Christmas

My sister loves Christmas and does it right. A house full of decorations, the tree goes up the day after Thanksgiving. I am pretty much the opposite, though I have had a few years where I pulled it all together. The tree, the outside lights, the decor... santas in the bathroom, the kids with mini trees and lights in their rooms.

This wasn't one of those years. I waited too long. Got my shopping done all in the week before Christmas, waited too long to get the tree, finally got one on Christmas Eve at the only place that still had 'em - Target. The Christmas Tree lots had closed up.

I told the kids to pretend we were traveling. And in a way that's what it was like - my brother and his family were here, and there was a full week of get togethers, and dinners, a cookie decorating party at my sister's, ornament making at my parent's, the kids and the cousin's going birding with my brother and my Dad.

It really was great. Enough that I am able to put aside my discouragement with myself with a vow not to make the same mistake next year, and a pledge to beat myself up if I renege. :)

We ate well all week - Tri-Tip, Crab, ribs, salads, mashed potatoes, soups, homemade bread...

And with a new twist, because D brought with her a Menorah and Hannukah candles. And a book with a story for every night. And each story included a dish, and each night we had the dish from the story, which she read. her kids recited the prayer as the candles were lit each night. I have to say it was a very special treat.

We had Latkes one night, and had lessons on how to make them.

Our own Christmas' are pretty magical by anyone's standards - the family gets together, either at my parent's or my sister's, we sing carols at my parent's, with much grumbling by some of us, and delight from others. It means alot to my kids, which has turned me from a reluctant participant into a happy one. It certainly is a thing that would be missed.

This year, L was not there, and we called him and sang "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" to him.

It's cold and stormy, we have had a storm drop down out of Alaska, and snow at low elevations, even on the beach.

Go raibh suaimhneas 's sonas na Féile ort agus ar do mhuintir...

May the peace and happiness of the Season be with you and yours....

On to the New Year!