Where Can This Go From Here?

[ladysprite]

I think I may have just started an escalating war of holiday-spirit treat-swapping with our neighbors.

So the snow fairy visited us in the night, blanketing our neighborhood in about 6-8 inches of sparkly white. This is beautiful and perfect for the season, but it also meant that my poor husband had to shovel a whole bloody lot, especially since our house is on a corner.

Blessedly, when he finished clearing our driveway, our sweetheart of a neighbor, who had been clearing his own drive, came over with his snowblower and cleared our entire sidewalk. Both sides of the house, without asking or hesitating.

Since I had been inside finishing up my holiday baking while the shoveling and clearing was going on, as soon as umbran let me know what he had done, I put together a plate of cookies and took it over to them as a thank-you. Neighbor and his wife were very happy, and I went back home smiling and cheerful, glad that both I had been the recipient of such a kindness and that I had been able to do a little something to repay such nice people.

About half an hour later, though, neighbor and wife knocked on our back door. Apparently, as a thank-you for the cookies, they wanted to bring over a share of their holiday baking - a box of homemade fudge. And it came with an invitation to stop by their house anytime, and a promise of future snowblowing aid.

I fully intend to take them up on their invitation, though I'm not sure quite what to bring as the next step in this swapping war. Maybe a loaf of bread; it's been way too long since I've made bread from scratch.

It's incredibly good fudge, too. I haven't had anything quite this perfectly rich and smooth and intensely chocolate in a heck of a long time.

I think I love my neighborhood.

Comments

[aries-walker.livejournal.com]

I have read that in ancient times, Celtic clans used to do that to each other. "This is such a fantastic gift," one Celtic king would proclaim, "that he couldn't possibly exceed it. Victory is mine!"

I recommend pumpkin bread. Jennifer just made me some and it's fantastic - and I'm not even that much of a bread person.

[metaphysick.livejournal.com]

Holiday food is, indeed, awesome.

Incidentally, sorry for dropping off the face of the planet recently; it's been a bit of a rough week. I assume that the answer to this involves me being clearly insane, but I'm around tomorrow and Tuesday, in the event that you've got any free time, are available for hanging out, and wish to to brave what a quick glance out my window confirms as somehow being Siberia's weather, magically transported to New England.

(Otherwise, I suspect that hanging out can take place after Christmas.)

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

No worries - I figured something had come up, and was going to email you tomorrow to make sure everything was OK. Hopefully next week will be a little smoother.

I'm working Tuesday and I've got a ton of errands to run tomorrow, but if you're going to be around I'd love to get together at least briefly - I've got cookies for you. :) And the week after Xmas I've got Monday off....

lawn work trades

[zencuppa.livejournal.com]

One of my neighbors loves using his trimming gear, to trim the grass from sidewalks, walkways, etc. and I *hate* doing landscaping of any kind.

So we struck up a deal . . He trims my lawn and I bake him homemade oatmeal cookies :-)

We're both quite happy with the trade *g*

[cyan-blue.livejournal.com]

Cool!

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

It'll be fine until someone makes a fruitcake.

[aries-walker.livejournal.com]

As my mother used to say: It's all fun and games until something gets made into a fruitcake, young man.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

That is just awesomeness!

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Very cool!

[joannahurley.livejournal.com]

Heh. Our neighbor randomly announced he was going to clear the apron of our driveway (which was seriously plowed in) and then proceeded to do the rest of the driveway, too! I guess I need to bake something, but I'm not much of a baker!