It's less than a week until Chirstmas.  I'm almost ready. I just have to wrap two gifts  I went to my mother's house this weekend.  We went nonstop.

A family friend passed away on Thursday, and the visitation and funeral were held on Saturday. My mother was asked by the church to make a dessert for the lunch held after the funeral.  My mother made a banana pudding.  My mother makes the best.  After we attended the visitation, we went home and made the banana pudding.  We wanted it to be warm when it was served to the family.  After we delivered the pudding, we came home and started cooking some holiday treats.  I made two Williamsburg Queen's cakes.  My mother took one to her across the street neighbors.  The couple across the street are so nice.  The man pushes my mother's garbage can in each week, plus they were just a phone call away on the days that I had to stay home alone while there recuperating from a broken foot and foot surgery.  Fortunately, I never needed them, but it was nice to know that they would be there in a few seconds if I needed them.  The other Queen's cake was for us to enjoy, which we did.  My mother and I attempted to make some divinity.  It had been so long since we made it that we were not sure how long to cook the syrup or how long to mix it after we added it to our egg whites.  It tasted okay, but did not look too pretty.

Today, after church, we took her car to be washed and vacuumed.  Tomorrow, she is driving my late father's 85 year old cousin and her husband to Huntsville to the funeral of another cousin.  These people are the nicest people that you can ever meet.  They are so afraid of inconveniencing people.  I told my mother that if they do, they don't need to worry about it.  Everyone owes these people a favor.  They go beyond the call of duty to be gracious.

Tuesday, there is another funeral at church.  The widow of another of my father's cousins passed away.  We really don't know her, but I am friends with her son and daughter-in-law. (I guess they are my cousins also)  She doesn't have to take food, but she's going in my place since I have to work.

It seems so much sadder when people die this time of year.

I am getting excited about next weekend. 

I hope everyone has a great Monday.  Try not to stress out too much preparing for the holidays.