Weekly Update: 12.21.25
It was a slower week at our homestead, as the flu (or something like it) worked its way through our family. We were in survival mode by last Sunday, with several of the adults sick. So, while we wanted to take advantage of the warmer weather to finish up our siding, we found ourselves sipping tea and soup while muddling through easier inside tasks.
On Sunday, those of us still free of the germ went to church in the morning. In the afternoon, we did a little festive baking. Since it was the feast day of St. John of the Cross, we made a few Spanish treats. We tried sopa de ajo (Spanish garlic soup). I have to say, the texture of the egg and stewed bread didn’t endear this soup to us. The flavor was nice though. We also made some Spanish shortbread — mantecados. These were delicious.
One afternoon when my dad was home, several of us finally hung up our old quilt frame. We had refinished it over the last couple weeks and ordered the hardware to hang it. Once everything arrived, we hung the frame in the living room. Since it will be a while before we have time for quilting, we wrapped the frame in twinkle lights and hung paper snowflakes from it. The effect is absolutely magical.
On another afternoon, Grace and I deep cleaned our bedroom. We had ordered new bedding, as well as some bolster pillows to turn the two floor-level twin beds into a large settee. This updated design gives us sisters a sitting room as well as sleeping space. We look forward to many cozy winter hours in our little room.
Our folks celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on Thursday. We young people gifted them a celebratory dinner. Our brother Jeremiah provided steak; Levi brought beer. We sisters made fettuccini alfredo and broccoli. For dessert, we made cream puffs — filled with homemade coconut pudding and whipped cream. It was quite the treat.
I also had my birthday this week. I celebrated on Friday. I still wasn’t feeling great, but I enjoyed the opportunity to curl up and watch some movies with the ladies of the family. My family spoiled me as always. I wrote a couple weeks ago about the digital piano my brother Jeremiah surprised me with. I still can’t get over it — it was too sweet of him. I absolutely love the new hat my folks gave me. And I’m so excited about all the other goodies I was showered with. It’s going to be a fun, cozy winter full of books, beading, puzzles, and music!
We made a quick run to Walmart yesterday, as we had a few more groceries we needed for our Christmas baking. We had planned to work on siding in the afternoon, but most of us were still feeling a bit under the weather, so we opted to do some laid-back holiday prep instead.
I spent a lot of yesterday reading through the Christmas section of The Catholic All Year Compendium by Kendra Tierney. I read it aloud while my mom wrapped gifts. I stopped occasionally so we could discuss a section or reminisce about Christmases past. Reading Tierney’s book was a good reset, a reminder of the why of the crazy. Tierney walks through the liturgical year, discussing each feast day and associated traditions. Much of what she writes is familiar, as we have been keeping Advent and the 12 Days of Christmas for years. Still, there are depths and histories to some traditions I’ve never heard before, as well as feast days remembering saints not commemorated by the Protestant Church. It was an encouraging way to end the week, as we look ahead to the last Sunday of Advent and Christmas itself.
