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The Weekly Newsletter for December 31- January 4, 2013 |
It's a new year
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| Tra la - it's almost 2013 |
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| Monsieur Henri demonstrates his new drum set while sporting his new fireman boots. Quite the combination, don't you think? Henri's father, Adam, is a musician and his mother, Emily, dances. Four seems to be the perfect age for beginning a sweet, calming instrument like the DRUMS! He'll soon be taking the lead in the family band concerts. |
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A peek at the new year |
I spent Christmas in Charleston at a lovely spot with a gigantic collection of blooming Camelias. Even on my silly iphone I was able to capture really nice images of some of the flowers there, in full bloom even though it is December.
To me this bud is the promise of the spring, the promise of goodness in the New Year. |
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| Dinners to go for the week |
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Monday, December 31 - New Year's Eve
We're having a special New Year's Eve dinner to go. Call to see if we can squeeze you in or just stop by to enjoy some of our made-right-here offerings. We'll be closing at 4 on Monday.
Tuesday, January 1
New Year's Day - we'll be closed.
Wednesday, January 2
Meatloaf (with local beef) and Cheddar Potatoes 9.75
Thursday, January 3
Eggplant Parmesan with Linguini 8.25
Friday, January 4
Shrimp and Scallop Satay 10.50
Call by noon and we'll have your dinner ready at 3. You can stop by to pick yours up until we close at 7. Add Salad (3.25) or bread (1.25) if you like. |
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Laurey's |
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Casserole and Lasagnas to go |
Casserole to go:
Wednesday, January 2
Chardonnay Chicken with Rosemary Polenta
Whole:45 Half:22.50
Lasagna to go:
Friday, January 4
Italian Sausage with Leek Lasagna
Whole: 48 Half: 24
Call by noon and then come pick up between 3 and 7 |
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| Another one |
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| The plantation has been occupied since before the Declaration of Independence was signed. And the five original plants are now joined by some hundreds of others, not to mention azaleas and roses and all sorts of carefully tended formal gardens and wild, scraggly woods too. It was the perfect place for a close-to-home vacation. The lights were still hung and glowed, but the place was very soft and private, with just a few quiet people silently strolling the paths in and out of the gardens. |
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Something new for you |
Adam and the shop gang have moved the drinks that were in the reach-in cooler up front, replacing them with ready-to-go casseroles and desserts. Of course you can always find individual servings of a whole bunch of just-made foods in our deli case, but this is a way for you to stock up a bit, or take care of those unexpected guests who just showed up.
A great idea! |
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| Laurey and the big tree |
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| Oh MY! This is one of a number of live oaks that guard the plantation from the river. They are extraordinarily huge and so very beautiful. This one would take about ten of me to reach all the way around. Hugging seemed a necessity. |
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And one more |
These Camelias seem fake, but they are very real, very beautiful, and most inviting. A slow stroll turned into a long stop and go process as we stood in front of each bloom, different on every bush, and cooed and admired and stroked them with the deepest appreciation.
What a lovely way to close out the year and welcome the new. |
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| A word or two from Laurey |
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December 29, 2012
This is my last note for this year. It is the third to the last time I can write 12 - -12 on the date line. Next year will not be so symmetrical, but will hold and reveal its own surprises and delights, not to mention its unexpected adventures.
I review this past year as I tend to do each year. Though the night of New Year’s Eve is an arbitrary marker, it does make me stop and think about the past year and the future year too. Yes, I spent a chunk of time this year in treatments. I relished the time when I was told to be cancer free. I was shocked and crushed when I learned that I was not and that I had to go back into treatment. I celebrated my body as it underwent the onslaught of chemicals that made up my path to health. And I relied on help and support and prayer and love and light and the hope that I would/will get through this and carry on.
I think of the year ahead and dream about some journeys, the printing and promotion of my new book; another attempt to ride my bike across the state of Iowa; a bike ride that I am helping produce – around our area and in support of the Livestrong at the YMCA of WNC. I might do a big solo walk. I might start writing another book. I might wander and contemplate things. I have just been selected to be a Livestrong Leader which means that I will be a local advocate for all the good things that Livestrong does to help cancer survivors – especially here in our neck of these big woods.
I’m planning on teaching cooking classes here in the shop again. I miss teaching the little ones and hope to invite them into the shop again for more shared teaching (I learn as much as they do.) In the spring we will start our Dinner and Conversations with the Farmers series again. And we’ll keep striving to improve how we do what we do here at Laurey’s.
I am hoping to return to health soon. I am scheduled for four more treatments (sigh) before a March re-evaluation. But then it will be Spring and it will be time to get on my bike and get fit again and cavort and celebrate. One friend of mine, when she heard about the continuation of my treatments, said, “Well, now you get ANOTHER reason to celebrate the end of your chemotherapy!” A nice re-frame, that.
In the meantime I am keeping up with stupid tv (thank heavens all the dumb reality shows are done for a while), am reading again, am keeping my pup happy, and am looking forward to starting glass blowing again. Life continues to be full and good and I continue to be oh so grateful to be given the resilience that seems to stay with me. May it keep going for a long time!
I wish you all almost Happy New Year. Thank you for your wonderful support for our café and catering. The staff has done a terrific job keeping things going in the midst of my upheavals. I hope you let them know how great they are. Because they are!
I’ll be in touch next week with my first note of 2013! Zounds! |
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Bead Head |
| This is a variation on "Bed Head." One of my favorite Christmas presents immediately leaped to my head from its given spot at the base of our tree. In lieu of hair, I think this is a fine substitute. And after the holidays, it will move to my desk, where it will be a fine addition to my growing collection of brightly colored things of all kinds. |
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