Christmas decorations, I miss the houses, like my brother Mark's trimmed in lights. I miss Santa and his reindeers on the rooftops, I miss happy go lucky Christmas carols like, "The Waitresses."" Which reminds me I cannot find my Christmas music. I miss candy canes that do not cost a dollar each. In other words I miss Christmas in the USA. That is not to say I do not like Christmas in France, because I do, especially the window displays, the chestnuts roasting on nearly every city corner and the beautiful chocolates gift boxes.
In general the USA Christmas is fun and in France Christmas is pretty, or you could say Christmas is pretty and fun in the USA, and in France it is pretty and delicious.
French Husband, Sacha, Chelsea and I exchanged Christmas lists: French Husband wants nothing since he doesn't want his kids to spend money on him and since his cell phone broke he bought a new one, and that he says is my Christmas gift to him. Chelsea wants a kitchen knife like this one she saw on My Little Paris Kitchen and a cooking pans from La Tresorerie. Sacha asked for a ninja blender and bike gear since he rides his bike like a crazy man through Paris. I asked for walking gloves and a hoodie in a bright color since I walk along the twisty hilly single lane roads near my home... and the drivers seem not to see me. And Sacha asked me if I would decorate our apartment in Paris since we will be celebrating Christmas there this year.
What is on your Christmas list?
If Santa were rich he would bring me a new Mac since mine was dropped and has issues.
Last year I bought these beautiful Christmas decorations, thin wire balls covered in antique lace with old French script writing. Delicate and divine.
I put them in a bowl with handfuls of tiny mercury balls.
Luckily these ornaments are already in Paris otherwise they might have been ruined with the water damage we had.
After making my Santa's List book I thought about making some of these. I have old lace, and God knows I have old paper... but something tells me my hands cannot master the delicacy of detail wire twisting. I'll stick to making Chestnut soup for Christmas.
What are some of your traditions at Christmas?
Annie has planted her wheat, and as usual it is growing well, she has such a green thumb.
The other day I asked her about a friend of hers, but since I could not remember her name I described her. Annie said she knew who I was talking about but couldn't recall her name either. As she pondered her friend's name she had an idea; She stood up, carefully walked over to where she keeps her address book, and then thumbed through it page by page.
"Marie-Paul!" with triumphant glee!
"With triumphant glee, may it be in the smallest day to day moments."
That is what I have come to see the secret to long life. Enjoying, finding passion in the day to day moments.
Even though miss Christmas in the States, I have plenty of passion right here in front of my nose. my mother and Annie by their actions have taught me over and over again (I am a slow learner) that enjoying life comes from embracing what is in front of you with a thankful heart.
What brings you triumphant glee?
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