I'll Be Home For Christmas.....

...is my theme for today. I texted my parents the opening verse from one of my favorite classic Christmas carols. It was either that or, "Chesnuts roasting on an open fire...." which is undoubtably my other most favorite song of holiday cheer. My dad inquired if there were really going to be presents "on" the tree. All in all, this holiday is shaping up to be one of the best yet. It's not about the economy or the presents, its about spending joyous time with the people you love, cherishing the happy moments amidst the garland and the trees, and making every second count.

I had two wonderful, wonderful elves that came to my humble abode and helped me pick out one of six remaining Christmas trees in the entire town and to spread abdundant holiday magic on my home. It looks amazing!! I am so thankful to have at least two weeks to wake up every morning and savor the white twinkling lights and the meaning of Christmas.

It was an adventure to find a tree this year. Since I was gone on my journey of the Southwest for the first two weeks of December I missed the normal timetable for buying a tree. Lowe's was pathetically low on trees by the time I was ready to get one. They had 3 (yes, only three) three to four foot Charlie Brown trees with the needles missing from the bottom HALF of the tree...even the branches. It was sad. They shouldn't even charge for those. Wal-Mart had six trees left and they had just marked them down from $30 to $15. It was my lucky day. I put aside my contempt for Wal-Mart as a whole (I know, its not personal, its business) and I found a lovely 7' Frasier Fir. It's perfect. It lights up my life.
And so, amidst the festive season, the holiday tunes, the twinkling lights and the baking (oh the baking, chocolate-hazelnut thumbprints, orange-pecan tea bread, lemon ginger swirls and Becky's sugar cookies) one realizes that life is wonderful, sacred, and blessed. I am headed to Utica Square with my significant other to enjoy a warm beverage and stroll among the shoppers and lighted trees and to finish a few last minute gifts. I have enjoyed a lovely quiet solo morning sipping coffee and having heart-healthy oatmeal in front of the tree and watching a totally non-Christmas show, "Something's Gotta Give." I have seen this movie previously but at that time didn't deem it nearly as hilarious as this morning. Perhaps, it's the season improving my mood or perhaps I'm getting old and now appreciate the humor.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. Stayed tuned for the upcoming Chronicles of the Southwest.