E - Vida

"You just get to the point when you realise that even if you were to drive straight to Boston Logan and board a direct flight, you wouldn't get to Cape Town in time for Christmas." Once I reached that point this week, I exhaled a little.  The look of Christmas time may be changing for us but the meaning remains the same. And as I dust those hard-to-reach-so-just-ignored places, put on the holiday playlist, light some candles and set the table for lunch, I'll have a lump in my throat - no doubt. But I resolve to have a more thoughtful Christmas -  to smile more and yell less,  to put aside for someone needy and be a gracious hostess,  to think about Jesus - the real gift worth giving  and make that the focus of a life worth living  Merry Christmas!  (Christmas Doodles found throughout the house, by Ethan.)

Thinking back over the last 3 months... Five places visited: 1. Stonewall Farm in Keene - by accident - but found goats, muddy nature walks and a park 2. Riverview Farm to check out the corn maze, pumpkins and apple orchard     3. Leede Arena where Jorja attended a basketball clinic run by Dartmouth University                                                        Credit: mpn-arch.com 4. Shaker Museum Fair with horse-drawn carts, candle-making, butter churning and more!   5. Sharon Rest Stop to see the Eco-Machine and first Vietnam Memorial On repeat in our car: Frozen Movie soundtrack Favourite pass time then (Autumn): Playing the  game of Ga-ga   any place we can find the space Quite a nuisance then (Autumn): Neighbours' leaf blowing tactics... Would be nice to have: Haircuts and a few more hours of sunshine Favourite pass time now (Winter): Sledding - even if it results in wipe-outs and frosty bum cheeks Quite a nuisance now