After Christmas / Family Christmas

Due to logistical factors my family's

"Christmas"

(my parents are quick to remind me

Christmas already was)

as in when we have our meal and gifts

is tomorrow.

This means presents were wrapped today.

:)

Or, well, are still being wrapped presently...

It's been a good day here

with laughter...

*

I think I am realizing on a different level

how much teasing and laughter

means to me.

It means happiness and being loved.

(My Great grandma's dishes that were given to my Mom

years ago)

*

We will have our Christmas /

my birthday (which is tomorrow) /

my sister's birthday (which was old calendar St. Nicholas day, the 19th)

dinner tomorrow.

We will use our best dishes (above).

*

I come from a family where the women on both sides

had good China dishes and loved them.

I am already busying planning a small

old calendar Christmas Eve dinner

and am organizing my Ottawa birthday party.

I just love creating beautiful evenings

with one's best dishes, table cloth, candles.

*

I am aware that creating these evenings are

high on my list of what is important in my life.

*

Hospitality is an art I want to continue to learn;

I learn by doing and I hope

to have many more evenings to create beauty

for those who come.

*

Meanwhile,

I am looking forward God willing to

tomorrow.

It will be a very full day:

Matins in the morning (my Grandma is taking me!)

Breakfast after with her;

then lunch at my Aunts with my Mom, Sister and Cousins;

then home to prepare for our meal and

family gathering.

*

These are the days I look forward to all year.

I thank God for them.