The last minute Christmas…

This has been one of the busiest years on record.

I feel like I have made so many things and deadlines and projects just by the skin of my teeth.

My house is not decked as I usually have it at Christmas (and it was never overly decked to begin with). We finally threw our hands up and settled for our tree being covered with white lights and (to fulfill my 11-year-olds never ending wish and request) a gajillion candy canes for ornaments because neither Jonathan or I had the energy or will to dig through our storage unit for Christmas decorations that we were not all that excited to expose to the adorable tornado of wee that is Butterlump this year.

I did a great deal of my Christmas shopping today amongst the crazy that is last-minute shopping.

(I may require years of therapy for the hyena pit that was WalMart.)

In many ways I have been a Christmas season failure compared to other years.

But…

I have made and delivered a gazillion (and one) pans of Pioneer Woman buttery, smothered and to-die-for cinnamon rolls for friends and family to have on Christmas morning for breakfast.

I’ve made boxes and boxes of my sweet and spicy nuts as gifts of love.

My killer sweet potatoes, baked beans and baked brie are all ready to be made for Christmas dinner.

We welcomed home my Father-in-Law from Afghanistan (and plan on spending lots of time with him until he has to go back in 3 weeks) and we had a lovely Christmas Eve at their house with gifts and music and love and food. (And I did all the dishes so my MIL wouldn’t have to clean up.)

I got to see my own parents and make sure they had goodies to munch on on Christmas Eve.

And most importantly…

I’ve tried my best to show the people that I love and care for my feelings by word or gift or deed.

Because it is Christmas.

The most charitable, loving time of the year.

If you can’t tell people how you feel about them at Christmas, when can you?

And before I set off for my favorite time of the year–when I put on Christmas music and wrap gifts with Jonathan by candle light and we clean and ready our snug little house for our family’s Christmas morning–I HAD to tell you all how much you mean to me.

This little blog has changed my life.

For the better.

I have loved getting to know each one of you. (Yes, even you back there. The lurker. With the red sweater. You can’t hide from me. ;) )

You’re the bee’s knees, people.

And it just wouldn’t be Christmas without telling you so.

Happy holidays to you and yours,

xo,

Loralee