Thanksgiving meal is over and already burned off from the gym, I mean ZUMBA!
Tree is decorated, cards are addressed and mailed. Christmas shopping complete and presents wrapped, gift cards…check, house cleaned and decorated. Christmas eve dinner planned, lunch with friends scheduled, I’m done! Stick a fork in me!
Christmas customs have changed over the years. Everything has to be easy and fast. Memories of years past with all of the preparation including Christmas Eve dinner cooking smelts, Italian Wedding Soup, a roast, tossed salad, baked potatoes, cookies and more. Everyone sitting around mom’s dining room table chatting, telling jokes and eating way too much. Don’t worry, if you don’t eat it now, mom put a grocery-size doggie bag together for us to take home.
Christmas day was a day of travel to spend time with in-laws and draw in their traditions. Country cooking is about abundance from turkey, ham, stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, and, of course, homemade biscuits. Did I mention cakes, pies, peanut brittle, cookies and banana pudding? I gained 5 pounds just thinking about all the food.
Kids opening their presents are the highlight of the evening. Excitement watching them light up like a Christmas tree is a vision etched in my mind. Technology has taken over. Anything that is tablet or smart phone related is a cool gift. One thing has not changed over the years, where the women hang out at the dining room table talking about work, hot flashes and how guilty they feel about eating too much. The men are talking about who knows what in another room. New Year’s resolutions include dieting and getting back on track. Yeah, sure.
I cherish all of the moments spending time with family. Many have gone to be with the Lord. Oh, how I miss them. I will always remember our special times together.
With a new year comes new resolutions. Welcome!