In just a few more days...

Christmas will be here. I'm still recovering from our bash last weekend and just finished my Christmas shopping tonight. Last year I did everything online. This year I shopped a little online but also hit the stores and must admit I had a good time. It put me in that spirit of giving. Online can cause less headaches but it also lacks the charm of picking things up and seeing other shoppers finding what they're looking for. And yes, the front yard of our house is too much but hey, we've got all the stuff, no use leaving it in the garage! I even put speakers outside this year and piped Christmas music - we have quite a few familes stop by to enjoy it all.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Christmas Poem

Party Before Christmas (from FLOWERS IN AUTUMN: endings and beginnings)

Bows and wreaths, the manger scene,
a tree to light the block.
The stairs are trimmed, the candles glow,
and yes, a Christmas sock.

The Snoopy room delights with awe,
there's ornaments galore.
And figurines and cards and clings,
enough to fill a store.

The food is out in several rooms,
the chili and the dips.
The festive bar is stocked to hilt -
a cheer from glass to lips.

The yard in front is covered full
with air-balloons and lights.
So even in the thickest storm
Saint Nick could see or sights.

For weeks and months preparing well
each nook and windowsill.
With sights and sounds of Christmas joy
and loads of true goodwill.

And favorite foods are always found:
the sausage and the fish,
the tassies and the porcupines,
that rich potato dish.

So all our friends and neighbors come
and celebrate with cheer.
And evening that we cherish
as we look toward next year.

Tis the Season

It's that time of year...
I find myself a bit overwhelmed between Thanksgiving and Christmas each year as we prepare for our annual holiday party - the house decked to the hilt and we cook all the food ourselves. Normally attended by at least 40 or 50 friends, family and colleagues it is a big bash to be sure. Our front lawn is bright enough to be seen from outer space (as one of my friend's said) and preparing all of the inside decorations and of course the menu, keeps me a bit stressed. Add to that my insane need for everything to be perfect, and well, you can imagine the energy. David thinks I am crazy and often fights with me about it, letting me know in no uncertain terms that I am "ruining the fun of it" and "acting like a scrooge." In truth, I have always loved this time of year, but must admit that maybe i have gotten a bit too wrapped up in the commercialism of it all and throwing the biggest ass party you can think of! My self analysis leaves me a bit stumped. Maybe it is because I always dreamed of throwing a big party like this when I was little. We had a friend who threw the party of the year and maybe I envied that she could it, I don't know. Maybe it is because we've been doing them for 10 years and I don't want the current one to be less than the one before - I don't want people to be disappointed or say, "Gee, where is this?" or "I missed the cookies this year." I know it is silly. If people are coming just for free food and booze then they are really not worth having over. I am really trying to let go of some of my need to control everything and be so rigid and such a perfectionist. It does ruin the fun and I should be enjoying it all a bit more. I have begun, over the past few years, to at least enjoy the party itself. And this year, I even let David decorate most of the tree - in the past if he got to put on 5 ornaments he was lucky. So maybe, as I get a older, I am indeed getting a wee bit wiser. In any case, I can honestly say that I am grateful for all that I have and all that has been given to me - and some of the best stuff has no price tag and you can't get it in any store.