Christmas has come and gone, and we are staying with Ruth Goodman for a few days, waiting for Vancouver to thaw so that we can get on with our visit. We made our escape from Pender island in a window in the foul, cold weather, December 23. Ferries were being canceled, many were late, and we sat out in the chill for hours at Otter Bay for our tardy ship. We touched down at Tsawwassen in a snowstorm and made it to sister Margaret Shapiro's after 8 pm. That luxurious haven was our home for the days before and after Christmas, but we got out every snowy, frigid day for walks

http://leathersmithe.smugmug.com/gallery/6921305_8hJFF

and spent the rest of the time preparing and eating feast after feast, and relaxing with our family.

http://leathersmithe.smugmug.com/gallery/6923622_xXLRp

Tomorrow evening is a party at Barbara, Joe & Dorothy's house, we'll take Ruthy with us, and then I'll head out to David Robertson's in Langley to celebrate his 66th birthday. We plan to head back to Pender to arrive in our new home before New Year's Eve. I hope we'll find the road cleared and the electricity on!