Christmas was different during this pandemic year but it was full of all kinds of delights and pleasures. It’s all really about attitude and we all have so much to be grateful for.
Leading up to Christmas, I love all the lights, the Christmas music, the traditional baking, and the memories that come flooding back from previous Christmases. Of course, there is more I could rattle on about but instead I’m going to focus on some of the lovely things I can look back upon in the week or so leading up to Christmas.
As we tend to each year, we were very fortunate to receive handwritten Christmas cards from a wide range of friends and some family members. I always love receiving those cards, especially the ones with letters tucked inside. It means so much when someone takes the time to write out a little note or tidbit in their card. I often re-read them and usually save them in my Christmas card box. So the next December when I’m sitting down to write out and send my own cards, I re-read them again before reluctantly setting them aside for recycling.
One sunny afternoon, a friend of ours dropped by with a large gift basket full of goodies for us to enjoy. Being so careful to keep distanced, they stepped way back and wished us a warm and cozy Christmas and hoped we would one day be able to gather together again as before.
One of our favourite neighbours, the young couple across the street who I love to watch engaging with their children, had yet another surprise for us, which I wrote about in the previous post (the bucket full of spot prawns).
Another friend dropped by one morning offering us some warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven salted soft pretzels. Wow, were those ever amazing. As if that wasn’t enough, on Christmas Eve he came back with a platter of homemade terrine and assorted pickles. We shared that homemade treat as our appetizer for our planned Christmas Eve dinner.
And the other surprise was an email received from a CBC Radio producer asking if I’d be willing to be interviewed along with my new-found brother for a radio program to be aired on December 31st. Well, to make a long story short, we’re being interviewed and recorded and the chat will be aired on CBC’s The Current on December 31st. What a way to put a solid but positive note to end the year!
Many people got very creative for this year’s Christmas. Some even began new traditions. Tell me about your Christmas.
I listened to you this morning on CBC. How lovely to hear your voice. You and your brother certainly conveyed joy. Our Christmas was quiet but connection to family was maintained. A long phone chat with our son, (we had face timed gift opening a few days before) and face time with our daughter and grandson at supper time so we could eat “together”. I see you have recommended “Winter Wren” on your reading list. Wrens have been a motif in my life. My husband surprised me with a gift of a wren sculpture for the garden. I’m looking forward to attaching it to the new rustic gate he has promised. Thank goodness we are able to look forward to joyful things, you discovering more about your brother, me decorating my nest. Warmest wishes for the year ahead.
A splendid series of photos, all which tell a story about Christmas! I’ve always wanted to do this, but the rush of the holiday, whether shopping, baking, cooking or decorating always gets in the way. I need to set aside time after decorating to do this. Happy New Year to you and your family!