December 23, 2009. Jackson, Ms. Sweets.

Christmas brings many blessings. Included in that list is the amount and quality of the sweets. Yesterday afternoon, upon our arrival, we all drank a cup of tea, accompanied by freshly baked ginger cookies, made by Christina. The cookies were delicious and I ate three. This afternoon we were invited to Christina's Mother for a Christmas tea. Christina's brother Peter was there, along with his wife Bethany and baby Evelyn. Ken was in hog heaven. We ate cranberry cake, fudge, cheese and crackers, pecan shandies, all once or twice. It was wonderful.

Dinner tonight ended with a choice of fudge, cranberry cake or ginger cookies, all by Christina. Kate and Mary Frances and Christina have been baking for several weeks, all preparing for the holiday season. Last night for dessert we ate carrot cake, again made by Christina and the girls. My birthday gift from Christina has always been carrot cake, so Christina made it for me for our arrival. I know more goodies are in store for us. It is a treat.

Many years ago when Andrew was in Japan, Ken, David and I spent Christmas with Dave and Irene in Hamilton. The three of us still speak of how well we were treated. Basically we ate the whole time we were there, eating the best sweet goods in the world. Every one invited us to visit and everyone laid out a large spread of good food, which of course we ate heartily. It was amazing and wonderful.

Now we will enjoy every blessing of the Christmas season, including all the sweets!!