In the light of COVID-19 turning our lives upside down, I’ve had an unusually quiet December with plenty of time to plan for a peaceful Christmas at home with Hannah and Paul. Gifts have been wrapped and under the tree for a week (except for the one languishing in the same USPS Distribution Center in Chicago for the last 25 days).

Our white Christmas has melted away, replaced with a forecast of torrential rain, wind gusts of 50-65 miles per hour, and likely power outages. Hannah and I have spent the day cooking up goodies and Christmas dinner early so we can enjoy the meal cold if necessary. We’ve made snack mix, molasses cookies, crab dip, egg and sausage breakfast casserole, pecan coffee cake, Christmas bread, potato casserole, pineapple stuffing, and white chocolate truffle cake for Christmas dessert. And the third load of dishes is running. Whew – no wonder I’m tired!

Despite the weather and its potential to disrupt our Christmas plans, I’m grateful for so much this year – a slower pace (although you couldn’t tell that by today), steady work; more time with Hannah and Paul; and more time at home to do the things I enjoy most.

My Christmas greeting is a picture of a treasured linoleum block print courtesy of my great, great aunt, Elizabeth. Elizabeth Rugh Strobel was born in 1886 in Greensburg, Penn – one of 13 siblings. She was an art teacher at Central High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, as early as 1920, based on census records. She lived until she was 96 years old. Sadly, I never knew her. These posters came to me from my mother and grandmother.

Thanks to my Uncle Frank for sharing these family photos.

I share some of the Christmas posters she created on her own while others she made with her students’ help – which appears to be the case in this instance. She sent these posters to family and friends each year as her Christmas card.

I’ve been sharing these posters each Christmas since 2010. As a result, I’ve heard from many people who also have one or more of these posters. It’s heartwarming to know that they bring joy to others as well.

This Christmas poster reads:
Merry Christmas; Happy New Year; Joy to the World; Peace on Earth.

Wishing you and yours a safe and healthy Christmas and New Year filled with peace and joy.

Susan

Past Christmas linoleum block print posts:
24 Dec 2019
24 Dec 2017
24 Dec 2016
24 Dec 2015
24 Dec 2014
24 Dec 2013
24 Dec 2012
24 Dec 2011
24 Dec 2010