Well, I live single and I decorate every year. I think the trick is to make your own holiday traditions. For my part, I put up the tree on Thanksgiving Day as I watch the Macy's parade. I live in a tiny house, so I go the fake tree route, most live trees are too FAT for my floorspace. Anyway, I make myself mulled apple cider, grab the step ladder from the garage and get to work. By the time Santa appears on TV, the tree is up, lights on, ornaments and garland in place. Over the next week, I start pulling out and decorating the rest of the house. I do make real garland for my fireplace, I must have the fir-tree smell, but I get those cuttings for free from a local tree lot. I also have holly, rosemary and boxwoods growing in my yard to add to the tree cuttings. My one real splurge is real wreaths for my windows that I get from a local nursery. Candles in the window, a few knick-knacks out and presto! Instant Christmas. Being single can be a bit of a downer sometimes. So to keep myself in the spirit, I plug in the tree for at least an hour each night. Sometimes I splurge on a mug of cocoa. After the holidays, I repeat the cycle, except that I put the stuff up during the Rose Parade. Another thing that gets me into the holiday spirit is baking. Even though I don't have anyone to bake for, I make all kinds of cookies and take them to a nearby retirement/assisted living community. Of course some of the cookies never make it out of the house...heh!

We were invited to the mountains to spend Thanksgiving with friends, and then another friend invited us to come spend the day with them and their family...both of which we declined. Bob just doesn't feel up to going and socializing in a group of people these days.. We had a large Thanksgiving gathering at church on Sunday and that was a delight.... and everyone had a really great time. There are so many folks we love to spend time with, and do on occasion, but with Bob's failing health, he prefers to stay home more and more.. So, today I have a turkey in the oven, complete with stuffing, and U have bread rising, a broccoli casserole ready for the oven, and butternut squash and mashed potatos ready.. and so all we need to do is make the gravy and put the bread in to bake. I have New england butternut squash pie and an apple pie made.... and the table is set with table cloth, napkins and candles...so it will be a wonderful day. Our family used to have those "Norman Rockwell" Holiday dinners when I was growing up. We really enjoyed them, but then everyone now is scattered all over the country and so we don't see much of that anymore...tis a pity..... We have so very much to be thankful for... our love for one another, and God's Grace and the bounty He blesses us with each and every day. That's what Thanksgiving is to us ...Praising our Lord. Carolyn

Gorgeous house and I love that they made all the food themselves. I felt bad for him when he was carving the rib roast— it was overdone because he was using their new oven which had incorrect calibration —but he rallied like a pro and made it look appetizing on the platter. That ability to roll with the punches is the mark of a really good host. That little conversation about lighting candles and filling the water goblets… I usually ask my mother to do that as she likes to belp and those are jobs she can do. This year she couldn’t carry the ice bucket or a full silver pitcher of water into the dining room and got one of my nephews to help while she supervised. All the food looked appetizing and the place settings were wonderful—LOVED the dessert spoon service with agate handles! And that was the most impressive gingerbread house! I did wonder why a veal pie was on the dessert table 🤔 but I’m sure they must have had a reason. I really want their china room…"

Time flies! I remember some of the discussions years ago when you considered whether to have one child. You obviously made the right decision(s) for your family and everyone looks happy and healthy. The kids are adorable and Molly looks great. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!