chestnuts roasting...

Hummingbirds fed.  Kitchen mopped.  Laundry done.  Petrol acquired.  Pressies wrapped.  Goodies made (thanks mostly to Thea and Brian).  I still need to fix Grandma's fruit salad; canned pineapple, mandarins, fruit cocktail, marshmallows, coconut and a bit of sour cream.  Otherwise, it's looking a lot like Christmas...

When we lived in Britain, I got into the habit of cleaning house on Christmas Eve; I think it went along with how in the UK shops closed for Christmas and Boxing Day.  The whole country shut down, it was so wonderful!  Now on Christmas Eve I have this unshakable need to tidy, from laundry to vacuuming, all in between.  I sorted those chores, then sat down for an afternoon of football, as Thea and Brian arrived, as Bud ran some last minute errands, as Jay popped in to wrap presents.  We'll see her again tomorrow; she's with her boyfriend's family tonight.  Tonight we're watching TV; Jaws at the moment, interspersed with Die Hard, Deep Space 9 on the way.  If we last, church is at 11; I had some late afternoon tea, along with Hello Dolly and crumb bars that Thea made, while sweating out my 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks.  The Niners won 19-17, whew!

Christmas Eve with older kids isn't much different than when they were little; Thea is exuberant, Jay was giddy.  Bud's hanging back and Brian is adjusting to our traditions; Thai food, some TV and goodies.  Tomorrow morning we'll eat some cinnamon and orange rolls, open presents, faff about.  Ham and garlic potatoes are the dinner fare, then Bob's Green Bay Packers along with Doctor Who.  The Christmas TV shows were a big deal in England, another tradition following us across the pond.  That footie is on tomorrow night, Bob's favorite team, is a bonus!  Christmas is about surprising joys, imminent thrills, deeper meanings.  I love deeper meanings.

One of the deepest is my children.  All my brood is home this year; as small kids, they were always close.  Now their presence is a gift, perhaps one of the biggest.  What sits under the tree is a blessing, but it's those I love who bring my largest smiles.

HI EVERYONE THIS IS THEA MERRY CHRISTMAS NOW BACK TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED BLOGGING KTHNXBAI

See what I mean?  Thea is the big helper, even though she's the shortest in the family.  This time next year she and Brian will be... who knows where!  Married, maybe making their own Christmas traditions. But this year they're here, under our roof, and I couldn't be happier.  Like a book that flows without any set outline, but writes itself, is how this holiday season has unfolded, goiters and all.  I don't know when we will all share these days again, but this year we're together, and I'm thankful for family, health, for many wonders.  The ultimate gift is something indescribable, but it runs through my hands, the words, through all I am.  Christmas is one day but the peace and humility reverberates.  Whatever you're doing, may it be full of joy and hope.