I have certainly decided that I need to take more pictures and figure out how to work all of this better, but in the meantime - I needn't stop writing because I don't know how to make it look pretty. That will come. I'm sure.
Today is Dec 25, 2009. Christmas day - well, night now. It was a magical holiday. Really. As a family we found ourselves involved with Savior of the World again. Maybe that will warrant it's own post soon, but in the meantime - I want to say that I love the simplicity that being involved brings to the holiday. It makes me feel like anything else I accomplish in addition to being in the show is in the bonus.
I love winter decorations. I love my living room and the cozy, cozy feelings there. I discovered this year that just about anything looks better with red berries. Eucalyptus, pine cones, the tree itself, garland, and on and on. Everything had red berries, and I still was wanting more. We had a charming evening last night with Rich's family and dressing the children for the traditional nativity. I think the costuming takes 3 or 4 times longer than the actual performance. It's splendid. We came home and Rich built a fire - MUCH to the children's delight. We discovered that you can roast mini marshmellows on shishkabob sticks and they are delish in hot chocolate. I read ALL of the Christmas books to David by the fire, and the older children settled in with us one at a time. They just couldn't resist. In the morning Rich got the fire going again and we commenced the Christmas Opening. Rich's parents joined us after a little while. Cinnamon rolls and stocking treats for breakfast, and then up to the Nelsons. We opened some more and then ate breakfast for lunch. We went sledding - just couldn't resist a chance to go to Happy Hollow with Rich. And then back to watch a movie on mom and dad's new giant television. To Nichols for dinner and a lot of joyful chaos. 53 people. The whole family was there. First time in years. Years. And then I found myself wandering home with David. I came in and wanted to take down the decorations so that I would be sad to put them away and not anxious. So, with the ipod playing John Denver and the Muppets Christmas on the new ipod home that Rich and the kids got me, I started putting red berries away. Taking Christmas down is kind of like taking off a heavy coat. The rooms seem to have more flexibility and can breathe easier. But it's colder. Certainly. A friend brought a breathtaking centerpiece and it will stay. Hopefully it will last until the middle of February when we are close enough to spring to feel hopeful. In the meantime, I'll leave it as a reminder of the beauty of those pines and berries and cozy light. It's magical to dress up the darkness with flecks of light and drops of color. I'm grateful to know that Christmas is as close as the top shelf of the garage.
Until then - I'll dream of dirt and yellow blossoms.
