A Visit from Jack Frost

The frost is lovely today, perhaps because it's on the heavy side. I love the way it edges leaves and flowers in silver.

Last night when we left to go to the Achray Hotel in St. Fillans, there was frost on the drive, but coming home at around 10, there seemed to be frost everywhere. Fortunately, the roads weren't slippy.

We had a lovely time at the Christmas dinner party hosted by George Fyfe. He is a widower and does little cooking, so when he entertains, he does so in the Achray Hotel. The food is delicious, lovingly prepared and well-presented. The company was delightful: George had invited Jean Kidd, Ann and Jim Gray, and ourselves. All of us are music-lovers. (I am the only one who is not a member of the St. Fillans Music Society and we all belong to the Strathearn Music Society.) Jean is a music teacher and very knowledgeable. George is quite a gentleman and also well-versed in music and history. The Grays are concert-goers of the first order and lively conversationalists as well. There was much laughter and good conversation at our table last night.

Today, as the old saying goes, "it's back to porritch and auld claes" (back to porridge and old clothes, i.e., last night we dressed up and ate fine; today we're back to our normal humble lives). I am putting together a prospectus for private tutoring in quilt design and surface design techniques. My prospective pupil will come tomorrow afternoon so we can go over the prospectus and fine tune it, if necessary. Her lessons will begin in February during which time I think we both will have fun and learn things. I am also continuing to work on the baby quilt and have gotten into the alteration business. Well, not really; I am just hemming two pair of Levi cords for Donald. One down, one to go.

Even though it is cold and frosty, it is still absolutely gorgeous today. Don is on the golf course and says the views on these clear days are spectacular, especially now that the leaves are off the trees. Best of all, there is no rain in sight. If we're going to have such short days, it is a boon for them to be bright and sunny.

We are enjoying the seasonal cards, letters, and e-mails from friends everywhere. We love hearing from you and reading all about what you've been up to. Folks in the mid and lower east coast American states write us that they are enjoying spring-like weather with forsythia blooming and temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Our highs are in the low to mid-40s and the lows are from the high 20s to the low 40s. We can live with that, especially as it's time to bring our living Christmas tree in and get it decorated. One wants to be in the seasonal spirit and there's nothing like frost to bring it on.

I'm passing along a delightful greeting we received from two people recently: http://www.indicez.com/out/merrychristmas.htm