I am always glad when the holiday is free of stormy weather and travel is not much of a problem. Never mind that the thermometer was intent on producing low readings, accompanied by wind; it brought many more birds to the yard than I’ve had until now.

Rather than a “sit-down” dinner we has a sort of indoor winter picnic. I had made ahead 100 stuffed shells, cooked a large roast beef, and we had a huge bowl of salad, coleslaw, chips, dips, and Wendy’s homemade apple pies with rolls and sauces and dressings. Anyone could eat anytime and it was fine. One family member worked until afternoon and when that group arrived late the microwave heated shells and the roast was already sliced.

Laurie headed for Vermont early this morning, fighting a cold. Ben reported at 6 am for ambulance duty, and most of the others had to go to work. It is better when the holiday is at the beginning instead of the end of the weekend!

I had given all the men folks a yo-yo top just for fun. There was a bit of  relearning how to use them and they had fun.

Our winter picnic worked out well and all 14 of us seemed to eat all day. Plates full of tempting Christmas cookies arrived with all of us, and generous amounts were left for me, when they departed. It was a real test of self-discipline.

Michael took a lot of pictures with his digital camera and later hooked them up to my television for all of us to see. I fail to understand anything about this modern technology but it was nice to see the results almost instantly!

Susan took home a plate of the shells and put them in her new microwave to try it out. Stacie and Andy gave it to her for Christmas and her first trial of the new “oven” got enthusiastic comments.

Scott brought an assortment of Tee-shirts and heavy sweatshirts from his business – some with New-UConn logos and embroidered lettering. We are definitely a bunch of Huskies fans. I’m glad the basketball team will be back in action now that the holiday and exam week has ended. I’m not much interested in the new version of shows offering the chance to become a millionaire. It seems the emphasis on so many things today is aimed at money and wealth and financial activities.

I get more fun out of watching the college teams play competitive basketball. So now we come to what many claim to be the “real” millennium, it’s just another New Year, whatever it is, but it is always a time for new resolves, new expectations, and new pathways to take down life’s voyage.

We go about the rest of this year thinking how pleasant it was to have a big gathering for the holiday and how nice it has been to have cards and letters and gifts from many far away friends. A quiet spirit settles over all, and most of us feel we were lucky, even if we wish each and every one of our relatives a healthy and contented year ahead. Let the feelings of good will linger until next December.

Last week the quotation was by Thomas Jefferson.

Who said, “If I were to name the three most precious resources of life, I should say books, friends, and nature”?