I've been away from the computer and immersed in holiday action for a week now. What a nice change! Seems like these last weeks of December just roll right over the brain like a bottle of absinthe, making you forget any deadlines and commitments that don't involve family or friends. I'll have to admit--it's a great high.
We spent three days at my brother's cabin in Northern Wisconsin at the beginning of this week. It was 20 below outside, snowing like mad, and there was no running water, but we had such an incredible time sledding, snowmobiling, and tromping around in the drifts. The food was great, too. Why does food taste better at the cabin?
Suzy and I cut down a little Christmas tree in her yard. The kids decorated it with big beaded ornaments and strands of lights and it made the cabin really festive while we thawed out, playing Quiddler, listening to Bing, and doing puzzles.
Isn't it fun to see other people's Christmas trees? I think they tell a lot about a person. For instance, Suzy's tree is always cut out of the forest and her ornaments are very color-coordinated and have an overall style.
Our tree (below) is always jam-packed with homemade ornaments--not only those that my kids have made, but also with ornaments my siblings and I made when we were young. It's a fake tree we've had for years, so a little ramshackle. And with all those ornaments and huge meant-for-the-outdoors lights it looks a bit chaotic, like a fireworks factory blew up. But it's cheery and happy and we like it. We just don't keep it up for long because it ultimately turns into a giant cat toy. Carmen perches in it all the time and it's getting pretty beat up.
I hope you're enjoying these steamrolling holiday weeks as much as I am. I guess for me it's the time I give myself permission to slow down, take stock, and be truly thankful for all the things in my life that make it so worth living. You're part of that, so thank you!
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