Christmas Eve

Lucy said, "No thanks. I can hold it."

It was a tense day yesterday with this storm, but it all ended well. There was pouring rain all day, and the temperature reached 41°F (5°C). The state told us all to stay off of the roads after 4PM because a flash freeze was coming. I guess we all did. Businesses closed and no traffic came down my road at all. Amelia reported a heavy snow squall about 7 PM in Orleans. It got here soon after and was a whiteout. We never lost power. Currently, at 10:30 AM, it is 7°F (-14°C) with a windchill of -7°F (-22°C). It feels normal again.

Dough for two loaves

Lodge Combo Cooker (bread oven)

Le Creuset Bread Oven

I have bread rising. My children jointly gave me an early Christmas gift of a Le Creuset bread oven. I will bake one loaf in that and one in my Lodge Combo Cooker. The Lodge is also advertised as a bread oven and reviewers say the bread results are identical but that the Le Creuset oven is a work of art, which it is. It is one of the loveliest things I have ever owned.  I also plan to do at least one pie and a meatloaf. Those will depend on my knees, but so far so good. 

The cats and Lucy are quietly napping as the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols streams from St. Michael's College on Vermont Public Radio's classical station.

As for church tonight? There is an accommodation for us who cannot get out at night—we can Zoom in. I give thanks every day for computer technology.

Grandkitty Remy relaxes on Christmas Eve
at home in Washington, DC
Since Remy takes down every tree ever put up,
Andrew now just has a wreath on the wall.

_/\_/\_