Youngest grandson left San Antonio after his certification test yesterday and landed  in Ellsworth about 4:00 this morning.  His dad  called this morning to tell me so “I wouldn’t worry”.  Actually, I wouldn’t have given it much thought until I knew he was on the road.  I’m especially happy he’s home.

Middle grandson is another matter.  He has to work until bank closing tonight at 7:00 before he can leave K.C. for Ellsworth.   The roads are bound to be bad, but it just goes with the territory to try to be with the ones you love over the holidays.  I hope he remembers all his boy scout survival gear, etc.  I’ll be glad when he has arrived safely.

It has been raining since about 3:00 a.m., in my neighborhood, and the temperature is freezing.   Today we’ll have “ice pellets” with 100% chance of precipitation followed by a couple days of snow.  It’s going to be pretty nasty weather for travelers although the traffic is moving as usual by my house, at the present time.   Ice is slowly collecting on tree branches so I suppose it will only get worse.

Some cooking will begin today.  We can make some things ahead of time that will be just fine refrigerated until Christmas.  It’s nice not to have to be pressured to get things done on the big day so we can relax with family and enjoy the day together.

Ally put together a batch of party mix yesterday, as she was hungry for it.  That was a gift Carol Larsen always made for friends for the holidays so we never made it.  Ally is going to make the potato/Philly cream/sour cream casserole today.  The wild rice and cranberry relish have been prepared.  The rest will unfold on Christmas day.

Todd and Karen labor over lovely, delicious hand-dipped candy every Christmas.  That’s their thing…cherry mashes, coconut balls, peanut clusters, caramels, etc.  Todd delivered a tray of them yesterday and they are exceptional.  I always look forward to them and try to not go overboard on them.

Thanks for tuning in…