Merry Christmas

I want to wish all of my friends, family and readers Happy Holidays. I managed to survive last minute Christmas shopping, a full day of gift wrapping and 3 days of cooking. And although on Thanksgiving I had looked at my budget and told my children we were going to have a lean Christmas, once again we were overly blessed. The fact that our idea of a lean Christmas is still abundant hit home when we invited one of my daughter's friends to share the day with us. I knew the young woman had said she couldn't afford to buy Christmas presents, but I didn't realize that her family would not be exchanging gifts or that they hadn't even put up a tree this year. Not only did we provide her with a few gifts, she shared our traditions. The breakfast quiche and coffee for breakfast. Waiting for the kids grandparents to get here before we could start unwrapping gifts. And the sharing as we each excitedly waited for our loved ones to open the gifts we had chosen for them. For us, it's most fun when we've managed to surprise them with the perfect gift.
My Mom and Dad spoiled us all, and it's because of them that our 'lean' Christmas was not lean at all. And then I set about to cooking Christmas dinner. Ham, potatoes, fresh green beans w/mushrooms and candied carrots followed by pumpkin cheesecake. Luckily our home has a Wii, and we were able to 'bowl' and play 'tennis' to work off that overstuffed feeling.
I hope that each and everyone of you have shared your own heartwarming version of my day. Merry Christmas everyone!