And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.  The stockings were STILL hung by the chimney with care, even though Saint Nicholas had already been there.  Hmm.  Tonight I contemplate the fact that I have not yet contemplated taking down the tree.  While I don’t want to be one of those people who’s garish decorations annoy the neighbors through July, is there really such a rush to be done with it?  The twinkles and the lights are so pretty.

It was such a pleasant, quiet, undramatic holiday this year.  I look around my cabin and it occurs to me again that the simple things are so…I don’t know.  Take this for example.  Jessica gave me home made bees wax candles-the gift of light.  The Spellman’s gave me a cookbook-the gift of creativity.  Patrick gave me fire starters for my stove-the gift of warmth.  Tim and Paula gave me the most amazing meal of my year-the gift of nourishment.  Mom and Dad gave me a stainless steel pour over coffee filter-the gift of consciousness (ha ha).

How many things do we pass over quickly because they aren’t big and in your face extravagant?  Yet if you look just a little deeper, how rich and meaningful they become.