This time of year is magic for us.
Pure magic.
Sure, there never seems to be enough time to get everything done, and there’s always all the negative stuff that can creep in this time of year, but we do our best to ward it off with pine boughs and cookies and quiet evenings in front of the fire.
I love the combination of festivity and solemness this time of year brings. Short, overcast days with rare peeks of sun for us, but the twinkle of Christmas lights helps make up for the lack of sunbeams. Candlelight, frosty windows and anticipation swirling together. Ribbon candy, and old-fashioned decorations and ornaments that have been hung with care year after year. Nostalgia is a big part of the magic for us.
Seeing the magic through our kids eyes is wonderful, too. I wonder what it will be like for them when they’re adults. What will they remember and what will be deemed so special that its almost holy in its reverence.
I know many things from my childhood holidays have slipped beyond the reach of my memory. But many things haven’t. I still remember my grandmother’s favorite carol. And I can still smell the pine from all of our previous Christmas trees. The sound of scissors cutting wrapping paper. Bach and the Waitresses and the Muppets’ 12 Days of Christmas…ba da ba ba. Stevie Wonder and Elton John and Hark the Herald Angels Sing, mixing the old carols with the newer music that makes our kids (and us) want to dance.
So a Very Merry to you and yours, no matter what you celebrate this time of year or how you celebrate it. Wishing you Peace, Love and Joy in this season and throughout the new year!
NestOfSquirrels 
Wonderful! And a very Merry to you too! Hope you had a fabulous day .. 🙂
Thanks so much! Hope yours was fantastic, too! 🙂
Merry Christmas from Finland!
Merry Christmas! And all the best in the new year!
Lovely! Happy Christmas!
Thank you! Happy Christmas!
Such evocative descriptions and photos–I really think our childhood memories of Christmas carry us through the holiday every year. Hope your day was all you wished for!
Thank you! And our day was lovely, indeed! I hope yours was filled with joy as well! 🙂
A wonderful Christmas to you!
And to you! And I hope your new year is filled with joy!
Lovely post and thanks for sharing memories! Hope all of you at the Squirrel nest had a wonderful Christmas with new memories to add. Wishing you Love and Peace and Joy as well for the New Year, Johanna
Thanks, Johanna! I hope your Christmas was lovely, as well! Wishing you and yours all the best in the new year! Ben
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Sounds like you do the holidays just right. Merry Christmas to you and yours and best wishes for 2015!
Thanks! Wishing you a lovely holiday season and a new year filled with joy! Ben
Such charming decorations! Happy Holidays : )
Thank you! Happy Holidays to you and yours and much joy in the new year! ~Ben
Hope you had a lovely day. Merry Christmas.
Thank you! Hope yours was lovely as well!
Benjamin, this is lovely. I so enjoy reading your writing! Merry Christmas to you and your family!–Kimberley
Thank you so much! I hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas and your new year is filled with joy! Cheers, Ben
enjoy every moment-it passes ever so quickly:-) truly magical!
Indeed! Wishing you a new year filled with joy! Cheers, Ben 🙂
Many wishes for a wonderful 2015!
Hello!
Here’s to hoping the new year is started off in the right direction!
I have nominated your blog for a Liebster Award. If you accept, please answer the questions on my post and nominate 5 other people. Best wishes!
Thank you so much! I’ll answer the questions as soon as I can. Happy New Year! 🙂
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I see Kermit on the curtain rod. Are he and Rudolph singing a duet — “The Red Nose Connection”, maybe, or “We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Hi-ber-na-tion”? Does Kermit know how fortunate frogs are, not to have to shovel snow?
Safe and wonderful 2015 to you and your family!
LOL! A fortunate frog, indeed! And a healthy and happy 2015 to you and yours!
Ben, I admire your writing and have nominated your blog for a Liebster Award. It does involve some time and effort on your part, but I hope you’ll find it fun! You can find the details at the end of my most recent entry: https://cosmosandcleome.wordpress.com/2015/01/09/awards-season-not-just-for-film-and-tv-anymore/
Thanks so much, Kimberly! That’s so very kind of you! I’ll get my blogging hat on and get busy, tout de suite! Thanks again! Ben
A very belated Merry Christmas and New Years to you! I just realized I hadn’t stopped by for awhile; I had to look up my recipe for oven roasted broccoli and your comment there reminded me! 🙂
Lovely tree and beautiful post! 🙂
Thank you so much and a happy 2015 to you and yours! 🙂
Already counting the days to the next one!
Us, too! As soon as there’s a little nip in the morning air we start dreaming of tinsel… 🙂