Andy and I always have a long, drawn out Christmas season- which is OK with us.

I start decorating right after Thanksgiving and it usually takes me two good days to fluff and decorate the tree, hang wreaths and trim the banisters with garland and ribbon. Adding the finishing touches such as candles, nutcrackers, floral arrangements is always so much fun for me.

Maybe because I am a year older, but it took me an entire week to decorate my house this year. Maybe it was because I helped decorate my church at the same time or that I changed the candy cane table scape in the dining room this year. I will go with the older thing.

After the house was ready for company, I baked gingerbread, pumpkin/ cranberry/ nut bread and made four batches of Reindeer Chow to give away. There was a party with old friends in North Carolina, gift shopping and wrapping, a cookie exchange in Rocky Mount, Va, a fabulous trip to New York City to meet my son from Portland, Oregon and his family to celebrate Christmas. There was a visit from my son and his family from North Carolina and candlelight services at church. Angel trees, good will, Christmas carols and a party with Andy's family at the lake. Miracle on 42nd Street, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and The Shop Around The Corner. Such a magical, spiritual, hectic and fun-filled time of the year.