Holiday musings

We had a great time with everyone home for the holidays! Today we dropped Camille off at the airport after doing some wedding dress shopping with Michelle. Today's funniest moment came when we found a new bridal shop and sent Nicole out to see if it was open and to read the notes on the door. Nicole burst out laughing and brought the notes to us to read! They were from two angry customers who wanted service according to the posted hours. The customers were really mad. For sure we will not go back to that shop! Two years ago this week we were doing the same - wedding planning for two upcoming weddings. It is such a good feeling to have everyone home and enjoying each other.
I love all the traditions of Christmas and have thoroughly enjoyed all the music, and new CD's. I love that my family enjoys the traditions we have done over the years and some of the new ones. I think the stocking shopping for one person is great fun -- and it takes a ton of pressure off me! Everyone is so creative in their use of $20. This is the first year we had everything wrapped before the Christmas Eve Dinner began -- many thanks to Clyde! He kind of got stuck on one or two rolls of paper, but I was not about to complain since I was so thankful for his help! This year instead of a fancy dessert for the dinner, we just had our favorite traditional cookies that we make anyway. Perfect for a small taste of sweetness. Hello Dollies were my mom's favorite, Pomander Balls are a cookie we have made since the children could roll a ball, and ginger cookies we started about 16 years ago - learned from Pattie Shumway. We did not have small children for a nativity, but we had Tom and Linda and Mikey Draper and Emily's twin sister Melody and husband Jonny and baby Julia as our guests. Jill and Nathan also came. I love guests on Christmas Eve for dinner. I have had basically the same menu and dinner for all of my 54 years! My parents always hosted the Christmas eve dinner with relatives and it just makes Christmas seem so special to begin with a big dinner party. Once I moved away from home, it became important to me to continue the tradition and I am glad we were able to do it all these years!
In a few days we will put it all away and start our task of eating more healthy and doing more exercise. It has been such a sweet experience - in taste and emotionally.