A little Christmas light ...
December 16, 2006 at 5:43 PM
by Ashleigh
This evening, faced with the darkening sky, I decided to light all the candles for the first time this festive season.
Brad is of German descent and traditionally had an Advent wreath at home, but we don't follow that tradition. I love candles, but strangely, don't actually light them all that often.
Brad and the kids are in the darkened living room with a twilight sky outside, basking in candlelight and fairy light, and playing games on the Playstation 2. When I asked if they thought the lights were pretty I got told 'But Mama, we have seen them already!' in an exasperated tone, as if to say 'just let me get on with my game!' Everyone seems happy.
The tree is decorated; the Kerstdiner at school has been celebrated; cellophane packets of vanilla fudge are bundled up, awaiting ribbon and then being paired with gift vouchers for the teachers; the gifts are bought; the cake is made; the mincemeat is made, ready for mince pies, the stockings are waiting to be hung ....
Uh oh. The Christmas cards are not sent and the Christmas letter is not written ... I guess I won't be getting that Martha award after all ;)
The week has been one of those weeks when you realise just how much older you're getting and just how complicated life can be sometimes.
Sebastian looked so grown up at his Kerstdiner that I, staring right at him in the darkened classroom, sent Brad outside to go and find him. I only realised that my son was right in front of me when I stopped looking for a little boy and started looking for a young man. At least I didn't cry like I did at his first and second Christmas dinners.
Joe looked awesomely cute in his suit. It is worth every penny spent on the outfits to see the boys looking so gorgeous. I made cupcakes with lurid pink icing and mini-pizzas for the classes. 36 cupcakes and 20 mini-pizzas. They love them, but next year my repertoire must expand.
On Wednesday night Brad's mom had surgery to remove her appendix, only 2 weeks after hip replacement surgery. We were concerned, but relieved when we heard that it was successful. Such bad timing for it to come on the heels of a major surgery.
Brad has had two colleagues leave his place of employment recently, after years in Holland, to go 'home' to attend to frail parents. I guess like most people I don't often think about my parents' health until something happens. Then the realisation of being more than twelve hours flying time away presses rather urgently.
My mom saw my daughter yesterday for the first time in 3 years. It's odd to imagine I have a 14 year old daughter wandering the earth, and a little heart-wrenching to hear how beautiful, clever and confident she is (and to think that it's not because of me!). I always feel peculiar when I talk to my mom about my daughter, because even though she doesn't mean to, I feel as though she blames me. More twists and turns than a soap opera in this family...
My Decembers are usually spent wishing for my family to be around me, but this year, for the first time since we lived in England I feel as though we are enough of a family on our own. I used to be in the habit of inviting strangers to spend the day with us, feeling sorry for them (and myself) and wishing to spread a little Christmas cheer. This year, it's just us four and it will be nice. We're working on menus, the kids will dress up and we'll have a fabulous day doing things we like to do.
And on a tv related note, we've been watching Heroes. I love this series, between it and Battlestar Galactica, my sci-fi/fantasy desires have been overwhelmed!
Think Dark Skies + X-Men + First Wave ... You'll love it.
And now, I'm off to watch Nigella's Christmas Kitchen to get me in the mood for some baking!
Later in the week I promise to share the easiest marmalade recipe in the world, discovered while trying to use up an abundance of citrus in my Vitatas!
Comments
Oooooh what a lovely photo!!! The candle looks beautiful and you did a great job with that shot!
I may have asked you this before but I forget so I'm going to ask again hehe
Where do you get your cross stitches framed here in NL? I have no idea where to go to have it done. Do they stretch it out onto the thing etc?
Isn't her method of delivery just SO delicious...rather disappointed to read she will be in Barbados for the festive season though. I was just imagining her in that kitchen, cooking like the rest of us!
Your Christmas decor looks beautiful. Despite the heart ache I am sure it help to hear that Arianne is doing well and that you have all moved on in life and found happiness. That's the most important thing.
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family. We are also just celebrating as a family of 4 this year, it's what we have chosen.
Someday, if it's not too private or painful to tell, I'd like to read the story of your daughter.
Hi
I found your website while looking for something to do with left over pork, what a find! I dont have time to read now but i am saving it on my favorites to come back to in the new year!
Oh and i will let you know how i get on with your receipy
You should be a photographer, Ash!
Our kids LOVE it when we light the candles and turn out the lights. Even those who are normally scared of the dark. I like it, too, till the fights begin over who gets to blow out the darn things.
Niek's cooking tonight and it smells heavenly. I hope your weekend is grand!!
December 16, 2006 5:55 PM