Up Early

We are up early today. The wind is chinooking down the canyon and the puppy is dry in his kennel--again. The tree is lit, as there will be little time left in the season for such delight. The gifts are wrapped, mailed and delivered. The cards are addressed and mostly mailed. (Martha Stewart says it's alright if they come a few days after Christmas; after all, the fact remains: Christ has come into the world!)

We will finish the Smoked Salmon Chowder, pack the Jeep and head for Powell. Church service at 5:30, hors d'oeuvres at my father-in-laws with Construction Man's whole family after church, including Grandma B who is 93 years old! She is the greatest!

There is a rum cake to be baked today, Christmas butter cookies to be rolled, cut and lightly browned. My mom just called yesterday for my Grandma Claire's recipe, as she misplaced hers. Grandma Johnson made these for her children, my mom for us, and I for my lovely daughters! They are the sweetest, cakey, flakey, buttery, vanillaee, goodness in the world... the world!

Blessings and cheers to you and your fam. Have a wonderful Christmas Eve.

Grandma Betty and Grandpa Rusty in Red Lodge, MT a few years ago.

Traditional Rum Cake.

"Why is the rum always gone?" ~~ Captain Jack Sparrow