Wednesday, December 24, 2014

~ Christmas Eve ~

It's finally here ~

Christmas Eve!

I think I might enjoy this night even more than Christmas Morning…
When Peter & I were younger ~ before Hannah was even born,
we celebrated Christmas Eve at my family's house.
Usually at my sister's house or my mom's…
we gathered for dinner, then opened our presents in a round-robin style.

...we laughed and celebrated being together as adults then,
~ instead of as children.






when Hannah came along,
{she is our Christmas Gift}
Peter & I continued to celebrate Christmas Eve with our families,
but now we saw things through her eyes ~

...we saw Christmas Eve the way we did when both of us were little...
everything was magical to us again!






Once our little family moved to Virginia from Connecticut
back in 2003,
our Christmas Eve became almost lonely for me ~ 

...but we met and made wonderful new friends 
~ who invited us into their warm homes to celebrate 
with their family's traditions 

...and we are ever thankful for them.






Now that Hannah is no longer living at home,
{and Peter & I are officially empty-nesters}
Christmas Eve is made special once again by our girl's return home for the Holidays….
her visit may be brief, 
...but the memories made together are perpetual.







Tonight we will bake cookies from ancient family recipes 
{which are safely tucked into my stained & bedraggled cook book}
...conjuring the sights and smells of a Christmas Eve kitchen long ago
where molasses cookies and fudge were made by my mothers loving hands…

after dinner, 
we will sit by the wood stove 
and watch old movies together ~ 
...popcorn & hot cocoa will be made
and all will be right with the world for us.

Peter & I will most likely bore Hannah to tears {again} with our beloved memories
 of how she was due to be born on Christmas Eve, but arrived 4 days early due to my having pneumonia and coughing so hard that my water broke….

...ahh…good times ;)

then Peter, Hannah & I will head to separate rooms 
...to wrap our presents bought for each other ~
where from behind each other's closed doors we will hear the sounds 
of paper rumpling & scissors cutting and that noise of tape being pulled from plastic dispensers
{and I'm sure a few 'chosen' words by me since I'm not a good present-wrapper.}







then
we'll pile the presents under the tree….
Hannah will most likely talk us into letting her open "just one???"
and we will concede to let her.

...we will no doubt talk about our Christmas Day plans for tomorrow
which will be spent with good friends warming & gracing our humble farmhouse…
and I'll ready the farmhouse ~ 
...making sure it will welcome our guests with open arms and warm hugs.







if time allows,
I'll take a little time for myself to stitch ~
perhaps during a movie 
or even later...
when the house is quite and snug.

while stitching, 
I'll think of you all ~
Family and friends both near & far…
and how I miss you and wish we could all be together once again.







...have a beautiful Christmas Eve my friends,
spent with those that love you most ~


* Blessed be * 
Lori

26 comments:

denise said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

Ann K. said...

Christmas Blessings to you and your family!

Sandi said...

Merry Christmas to you & your family, Lori :)

Silent Stitches said...

"Holiday Blessings" to you and your family, Lori. "Best wishes" for the New Year. ~C

cerato said...

Merry Christmas!
¡Feliz Navidad!

Jonette said...

Merry Christmas!

Lynn said...

Thank you so much for sharing your family traditions and your thoughts with us. I wish you all a very blessed and peaceful Christmas!

quiltsbycheri said...

the blessings of Christmas are ever perpetual..... XO

Rugs and Pugs said...

Merry, Merry Christmas!!!

Kathy Barrick said...

And to you as well my Sweet Friend!

Unknown said...

....what a lovely post.....my mom and dad always celebrated on Christmas Eve....in the evening with a big variety of good things to eat, then opening presents by the fire....when I married, we continued that same tradition....Merry Christmas to you and your family !!!

Angie said...

Beautiful post~Merry Christmas!

Jacqueline said...

I used to think Christmas was for the children, now I realiE it is for family of all ages.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Unknown said...

Unique family memories that make our present even better.....merry Christmas for you and your family

Joy said...

Beautiful post...Merry Christmas!

WoolenSails said...

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and your lives are filled with blessings in the coming year.

Debbie

Daniela Bencúrová said...

Beautiful memories of youth:-))
Me today with memories of youth falling tears ......
I wish you a safe and happy Christmas !!!

Chris said...

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Sue Robinson said...

It sounds as though you'll have a wonderful time this Christmas. Thank you for all the pleasure your writing brings; you have a way with words as well as all your crafting skills. Merry Christmas to you and yours from rural Normandy in France.

Dogwood Farm said...

Merry Christmas and warm hugs to you and your family! xoxo

Lori Ann Corelis said...

And a beautiful Christmas eve to you, Peter and Hannah . . . .
Bask in the glow.
Xo
L

Kathy L. said...

So sweet. Merry Christmas!
Kathy

Jo said...

Merry Christmas Lori & Peter & Hannah! I'm so glad I got to finally meet you this year at the From Our Hands show! And thanks to you for reviving my interest in punch needle! Here's to 2015!

cucki said...

* *   * *  * 
MERRY CHRISTMAS
★  *  ★  ☆  ★ *  
 * *  * 

Barb said...

What a lovely post. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Unknown said...

Loved your telling us about Christmas Eve at your home...so very wonderful!May this be a special Christmas for you and all your family!

Martha