Oh Christmas cookies, how I love thee…
and Christmas chocolate-covered everythings, how I love thee even more…
but the two things that I love the most about the week leading up to Christmas are:
spending time with family…(love you, Grandma)
and decorating the tree. Every time I travel somewhere memorable, I buy an ornament as a reminder. Each year, tree-decorating becomes a trip down memory lane.
Hello Patriot. I remember you! The girls’ trip to Boston, 2006.
Oh yes, NASA. How could I forget the time I nearly missed Caitlin’s wedding because of you.
Having holiday traditions is comforting. On Thanksgiving , I went against tradition and enjoyed the day with friends instead of family. It was great and a welcomed break from routine. Christmas, however, will be all about tradition.
Christmas Eve at my parents’ .
Christmas Day at his.
In fact, I’m sure that we’ll have the same exact menu at each that we had last year, and the year before that, and the year before than, and.. okay, okay, I won’t type it out 40 times.
Generally speaking, I prefer routine. Or, planned changes. Having a plan makes me feel safe. I am not wildly spontaneous and don’t make major life changes unless I think them through and plan them out. The bigger the change, the more I plan. The more there is to lose, the more I think.
It’s been a long 2010 and quite possibly the last Christmas that my mom will be celebrating with us. TRADITION, you are welcome here. No planning. No thinking. Just sitting back and letting the Ghost of Christmas Present take the lead.
What are you doing this week? Are you following tradition, or mixing it up a bit?
The Chameleon's Backbone 
Posted by suzicate on December 20, 2010 at 1:45 pm
That’s my favorite part about decorating the tree, recalling where each ornament came from. I was telling my youngest this year, and he asked me why I was telling him. I replied, “Because I remember”…thought he should have been impressed considering I probably can’t remember a conversation from five minutes ago! Lovely pic with your grandmother.
Posted by Tracy on December 20, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I think we all have selective memory to a certain degree. It’s nice to have things like Christmas ornaments that trigger happy thoughts from the past. I hope you post a photo of your tree – would love to see it!
Posted by Ron on December 21, 2010 at 4:40 am
Okay, I just want you to know that my mouth is watering looking at those delicious chocolate treats! Yummy! I’m a huge chocolate lover!
Beautiful photo of you and your grandmother.
I agree, having holiday traditions is comforting. This week I’ll be working up until 6 p.m. Christmas Eve, and then coming home to a nice quiet dinner. Afterward, I’ll watch my favorite traditional Christmas Eve movie, “Little Women”, while sipping a glass of red wine.
Christmas day, I’ll be spending with a dear friend.
If I don’t touch base with you before then, I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
Posted by Tracy on December 21, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Thanks Ron! Merry Christmas to you also.