Peace on Earth

This is one of our favorite times of the year. It's not the presents and the hustle and bustle of shopping. It is the things that happen at Christmas that should happen all year but that don't seem to. It is the tiem with friends and family, good food and the time spent at home preparing them.


We love to cook, almost as much as we love to eat. A big part of Christmas for us is the time spent making the Christmas cookies. It is so nice to have a selection and I love to be the cookie inspector, removing any with imperfections and hiding the evidence. We made fruitcake, white chocolate truffles, chocolate bark, Nanaimo bars, buckeyes and cherry triangles. They are all good and we have enjoyed sampling them to make sure the quality is being maintained. Today we visited a few neighbours and delivered some of the cookies. A short visit to check up on everyone on the street is so peaceful and it is one of the joys of the season that can't be purchased.

Now we are getting ready to relax beside the fire and spend a bit of time reading. The presents are all wrapped, Christmas carols are playing in the background, the fire is crackling merrily and a good book is all that is needed to finish of a peaceful scene. Phone calls to family and friends are made and received, and best wishes are exchanged.

Night is falling and a few flakes of snow start to slowly drift to earth, illuminated by the Christmas lights in the yard. I can not imagine a more tranquil setting to spend the night before Christmas. There is complete peace and quiet, no traffic noises, no cash registers ringing, only the sounds of the blue jays and the squirrels at play to break the silence. Completely peaceful.

An evening spent with our small family, having a meal and a conversation before heading off to bed to wait for tomorrow morning. I can't think of a better or more peaceful way to spend Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas to all, may you find your peace and happiness in the season and in the new year.