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| Berry pancakes prior to a family hike |
This year, Christmas has already been a better and more magical holiday. Now retired more than a year, I had the time and energy to organize the decorations, bake lots of cookies, wrap the gifts, and think about what I wanted the holidays to be like. Fortunately, all of our sons made it home and we've already been able to visit and enjoy good times together. I know that this is a luxury since so many friends are not able to gather with everyone they love due to all kinds of circumstances related to young adult children and aging parents. I remember back when one son was working in the Midwest--he missed his flight and spent most of Christmas day in a tiny midwestern airport. As families grow and change, togetherness is not always possible.
Yesterday, family members gathered for pancakes, took a great hike, had lunch together, decorated cookies and watched a holiday movie. Today we'll ready the house for the Christmas Day festivities and enjoy Christmas Eve with an intimate family gathering. I'm not sure when we'll open gifts as that's a low priority this year and there are only a few gifts, but on Christmas Day we'll have a funfilled Yankee Swap and Book Swap. The Yankee Swap includes $20 grabs and the book swap includes wrapping up a book you've loved and a book you're willing to part with so someone else can enjoy it.
There seems to be some enthusiasm for the book swap which was inspired by Iceland's Christmas Eve tradition of eating chocolate and reading books.
Now it's time to finish the last minute preparations and then time to celebrate.
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| Dancing gingerbread cookies awaiting decorating. |
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| Frosting artistry. |