Last night as I was peeling potatoes I looked out the window to see snow flurries swirling about. We didn’t end up with anything substantial, but still, what a magical feeling it was to have the tiniest hint of snow on Christmas Eve.
Around 6 pm Santa and his entourage rolled down our street on the back of a fire truck waving to everyone {including Lucy!}. As I watched Santa go by, I thought about how lucky we are to be here, in this small town where people are willing to take a couple of hours out of their Christmas Eve {and in freezing temps!} to spread a little joy, to keep the old traditions alive.
As I get older, it’s not the presents under the tree I’m most excited about anymore, it’s the food, the stories, the smells, finding a package of my favorite childhood Christmas candy in the grocery store and the cards, emails and heartfelt messages from friends that mean the most to me these days.
Getting older is kind of weird. But you know what? I think I kind of like it. The kids are done with school, the hustle and bustle has been completely removed from my life, and for the first time everything around me has slowed way down. Slowed down so much in fact that I am finally to a point where I am able to see things in a totally different light. In a more simpler form. The way, these things were meant to be enjoyed. And you know what? It’s wonderful.
So take the time to SLOW DOWN… to BREATHE… to UNPLUG… and to SOAK IT ALL IN. It will be gone before you know it.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas,
~Mavis
Robin in WI says
Merry Christmas, Mavis, Lucy, HH, etc! 🙂
Lillian says
Merry Christmas
Well said. We had similar events in our lives this year also. A big move to different area and retirement. I find myself thinking of very same things thru this transition.
Look forward to your blog daily. All the best for a happy healthy new year.
Jane Hebert says
So true Mavis!!! My sister used to say Simplify!! Now I understand what she meant. Life is what you make it.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. THanks for all you do for this amazing blog!!
Janie
Andrea says
Beautiful message Mavis. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Amanda says
Well said, very true. Wishing you and your family all the best for Christmas and New year
Janet says
Merry Christmas…..I am at the same stage as you and I love the slower life……but we are still here in rainy Western Washington!!!!!!! I LOVE your blog……the only one I follow!!!!!
Enjoy the journey
Cindi says
Merry Christmas, Mavis. We retired to a small town four years ago and agree with everything you said. The simple life is the good life for us.
Sarah says
Merry Christmas to you and yours. May be blessed with many wonderful memories
Rynda Gregory says
Merry Christmas. I agree completely with your perspective on slowing down and noticing our blessings.
Peace –
Holley says
Amen, Mavis! I just moved to a small town in the north Georgia mountains a week ago. Moving was awful but the end prize will be worth the hassle! Slowing down, small town living!!! Merry Christmas! Hugs, Holley
bobbi says
Merry Christmas to you!
Susan from Oahu HI says
Merry Christmas Mavis! SO glad you are enjoying your new adventures, and thank you for your blog and sharing your life with us!
Michèle says
Merriest of Christmases to you Mavis, and your family! You have enriched my life significantly these past several years and I thank you. May you continue to touch many lives from New England, which sounds like Dreamland to me!
Anne Radesi says
Merry Christmas! And thank you for getting Ritchie’s ornament here before Christmas. We love it!
Teri says
Merry Christmas and the happiest new year 2019 to you and yours Mavis. Love your blog.
Linda says
Merry Christmas Mavis!!!! Very well said and very true. I so enjoy your blog- been reading over 8 years and look forward to your emails every day. Along the way I’ve picked up a few garden ideas, a book or movie to add to my list (thanks for all the suggestions!) a lot of great recipes (loved every one I’ve tried so far!), some amazon bargain buys (again thanks!) some laughs and a lot of good tips!! You blog is the best…& my family says I speak of you as though I know you personally! Ha!!!! All this to say- thank you for a wonderful blog full of great content!!! Again, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! (Which btw, I’m looking forward to the new year goals!)
Krishna says
Hi Mavis, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I’m writing this from Kerala, the southern-most state of India. Our traditions, way of life, each and every aspect of life are completely different from yours. But I have been following your blog for 5 years, and I’m a die-hard fan of you and the life you are leading. You are my inspiration for a lot many things. The Christmas memories you shared were really touching. I’m in my mid thirties and I too have the habit of cherishing childhood memories. Here we hang stars, make cribs, sing carols, and decorate Christmas tree, not Conifer, some local trees :-). Here also, Santa comes at everyone’s house regardless of which religion we follow. Thank you so much for sharing your days with us through this wonderful blog. Have a great year ahead.
Laura says
Thank you for sharing this about Indian traditions. We have lots of Indian families in our area and I am never sure if I should wish a Merry Christmas or not. Sounds like if Santa visits, then that would be okay to say, despite Christ not always being a part of the celebration. We have several Indian families in our church, so I know there are some Christians, but it seems like many more are of other religions.
Hope you had a wonderful holiday in Kerala! Thanks for sharing your perspective, much appreciated!
Krishna says
Hi Laura, Thank you so much for your reply. Here we celebrate Christmas and Easter with great enthusiasm. You can go ahead and wish Merry Christmas to your Indian neighbors :-). I am a Hindu by birth, but I have a lot of Christian and Muslim friends, just because Kerala is the most religiously diverse state in India! Here I would say everyone celebrates every festivals :-)))) Wish you and your family a happy and prosperous New Year!!
Yvette says
Krishna
-This is one of my favorite comments! It just goes to show, how many of us are so different, yet similar. It was really nice to read about your traditions, and fun to know that Mavis’ voice reaches across continents.
Maybe you could share some of your gardening or recipes, or some things you’ve made? I love when folks share stories from outside the US.
-Maybe Mavis can call for a “Special Stories From Abroad” collection. 😀
Nancy D says
Well spoken!!! We speed past so many simple treasures in our lives. I’m so glad and thankful that your year in New England has been fulfilling for you and that you have chosen to enrich your readers lives with this blog. Merry Christmas Mavis!
Marilyn Y. says
Thank you, Mavis. What you said is so very true. Even living in a small town here in Western Washington has taught me that simplifying my life is a choice. The temptation of getting involved in so many good things after retirement has gotten the better of me. I’ll be 69 years old next year and I simply must SIMPLIFY my life. You are wise beyond your years. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us. In our household, your name stands for something!