I live on a farm ... — Holidays

Tommorow my parents arrive late in the afternooon ... preparations are still under way. Yesterday we finished getting the sitting area by the fireplace ready for the holiday. It is in a part of the house that has not been remodelled or restored, and so was a bit rough around the edges. Transforming it into a cozy place for visiting was enjoyable, not very difficult, and didn't cost anything. With a bit of imagination, rearranging a few pieces of furniture, and placing several inexpensive tea and votive candles here and there the area took on a new life. Now an...

Doesn't that pumpkin bread look tasty? Let's pretend ... You just came to my door, I welcome you inside. "Coffee?" I ask, and you reply, "Yes, thank you." I grab two cups of steaming brew and hand one to you. We head for the sitting area by the fireplace to enjoy a cup of coffee and some of this tasty, moist pumpkin bread together. A warm fire is crackling, and you can see our barn outside the windows on either side of the fireplace. Handmade Christmas stockings for my husband, myself, my daughter, son, and parents hang from the mantle....

That's what we dream of each year ... isn't it? And, what is the perfect Christmas? Is it the vision on a television commercial, or is it reflected in a perfectly decorated set on a movie? Is it the scene you see drawn and painted on Christmas cards? Perhaps a vision of Christmas from when you were a child and everything still felt like exquisite and unchallenged magic? Side Bar: My eBook, "A Christmas Story" is available now to download. You may click on the picture at the right, or follow this link to get to the download page for...