Today is the twentieth of December, and I haven't posted anything since early November. Much has happened though.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving, made more so because we spent it with dear friends. And the day after, we began decorating for Christmas. Given our party is always the first Saturday of the month, we have the perfect excuse to jump in with both feet. I cooked for three days for our Thanksgiving meal, and other than washing so many dishes, I enjoyed every minute of it. The layout of the kitchen and family room is perfect for cooking and watching Hallmark movies, enjoying the fire, and warmth and views from the windows along the southern side of the house.
After having missed a year, the Christmas party was wonderful enough to make up for not having it last year. This house is ideal for that type of gathering. Doug did his best to suggest people head downstairs where it wasn't as crowded, although people seem to always gather where there are the most people, and food (which there was an amazing assortment of). Periodically I'd go downstairs and find him behind the bar, having the kind of conversations with people it would have been difficult to have on the main floor.
A few days later, Frank and I left for Boston, and his Berklee College of Music audition. When we went to Boston in July, everything seemed to fall together easily. We had the same experience on this trip. My dear friend Meredith graciously invited us to stay with her out in Weston. After having spent most of our last trip in the city, getting to spend time on the outskirts gave Frank a glimpse of all the beauty of New England in December.
On our drive to dinner the first night, he said, "look mom, all the houses have your candles." He was referring to the candles I put in every window this December. I explained that it was a Christmas tradition most commonly practiced in New England, but was now more widespread. They were to welcome and guide visitors to one's home, and also to announce good news. My grandmother used to put candles in our windows on Ostrander Road, and when I asked her why, she told me that it meant "there was room at the inn," or welcoming baby Jesus. I prefer her story, and the memories evoked by my candles.
We went to place called the Dudley Chateau for dinner that night, which looked out on a small lake, and could easily have been built on the shore of my beloved Canada Lake in the Adirondacks. I will, without question, write it into an upcoming book!
Frank spent most of the second day practicing for his Saturday morning audition. We had a lovely seafood dinner, with fabulous food, and better company. I so appreciated being able to catch up with Meredith, and having the opportunity to get to know one another again after so many years without seeing each other in person. As it goes with good friends, seventeen years can go by, yet it seems as though we saw each other yesterday.
Sweetheart that she is, Meredith took Frank shopping our first night in town, so he could have all his favorite foods in the house . . . because, as she said, it was just one small thing that would make him feel more relaxed and comfortable. When asked what he would have for breakfast if he could have anything, his response of "cold pizza" didn't surprise me. When we got home Friday night, we baked the pizza, for the next morning's breakfast.
Early Saturday morning Meredith and Millie, her very sweet rescue dog, greeted us with coffee, cold pizza, hugs and best wishes for Frank's audition. We got lost on our way into the city, but thankfully it only put us back five minutes. Frank knew where the building was where the auditions were being held, he'd gone to classes there in July. And I knew where to park for the same reason.
Walking into the audition waiting area was daunting. Frank had already checked in, and I went in and joined him in a small auditorium. There were chairs set up along the back wall, with numbers above them. Names were projected on the screen in groups of ten, indicating which chair those auditioning should take to warm up and wait to be escorted to their audition room.
A film-scoring student presented a very informational slide show and demonstration while I waited. As impressed as I was with Berklee previously, after his presentation, I was exponentially more so. It is an incredible school, and being admitted would afford infinite opportunities.
When Frank finished his audition and interview, he wanted to walk, which afforded him a completely different opportunity—to experience east coast cold, which is vastly different than Colorado cold. We'd walk a few blocks and then duck into a store or coffee house to warm up. We had agreed to celebrate his audition being over at Summer Shack, one of our favorite places from our July trip. The bartender/server was as friendly and welcoming as everyone else we encountered on both trips. It's one thing I really love about Boston.
I've told the story of his audition and interview so many times, I won't bore you with it if you're reading this, but suffice to say I think it went well. Only 35 percent of those who apply are invited to attend, and I go back and forth between I don't knoooow . . . and, of course he's going to get in. He'll find out on January 30, at 10:00pm, when the emails are released (midnight est on January 31). In the meantime, we all try not to think about it too much, other than crossing fingers, saying prayers, and as Frank would say, "not doing anything to jinx it."
The last ten days have been all about enjoying the warmth and comfort of home, and accomplishing projects I usually take on over the boys' Christmas break. Having them done means I can spend that break doing fun things rather than chores. And they won't have to endure my asking for help. For the first time in years and years (maybe ever), I baked and baked Christmas cookies. Yesterday I made a third batch of the orange drop cookies everyone seems to like the best. Doug and I are going to Denver to celebrate my birthday Thursday night, but we'll be home to celebrate with the boys on Friday.
In honor of our time on the east coast, and positive thoughts about spending more time there, we've planned a seafood fest for Christmas dinner . . . beginning with our traditional clam chowder on Christmas Eve, following time with friends and a new tradition . . . taking grandma to see the latest Star Wars movie.
I find myself missing my grandparents, and my mom, which happens more this time of year. At the same time, I'm so appreciative of our little family's time together celebrating old traditions and making new memories in our new home.
