I haven’t forgotten my blog; I’ve just been dealing with writer’s block. It’s probably just the hectic season. My head has been awash in all things Christmas, and I’ve been busy planning and doing. I’ve missed my early morning writing sessions, however. I think I’ve started about six different posts, but I am not feeling any of them. Hopefully I’ll have better luck next month.
This past weekend we took an inter city bus to Grand Rapids to enjoy the Nutcracker ballet at Devos Performance Hall. Our hotel was right downtown—within walking distance of the bus station as well as the performance. Taking in the holiday sights and sounds of this beautiful city was a wonderful experience, and I hope to visit again someday. The only downfall was that we didn’t get to visit the brand new Christkindl Markt, so no raclette for me! However, judging from Facebook posts, it looks like the market has been a success, and so hopefully it will return next year.
Last week we baked and decorated our sugar cookies—just Christmas trees and snowmen this year. We ran out of white frosting, so some of our snowmen were green—green and delicious. Today is the day for gingerbread men, and we will pipe little faces and clothing on them. This is something I haven’t done in a few years, which is more evidence that things are improving for me. Then throughout this week we’ll be making Italian rainbow cookies, marshmallows, fudge, macaroons, and toffee.
On Saturday, we’ll be celebrating Christmas with my youngest daughter. I’m looking forward to whipping up a lasagna—a nice home cooked meal for the girl who doesn’t cook. It will be made with love as I anticipate my family being all gathered together—if even for a short time. I am blessed to have two these two beautiful souls who choose to spend this special time with me. They are my whole world, and I hope I’ll always be deserving of this privilege.
For Christmas Eve and Christmas, it will just be Sam and I, but we won’t let that dampen our spirits! On Sunday, we will be carrying on our tradition of Christmas Eve appetizers, most of which seem to include bacon this year. We will definitely be merrymaking because it’s important to me to celebrate these special times in our lives regardless of the number of attendees. Between Sam and I, there will be plenty of Christmas spirit in our home!
On Christmas, Sam and I will enjoy a leisurely morning of Christmas Cranberry Cake, coffee, and opening gifts. I do not usually cook a Christmas dinner; instead, we feast on leftover appetizers of which I always make too many! After the hustle and bustle of a month of holiday preparations, it’s nice to relax on the Big Day, itself. However, we have talked about preparing a nice brunch next year. This is only the fourth Christmas we’ve celebrated in our own home, so we’re still figuring out traditions. For now, we’re just experimenting—and fully enjoying the process. I’m curious and excited to find out what our future Christmases will have in store for us. As long as it’s filled with family and Christmas cheer, I’ll be happy.
So, that is what is going on in my life. For now, I’m enjoying living in the moment—not in my head. I really hope I’ll be back to blogging in the New Year, however, because things are finally looking up for me, and I’d like to write about this new chapter of my life. I think that blogging has played a large part in bringing me to this point. Through writing, I have really reflected on these past four years and how difficult they’ve been. But blogging has also given a voice to a part of me that I thought was gone forever. It has whispered very softly that it is time to move on from all of the tragedy and loss, and to welcome a new beginning filled with possibility. I’m going to do my best, and I am hopeful that I will be able to share that journey here.
