I LOVE Christmas!

 I LOVE Christmas!

It amazes me how differently time passes now as an adult from when I was a child. A year, a month, a week, even a day could be an eternity years ago. These days, though, I often find myself feeling as though years pass in the blink of an eye.

With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas just around the corner, I reminisce about all my favorite holiday memories. The Christmas season is my favorite time of year, filled with delicious sights, sounds, and senses that give birth to delight in any and every way.

‘Tis the season of gifting and of blessings. It truly is the best time of year.

I have amazing memories of the holidays growing up. I fondly remember the excitement of Christmas Eve, spending the day awaiting Dad’s arrival home from his annual Eve shopping trip downtown.  
All four of us would outdo ourselves for church, only to be reckoned by “The Fitzgerald Family Curse.” This is what we all came to refer to it as – extreme punctuality. The family’s departure time would be made known, and then all four of us, no matter what and always unintentional, would convene in the family room 10-15 minutes early. At that point, Mom, Dad, and the two girls would find a seat and awkwardly stare at each other until Dad would announce, “The boat’s leaving.” This curse, by the way, was not unique to Christmas. Any formal “event” requiring a scheduled retreat resulted in this eerie and early time of silence. This makes me smile.

Depending on the year, Christmas Eve dinner of Nancy’s soup and Mom’s special Christmas Salad would be enjoyed with special family friends either before or after church. Before dinner, Dad and I would dance. Variations of Canon in D. George Winston. It takes my breath away.

One gift. We were each able to select just ONE gift to open on Christmas Eve – before the big day. This was more than special.

Christmas memories are so many things. Family, love, blessings, smiles, and M&M breath.  
Yep.  
My dear old dad has an insatiable appetite for peanut M&Ms and I absolutely adore the sweet aroma wafting from the lips of those just consumed. Christmas time means red and green peanut M&Ms.   
(Even almond M&Ms).  

In honor of Dad and the memory, I almost will them unto others, if only to catch the scent. Peanut M&Ms (mostly the red and green ones) really make me happy.

 

Oh, and I adore my mom’s peanut butter balls.  
ADORE them.

There is NOTHING like peanut butter and chocolate ~ together!