C: Holidays Coming--Continued...
Before I get back on the holiday theme from last post, let me share with you what I saw when I stepped out on my back porch to feed my kitty this morning about 6 a.m. It was just coming light.
As I look at these pictures, what I now see is a yard covered with leaves that need raking (YOU are charged with being non-judgmental about those, if you please.) I know these don't compare with the beautiful fall photos on other bloggs. What I was doing when I snapped these was trying to capture just a bit of the peaceful solitude I felt this morning as I went out there. I love where I live. As you can see, I am surrounded by forest (there's a tale coming next post about the woods!). Do you think that mysterious circle in the bottom one could be one of those supernatural orbs??? (How exciting!).
Enough digression; back to holidays.
Joolzmac of Simply Joolz commented on my previous holiday post, saying that in Australia they have fewer holidays and, hence, fewer times of gathering with all the family. She's right--it's like the holidays are excuses for the family to gather and command performances to see family you don't often see. I look forward to these times, and I think my family does, too. And "family" includes friends-who-are-famiy, too, like V and her brood.
Each year on Christmas Eve for the past 20 years or so, we have hosted a Christmas Eve dinner. Here's the routine: We gather at 5 ish, have dinner, sing Christmas carols, and the kids each get a "Christmas Eve Bag." They love this tradition. It is a gift bag full of little individually-wrapped cheap gifts. I have come to realize that the gift, itself, is not nearly as important as the build up for getting the bags and the joy of unwrapping 15 or so little gifts. The excitement is high. I found this picture of V's three oldest grandchildren who just opened their bags.
After that we visit until everyone disperses early evening to go prepare for their own Christmas morning traditions and some leave to attend Christmas Eve services.
Our Christmas morning is the same each year, too. We have sausage/egg casserole and apple crepes for our breakfast after we have opened presents. Christmas evening we always join our good friends "over the mountain" for dinner. Last year was the first (in 40 years!) without my husband so, as I said, I was a bit of a zombie.
This year we are looking forward to a new treat! My sister-in-law (husband's youngest sister) and her four wonderful bright-as-pennies children will be with us for a week, including Christmas! This is the first time we have ever been together with them for Christmas. It is going to add such depth and dimension to our holiday tradition, and I see it as part-and-parcel of coming out of that zombie-state I mentioned in the previous post. It is a joyous signal that good things are ahead.
My son and I have already begun stocking the larder for the bottomless pit those nephews are! (I love it! Feeding them will, in turn, feed me emotionally!) And we will continue our tradtions, only with them included and with the nuances they will bring. For example, my niece has requested a "real" tree instead of our artificial one. Wish granted!
Mother-in-law is obviously ecstatic that so much of her brood will be here, I will have all my family and friends gathered 'round! What could be better? I will keep you posted on all our preparations and let you in on our celebrations!
So, I'm feeling like my treasured traditions are merging with some new ones. It is, indeed, an awakening for me. Thank you all for your encouraging comments!! C
As I look at these pictures, what I now see is a yard covered with leaves that need raking (YOU are charged with being non-judgmental about those, if you please.) I know these don't compare with the beautiful fall photos on other bloggs. What I was doing when I snapped these was trying to capture just a bit of the peaceful solitude I felt this morning as I went out there. I love where I live. As you can see, I am surrounded by forest (there's a tale coming next post about the woods!). Do you think that mysterious circle in the bottom one could be one of those supernatural orbs??? (How exciting!).
Enough digression; back to holidays.
Joolzmac of Simply Joolz commented on my previous holiday post, saying that in Australia they have fewer holidays and, hence, fewer times of gathering with all the family. She's right--it's like the holidays are excuses for the family to gather and command performances to see family you don't often see. I look forward to these times, and I think my family does, too. And "family" includes friends-who-are-famiy, too, like V and her brood.
Each year on Christmas Eve for the past 20 years or so, we have hosted a Christmas Eve dinner. Here's the routine: We gather at 5 ish, have dinner, sing Christmas carols, and the kids each get a "Christmas Eve Bag." They love this tradition. It is a gift bag full of little individually-wrapped cheap gifts. I have come to realize that the gift, itself, is not nearly as important as the build up for getting the bags and the joy of unwrapping 15 or so little gifts. The excitement is high. I found this picture of V's three oldest grandchildren who just opened their bags.
After that we visit until everyone disperses early evening to go prepare for their own Christmas morning traditions and some leave to attend Christmas Eve services.
Our Christmas morning is the same each year, too. We have sausage/egg casserole and apple crepes for our breakfast after we have opened presents. Christmas evening we always join our good friends "over the mountain" for dinner. Last year was the first (in 40 years!) without my husband so, as I said, I was a bit of a zombie.
This year we are looking forward to a new treat! My sister-in-law (husband's youngest sister) and her four wonderful bright-as-pennies children will be with us for a week, including Christmas! This is the first time we have ever been together with them for Christmas. It is going to add such depth and dimension to our holiday tradition, and I see it as part-and-parcel of coming out of that zombie-state I mentioned in the previous post. It is a joyous signal that good things are ahead.
My son and I have already begun stocking the larder for the bottomless pit those nephews are! (I love it! Feeding them will, in turn, feed me emotionally!) And we will continue our tradtions, only with them included and with the nuances they will bring. For example, my niece has requested a "real" tree instead of our artificial one. Wish granted!
Mother-in-law is obviously ecstatic that so much of her brood will be here, I will have all my family and friends gathered 'round! What could be better? I will keep you posted on all our preparations and let you in on our celebrations!
So, I'm feeling like my treasured traditions are merging with some new ones. It is, indeed, an awakening for me. Thank you all for your encouraging comments!! C
Comments
I enjoyed also the description of your holidays traditions.
Hope you are having a great Saturday,
xo
Zuzana
I hope you have a fabulous holiday!
QMM
I'm so excited to start the holiday preparations. Look forward to hearing about yours. :)
Cheers - Joolz
funnily, the word verification is :- lations ... as is re-lations
Bye-bye zombie and hello to the spirit of Christmas Present and joy!
There have been Thanksgivings when it was just my husband and myself but we always fix the meal (unless we're traveling to Oklahoma).
I think even if I were all alone, I'd still celebrate traditionally.