This is the time of year when mankind yearns for the light and warmth of hope and a new beginning. Divine wonders light our darkest nights, and we bow our heads in awe and bewilderment.
From our family to yours, may peace and love bless your homes and hearts.
Thank you very much, Lady Red. I wish you, noah, and all your family the warmest of Christmas wishes.
ReplyDeleteOur granddaughter has been staying with us this week, and I've never seen a child so excited and filled with anticipation! Four is a magical age when it comes to presents and Santa Claus, and Noah and I have enjoyed our time with her more than I can say.
ReplyDeleteMy kitchen, however, may never recover. ;)) She helped me make three kinds of cookies, and two kinds of pies. I have colored sprinkles, sugar, and flour in nooks and crannies that I didn't even know my kitchen possessed. In addition to stirring up a flour storm, she can wield a mean rolling pin too! The pie crust didn't stand a chance!
We had our traditional Christmas Eve feast early this year, because our kids wanted to be back home by dark (they live about 45 minutes away). Mom cooked a wonderful ham dinner, and Em opened her presents, and was so joyful about giving each of us a gift that she chose and wrapped.
Now we're back home, and all is once again quiet. We're missing the endless laughter and chatter generated by our granddaughter, but we're happy and content. We have a warm, crackly fire burning in the woodstove, and a tall icy glass of adult libation to toast a wonderful week.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah my friends! :X
Thank you Matt! I hope you and lovely Fay are enjoying the festivities!
ReplyDeleteHeh, I can identify with you Lady Red. I've had the kids and grandkids over for Shabbat in the last couple of weeks. First about 3 weeks ago we had my daughter and her 5 (yes, 5) children. How you describe your kitchen was what my entire apartment looked like after they left. 8-}
ReplyDeleteThen last week we had my son and his 4 (yes, 4) children. End of visit.. ditto. :-o
But it was worth it. :)
We're having our grand family Channukah get-together at my daughter's tomorrow (revenge is sweet). Ear-plugs might be a wise option. ;))
Just us this year. We are going to 5 PM Mass, and will be leaving in a few minutes. Then adult libations and Fay's patented Potato-Leak soup. Yummy yummy.
ReplyDeleteI need to call my son later.
Sounds delightful lady red and annie. Thank you for the lovely post lady red. We just got back from Mass, it was packed to the rafters. The Fr was really great, down to earth and with a good sense of humour. Of course I just sit/stand there whenever I go to a church while everyone else is responding, saying prayers and genuflecting. It makes me a bit self conscious wondering if everyone around me notices.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Catholics ever go to shul, LOL (with the exception of Matt who's been many times!)
Anyway it always feels to good to be in a holy place at a holy time. I wore one of Matt's mothers rings so she could be there with us as well.
It's 12:15am Christmas day here in Alphieville- I just checked on my oldest (he's 8, still believes, but is starting to have his doubts). Anyhow, I crept in to his room, learned in close a wispered "Merry Christmas" and he said "Go to sleep, Dad!" (I always tell them that Santa won't come until everyone's asleep). I can't believe the little bugger's still awake. The boys stayed up way too late tonight, and we didn't get them all in bed until 11:30, but I figured they'd be out right away. Oldest must have snuck some coffee or something.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all!
LMAO Alphie. Give that little bugger a big hug from us :)
ReplyDeleteAnd to all a good night!
I will, Fay. Hopefully they'll sleep in a bit tomorrow. They won't, of course.
ReplyDeleteWe went to the early (4:00) Mass tonight and it was packed- standing room only, up and down the side aisles, into the vestibule and out the doors. Hard to say, but it seemed a bit more crowded than past years.
Of course I just sit/stand there whenever I go to a church while everyone else is responding, saying prayers and genuflecting. It makes me a bit self conscious wondering if everyone around me notices.
I've been doing that nearly every Sunday for the last 20 or so years (my wife is a good Catholic girl, and I'm undeclared). I don't think anyone's noticed yet...
Merry Christmas Alphie! I'm giggling at the antics of your little boy; you have a wonderful family, and I'm sure you're having a marvelous time this beautiful Christmas morning. :X
ReplyDeleteFay, I love the way you and Matt share each other's faith while cherishing your own. Your example is a glowing candle of hope in a confused world.
I also love that you wore Matt's mom's ring to Mass. I'm a little sniffly now.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, my mom announced "this is my last Christmas...". My eyes were filled before she could could complete her sentence-"...to cook the Christmas dinner. It's just too much for me."
Every holiday I have with my mom and dad I cherish, because their health isn't good. Mom insisted on having the dinner at her place, and I went up early to help her, but still; all the hustle and bustle wear her out.
After dinner, Mom gathered Em up on her lap and read her Twas The Night Before Christmas; our son cherishes that his little girl is filled with the love and laughter of her great grandma and great grandpa. As a family, we are truly blessed to have four generations around our little Christmas table. Seven people, four generations.
Merry Christmas everyone! I love and treasure each of you, and I'm wishing you a joyful and prosperous New Year! :)
Merry Christmas, everyone!
ReplyDeleteFay - what you do is what AFG does. He's the lone non-Catholic (he's non-denom) in the family, and he's been incredible about participating. I appreciate it - I know that Catholicism can be... athletic... :)
For the record, I have attended shul! And I, too, think the way you and Matt share faiths while cherishing your own is just wonderful. Beautiful.
The boy is putting together the most ridiculous LEGO set you can imagine at the moment - the Medieval Village. I don't see this being finished in one day. The husband is so engrossed in helping, he couldn't be bothered to put the ham on. Evil Blond Child (who received a Christmas package from the corporate offices of our boxing gym, which apparently think the pictures I tweet of her beating the hell out of coaches, punch mitts, and other kids in the ring are adorable ) is making the ham.
Surly Teenager is non-stop on her Kindle Fire, and was watching Downton Abbey. Because that's how she rolls. Right now we're watching Australia, though. Because Hugh Jackman is my Christmas present. :)
The world outside sucks, but right now, inside our home surrounded by my family and checking in online with wonderful friends, I'm happy. Very happy.
The world outside sucks, but right now, inside our home surrounded by my family and checking in online with wonderful friends, I'm happy. Very happy.
ReplyDeleteWell said! I'm delighted that the AF family is enjoying a wonderful Christmas morning. :)
Aft, ha, I can just picture jtl and jts being engrossed in that play set. You have to post the finished product. :-P
ReplyDeleteYou guys are making me cry...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your Christmas stories, beautiful.
It's still not done!
ReplyDeleteWe did take a break to go see Sherlock Holmes 2 ( the best career move Guy Ritchie ever made was divorcing Madonna). It was pretty good!
AFW, jtl isn't EOD right? :-P. They're LEGOS, the instructions aren' meant to be followed!
ReplyDelete(if anyone is using an IPad I would love to know how to backspace withou deleting everytHing.)
"We did take a break to go see Sherlock Holmes 2 ( the best career move Guy Ritchie ever made was divorcing Madonna). It was pretty good! "
ReplyDeleteOOOOOOh, we're going tomorrow. RD Jr is seriously hot (or hawt in afw speak:) )as SH.