ever live with the thought that I could've in any way contributed to their demise.
- Thanksgiving -
For that reason, we decided to forgo our annual tradition of going to The Biltmore for Thanksgiving. Instead we celebrated, just the 3 of us, at home. It was the most prefect day - the weather, the food, and getting to see Drew in his cute Thanksgiving outfits.
We have been ordering our groceries through the instacart app most of this year. A few days before Thanksgiving the food was delivered to our front door, I rolled up my sleeves, and I spent 9 hours in the kitchen, yes, you read that right...nine hours, preparing our Thanksgiving dinner.
Menu
Turkey, ham, popovers, sweet potato casserole, au gratin, roasted brussel sprouts, roasted carrots, and cranberry jello. For dessert, we had pear and apple pies and pumpkin spice choc-chip bundt cake.
The floral arrangement was delivered a few days before.
Drew and Daddy
Drew and Mama
- Virtual Tea Parties -
One way I've been entertaining myself while staying at home, is with virtual tea parties. I had one with my dear friend, Sherry, from the blog Our Love Story and one with author, Susan Branch, along with 1,000 of her other fans. I sipped on Earl Grey tea with honey and nibbled on homemade sugar cookies.
My Susan Branch Christmas books. Her latest, Home For Christmas, is about her 1956 childhood Christmas.
- Granny and Grandpa-
Before I say goodbye to you, I wanted to share a picture of my Granny Smith. Growing up, we would often call her Granny Apples because she always had curtains with appliqued apples on them in her kitchen.
My Granny's life events all happened in December. She was born on December 27th, 1938 in Kudowa-Zdrój. During the second world war she was sent on a cattle train to West Germany to work on a farm because she was from Lower Silesia - German, but not German enough, I guess. She married my Grandpa on December 12th, in Yorkshire, England and followed his career in the British Army all around the world. She gave my Dad and Auntie Di an idyllic childhood in the 50's, 60's and 70's and and was an involved Granny during the 80's, 90's, and 00's. Sadly, she passed away suddenly on December 8th, 2010.
This year was 10 years. Yet it still feels like yesterday. She loved Christmastime and was one of those Christmas in July shoppers, so preparing and having a happy Christmas is how she'd want all of us to celebrate her, and her life. This year I finished converting her 8mm film reels into digital videos. She was a keeper of memories, a storyteller, and loved by her children and grandchildren - the best legacy of all.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2021.
Stay safe at home,
Kiki Nakita
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