Holiday Musings

Ahhh….such a relaxing day. I need to recharge because the holidays are right around the corner. My boys come back from college and then my sweet sanctuary becomes a frat house. I do love it though, at least for a little while. While it is nice to leave for work and come home to a house that looks the same as when I left, I do miss the noise and fun of having my kids around. At the holidays it is essential. Next Friday they will arrive and we will decorate the house and have appetizers while listening to Christmas music. This is a holiday tradition and we all love it. My daughter is in France for the holiday but even she wants to Skype in and join the fun. I am sure that will include telling her brothers where things should go. As the oldest, she likes to be the boss. I do miss the noise of my children; even the bickering sometimes. The wonderful thing is that I get 10 days off work while they are here so we can do things together and I can bake up a storm. I like to bake, but I don’t want to eat it all…which I would if they were not here. Having two twenty something boys in the house means I can bake away and not gain a pound. Well, OK, maybe a pound or two but that is it. We will have our traditional steak dinner for Christmas Eve and then over the bridge and through the woods to Grandmothers house we go on Christmas morning!! Christmas means lasagna in our house. Yes, we are Italian…what tipped you off? The best part of the day is my dad putting out his lamp that we got him a couple years ago. My dad is a Christmas Story fanatic. The movie reminds him of his childhood and so my brothers and I bought him a replica of the lamp as a joke. Who knew he would love it so much! He has to make a show about putting it in the perfect spot so the neighbors can see it….just like in the movie. It is great to see him have so much fun. New Years we like to have fondue and play board games. This year I got a Wii for my birthday so perhaps we will have a dance party competition. When it is all over the house will become quiet again and I am sure I will need some peace after the crazy holiday….but I cherish those sounds, smells and feelings that we all share during this wonderful season. I wish you all a joyous season and create wonderful memories with your family and friends. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!