Christmas Eve 2008

It's Christmas Eve, clear and very cold outside today, 10℉ although it did not stop Greg and Bob the dog from their walk. We had a storm come through and drop 5 inches of fresh snow yesterday, which has helped make it a decidedly white Christmas this year! There was a moose cow and calf in the front yard noshing on a fallen birch tree just a bit ago. The photos that were attempted were not up to par for sharing. 

Greg has been in the kitchen cooking up a storm for tomorrow's snacking opportunities. He made a roast, mostly for bob, a blueberry pie, a spice cake, and the hummus. All of which is making me hungry! It is going to be a wonderful and magical Christmas this year. We are looking forward to talking to our families on Christmas Day, so far away, but so close in spirit.

And since it is Christmas Eve I cannot help but post an appropriate something to keep up the good cheer!

The Holly

by Dudley H Anderson
Victoria, B.C., 1913

Thou spirit, sweet that from the snow,
In green and purple all aglow,
Peeps forth so blithe and jolly,
We greet thee, spreading far and wide,
The joy, the pride of Christmastide,
We greet thee, radiant holly!

When trees and shrubs their branches bare,
Like warming fingers point in air,
As though they spoke the folly
Of putting on their garments gay
When winter blasts around them play,
Then brightest beams the holly.

Thou art in love with winter cold,
His icy arms thy form enfold,
While blushes every berry;
And this thy song of love that flows,
As softly as the falling snows;
"To all a Christmas merry!"

Merry Christmas to all!