…Penguin, that is.
Dear Jan,
We had, as always, a wonderful gathering for the holidays at our house. The entire family on Wilson’s side (with the notable exception of Wilson’s own daughters and son-in-law (mine, too, I haven’t been keeping something from you)) came for a rolicking-good time. In our heartbreak over our offspring being responsible working adults who couldn’t make it across half a continent to see us for a day, we had to adopt a new child.
Meet Peterson*.
Peterson helped Merry bake cookies.
and helped Mom cook dinner.
Peterson chose yet more cookies to bake.
Peterson snacked with Paula on Wilson’s famous party mix while waiting for cookies to come out of the oven.
When Wilson hung the Shining Hippo** on the top of the tree, Peterson was there to catch him if he fell.
Peterson listened as Dad read Silver Packages,
and went on the cold (and short) Christmas Eve walk with Margaret and Merry and Jon and Wilson and me.
Wilson helped Jon open gifts,
and wore Beauty Bows with Mom.
Peterson was concerned about the menu for dinner,
but wholly approved the job Marty and Dad did in constructing shelves for the new closet.
All that work made Peterson sleepy. (Poison was sleepy from general naughtiness.)
Peterson thinks feathers are better, but still found carding wool to be fun if you get to do it with Margaret and Mom.
And Peterson even pulled a New Year’s Eve cracker with me. He was brave and didn’t cry when it went off.
Don’t worry, Karen, Brandon, and Jenny. Peterson doesn’t take up much space. There is always room for you.
Love,
Ellen
*In the Fun Facts to Know and Tell category, Roger Tory P. was known by the nickname King Penguin.
**Newlyweds, be careful of little jokes you make like hanging a cheap pompon ornament at the top of your tree because you don’t have a star. It is amazing what will stick for 32 years.
Jan and Ellen are identical twins who have always had an innate fashion sense. Crafting is an integral part of their lives and they stay stitched together sharing their love of knitting, family and community.
January 13th, 2013 at 9:35 pm
It looks like a fabulous holiday (although I am a bit worried about what a stove does to a penguin bottom in that second shot)! I absolutely know what you mean about those early “traditions” that won’t die - that’s why we have a cereal-carton-and-tin-foil star for the top of our tree.
January 14th, 2013 at 8:59 am
I’m jealous of Merry getting to wear The Hat.
Peterson should be so lucky.
January 15th, 2013 at 12:20 am
King (or was that Emperor? Same difference) penguins mate for life.
Still guffawing at that last line, and will probably be randomly giggling in my sleep all night. Too funny. So very true! For my in-laws, it was a jack o’ lantern ornament my FIL had made. My MIL would put it at the bottom of the tree every year in hopes the cat would destroy it.
January 15th, 2013 at 6:54 pm
Oh, the things that stick when you don’t expect them to. Looks like Peterson was a great holiday companion!
January 16th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
Did Wilson get registered for Yarnover classes yet? I hope to see him there.
January 16th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
0ops, I didn’t mean Wilson. I meant Peterson. !! I must read more carefully.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
We still have the godawful pukka shell star my husband brought home back in 1979(?). One of us likes it a lot, one of us detests it. Guess which is who.
January 18th, 2013 at 4:57 pm
Did you mean to say Wilson was helping Jon open presents? If so, perhaps this explains Peterson’s lineage. By the way, some of Peterson’s cousins are at our house. How perfect.
January 22nd, 2013 at 7:46 pm
As it happens, our family has a penguin ornament for the top of the tree - Mr. R. bought it from an elementary aged door to door salesman when he was just out of college. Cute then - it is simply ugly now.