On Christmas day we opened presents, took a walk and got caught in the rain, ate breakfast and took naps, took another walk and made dinner. Then we played guitar and sang carols, taking it on the road rather late. We ended up at the neighbor Eastman's home next door to eat Tollhouse cookies (in the cookbook) and watched a house go up in flames across the canyon (a lamp ignited a sofa on fire my parents found out today).
Friday we shopped for clothes for the kids and ate leftovers that mom and I cooked in the kitchen, all the while Ned's voice and laughter echoing eerily through the house. Eerie, sad, but also comforting, since we know that he will always be there as long as our minds are intact. My mind played tricks on me and I kept expecting to see him.
The party on Saturday was good - we have sold nearly 70 books I think. Ned's friends, who all had family obligations during the holiday season, didn't show. Cousins, family friends came, especially cousin Debbie's family. I made my own version of Aunt Rose's chili. Nancy made Jill Peckler's salad. Jasmine made Edminster Cheesey bread and I made a reduced sugar (not on purpose, there is a typo in the book) of Grandma Brain's Butterscotch Squares. Vicki liked them anyways.
After the party, the four grandkids became loud and boisterous, running up and down the hallways repeatedly - Jasmine - 11, Aaren - 7, non stop "Little Ned" Shaan Snyder - 3 and little loquacious Nicole Snyder Mingelen who is 2.
