Day 4 of My Twelve Mugs of Christmas

Mug Hug 4

So I’ve realized something kind of embarrassing. I’ve committed 12 Mugs of Christmas, and while I have 12, they’re not all different, which means repeats. This is my final mug that is different, so Mugs 3, 2, and 1 will be repeats. What a Mug Ugh!

And this morning’s “best part of waking up,” falls short, because I’m out of half and half! I had to use the last of it in last night’s dinner when the cream I thought I had was bad. I was making a gorgonzola sauce for the prime rib, so I compromised with my remaining half and half, which made the gorgonzola sauce, half as good.

Even though the gorgonzola sauce was imperfect, everything else was great. Preparing for the dinner and setting a lovely table is a hobby and a gift that I love to offer friends and family. But nothing means as much to me as laughing with my family, and feeling loved.

Heaven!

Roasted vegetables: crunchy on the outside and tender inside

I went to BedfordBrown the day before with a friend and drooled. Then came home and used what was on hand to create an imposter, which was lovely enough!

One of my favorite quotes is by Victor Hugo. It lacks inspiration, but affirms the human spirit. When I’m sad, or feel something missing, this quote reminds me that it makes sense to be sad, if connection with my family is absent. Victor says,

“The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, or rather loved in spite of ourselves. “

This quote is the essence of Les Miserable, one of my favorite stories. It depicts grace and mercy. It’s what we receive from Jesus: love, in spite of ourselves.

There are many people who don’t know that happiness. A lot of them are sleeping on our streets, with no place to land, because for some reason, this world didn’t give them a family who could love them, in spite of themselves.

There really is no greater gift here on earth, than the security we find within the love of our family. Even when the gorgonzola is runny and my coffee is without the half and half on which I depend, I am content because I experienced the greatest happiness.

I love you, family.

For previous posts of My Twelve Mugs of Christmas, click here.