Christmas 2014, In Lieu of a Tree

Every year at about this time – no, not ‘about;’ make that ‘exactly’ – I come to the realization (once again) that Christmas is not all it’s cracked up to be. And, every year at this very time, Nyel reminds me that the holidays are the most stressful time of year and what did I expect.

What I expect is lovely, quiet visits around the fire with friends and family. You know, chestnuts roasting and eggnog flowing and all that. I expect the gifts I give and receive to be total surprises, yet just what was always wanted. I expect the meals to come together effortlessly and the cleanup (minimal) to be a happy time of side-by-side togetherness in a many-hands-make-light-work sort of way. Nyel says I lead a rich fantasy life.

Baked Oysters a la Great Grandma Julia

The reality is #1 that I truly enjoy all the preparation and anticipation of Christmas and #2 that we should probably leave town the evening of December 23^rd and call it good. This year, as usual, I’ve already begun talking about “going away” next Christmas –somewhere warm and tropical and leaving all thoughts of Santa behind. Maybe Hawaii or Mexico or, Nyel says Patagonia. (I know he just threw that out there knowing full well that, just as night follows day, next year will follow this year with the same joyful planning and the same angst in accomplishing the realization of all the above.)

Plum Pudding, Icing and All

I’m pretty sure my folks felt the same way back when it was their turn to host Christmas here in Oysterville. One year they escaped to Mexico City for the holidays and said it was the best Christmas they ever had. “Except for the Oysterville ones,” my mom was always quick to add. She had a rich fantasy life, too, no doubt.

Still… we count our many blessings on this hallowed day – not the least of which is being here in this quiet little village with our loved ones close at hand. The rest is just icing on the plum pudding…