Rowan James and The Baby Jesus Blues: Wednesday, December 25th!

Seven blunders of the world that lead to violence: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle. -Mahatma Gandhi (2 Oct 1869-1948)

 

Congratulations and Merry Christmas from Japan!! Dear Patrick, Corinne and Chloe Merry Christmas to you!! And most of all, Congratulations on your baby arrival, Chloe!!! Rowan is very handsome! What a great surprise💞 Thank you for the wonderful news. And Sorry for not having able to written you back sooner. Wishing you lots of love and happiness in this holiday season. Sending you love, hugs and kisses from Japan. Toshiko Carol Riera Merry Christmas from my family to yours! May you be surrounded by those that you love and enjoy your feasts whatever they are! Missing Thierry Sterckeman but he will be with us on New Year’s Day. 🎅🤶🎄🎁🎉🙏🥂❄️☃🐾 

[Carol Riera Merry Christmas from my family to yours! May you be surrounded by those that you love and enjoy your feasts whatever they are! Missing Thierry Sterckeman but he will be with us on New Year’s Day. 🎅🤶🎄🎁🎉🙏🥂❄️☃️🐾]

Hello Qualicum Beachers! Trust everyone is well. [We followed Lady Dar's advice and just blew that wall. That was 5 months ago, we'z still breathing plaster dust.] Quite liked the Christmas card you posted, Chooch! What are you up to for New Year''s Eve? We will attend a gathering hosted by Beckster and Kid Chelene at their place in Sendero. Chloë and Rowan will attend as well. Don't think it will be a particularly late night for us, [grandparents], as we are hosting our Open House the next day. Stay well dear friends. Love and Fondestos from Lady Dar to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrick! No big plans for New Years for us. Thierry is flying into Vancouver for 2weeks on January 1st and I am going to meet him at the airport. Bruno is going to blitz on a deadline so he will have time to do things with Thi when here. The five of us (Vera included) are going to Tofino for my birthday weekend. Looking forward to Chloë’s baby shower. Do you have a new date? Take care. Hope to see you in 2020. Happy New Year. ❤️

Merry Christmas to you dear friends, You are all grandchildren experts! Arlo just arrived and he needs a stroller! Bodil & Vince thought about taking one, but it was too much to carry. Does any of you have one that we can borrow for 4 days. If not, fine too, but this email is worth a try in addition to wishing you all

a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year! Please let us know. Aart & Jos Hi Need-a-Stroller People! Yes, I have one. Let me know what works. Merry, Merry Christmas to you all as well! Edith

 

Hello Dearest Toshi! Thank you for the lovely Christmas Wishes from Japan and for the Congratulations to Chloë on the birth of Rowan James! We are truly blessed with this delightful, happy child and although both Chloë and Corinne are working on little sleep, everyone is managing quite well. Rowan is now a month old. Chloë took him to the hospital for his regular one month check-up on Monday and he now weighs 10 lbs 2 oz and has grown 1.25 inches in length! We had Christmas Eve Dinner at Burns Street and then attended the Christmas Eve church service at Oasis. Back to Winnipeg Street for the night to help Santa and his elves fill stockings and put presents under the tree. We slept over as we had planned to have breakfast there while opening gifts.
 
Once the delicious breakfast was over and gifts were exchanged and opened, we cleaned up kitchen and Chloë and Rowan James went to have a long nap. Lady Dar and I returned to Burns to ready the turkey and other vegetables we were having for dinner. After these tasks were completed we took naps ourselves! Refreshed I went outside to work on the pile of kindling Kid Chelene and I had collected on Sunday. Corinne went over to Winnipeg to watch Rowan while Chloë showered and changed for dinner.
 

We had invited Linda Ervin to share the meal with us and she arrived around 6:00 pm. We had a lovely time visiting, in front of the fire, before everything was ready to serve. Turkey was delicious as were green beans with cherry tomatoes and Feta cheese, garlic mashed potatoes and squash, a must for Corinne as it is a Durston Family tradition! Plenty of wine to wash the wonderful food down. Chloë and Corinne took turns eating as Rowan James insisted on eating as well!

The Winnipeggers went home shortly after dinner as it had been a very long day for both of them. Linda stayed and we continued to visit, catching up. After she left Lady Dar read in front of the fire, Duke sleeping on her lap, while Scullion Patrizzio cleaned up the kitchen. We were both in bed by 10:00 pm, to read for an hour or so, before we turned out the lights. It had been a busy, full day for us as well. Much love to you, Toshi, and your darling Mother, from both of us. Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: Colin wants to know if you are coming back to snowshoe!

Pics: Christmas Eve: Etta thinks Rowan James' crib is for her! Getting ready to go to church; Too sleepy to sing carols! In our pajamas, waiting for Santa! Christmas Morning: Breakfast and our new hats for snowshoeing! [That hat is fabulous on you Poppa!!] Christmas Dinner!

Dear Linda and Zircon, only if he has a moment to read this note! Thank you for joining us for Christmas dinner, Linda. It was lovely to catch-up on your busy life and fascinating to hear about your dealings with church in Kelowna. Both Chloë and Rowan James had a reasonably good night, after they went home, so on Boxing Day Corinne walked over to Winnipeg Street to collect them and they went for a stroll along Lakeshore while I went for a ride. Must away to put another log on the fire. From all of us, on both Burns and Winnipeg Streets, we wish you, Linda, and On-the-Go-Zircon, a Healthy, Happy New Year. Stay well, dear friends. [We'll see you on January 1st, Linda! You are more than welcome, it goes without saying, needless to say, Medicine Hat Man!] Fondestos from the Proudest Grandparents in the World, if not The Known Universe!!! Cheers, Patrizzio!