Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Wrapping up the holidays

 Hello, friends, and Happy Holidays!

It's been a nice Christmas at my house, the best we've had in years. Gregg had four days off in a row starting on Christmas Eve, so we've spent a lot of time together just enjoying ourselves. There have been lots of friends around, lots of good food and good cheer, visits with family. Speaking of which, Gregg's sister Karen is here at the moment, spending a couple of days with us. Once she leaves tomorrow, we'll take down the tree and the decorations and Christmas will be put away for another year. It's been fun, but I'm ready to go back to regular life now that it's almost New Year.

One final thing I should mention about this holiday season: it's been a full decade, exactly 10 years, that Gregg has survived cancer! When he was diagnosed with stage 3b lung cancer the week before Christmas in 2011, to say his prognosis was grim would be a bit of an understatement. Thanks to three wonderful doctors, determination to do whatever it took to fight, and, if I'm being honest, a whole lot of dumb luck, here he is 10 years later, cancer-free and healthy. I'm so very grateful!

Anyway, so my sister in law is here today and tomorrow. She's still asleep as I type this; she's a night owl who stays up very late and then sleeps late. This works out well for me. Gregg just went back to work this morning, and while she sleeps it gives me my first chance in a week to have a little alone time. Late this afternoon I plan to cook a nice dinner for the three of us, and that's going to be my last "hurrah" of the season. I've cooked and baked and cleaned, and cooked and baked and cleaned (wash, rinse, repeat!) over the last few weeks. I made cookie and treat trays for half a dozen neighbors, gave out small homemade fruitcakes to my book club friends, sent out over two dozen cards, wrapped a few small gifts, and made a big spread of finger food and a ham on Christmas Eve (to share with friends who stopped by). I'm happy Karen's here and happy to cook a nice meal for her visit, but when she leaves tomorrow it will be good to officially be done with Christmas. I'm tired. Luckily, I don't go back to work until next Tuesday so I should have plenty of time to rest and relax. 

 Here are a few pictures from the last week or so. 









 










I hope you all have had a very happy holiday season!

38 comments:

  1. congratulations to greg...wonderful news..my son is 7 years remission from throat cancer.
    by the way..I'm running ydg on my other blog which used to be west by goddess texas. I renamed it yellowdog granny and will work out of there until blogger figures out I'm not a spam blog..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations to your son! Seven years is huge. Thank you for your kind words.

      Delete
  2. Good for Greg. Too many wait until it's too late because they think it's just a cough! The food looks delicious. that fruit cake looks Devine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He was lucky it wasn't too late. He kept getting sick and ending up in the emergency room and finally he had pneumonia and they did a chest scan. It was horribly and immediately obvious that there was a giant-ass tumor in his lung. He had avoided the doctor for years, so he was lucky in the extreme that the cancer had not spread beyond that one lung.

      Delete
  3. You've been SO busy but it sounds like it went very well! The food looks amazing! My husband also had Stage 3b lung cancer and survived it for 2 years. They wouldn't do surgery which I think would have helped.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My husband was lucky in that he had a personal friend who happens to be a locally renowned pulmonologist. This good doctor went to bat for Gregg and INSISTED on surgery to remove the entire left lung. There was a certain reluctance on the other doctors' parts to do it. He personally picked the surgeon and the oncologist and it's made a huge difference. I recognize the privilege of the position we were in.
      '
      I sure am sorry for the loss of your husband. Lung cancer is a bitch. I hate it.

      Delete
  4. You and Gregg have a lot to celebrate as the years pass cancer-free. What a beautiful thing!
    And your Christmas looks to have been beautiful, Jennifer! Your fruitcake is magnificent, your cookies are perfect, your ham is glory!
    I am so glad you had a good one and now you'll have a few days to rest and relax from all of the cooking, baking, and washing up. I feel like I'm doing that today and it is nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really was a beautiful holiday! I'm so grateful for it, and for the 10 we've celebrated since Gregg got sick. We don't take any of the good things in our lives for granted. I include you and my other blogging friends in those "good things". Happy New Year, Ms. Moon!

      Delete
  5. "A night owl who stays up very late and then sleeps late..." - sounds like me!

    Right next to the snowman, I spotted a lovely card in the middle of the back row. Whoever sent that one has excellent taste!

    May I propose a toast to Gregg on reaching this marvellous health milestone. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The person who sent that particular card has EXCELLENT taste. :)

      Raising a glass with you to Gregg, my friend! Thank you for the kind words!

      Delete
  6. Looks like you had a beautiful Christmas. So happy to hear about Gregg.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope your Christmas was good, too! As I said to Bob, I need to catch up with blogger friends. Happy New Year!

      Delete
  7. Your home looks lovely and your baking and cooking turned out really nice! Glad you enjoyed your holidays and you have a couple of days to recover! Congratulations to Gregg on his cancer-free milestone! That's fabulous!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very kind, Ellen. Thank you, and Happy Holidays to you and yours!

      Delete
  8. Looks dee-lish and festive. Glad y'all had a good holiday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bob! I'm hoping to catch back up with you and some other blog friends over the next few days. I hope you had a wonderful holiday!

      Delete
  9. This is a wonderful post. So happy for Gregg, and glad I wasn't privy to that good cooking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so happy you're at home now, Joanne! I've been thinking of you and wishing you fast healing and a nice holiday season. Thank you for being a friend!

      Delete
  10. Congrats to Gregg on his 10 year anniversary of beating cancer -- super, terrific, way to go!

    Your photos are all wonderful! You have a fabulous place to display all your Christmas cards. All the food looks so delicious, my mouth is watering. Especially that ham since I've just finished Day 4 of turkey leftovers and believe me, I'd kill right now for a non-turkey meal!

    Enjoy your remaining time off before returning to work next week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! I just roasted a turkey breast last night for the meal I cooked for my sister in law. We still have a TON of leftover ham, but I wanted some variety. I sure wish I could overnight you the ham...it was a good one, but I'm very tired of it since we've been eating it since Christmas Eve. I'm all hammed out!

      Delete
  11. Greg's longtime remission is reason enough to embrace life for all it's worth!

    Love your pictures, Jen! Im happy to have you in our little community here

    Happy Shinning New Year to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love our little community here, Maddie! Happy New Year to you my friend!

      Delete
  12. Your home looks beautiful. Good to hear that Gregg is well. May I now wish you both a very good (and healthy) New Year. Cro xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Cro! I wish you a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year! xx

      Delete
  13. In the photo of George, I was able to really see your tree and how wonderful you decorated it.
    I am very happy to hear about Gregg, great news.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Gayle! I hope you got the card I sent. You never know with the mail these days. Happy Holidays!

      Delete
  14. It all looks beautiful and delicious. And what a year to celebrate. Wishing you continued happiness in 2022.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish the same for you, Mitchell. Plenty of happiness in the New Year!

      Delete
  15. Everything in your photos says "Christmas" - your home looks wonderful and festive, and your entire post confirms that. That 10th anniversary for Gregg must be the best Christmas present for the two of you, ever!
    I know what you mean about being ready to go back to normal life. Whenever O.K. stays with me for the weekend, I enjoy every minute of that, but I also like to have the place all to myself again afterwards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PS: Didn't know you have Rocher in the US! It is immensely popular here in Germany.

      Delete
    2. Thanks Meike! I love company, but like you, I relish in having the house all to myself again for a while. Karen had to leave early this morning, and although I was sorry to see her go, I was exhausted. I took a two hour nap at noon!

      Regarding the Rocher...yes, we have them and they're delicious! That basket with the candy, fruit, and cheese is what I made for my dad for Christmas. I liked the gold wrapping on the chocolates and how well it went with the basket.

      Delete
  16. Oh gosh, we have so many chocolates in this house, I don't know how we will ever eat them! It was a wonderful holiday, and I'm sorry to see it go. It is such a lot of work, but so much fun. Although I have to say, Christmas day was a treat, with two family celebrations. When kids are running about you find the strangest things popping out of your mouth. Words that string together in the most peculiar way. Like, "WE DO NOT THROW DINOSAURS OVER THE STAIRWELL!"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your Christmas day DOES sound like a treat! Kids are crazy and would really add something to the holiday. We have very little contact with any kids, unfortunately, so none of that child-magic at Christmas.

      Delete
  17. I'm glad you had a good Christmas. And bravo for Gregg's ten years cancer-free! That's great news. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is great news! I can't believe it's been that long.

      Delete
  18. Looks like a gorgeous Christmas at your house. I'm especially fond of the adorable little hedgehog on the package.

    Blessings~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a kind comment! The little hedgehog ornament was tied on to a gift I gave my 8-year old friend, Little P. I thought it was cute!

      Delete
  19. I lost my job few months back and there was no way to get income for my family, things was so tough and I couldn't get anything for my children, not until a met a recommendation on a page writing how Mr Bernie Wilfred helped a lady in getting a huge amount of profit every 6 working days on trading with his management on the cryptocurrency Market, to be honest I never believe it but I took the risk to take a loan of $800 and I contacted him unbelievable and I was so happy I earn $12,500 in 6 working days, the most joy is that I can now take care of my family I don't know how to appreciate your good work Mr. Bernie Doran God will continue to bless you for being a life saver I have no way to appreciate you than to tell people about your good services.
    For a perfect investment and good strategies contact Mr Bernie Doran via WhatsApp :+1(424)285-0682 or Telegram : @Bernie_doran_fx or Email : Bernie.doranfx01@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete