Tomorrow morning, at dark thirty, we head to the north pole for Christmas! Not quite the North Pole, but it will feel like it! Our house is eerily quiet. The opposite of what life will be for the next week. This quiet anticipation is luxurious! I sit with my hopes and expectations in my heart. I look forward to the joy and energy of our three grandsons. Christmas through a child's eyes is the best! I look forward to spending time with three of my own children. I don't remember the last time we had Christmas with our son, this will surely be a treat!
I am mostly packed, have tidied the house, bought and sent (well technically it was Amazon) my gifts except for the ones crammed in my over-packed suitcase. I have my long underwear packed, a bit of fleece and my wool coat ready for our departure. I feel like a kid on Christmas eve! I am also very sure I have forgotten something big! I guess I won't know...until I know.
This Christmas season has been very enjoyable. We have been to just enough parties to make us feel festive and connected. Had just enough cold weather to get us in the spirit. Done just enough shopping to feel the spirit of giving but not so much that we feel the spirit of stress and pressure. I think it is a lot easier this year because I am not the hostess, for which I am eternally appreciative! I am looking forward to our visit in Madison!
I hope all of you are able to take some time this week and enjoy your family and the blessings of Christmas! Enjoy those quiet moments and those crazy moments! Enjoy the smiles of children! Enjoy the family meals and the special treats we only have at this time of year. Enjoy being the giver and being the receiver. Make some good memories! Merry Christmas everyone!
Wow! It's been a month since I posted last. Nothing happened! We were thankful, we ate turkey, we shopped, and suddenly it's almost Christmas. I am currently in deep procrastination mode. While the rest of the world appears to have their halls decked, their Christmas cards in the mail, their gifts purchased, wrapped and mailed, I am waiting for my cards to arrive and finding every possible "time wasting" activity I can to avoid writing the Christmas letter. I am even resorting to the blog, how ironic is that? Writing to avoid writing. Maybe this will get my creative juices flowing....
This happened last week!
The same day the snow fell our heater quit working so that was fun. I am considering those 36 hours to be our cold weather training for Christmas in Madison. Our thin southern blood needed to thicken up for the holidays. I did not really mind bundling up in the house and drinking hot tea, and carrying a down blanket with me everywhere. The fireplace kept us only slightly warm, it is gas and does not match good old wood in the warming department. The ambiance was nice though.
I got a little crafty
I saw a video on how to make this wreath so I purchased the balls and ribbon and came home expecting this project to be simple and rewarding. Well it was easy and hilarious. I bought the cheap non-shattering balls because they came in a huge box all together and coordinated, it is a good thing I did! As I strung them on the wire hanger some of them just popped off their tops and went bouncing across the floor. I was expecting a huge wreath and after all the bouncing balls the circle became smaller. TJ helped by twisting the top of the hanger back together which resulted in more balls popping off. I really should not try Pintrest ideas at home.
I rescued some basil from the freezing weather!
I was on a domestic roll so I decided to make some pesto after I finished my wreath. With the impending snow/freezing weather I needed to harvest my basil and put it to work. The pesto was delicious! I definitely cook better than I can craft!
Through my wreath making and my pesto making TJ was talking to his new girlfriend, Alexa. I could hardly keep a straight face! He was setting her up and using the trial and error method. I think at one point he said, "this one is fried, it is useless now."
Once he established connectivity with his girl Alexa, the conversation went something like this....
TJ- "Alexa, play some music."
Alexa- "Playing bridesmaids get ready playlist" and All The Single Ladies starts playing.
TJ- "Alexa, I don't like that song". The next booty shaking bridesmaid song came on and he told her he did not like that song either.
I was cracking up at this point. If only the next words out of Alexa would have been, "Playing old fart playlist." she would now be my best friend! That chick just doesn't have a sense of humor!
The whole process reminded me of this Saturday Night Live skit!
I think I'll just tell Alexa to write my Christmas letter!
