Saturday, December 24, 2005

If You Were Here


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If you were here in the North Florida woods for Christmas Eve, it would go something like this....

As you walked up onto the porch, three dogs would greet you with barks, howls, and wagging tails. At the same moment, the talking plastic Christmas tree by the door would open his eyes and launch into "Jingle Bells".

Entering the house involves carefully stepping around the stack of trim boards waiting for Katie's room, watch your step. To your left, a big fat Fraser Fir is wearing it's Christmas finest while an oak fire crackles in the fireplace. From the mantle decorations hang stockings for all...including the dogs.

We would probably move to the kitchen, drawn by the smell of wine basted turkey roasting in the oven. There's a big country table there and we could sit and chat as the gravy thickens to just the right consistency on the stove.

The background music...very traditional...the good stuff. You could expect to hear Good King W., Chestnuts Roasting.., White Christmas (Bing), Little Drummer Boy, etc.

When that gravy was just perfect, we'd sit down and Jr. would offer thanks for the food and togetherness. Then we'd eat turkey, real mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, rolls , etc. After supper, if there was room (and there always is), a little apple pie ala mode would be served.

From the dinner table, we'd waddle into our cozy (small) living room and watch "The Christmas Story" and "Muppets Christmas Carol". I wait all year for that. We'd chatter and laugh at Ralphie and Rizzo The Rat, even though we know each line in both movies by heart. It's what we do here, it is our tradition, and none of us would change it.

The fire crackling, the turkey, and the general coziness of being together would soon induce nods. All too soon, the most magical night of the year would come to a close.

Time for bed, for tomorrow holds great promise.

Merry Christmas from our family to you and yours! Posted by Picasa

10 comments:

Karen Schmautz said...

Merry Christmas, FC. I've so much enjoyed getting to know you, your family and the wonderful area the you call home.

May the Lord bless you and your family.

Deb said...

It sounds like you have created some wonderful traditions with your family. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas! It's been a real treat getting to know you this year and hearing your tales of a state that holds some fond memories for me.

robin andrea said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours, FC. It's been a delight having you in our lives this year. You put Florida on the map for us in the most positive way!

Your Christmas tradition is lovely.

Rurality said...

Merry Christmas! Even though I'm a scrooge this still sounds great. :)

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to yall, see U tomorrow? My favorite is J. Stewart "Its a wonderful life"Have to watch it every year kind of like Wizard of Oz never get tired of it.

R.Powers said...

To all,
Just finished the apple pie after sneaking off to the bedroom to deal with a couple of gifts that I had put off wrapping.

Kids are upstairs now, playing monopoly...loudly, and supposedly heading off to sleep.

Thanks for the holiday wishes and kind thoughts. Life is good.

Walter Jeffries said...

Watch for a box of snow... :)

Merry Christmas!

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in Vermont

Anonymous said...

That sounds divine! And I hope your night divine was precisely that and that you had a lovely Christmas day, FC. We arrived in St. Pete late last night after a snowy, blowy white Christams that was wonderful.

R.Powers said...

Thing,
As I remember, it was Dial at my house. I "enjoyed" it a time or two.

R.Powers said...

Thank you Tamnesia. Some memories cut both ways don't they? I am glad you stopped by.