IT'S STARTING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

Yes it has started here...the anticipation of Christmas...food...friends...and lots of cheer.
I am going to add to this journal later.
I need to research and think about lots of things before putting everything into words.
But I wanted to put some pictures up of this winter wonderland...and the stirring of Christmas....

So a wee bit on how our family celebrates Christmas...Past and Present.

I can first remember Christmas when we lived on the farm in Acme, Alberta.
I can smell my Mom baking Mince Meat pies, Pumpkin pies, and shortbread cookies...I remember that the most. (I was very young).
I also remember my Parents and my Grandparents all being there for Christmas dinner...I still remember my Dad going and getting the Turkey...chop goes the head. ..and I still remember my Mom cleaning the darn thing (ewwww).
But I loved it when the family all got together, we would drive into Acme on Christmas eve and everyone from all around would come and sing Christmas songs...that is what I remember the most.

When we moved to Campbell River, we lived on 10 acres of land and most of the other family's around owned the same amount of land.  The community was small then, and family's would get together and we would all go cut our own Christmas trees about a week before Christmas.
Dad would leave it outside until Christmas eve, and then we would all decorate it.  Dad put put a little village under the tree and also a train that went all around the bottom of the tree.  Mom would be baking all the week before, (I would sneak into the freezer and eat shortbread) and my Dad would put Christmas lights up outside.   We got to put up the icicles and Christmas ornaments on the tree.  I also remember Japanese oranges, and shortbread cookies...and we would leave them out for Santa.

Now my Father has passed away...but the family still get together at Mom's and my Stepfather's house, mom still makes mincemeat and pumpkin pies.  There is assorted nuts (no not me), chocolate dipped pretzels (yummm), and then a full meal deal of Turkey (bought at the store now, not like on the farm), mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, brussel sprouts (ekkk), and everything in-between.  Mom even makes her perogies (my favorite).  Most of the family makes it up there, they still decorate the tree, sing carols, and have hot apple cider...My older sister who had not been there for a few years lives close by now, so she will be there.   I however have to work this year...so I will make it up after the new year :(  But I still decorate my place, have turkey, and enjoy the spirit.  for me Christmas is for family, friends for celebrating the coming of spring (never soon enough).  Although I will not be with my family, I am still only a phone call away. :)

More to come later....:):):)


I took a few photos of some happy greeters to my home, wanting friends to stop by for a cup of hot chocolate...
They are very welcoming fellow and love visitors....
So welcome to my Christmas!!!!!!
MERRY...MERRY...CHRISTMAS...TO ALL...

Happy reading...