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On the Second Day of Christmas…

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Hi there, everyone!

So I promised to show you a few snapshots of our Christmas festivities… the only problem is that I was too busy preparing and enjoying to take many pictures. Such a pity, I know! Luckily those memorable moments are locked away for good, safely stored on my mental hard drive. I did, however, snap a couple shots of our Christmas tree and the sprinkling of presents that we so giddily ripped open on Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve was spent hanging around the fireplace, listening to Christmas carols, watching snippets of a surprisingly touching Dutch program called “All You Need is Love”, and sipping hot coco. My in-laws and their two four-legged friends spent the night, and bets were placed on who would be the first to hear Santa and his reindeer scurrying around atop the roof. I didn’t win.

Although we didn’t get any white weather, clear skies warmly wished us all a merry Christmas. The morning celebrations got off to a late-ish start, since my brother-in-law and his boyfriend weren’t planning on arriving until noon. Between bites of brunch, we took turns opening gifts. After the last of the presents were opened, we headed out for a little stroll while the turkey patiently cooked in the oven. Dinner was a success, and even all six doggies agreed that the turkey was pretty darn tasty!

I think it’s safe to say that the funnest part about Christmas here in Benelux is that you get not one, but two(!) days of Christmas! I suppose that this is meant to eliminate the predicament of celebrating with extended family and in-laws… but seeing as we only have one side of the family living within a reasonable travel range, we enjoyed celebrating with dear friends instead.

We were treated to a super tasty dinner, pretty pink crowns, and the sweet almond aroma of mimosa. Chatting, joking, and singing along to music, we enjoyed both reminiscing on the year past and pondering what excitement and challenges the new year will bring.

Speaking of the new year, New Year’s Eve is crazy here in our little border region. When the clock strikes midnight, our usually sleepy village landscape comes alive with all sorts of mini explosions. Unlike California, where droughts and lawsuits keep private individuals and fireworks a safe distance from one another, lots of locals in this area acquire a substantial stash of fireworks that are set off from backyards and street sidewalks. Although there was no organized show the likes of which you’d see in San Francisco, it was really cool to see the hillsides lit up by flashes of fireworks in countless colors.

Somehow it always feels a bit strange starting from scratch… taking the first steps along an unknown path. I know that so much of it is in your head, but the initial moments of each new year always seem both so full and so empty at the very same time. Something along the lines of an emotional tidal wave. So much anticipation and excitement accompanied by the anxiety of not quite knowing where to start. I, for one, am glad that this momentary intimidation has come and gone. Now that I’ve jumped the first hurdle, I can start my journey full of hopes and dreams along this mysterious path through 2014!

What about youu guys? Does the start of a new year trigger a similar series of emotions, or am I just a little cuckoo?


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