TBT: 2003 Christmas card

I ordered my Christmas cards this morning (hooray!) so I'll throw it back to my Christmas card in 2003.  #epmemories #iamstillanangelallyeareveryyear

Sweet Sisters

I had the sisters over for dinner tonight.  Pizza.  That I picked up on my way home from work.  They asked me about my mission plan.  #oyvey #dontgotone #nohomemademealnomissionplan #iammormon #arlingtonwardsistersareforever #whydidimakethisblackandwhite

Cookie Swap recap

11 attendees and lots of fancy, delicious cookies.  My tin of gingerbread cookies was emptied out.  #braggypatton  I made a plate for myself and for my good friends who are dealing with some health challenges.  Being in Shaunna's beautiful home was nice.  Let's do this again next year!  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #arlingtonwardcookieswapsareforever

The best part of my day...

...until I go to my annual cookie swap that I host with Shaunna Baird.

Annual Cookie Swap

My friend Shaunna and I have hosted a Christmas cookie swap for a few years and it's tomorrow night so I'm baking more Finnish gingerbread cookies.  #cantstopbakinggingerbreadcookies #ilovetobake #madeatmidnight

Peddling Christmas pennant banners

Being neighborly

Every few weeks I leave cookies for my next door neighbor.  Last night I left him 2 big slabs of chocolate cake and this note was by his door this morning.  #ibethehadcakeforbreakfast #dontbejealousofmycarpet

Fancy lunch

#scallopsatscampo

Colton's elephant

I met Colton and his mom Labor Day weekend in Rhinebeck, NY and since then he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, had surgery, and is in Boston for six weeks of proton beam treatment.  Colton and his mom came over for dinner tonight.  I made this elephant for him; his favorite color is purple.

Alistair Snow Hilton in the snow

Taken at the Belmont Chapel where Alistair attended church the first 3 1/2 years of his life.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Christmas colors

Concord, MA

Alistair's in town

I'm hosting Alistair Hilton tonight who is in town for an interview at a certain medical school in Boston.  I met Alistair the day he was born and his family is one of my Arlington Ward favorites.  Funny story.  When Alistair was almost 2 and his brother Conor was 4 I watched them overnight while Bruce and Mariann went to the DC Temple or somewhere.  I woke up in the morning and the two boys were standing right next to my bed holding a box of cereal.  Maybe they couldn't reach the bowls!  It's a favorite Hilton memory.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #thethinker #thefuturedoctorhilton

This door's for you

#firstsnow #epramblesaroundnewengland2017

The NYC Moores

I'm glad the Moores let me capture them on their NYC street.  #epnycholidaytrip2017

Missionary moment

This gal approached me at church today (I was attending the Manhattan 1st Ward) and said, "I recognize you; you are John Patton's sister."  My brother taught her mother the gospel while serving his mission in Sweden.  In his words--"my one mission success story".  It was so nice meeting Jenn and I wish we could have talked more.  #epnycholidaytrip2017

Yankee Candle pop-up shop in NYC

Afternoon reading.  #candlepowerNYC #epnycholidaytrip2017