Bare Branches, private collection (thank you so very much). Inquiries are always welcome . as the wind howls outside my family is working together in the kitchen and I am filled with gratitude for this blessing. There has been some quite animated discussion about how long to soak the cookies for the vermouth cake currently getting built. Fresh gingerbread is cooling, the Nutcracker is playing and the dogs are finally settled in around our feets. After the last couple years, I don't take gathering for granted. And now that my kids are grown and live on their own, it's an even bigger deal to all be here (well, we are missing one, but hopeful she'll be able to make it tomorrow, weather gods permitting). I am aware that my holiday celebration is different than most others. In the best of times this season brings sadness, stressors, unrealistic expectations, grieving, all sorts of difficult things for many of us. I'm carrying space in my heart for t...