DAY 24 -- iNA AND SADIE'S EXCELLENT FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

Daughter Myrtle arrived in Orofino on the early morning train. Someone from the hill community met her and brought her to the farmhouse. A small energetic woman with a booming voice, her presence was immediately felt and appreciated. Myrtle got things done.

After lunch, Jack and Ernest went to the mailbox, bringing with them the groceries from town (mostly produce) and more packages. The package from Ina’s sisters in Drain, Oregon, held small wrapped gifts and beautiful holly. The large package from Vance in Raymond, Washington, held a wrapped gift for every family member as well as a swag he had made for the front door and more holly. Shirley and Sadie immediately set to work to decorate the front rooms with greens. Sadie was delighted to be allowed to tie small gifts onto the tree.

 As darkness fell, the guests began to arrive. Ina quickly lit the tree and let the candles burn a short while. And you may know that the light cast by the kerosene lamps was much different than electric light. The light over the dinner table was adequate, but the corners were dark and shadowy.

Both Ina and Bertha had been cooking all day – pot roast of beef with plenty of vegetables, a roasted young rooster, freshly baked rolls, fresh fruit, and desserts and goodies galore. It was a country celebration, but everyone thought it would rival anything they had in town.

Everyone gathered around the big old oak table for the satisfying and nutritious meal. Then Shirley and Myrtle took the table down into a round and placed the greenery and beautiful red candles Vance had sent as a centerpiece. Pies, cookies, fruitcake, sugared popcorn, penuche – all the desserts and treats – were placed on the table for casual munching. Cousin Ruth was the only one who felt able to immediately partake of the rich offerings, but one by one, others nibbled on the sweets.

At some point, Ina lit the tree again. As luck would have it, it was a clear night and the moonlight playing on the tree was so beautiful. Everyone thought so. Then they sang carols to Shirley’s piano accompaniment. Some recalled the Christmas of ’25 and how wonderful it was to sing to the full sound of Vance’s playing.

Oh! The party went on late! I’ll bet it was 8:00 when the first guest declared that he should go home in order to be up early for chores. Ina had enjoyed the evening immensely, but some of us know that she had plenty to do before she could go to bed. She and Bertha quickly parceled out the leftover pies and cookies to those who didn’t have such treats at home.

Ethel helped an excited Sadie into her nightgown and robe. Then she was allowed to sit at the table and write her letter to Santa.  Aunt Shirley prepared Santa’s plate of cookies while Jack went to the ice house for a glass of cold milk, hoping that he wouldn’t be the one to drink it.

The mouse that wasn't stirring

Then little Sadie hung her stocking on the mantel, and perhaps as a joke, Grandpa Jack did, too. (Santa was prepared for this eventuality.)

As Sadie went to bed, the adults said that she could get up early, only not too early. “What does that mean,” wondered Sadie to herself.

Happy Christmas to All!

And then, as if all at once, the house was quiet. Not even a mouse was stirring, if you can believe that. Santa quietly worked his magic and moved on, but during the night, others crept down the stairs to play the Santa game. Myrtle managed her errand alone, but Ethel and Shirley passed on the stairway where they stifled giggles. Even stern Ernest crept down the stairs in the middle of the night carrying two small presents. Not a creature was stirring indeed! I’ll bet even the mice were having a party, what with all the crumbs yet to be swept up.

And that’s it – until tomorrow. KW