Christmas is in the Air...or Aire...

Ahhhh...Christmas is in the air. The cd player now holds all 16 Christmas and or holiday cds that I own! And, I am actually in the process of playing them. Unusual for me...

I have had a deep struggle this year about the holidays. It was at this time last year that my partner of eleven years and I decided that our life together would cease to be as we knew it. It was a difficult Christmas and New Year.

This year I have chosen to not let the Season overwhelm me - but to rather go with what I am feeling comfortable with. I enjoy sitting down and addressing cards to my family and friends - with some it is the only time that we hear from each other.

My daughter is grown and is living in Arizona building her own Christmas traditions while I hope embracing some of the ones she grew up with. Her Christmas gifts this year have been well chosen to reflect who she has become - a beautiful young woman!

I am refusing to allow the commericalism of the holiday to intrude into my life and have chosen not to become involved in the "I have to get something for this person or that person" - instead I am chosing to celebrate each of my friends throughout the coming year when I have the time to make, create, or buy gifts that truly reflect that person and my friendship with them. (Even though I tried to do that at the holidays each year - it somehow has never felt complete for me - does that make any sense?)

Also, decorations will be sparse in my home this year. I still don't have my apartment the way that I want it - (as you know - you've only seen the kitchen and dining area - because that is all that I am happy with)...and the thought of trying to get a tree in here and figuring out where it will go is just too overwhelming. Once I see how my floor plan shakes out - then next year I will be more ready to explore my decorating abilities (of which there are damn few!).

So let the Season begin...I am all about enjoying family, friends, music, television shows, movies, and the great outdoors this holiday season. I hope you will enjoy the same.

And, speaking of the great outdoors...

These photos of a pretty little Christmas tree farm on Route 5 in Vermont were taken yesterday. Just a few minutes after I took the photos on Half Mile Road. It was gorgeous! Just enough snow to sprinkle white stuff on the trees. Vermont did not seem to get as much snow this week as we did just five miles away in New Hampshire. Go figure!

There is something to be said for that red barn sitting amidst a grove of Christmas trees surrounded by gorgeous white fluffy snow. Ahhhhh....