Warm and cold, we’ve had an array of temperatures. We are supposed to have 60 degree weather and then get back to freezing. It is no wonder that people have colds and sore throats, but I will take the sunshine.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Samantha Cassidy, Brendan Morris and Hannah Tate-Arena, who all celebrated their day Dec. 2. Jasmyn Hershey and Nia Hughes celebrated Dec. 3. Michaela Benefit and Karla Robadel had cake on Dec. 5, and happy birthday to Jerry DaSilva, who celebrates his day today, Dec. 6.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. It seemed to go by very fast and I guess those who traveled long distances had a tough one with the weather and traffic. I went away on Wednesday night, and the boat had six cars. We were in Woods Hole in 30 minutes.

I went to see my family in Somerset and had a Thanksgiving dinner with 25 people from the ages of 14 months to 87 years old. It was a great day, but I don’t know who exhausted us more the four children under three or the 18 year old.

On Saturday, Nov. 30 we celebrated my brother Frank and wife Linda’s 50th wedding anniversary. It was at Benjamin’s in Taunton. All the attendants were there except for one couple who was off on a cruise. I was a junior bridesmaid in the wedding, so when they asked us to take a picture in the same pose as 50 years ago, it was a little hard. I am now five-foot-five and the maid of honor is five feet tall. All the family was there as well as many close friends. So here is to a happy anniversary and to many more years together!

PeaceCraft, the holiday craft sale benefiting Haiti and other poverty-stricken areas of the world, is hosting a caroling party on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. at their store located at 30 Main street behind the Beach House in Vineyard Haven. Refreshments will be served. Give gifts that give twice this holiday.

On Sunday, Dec. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. a reception for all Martha’s Vineyard Center for the Visual Arts grant recipients will be held at the Vineyard Haven Bananas store, owned by MVCVA member Judy Hartford. The Martha’s Vineyard Poets’ Collective received a grant for their image-inspired writing and have published a book which is now available. Edgartown residents Ellie Bates, Tom Durawa, Madeline Fisher and Don McLagan are members of the collective, along with honorary member Ted Hoagland.

Christmas in Edgartown is fast approaching. People are buying their wreaths and even the trees are selling fast. The stores are getting ready with all the decorations and lights. The countdown is really on for shopping and getting everything wrapped in time for the big day. We all say every year that we are not going to wait until the last minute but that minute is almost here. Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.