It was supposed to be a quiet Christmas, just me, my Christmas music and some holiday goodies. It's what I told everyone on the cards I sent out. And then this guy called a couple of days before Christmas, asking if I had plans. Yeah, plans to clean house because you must be headed my way! This is my nephew Darren who lives about a 5 hour drive away. He's a manager at a Trader Joe's in the Seattle area, and as such, rarely gets enough time off around any holiday to get home to his family in CA. But if he has even two days (which was the case this time) and clear roads, he asks if he can come spend them with me. How special is that?
He arrived mid-afternoon on Christmas day, bearing gifts of wine, chocolates, mini-cakes and the most fabulous apple tortes (missing from the photo because we drowned them in cream and devoured them for dessert). All selections from his Trader Joe's store. I accused him of not being able to decide what to get so he got a bit of everything!
About 24 hours later, after staying up late talking and drinking wine, and the next day bundling up to take the short walk to the neighborhood Mexican restaurant for lunch, he was loading up and heading for home. Rolled up under his arm was the quilt he had slept under. I've pondered about giving him this quilt for quite awhile but was worried about all the pink fabric mixed into it and on the back. But when I saw his reaction when I opened it up to spread over the guest bed, the jaw drop and the "wow" and the "this is so cool" that exploded out of his mouth, well, I found myself saying, "I guess you should take it home with you then." It is so gratifying to know that this quilt is going to a new home as something desired and appreciated. I'm sure you know what I mean - there's no guarantee that a gift of a quilt will be received in the same spirit as it is given and duly appreciated. I know this one is in good hands, because before he left he quizzed me on whether it could be used and washed (he has a declawed cat) or should just go up on the wall. Well, either, I assured him. It was made with the intention that it be used, but it looks fantastic on the wall too.
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| View out my front door |
A front was predicted to pass through overnight, pretty much like the last Christmas he spent with me, and I was relieved to get the text later that night that he had made it safely over the pass (but not the cranberry bread I'd sent with him, he noted with a laugh). Because this is what I woke up to the next morning - a couple of inches of very wet snow that made the roads slick and icy and caused lots of accidents in the area. Since most of the snow had melted off the lawns before Christmas, only visible along the tops of mountains, I was happy to see this new bit of snow, even if it didn't come in time for Christmas. In fact, its absence was what gave me my very special Christmas this year.
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| View out the back |
Hope you also had a special, family filled holiday!
6 comments:
I have a general rule about giving away handmade stuff: if a family member or dear friend expresses unsolicited praise/desire for something I own or have made, I seriously consider giving it to them. (I have been disappointed so many times in the past after giving quilts or afghans or whatever and discovering them in the cat box or in the back of the car to be put under the tires in case of ice.)
So glad that your nephew loves the quilt! And that you had a good time together.
happy new year!
What a wonderful Christmas surprise! I was wondering 'where' you were when there hadn't been a new blog entry for a little while. I agree that you never know for sure how a gifted quilt will be appreciated! That being said, I usually include a box of Color Catchers & a note that quilts are tough & meant to be used. Wishing you a happy New Year & all the best in 2020! Jan in WY
What a wonderful Christmas surprise. I can totally relate to your nephew's dilemma as to what treats to bring from TJ. Since we either have to drive to Spokane, Seattle, or Portland to shop, we stock up and have neighbor's lists, too. There is always something new to try and everything is so reasonable and tasty. I love the quilt story. It is so gratifying to see the joy in someone's eyes when they receive a quilt that you have worked so hard on. Thank you for sharing your Christmas story. I'm also grateful that the snow stayed up in your area and not down here. ;)
Happy New Year and to know your quilt has a new home and will be hugged and loved is why we all do this art form. Great thing to have family drop in and bring joy. 2020 blessings to you
What a delightful surprise! I was excited to read that he is a Trader Joe's manager. Julia loves her job there and aspires to work her way up eventually. We stuffed ourselves with TJ goodies while I was visiting her. Those boozy chocolate covered cherries and the almond Danish Kringle were superb!
What a lovely surprise! Time spent with family - especially when it's so unexpected - is such a treasure.
May you have a happy and creative 2020. I will watch out for your new projects!
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