Christmas is Creeping Back Into My Heart

In spite of a few setbacks this week, I woke up this morning with Christmas in my heart.

I've been really inspired by the generosity of the folks paying off K-mart layaways and throwing gold coins worth 16K into Salvation Army cauldrons.  Haven't you?  Even though these stories have been offset by stories of people ripping off toys collected for needy kids, it still puts a feeling of peace and hope into my heart when I hear of the kindness and generosity people are showing each other at this time of the year.

Tomorrow Bren and I will pack up the sleigh and head over to my sister's.  I will depart from our long held tradition of making lasagna on Christmas Eve this year because the niece and nephew are going through that picky stage called childhood.  I'll whomp up a big batch of homemade spaghetti sauce the way my grandmother made it (her secret was to put in a big carrot and a chicken thigh) and an equally large batch of meatballs.  My sister and I will enjoy the Pioneer Woman's recipe for Olive Cheese Bread http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/?s=olive+cheese+bread&submit= (Honestly, if you've never tried this you really should.  It is a greasy, buttery, cheesy, olivey, oniony slice of heaven!) We will make a salad with the lettuce growing in my front yard garden.  My Great Dane puppy (Kudzuki) will make some dog treats for my sister's dog (B.J.).  (Ok, I'll make them but 'Zuki would if he could.)  I will make badly decorated cookies with my niece.  Peace will reign on earth, and all will be well.

On Christmas day my sister's in-laws are all coming over for a big dinner.  Lots of cooking and baking to do.  I found the most astonishingly elaborate bread shaped like Rudolph's head with antlers and red nose and all at a local bakery.  I ordered one for dinner Christmas day and one to give to some of the attendees.  After dinner it will be home again where Bren and I will celebrate Christmas with all five dogs and three cats.  I'm so looking forward to the next few days.

Peace and joy to you this Christmas!

I've got the spirit this year!

When we came back to the suburbs from our lovely Thanksgiving weekend in the country, it was to find that some kind soul had raked our yard rather thoroughly and even taken the leaves away.  I was immediately filled with gratitude and the Christmas Spirit!  I didn't expect to feel even a little bit Christmasy this year.  We are having terrible financial times, my nephew has discovered the horrible truth about who puts out all of those presents Christmas Eve (Hey, I still believe, Santa!), and my parents won't be joining us at Christmas for the first time since the niece and nephew were born.

Still, somehow, this year I have that old feeling back in a way I haven't for many years. I can't afford to buy presents this year so I'm having to make them.  I thought this would make me feel bad, but it doesn't.  I've got the car radios set to Christmas music and I'm going to bake a bunch of cookies tonight for the guys who work in the shop at my job.  I know who does the real work around here.

I'm going to can some spiced apples and give them away as presents.  Maybe I'll can some homemade cranberry sauce, too.  I'm going to sew some potholders and make catnip mice from old baby socks and I think everything is going to be ok this year.

When I think of what I have to be grateful for, the list is so long.  My cousin Beth is coming home from the hospital tomorrow.  She had a brain hemorrhage three months ago and her recovery is a testament to her amazing will and strength.  She and my 79 year old uncle will be taking care of each other for a while.  I think this is beautiful.  My marriage to Brenda remains strong in spite of our hard times, and I know we are together forever.  My best friend is finally taking steps to make his life better, and I am so grateful to watch him as he pulls his head out and pulls himself together.  My sister is facing difficult times with the end of her marriage, but she is handling it all with the grace and courage she displays always.  It is inspiring to watch those around me make progress with themselves, and helps me want to do the same.   

I've decided to somehow find some time to do some charity work.  I haven't done any volunteering in years and it's overdue.  There is a pet soup kitchen that started locally called Daffy's Pet Soup Kitchen.  The founder, Daffy, has recently passed away.  I'm planning to go to his funeral on Sunday and volunteer some time to their cause.  I know first-hand how tough it can be to find money to feed your pets and buy their medications during tough times. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm finding my own ways of making things a little better.

Happy Holidays!