You probably gave up on me!  If I still have any interested readers, sorry for the long pause in writing.  I won't bore you with details of why I have been too busy to write but I thank you for your patience and I will try to get back in the swing of posting regularly!  That said...on to Christmas cheer!  Although I always pledge to bring in more color, I couldn't resist the white Christmas photos!  Maybe it's the 82 degree day we had in Houston today, or the carpool mom I saw wearing white jeans, a white t-shirt and sandals but the holiday season in my head involves a fire in the fireplace, warm soup on the stove and no mosquitoes.  When choosing my tree this year, I was in a hurry as usual.  The man pulled out the most perfect fat and tall Frazier Fur tree I had ever seen.  I cautioned him that I thought it was too big for my room.  He assured me it was the same as last year so without hesitation, I bought it.  Turns out, at least a foot had to be cut off to fit and the angel has to ride slightly lower than the top.  In addition to it's vertical height, the width of the tree is as long as the couch behind it, so that's probably 6 feet.  Like a Maltese dog who doesn't know it is small, I somehow thought I lived in a house with 12 foot ceilings and rooms so large they echo.  Tonight, my son came in the front door as I was watching TV on the couch.  I had to yell out, "I'm here, behind the tree!"  I guess if you have to have delusional thoughts, it's better to think you have it better than you do versus the other way around!  I enjoy the season more than I used to.  Partly because I have let go of trying to buy the perfect gift for absolutely everyone and their dog. If the Christmas cards don't get out - New Year cards will.  Also, my boys are older and tell me exactly what they want so it's not difficult shopping.  I think the main reason I enjoy the season more now than before is making the conscious choice to have more peace and less stress.  I realized a few years ago that my quest for perfection on all fronts was shorting the very people I care about most.  In spite of sad events that have happened lately, I hope you find peace this holiday season.  The six-year-old in me still believes in good old Christmas magic.  In fact, this year, I've been pretty good.  I might get that miniature pony...

Photos via Canadian House and Home