You know how every year at Christmas there's that one gift that you really excited to give? Well, this year, Bob was the lucky recipient of that gift and anticipation. Quick backstory: Bob is the squirrel whisperer. Seriously. On any given morning, there are between 10 and 20 enormously fat squirrels feeding in his yard. One evening, Tim and I were picking up a few things at Menard's and happened to find this little gem of product sitting on the shelf - the "Cobs A Twirl."
After nearly rolling on the floor with glee and awe that such a product even exists, we quickly threw it in our cart and counted down the days until Bob would open it.
And giving it was every bit as good as I imagined it would be. Tim and I could hardly contain ourselves. Maybe the best part - Tim modified the product name to be "Bobs A Twirl." Perfect.
You know you're blessed when you have multiple Christmases to look forward to. This weekend marked celebration #1 of 3. Up first was the Mesman family Christmas, complete with
oyster soup (just the broth, please)
games, games, games
falling asleep to Home Alone and Rudolph
pretty, little gifts
the Christmas story (read on an iPad)
orange zest tea
Christmas carols at church
meeting the newest member of the Galbraith family
Christmas celebration #2 will be quiet and spent at home tomorrow, just me and Tim. I'm really looking forward to it. We're hardly ever home on Christmas day. We have a schedule of events made, a menu created, and holiday movies rented in preparation for a laid-back and festive day.
What is it about Christmas music
that makes it so emotional? Or am I the only one who cries almost every single
time we sing “O Holy Night” in church? James Taylor’s version of “Have Yourself
a Merry Little Christmas” is the same way. I heard it in the car on the way to
work this morning = tears. And the funny thing is, I never really know why I’m
crying. It’s definitely not because I’m sad, but it’s not really tears of joy
either. But more along the lines of emotion, memories, and love.
Christmas has always been one
of my most favorite times of the year and I have so many good memories
associated with this cherished holiday. Memories of family traditions – oyster
soup on Christmas Eve, finding a $2 bill in our stockings every year,
decorating for Christmas to a Kenny G. tape, sleeping by the tree at Grandma’s, watching old cartoon Christmas movies with my brother and sister.
I know that many people say that Christmas is one of the most stressful times
of their year, but I’m so thankful that I did not grow up with that mentality.
Besides the “stress” of traveling to Grandpa and Grandma’s, or now Mom and Dad’s,
Christmas has always been about relaxation, fun traditions, delicious food, ripping
open hand picked gifts, and thankfulness of what the season truly represents.
And that is something I want
to pass on to our children someday. I don’t ever want it to be hurried or
rushed or completely focused on the materialism that is thrown in your face
during the Christmas season. I want to start silly little traditions. I want to
read the real Christmas story before opening gifts, like Grandpa D always did. I want
our children to understand that giving is better than receiving. I want our
Christmas holiday to be cozy and simple, not overdone and fancy.
I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks, Mom and Dad. My tears during Christmas are good tears and happen because even when we were little and unruly and didn't want to eat the oyster soup, you still did...you made memories with us and for us. Opening gifts each year is always a blast, but you've given us so much more than physical gifts over the years. You've given us traditions, love, and memories. And that's what keeps us longing to come home every December.
decorating for Christmas (no Christmas before Thanksgiving)
drinking apple cider
listening to Bing Crosby records
shoveling the driveway thanks to a small Thanksgiving day snow
visiting friends and family in South Dakota
eating waaaay too much good food
wrapping gifts with newspaper
experimenting with this
loving every single minute of living in a now consistently heated house
brainstorming design ideas
planning for a trip out west in May
Can you believe that it's nearly Halloween which means it's almost Thanksgiving which means that Christmas is just around the corner?! Craze, I tell you. Now's the time to start thinking about Christmas/Holiday/New Year's cards. And if you're dreaming about one-of-a-kind cards that don't involve taking out a small loan, I have good news for you...
I'd love to work with you on creating a beautiful and festive card! Contact me for more information.
