Little Miss Cupcake Sugarpants: Holy Night

December, the diamond-frosted clasp linking twelve

jewelled months to yet another year.

- Phyllis Nicholson

Sarah Ban Breathnach articulates it perfectly. "The old year wanes. No more yearning for what might have been. Instead, open December's generous gift of what is." We've had a busy year to say the least, and now the Christmas season seems to be the chriscendo of it all. I wish it were a time to catch our breath, but we're still motoring along, racing from family to family, doing our best to pack it all in...but damn, its hard. I could use all of 2012 for a vacation...but, that's obviously not going to happen, so in the meantime, we're doing our best to soak in this heartfelt season. But when I sit on Santa's knee, I'll put in my request for some much needed...RnR. Don't mistake that with GnR, although a good session of that might be needed too.;)

I love it, especially the details...the little romantic bits, the magic. And now that Morgan is two-and-a half, she gets it...so fun. I swear being more prepared is the secret for a more harmonious Christmas. I love having my gifts wrapped and under the tree to admire long before they get opened. Especially if they are wrapped so artfully, that its almost a shame to rip them open, unless they've been under the tree long enough, they've served their purpose of charm and beauty. Cheap chocolate advent calendars, mulled wine, cherry candy canes, gorgeous garland, sparkling wreaths, cards in the mail, random acts of kindness, and of course, Silent Night! Oh, Silent Night, I fall in love with that song every year... Boney M, which makes me think of my mom. I'd do anything to make her better. There is always a sadness that resides inside of me during this time of year. A deep stroke of blue swimming low in my belly. I wish she could participate in all this...I miss her so much. The person who showed me what Christmas is all about. My mommy...

What I love most are the connections. Getting together with old family friends, reconnecting with favourite aunts and uncles, cousins and all the wee ones with sugarplums dancing in their eyes. Just spending time with people I treasure over food and drinks prepared with such love. The indulgence of it all- I never mind the tightness in my jeans. Its worth it. I wish we could see more loved ones, have that quality time, but its hard to squeeze everyone in...gotta spread it more over the year.

Yes, this is how we do it, and love it. The simple splendours that make this time of year a feast for the eyes, and in turn, the soul. The memories that are created around all this hullabaloo linger for a lifetime. But man, am I ever glad when its over...

Saving Grace No. 1: Christmas will arrive on December 25 whether you're ready or not.

Saving Grace No. 2: Christmas will depart twenty-four hours after it arrives.

This year we celebrated with Brydon's family at his Uncle Tim's farm. Tiny new additions to the family are welcome blessings, and keep adding to our holy night. Our circle just keeps getting bigger and bigger. To accommodate all 30 of us comfortably, they set up Christmas in the quonset. It was unorthodox to say the least, but an absolute riot. Its magic to see the little ones get so excited- the spirit just shines in their bright young eyes. These are the times real to our hearts. This is Christmas.