What It's All About

Christmas, that is. We all know what it's all about- a time to celebrate/acknowledge the birth of the Christ Child. We all also put our own spins on the season. Some have forgotten all about the birth of Jesus. Some have put him on the back burner. Some share the day with Santa. And presents. And family.

I put no stock in the caring of when Christ was actually born. I believe it matters more that we celebrate regardless of the date. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are two of the most wonderful days of the year. But, for me, the best part is the preparation and anticipation that begins the weekend after Thanksgiving.

People who know me, truly know me, are aware of this fact. Which means that there is one person for certain and maybe one more (not really, the lovelies are aware) who are not only aware but spend time in the preparation/anticipation with me. Even one from afar.

When I was a little girl, the preparation for the arrival of Christmas was the most wonderful part of the entire event. There were trees to decorate and parades to see. There were goodies to be baked and eaten. There were gifts to buy and adorn with brightly colored, foil paper and puffy bows and curly ribbons tagged with the names of recipients in cursive (we searched for our own and remembered each and every one from the moment they were carefully placed under the fragrant Douglas Fir until Christmas Day-though remember our multiplication tables we could not). There were relatives to visit and Christmas cards to address and post. There were carols to be sung and pageants to attend. There were parties to attend and stories to be read. There were advent candles to light and Christmas lights to behold. There were Christmas movies to watch and the Charlie Brown Christmas special, of course.

In all honesty, who wouldn't love the weeks leading up to the big day?!

When the lovelies were growing up, I wanted them to experience the pure joy of the preparation and anticipation of the holiday so we decorated trees and attended and participated in the parades. We baked goodies and ate them. We shopped for gifts and adorned them with the brightly colored paper, the bows, the ribbons, the tags ( that were specially labeled with codes yet the lovelies searched for theirs and had no trouble figuring out which was which nor did they have trouble with their multiplication tables). We visited relatives and addressed Christmas cards. We sang carols and attended (and participated in) the pageants. We attended and hosted the parties and we read the stories. We lit the candles and rode around looking at the lights. We watched the Christmas movies and the Charlie Brown Christmas special.

Life, during the weeks before Christmas were busy, yes. But it was a good busy. A busy that revolved around fun, laughter, joy... A busy that reflected that our hearts were full and overflowing with all things good, happy, loving... A busy that pulled us closer together with a bond secured by a love so deep that, no matter how hard they tried, no one could sever. A bond that lasts a lifetime and beyond.

That is the time that makes my Christmas season special. Meaningful. Wonderful.

Now that the lovelies are all grown up, they come to help with some of the preparations when they can. Of course, they are making their own preparatory traditions because this time is special to them as well. And, with an empty nest, I would find myself spending my preparatory time alone were it not for friends. And so my most wonderful friends, who understand my love of this time of year, I thank you. I thank you for your understanding. I thank you for your time. I thank you for your love, your bigger than life hearts, your attention to detail. I thank you for you.

You are truly blessings in my life.

It's My Turn!

 One of the things I love most to do is entertain.  In the good 'ol days--the days before our nest became empty--we hosted many gatherings in our cozy little house, from occasion related parties to casual cookouts just to have fun with neighbors, friends, and family.

The cookouts were just like the ones you've seen in movies and even commercials.  A gathering of adults and children- the grill smoking with burgers and hot dogs; sprinkler blasting water in all directions as the kids run, laughing and screaming, through the jetted streams, pulling each other in the wagon, swinging and hanging upside down on the swing set; adults with drinks in their hands, talking and laughing, cooking and getting all the necessary items out on the picnic tables for the Norman Rockwellish summer feast--buns, condiments, watermelon, baked beans, homemade french fries, cups, plates and napkins decorated with a summer theme of beach umbrellas and flip flops.  No special occasion needed--just spending time with each other.

There were the occasion supported gatherings, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, bridal and baby showers, etc.  And then there were the holiday gatherings from dinner parties where we all actually dressed up and prepared fancy five course meals (where our next door neighbor, at the time, would make her homemade French Onion soup--DELICIOUS!) to parties for the purpose of collecting toys for children of the local migrant workers and creating Christmas crafts.

Ah, yes.  Those were, indeed, the days my friend.  But then--and is almost seems suddenly, now--the children got older, some of the adults grew apart and divorced, and others moved to new neighborhoods, towns, or even states.  This, coupled with a now empty nest, led me to the realization that we had better come up with some holiday plans that would accommodate everyone being able to attend which led to our Annual Christmas Oyster Roasts!

My thoughts were that we have this gathering the weekend before Christmas and include friends and family.   That way, should anyone not be able to make it the actual day of Christmas, we will still be together during the season.  I know this kind of thing happens with an empty nest, especially when one daughter is married and another one lives nine hours away and has a job and then there's the one who is attending grad school in Texas (20 freaking hours away from home).

I quickly became aware that the preparations wouldn't be as much fun as they used to be when our girls were little. When I roll up the cheese and olive balls and the sausage balls, for example, they will all be uniform in size and I won't have to say something like, "We're not rolling up basketballs here girls." (and very few to none will be dropped on the floor.).

No one will be here to get covered in icing while decorating the Christmas cookies. No one will be here to lick the mixing bowl of cake batter and icing. No one will be here to lick the cooled pot that was used to cook the homemade fudge. No one will be here to ask if I would please just go ahead and cook a few things right now just for a taste. No one will be here to help decorate the house or the trees. No one will be here to shake every single present under the tree to try and guess the contents (and YES they STILL do this.).   

HOWEVER, they will be here to enjoy the fruits of my lonely labor!  Plus, it's an OYSTER ROAST!  Who doesn't love an oyster roast?!  There will be oysters outside and Christmas goodies inside (because, although I love to throw the party, I HATE oysters) and the warmth will be provided by the gathering of friends and family. 

Excitement is now mounting for the SECOND ANNUAL EMPTY NEST/CHRISTMAS OYSTER ROAST. Food preparation has commenced. The order for three bushels of Bulls Bay oysters has been put in. The house is nearly decorated- just one more tree to go and a few village pieces. Hubs has transformed our neglected back yard into a just right place for an oyster roast.

So, what does one serve at an oyster roast- besides...OYSTERS?

Inside I will have Irish Potato Soup and Low-Country Boil plus Christmas goodies such as cheese and olive balls; sausage balls; cream cheese candy; homemade fudge; spicy artichoke dip; crap and asparagus dip; crabbies; a cheese spread topped with homemade cranberry sauce; homemade Chex Mix (made by my mother who is the only one to ever get even close to making it as good as my grandmother did). What to drink? My Christmas punch and, for the oyster eaters- beer, of course!

I leave you with pictures from last year's oyster roast. This year's gathering is next Saturday so I'll post new pictures for y'all next weekend!

OH, I'll try to put the recipes in an upcoming post.

Down the hatch!

 

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