The Christ Child

Like the blue bird waiting in your own back yard, there is a wonderful treasure trove of Christmas gifts right in our own little boro - at the Book Center in  Bryn Athyn Cathedral.  At this time of year, nothing raws me in more than the beautifully reissued classic, The Christ Child, a telling of the Christmas story as told in Matthew & Luke, illustrated by Maud & Miska Petersham.  

I'll let Lisa Alfelt share what so many of us who grew up with The Christ Child feel about this tender retelling :
Witness a literary nativity when the Petershams' luminous and memorable children's classic, The Christ Child, enjoys a limited rebirth this holiday season.

Maud (1890-1971) and Miska (1888-1960) Petersham were a talented and devoted husband-and-wife illustration team, who wrote and illustrated more than sixty books for children, and illustrated over a hundred works written by other authors. The couple received the Caldecott Medal for The Rooster Crows---a book of American songs, rhymes and games in the tradition of Mother Goose---in 1946. A single illustrator is chosen each year to receive this prestigious award, and they were also given the 1942 Caldecott (Honor) Award for An American ABC.

The Christ Child, first published in 1931, is one of their most beloved books. The book transports children and adults alike from the prophecy of Christ's coming and his miraculous birth to the Holy Family's flight into Egypt.  Brief text taken straight from the Gospels is brought to life in 24 color and 21 black and white illustrations that have become sweet remains for so many families. 

The Petershams traveled all the way to Palestine to create the art for this book, and wandered around Nazareth and Bethlehem, sitting in fields with shepherds who still live as their counterparts did two thousand years ago.

For thousands of families, The Christ Child book has been an important part of celebrating Christmas year after year. It is a timeless family treasure.

A Special Treat  ~ ~  This year, we've been given a special treat ~ our pastor,  Rev. Jeremy Simons, is giving a 4-week series of Tuesday afternoon talks on favorite Christmas stories & songs.  The reviews of his 11/27 talk on A Christmas Carol were excellent!  This coming Tuesday, he turns his loving attention to The Christ Child.  A must-experience hour!  All are welcome.  December 4, Bryn Athyn Cathedral, 4:00-5:00 p.m., free.  FYI - this is not a story hour for children, but directed to adults;  please leave the ones at home.  

GO, NAVY!!

Sorry, but my brother served as a plank owner on the U.S.S. Enterprise, so I gotta cheer on the midshipman playing at the 213th Army-Navy Game!!

The first one in my family to have special memories of the game was my older sister, Mim, who was a guest of Ambassador Kintner, back when she was a young lass.  What an experience, to go with to an epic football game with a dignitary!  She had great stories to share about the indescribable sight of Army Grey & Navy Blue filling Franklin Field (long gone;  now they play at Lincoln Financial Field).  

John & I have our own special moments associated with the game on our special overnight at the Bellevue the same weekend of the game; delighted it was Navy headquarters, with dozens of admirals & their ladies, dignitaries & celebrities staying there.  High spirits rocketed when Navy won!

John has his own special Army-Navy Game memories.  Several times, one of his clients put together a special train of privately owned railroad cars, hitched 'em up to an Amtrak train, and headed down to D.C.'s Union Station, where he picked up ambulatory patients from Bethesda & Walter Reed and transported them up to the game, wining & dining them en route, with a special seating section at the game.  He always has John do the artwork for the event, including posters.  John got to ride down on the trip to D.C. (imagine all those empty cars), then back to Philadelphia on its return home.  How I longed to stow away!!!

Even if you can't get tickets (VERY limited, but no harm trying), it's fun to be in Center City on Army-Navy Weekend.  There's a supercharged energy and LOTS of young midshipmen, cadets, and officers all over the place.  The game is about tradition & honoring those who serve, past & present - that sense is everywhere throughout the weekend.

Dec 6 ~ ~ ~Army-Navy Swim Meet:   Before meeting head-to-head on the football field, the two academies will go stroke-to-stroke in a swim meet at the Salvation Army Kroc Center   Warm up is at 4 p.m., meet starts at 6:00 p.m.   Thursday, Dec 6 (free - check online for availability)

Dec. 7 ~ ~ Army-Navy Pep Rally:  Kids are sure to get into the spirit as the rivals amp up the energies around the competition!  Head over to Liberty Place, where fans will get fired up by cheerleaders & pep bands revving up spirits for the next day's Big Game!!  The always fabulous Shops at Liberty Place will be even more enticing, with Army-Navy Game merchandise (great Christmas present!) available throughout the rally.  Noon, Liberty Place (16th & Chestnut).  Friday, Dec 7 (free)

Game Day - Dec 8
Army-Navy Tailgate:  Game Day, from noon-2 p.m., the well-connected will have a blast at a special all-you-can-eat VIP tailgate at Citizens Bank Park’s Hall of Fame Club.  $65 gets you plenty of Philly cuisine - not haute, but hot  (cheesesteaks, hoagies & hot dogs) - beer, wine, soda, and more.  

THE  GAME: There's more riding on this year's outcome than ever - for the first time since 2005, the Commander-in-Chief's trophy ~ given to the winner of the round robin played out among the nation’s service academies ~ will be awarded to the team that wins the Army/Navy bout.  (Hopes are high for Army - the last time they won it was in 1996.)  Kick off is  scheduled for 3 p.m., but gates open at 11 a.m. - fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early. 

BROADCAST
Can't get tickets?  The game will be televised nationally by CBS and carried worldwide by Westwood One and Armed Forces Radio. In Philadelphia, game will be broadcast live on CBS-3 TV and 97.5 The Fanatic.

Navy Blue FOREVER!!

NEWTOWN HOLIDAY PARADE Sunday Dec 2

ANOTHER holiday event this weekend!!

Fifteen years ago, Newtown's holiday parade was a modest, very small town event, held on the Friday before Thanksgiving.  Not anymore!!

Now the largest holiday parade in Bucks County, the 8th annual Newtown Holiday Parade is Sunday Dec 2th at 2 pm.  A popular family tradition, the parade provides a magical experience for the entire community. 

Over 5000 people are expected to come & watch the estimated 1200 participants, including the high school marching bands, Mummers Bands, horse-drawn carriages, floats, antique cars, color guard, fire trucks, Santa & much more!  (What can be "more" than Santa??)

Come early & bring your family, bundled up, with blankets and CHAIRS.  The entire route has sidewalks available for spectators to pick a spot & watch the entire parade marching by.

The parade begins on South State Street  (at the Stocking Works Building) at 2:00 p.m., continues north on State Street, turns left onto Washington Ave, then right onto Sycamore Street, coming to an end at the Durham Rd (at the Green Parrot - where Goodnoe's was located).

Be sure to linger after the parade ~ many Newtown businesses will feature special promotions, so don’t leave town before grabbing a bite to eat or stocking up for the holidays.  And you'd be hard pressed to find a prettier little town than Newtown decked out for the holidays.  

Take a leisurely meander on foot AND by car to see all the beautiful homes & buildings, many of historical significance.  Newtown was the the county seat when Pennsylvania was a colony and a state (from 1725-1813) and it was home to one of the young country's most famous painters, Edward Hicks (1780-1849).

GO!  ~ ~ Even if you can't make it to Sunday's parade, Newtown is always worth a visit.  Stroll State Street, enjoying a real honest-to-gosh hardware store like you don't see anymore (serving Newtown residents for over 100 years!);  stop into Pat's Colonial Kitchen for breakfast or lunch;  and townfolk are mega proud that their movie theatre is the nation's oldest (includes a balcony, open on weekends) - there is a special Saturday morning showing of The Polar Express, with a $2 donation admission *OR* 4 cans of food.  Motor west on Sycamore to the entirely new part of town, the phalanx of stores & restaurants gobbling up the space where Goodnoe's Ice Cream once stood.

ISAAC  NEWTOWN's ~ ~ Of course, I'm going to urge you to stop into Isaac Newtown's (behind Allegheny Art, which is also well worth a visit), a gathering place for old & young alike, even families.  John & I met there when the restaurant was called (not kidding) The Academy, and courted over their delicious Onion Nest.  

The name is different, but the menu's  just as droll & extensive as it was 24 years ago (Onion Nest is now $5.50, not much more than back when).  

Not so their beer selection, which would have left our younger, single selves agog - beers currently on tap include Founders Pale Ale, Belhaven Scottish Ale, Magic Hat #9, Goose Island Minx, Lavery Imp. French Ale, Delirium Tremens, Delirium Noel, Goose Island IPA, DuClaw Serum II IPA, Goose Island Matilda, Great Lakes Winter Ale, Goose Island Bourbon County, Left Hand Sawtooth Ale, Sierra Celebration, Avery Joes Pilsner and Allagash White.  Whew!  To think that when John caught my attention shouting out, “Hey, Bryn Athyn!” we thought a pub was top-of-the-line if it had Heineken, or Guiness on tap!

Peddler's Village CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

As you might have figured out if you read a couple of my recent postings, I did A LOT of delightful things over the years as part of the “Lockhart Ladies” – Mim, Mom et moi – and then with Mom riding shotgun on holiday jaunts. 

But one tradition started & continues with my Keet, my Hubster, the Love of My Life ~ ~ strolling around Peddler’s Village.  It’s something we never miss, never find old hat.  We'll have a drink at Hart's Tavern, spend more time than we'll admit at Canterbury Books, wander across the green to Journey's (where John is sure to find a wonderful, spirit-infused gift for his Keet - me), meander up to the kitchenware shop.  

It's a beautiful time for us, ripe with happiness & 23 years of memories.  

There are always more shops than time, especially as they each call out to be savored, not hurried.  We strongly recommend mapping out ahead of time where you want to go & you want to build in times to be on your own (easier to buy that special something - we'll never forget the year John meant to come back for a beyond-perfect book of squirrel paper cutouts & it was gone by the time he got back the next week).  

Planning ahead is especially wise if you have children, as there's less likely to be any disappointed young ones who didn't get to see this or that (especially Giggleberry Fair & the two toy stores, on located on the Main Green, the other across the street).  

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL,  Dec 1 & 2 ~ free

This weekend is when Peddler’s Village kicks off its holiday glory, with a free festival on Saturday & Sunday heralding the start of its holiday season.

Santa & his Mrs. arrive at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, a parade of live music & carolers following them as they wend their way through the village, transformed into a winter wonderland.  After the parade, he will be taking up residence at his workshop, situated in Giggleberry Fair.

Even the chilliest weather can’t stand up to a cup of warm mulled cider,  ladled out of an old-fashioned kettle.  Let your inner child come to the fore as you roast a complimentary marshmallow! 

All the buildings and grounds will be decked out in an extravaganza of  holiday lights & decorations.  Victorian fruit wreaths and greenery will decorate the space by day.   As the sun dips below the horizon, the village will sparkle with one million Christmas lights!

The long line waiting to enter the enclosed gazebo will be people eager to check out the entries for this year’s GingerbreadHouse Competition and Display!  The much-anticipated annual event showcases gingerbread houses of all sorts, from traditional gingerbread houses to recreations of significant buildings.  I like that there is a full range of talents, from barely beginners to professional bakers/decorators. 

When: Saturday, December 1, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday, December 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Peddler’s Village, Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska
Cost: Free

 Dress warmly, preferably in layers

  

WEEKEND of WONDERS Bryn Athyn, Pa Dec 1 & 2

Scout Breakfast & Tree Sale

What better way to warm up for Star of Wonder than by going to the Annual Boys Scout Breakfast & Tree Sale, from 8-11 a.m.?!  Swing by the Bryn Athyn Society Building (600 Tomlinson, between Buck Road & Philmont Ave) for hot-off-the-grill pancakes and fresh-from-the-grower Christmas trees & poinsettas (you can order wreaths from individual scouts - sales help offset his summer camp costs).  

Star of Wonder

Many people - in the church & out - kick off their Christmas holiday with Star of Wonder, a delightful program at Bryn Athyn Cathedral featuring crafts & community.  Fun for all ages, families or old geezers like me!  Decorate cookies, make a star ornament, craft a holiday centerpiece.  Bask in the glow of good fellowship as you craft your way into Christmastime!   10:00 a.m. - noon; light refreshments;  a $2 donation/person is appreciated, but not required.  

Follow the Star

After enjoying Star of Wonder, roll next door to Glencairn Museum for a Christmas in the Castle guided tour (noon - 4:30 p.m.).  Better yet, make a return visit on Sunday, December 2 for Glad Tidings,  Glencairn’s annual Christmas open house, part of Follow the Star - Nativity Festival 2012.  Follow the Star nativities show how Christians around the world have adapted the Nativity scene to represent their own national, regional and local cultures.  

Enjoy holiday refreshments at the Castle Cafe, revel in live Christmas music, a special family activity, and a Christmas Quest of Nativity art in Glencairn.  Finish up your visit by getting some of your holiday shopping done at our Ten Thousand Villages sale and Glencairn's gift shop!  

Christmas in the Castle:  this year, Glencairn debuts a special 45-minute holiday tour that combine Nativity Festival 2012  with stops in the Great Hall, Upper Hall, Tower, Chapel & Medieval Treasury. Learn how Christmas was celebrated (1937-1980) in Raymond & Mildred Pitcairn's warm, welcoming home.  

Discover for yourself the answer to the question, “How do you celebrate Christmas in a 20th-century castle?” The whole family will enjoy this tour!

ALEXANDRIA CHRISTMAS SCOTTISH WALK

Okay, I have to admit - this one is sort of far, a bit of a drive.  But, oh how I love the thrills-me-to-the-very-fiber-of-my-being CHRISTMAS SCOTTISH  WALK, this Saturday  (Dec 1) in Alexandria, Virginia.

The Lockhart Lady Trio ~ Mim, Mom et moi ~ enjoyed its revelries on several occasions, and Mom & I went took them in a couple times on our own.  Totally well worth the gas!

We’d be up at the crack of dawn, picking up coffee and a smackeral at Wawa’s, stopping to refuel on Empire Biscuits & shortbread at the much-missed Bit o’ Scotland bakery in Newark (DE). 

Excitement mounted as we clicked off the different exits, finally hitting the Capital Beltway and – at long last – the Woodrow Wilson Bridge across the Potomac, connecting Maryland & Virginia.  Just a hop, skip & jump from Alexandria!

After our first visit down, we always tried to park close to the mega nice Holiday Inn *, the perfect place for a reviving cup of coffee & late breakfast, mapping out where we wanted to go, what we wanted to do, well-armed with material on what was happening in relation to the Walk & things that always beckoned us in that beautiful city.

Even over the years we attended, the Christmas Scottish Walk grew from basically a parade featuring thrilling bagpipers to a much more extensive array of related events.  Today, the Walk has events over both Friday & Saturday.  But the highlight is still the parade!

Picture hundreds of Scottish clansmen marching through Old Town Alexandria, bagpipes a-blazing, along with pipe & drum bands, Scottish dancers, re-enactment groups, Scottie dog groups, dignitaries and - ta da! - Santa Claus.

In its current guise, the weekend is consistently ranked by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 Events in the South, drawing nearly 30,000 people.  It is immensely popular with families, and it’s not unusual to see three or more generations enjoying the festivities.  

Events are held rain or shine.  In the event of severe weather on the morning of the parade, you can call event sponsors, The Campagna Center, at (703) 549-0111 for a recorded message on any delays or cancellations.  But as they remind one & all – “We are a hardy folk and if the streets are open, we plan to march!”

PARADE – begins at 11:00 a.m., commencing at the intersection of Wilkes Street and South St. Asaph Street, then heading north on South St. Asaph Street to Queen Street, turn right on Queen Street to North Fairfax Street, turning right and heading south on North Fairfax Street. It  will then turn right on King Street, and pass the reviewing stand at King and Royal Streets (Market Square) to the ending point at the intersection of King and Pitt Streets.   

CHRISTMAS MARKETPLACE and Heather & Greens Sales - boutique style shopping offers unique holiday gifts and holiday decorations with a Scottish flair.  November 30, 2012, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DESIGNER HOME TOURS - This special annual event features a tour of historic Old Town Alexandria homes decorated for the holidays by acclaimed interior designers and local florists.  Saturday, December 1, 2012. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ; tickets are required - Advance Purchase is  $30, or $35 at the door.

Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend events will be held at the George Washington Masonic Memorial at 101 Callahan Drive in Alexandria.

There's more, much more to do in Alexandria, especially on December 1!!

ALEXANDRIA  HOLIDAY  BOAT  PARADE  OF  LIGHTS ~ ~ Alexandria offers an array of delights all year, but especially right now.  Be sure to stay in town through the early evening, since you will not want to miss the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights spectacular, as festively decorated pleasure boats light up the sky along the Potomac River.  (The District's fireboat, the John Glenn, spouts water 70 feet into the air!)  Over a mile of power and sail boats parade from the the Alexandria Harbor to the Washington Channel, captains & crews doing their best to out do each other, competing for prizes under categories including "Best in Show," "Best Thinking Outside the Christmas Box," and "Hardiest Souls."  

Everyone keeps an eye out for the arrival of Santa, arriving at the Alexandria marina docks, where he’ll disembark to visit children dockside at the marina’s gazebo (and, of course, be available for photos).  Santa is expected around 4:15 p.m.; the parade starts at 5:00 p.m., at the Alexandria Waterfront;  from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., travels up  Washington Channel, Water St. off of Maine Avenue, Washington, DC;  festivities at the Alexandria Waterfront continue from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.. 

The Alexandria waterfront is located behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which runs north along Union Street, between King and Cameron Streets.  

SHOPPING  &   DINING ~ ~  Am hesitant about making suggestions on dining & shopping, other than to say that Alexandria is world-renown for both its stores &restaurants.  (I haven’t been down to Alexandria, VA since Mom’s Summer 2001 fall & hospitalization at the awesome  INOVA Alexandria Hospital*.)  My suggestion - check out online sources for most up-to-date recommendations.

*I cannot mention the Old Town Holiday Inn and INOVA Alexandria Hospital without offering a moment of thanks & appreciation of both.  When Mom had her fall in the wee small hours of a Sunday morning, the Holiday Inn staff sprung into action.  For the next few weeks, they were a rock for a very shaky daughter, letting me use the office computer & fax to communicate back & forth with far-off family;  the restaurant staff practically took me under their wing, making me feel comforted & in the midst of friends.  The care Mom received from the doctors & nurses of INOVA Alexandria was the best she ever received.  And when I found myself unexpectedly without a place to stay one night, they let me bunk in with Mom (which was actually against hospital policy), which meant that I was there at 3:00 a.m. that morning, when she awakened me to see that she could raise her paralyzed arm & leg about a foot above the bed!!  Without INOVA Alexandria, I would have missed what would turn out to be the high water mark of Mom's condition.

PRINCETON

Ick!  What a messy weather day!  Praise be, am off to Princeton tomorrow, two grannies in tow.  I would NOT enjoy the drive ~  pass the tiny Churchville Reservoir & up to Newtown, over to Washington’s Crossing, then a nip across the verynarrow bridge to NJ, scoot over through Lawrenceville (blessings on Kennedy & Dickinson), then keep eyes peeled left for the stunning Greek Rival, Drumthwacket, our first stop (see 11/26 posting). 

By the time we're done our tour of the Governor's Mansion,  we'll be more than ready for lunch, so it's back to the car for a short mosey up the road to the heart of Princeton - the Nassau Inn.  

Can't remember how many years ago Mim introduced us to the joys of Princeton.  I know we were going there even before she discovered Main Street, up the road a piece in Kingston, THE favorite place for Lockhart Ladies Who Lunch (which we'll have to check out another day - no time).  Knowing Mim, she might have been taking a summer course at Princeton University (in addition to her Associates Degree from Bryn Athyn College, Mim attended classes at Berry College, Rome GA, the University of Houston, the University of Pennsylvania, almost Harvard & Penn State <she decided against both at the last minute>, before getting her undergrad from NYU <living in B.A & taking night classes!!> and her Masters from Rutgers – for all I know, she may be taking an online doctoral program from the Sorbonne!!).  Princeton was a treasured destination of the merry trio of Mim, Mom et moi since the 1960s, that I know for sure.  

The Princeton Inn waaaaay outdoes us when it comes to a history with Princeton.  Nestled into the heart of toney Palmer Square,  the hostelry (originally called College Inn)  first opened in 1759 and stayed more or less the same all the way to 1937.  That’s when owners realized it was too small to meet the needs of town & gown and significantly expanded the building.

The lobby, dating back to the original building, is beautiful, especially at Christmastime, its dark wood setting off the holiday decorations.  But off we will go downstairs, to the Yankee Doodle Tap Room,  Can't list all the friends we've introduced to the cozy tavern, but I know #1 would be Marcelite Kline, mom of our present bishop & a beloved cherished much-missed friend.  The sense of the tavern is best captured by the inscription carved in the lintel over the great hearth – Rest, Traveler, Rest, and Banish Thoughts of Care;  Drink to Thy Friends and Recommend Them Here.   Best of all - yes, there can be something even better than that wonderful sentiment - is the droll Norman Rockwell painting of Yankee Doodle himself, complete with feather in his cap, riding through a colonial town.  No better place to lunch & revive, running our fingers over the generations of initials carved into the booths by long ago Princeton students. 

Refreshed, we'll be off to sample the shopping joys of Palmer Square.  

There are a lot of tres toney shops, with famous names & chic fashions & other merchandise, but the only three that matter to me are JaZams,  Kitchen Kapers and Thomas Sweet.  

JAZAMS is a toy & book emporium that would make Mr. Magorium proud.  Their mission:  "It has been our hope that such a carefully selected array of creative, enriching and let's say it – fun! – toys and books will serve as a reminder to step away from the TV or computer screen. ~ As a local independent retail store, we have aimed to strengthen and sustain our community. We've always stressed the importance of shopping locally in order to preserve healthy and functional neighborhoods. In stark contrast to Internet discounters and big-box stores, we've built our business around human connection. We know many of our customers by name and take pride in the highly personal shopping experience that jaZams provides." To get a sense of JaZams, check out their website (but forget the bog - it was last updated in August 2011!!)

After dragging ourselves, kicking & screaming, out of the wonders of JaZams, we'll nipped up a couple doors to KITCHEN KAPERS.  Yes, it is a chain, but so is Paper Source (read on)  - if you have a beloved spot, you want to have as many of them as possible!!  My baker's soul revels in the kitchenware at Kitchen Kapers, entranced by the cook books, beckoned by the endlessly alluring gadgets & gizmos.  Will think of Margaret & Karen, Chara & Suzie, Laura & Carol and all my culinary wizard friends!

Then, we're off across the Square to THOMAS SWEET.   I remember when there were just the two shops - the one on the Square & the other on Nassau Street, next to the gone but NEVER forgotten Green Line Diner (blissful memories of its wondrous natural-foods delicacies, especially breakfasts).  Both are still there, along with three other locations, including one in D.C.  (I guess N.J. politicos can't wait to return to their home state for T.S. chocolate fix).  I don’t go for the coffee or even the ballyhooed ice cream (Nassau Street only), but for the marvelously fashioned chocolates.  Can always rely on T.S. to have a dark chocolate train engine for John's stocking, along with milk chocolate squirrels, mp3 players & golf bags, and lots of other shaped chocolates.  My all-time favorite Thomas Sweet delectable is sadly out of season at Christmastime - the dark chocolate raspberry bark. Absolute YUM!   <11/29 UPDATE - raspberry bark WAS available!!>

One last stop, and it's actually around the corner from Palmer Square, up on Nassau – PAPER SOURCE.  If I had enough spare cash to seriously indulge, would spend it all at Paper Source, the store above all stores that calls to my most easily-enticed soul.  There are LOTS of Paper Source stores around the country & their online site is rock'em sock'em, so lots of people can be as tempted to part with their hard-earned money as I am.  Can't describe it - go to the website & see for yourself.

If this was the 1980s, the three of us Lockhart Ladies would have continued browsing up & down Nassau Street.  It this was the 1990s, Mom & I would have ended our shopping foray with a visit to the Princeton Shopping Center, home to the flagship store of our beloved McCaffrey’s (a wonderful supermarket), Ten Thousand Villages, BonAppetit Fine Foods (so many gift possibilities!!), and – if we were in need of revival -  Main Street’s Princeton outpost, aka the Main StreetEuro-American Bistro & Bar. 

But, alas, we will have to get my grannies back to Bryn Athyn, so off we will trundle, possibly waiting until we get to Southampton & Kenny’s Spirited Eatery for a final nip & sip.  Then, it’s home to their own hearths, while I hie myself off to take another grannie off to dinner.  

Tired – oh, yes.  And sublimely happy & well shopped!