memories old and new
so it's the 23rd of december, and growing up, today was the day to go get our christmas tree. dad would "threaten" to say we were orphans and he was getting a tree for the orphanage to see if he could get it for free. 'course he never did say that, but it was the long-standing joke. we would get it home, and using his rusty, 50-year-old saw, he would struggle to get the trunk cut (because it wouldn't fit in the stand). once in the house, we would oooh-and-ahhh over it while mom was making cookies or fondue. once watered, we would then start on the outside decorations, and by the time those were done, friends would start arriving to decorate and enjoy the fondue.
tree decoration, creche and train assembly, and opening the boxes from across the country took all night, and by the time we got to hanging up our stockings and reading "twas the night before christmas" it was soon to be bedtime. once we were older, and there were grandkids for mom and dad, they would go to bed and we would fill the stockings, finish wrapping and get the rest of the presents under the tree. lots of laughing, talking, drinking, and eating cookies would happen as well.
this year, my tree's been up for 2 weeks, all my presents are wrapped, and i'm getting ready to head to my little sister's with my music man for the night. i've mopped my kitchen floor (it was a disaster after the party!), done my laundry so i don't have to confront it when i get home, and will load up the car shortly. we are carrying on some family traditions -- little sis is making fondue, and we will open stockings tomorrow morning (as well as some pressies for the little ones). then we will head back to austin to board a plane to north carolina. there will be traditions there that will be new to me and i'm looking forward to enjoying all of them with my music man. i'm bringing a bit of 'home' (gingerbread cookies) to the folks there, so they can get a taste of one of my childhood traditions.
the traditions and the people will be new, but the feeling of christmas will be there, and i wish all of you new traditions and old ones as well.
i'll post again in the new year.
posted by momo @ 11:24 AM
1 Comments:
Here in NJ - we put up (decorated a house plant Ficus) St. Lucia tree. Never before 23 December for us for a Christmas tree, but, not Christmas tree this year. And we do get the short day-light blahs - therefore a St. Lucia tree - white lights and nary an ornament - it is a good tradition - an a new one for us.
Odd to not do many of the traditions. But Peter and I still want to rock'n'roll with new stuff, so we're good. He did ask if he should get Christmas stockings out of the attic for the two of us, and I declined.
Our St. Lucia tree, Christmas music, some holly from our shore neighbor's house, simmering potpuri, smells are right, sounds are right.
We will read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" before we go to bed.
Lovely. Be well. Lots of love to all who travel here.
Maggie
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