I know it's only November 21st, but it almost feels as if the month is about to be over. Thanksgiving is coming up on Thursday. After that, December is here!
I've had an incredibly intense desire to get out the Solstice decorations. I don't know why. I'm usually quite adamant about preserving the sanctity of Thanksgiving first and foremost. I just want... trees covered in ornaments, garland, balsam fir smelling candles, GINGERBREAD COOKIES, and poinsettias.
Maybe my excitement is due to the most awesome holiday I had last year. It was Chris and I's first Solstice thing-a-ma-jigger together. I feel awkward calling it Christmas. I'm not Christian so it doesn't feel right to me. Neither of us feel a particular connection to calling it something else, however. Last year I considered it Saturnalia.
In any case, the two of us spent it by ourselves. The morning began with cinnamon buns (my idea), and continued with appetizers and snacks while we opened gifts. We received boxes in the mail from our families. Said packages came from Texas and New Hampshire, respectively. We made a pact to refrain from using the Internet, Wii, and television unless it had something to do with our gifts. I believe I watched a video my brother sent me and she spent some time with a new game I bought her, but other than that, we maintained our decision pretty well.
The newspaper we worked at publishes an insert every year filled with submissions from children. It includes letters to Santa, poems, and recipes. It's really quite cute. We spent a good while reading it aloud as well.
And while we procured a bottle of champagne to enjoy, we also popped open the Amaretto di Amore she bought me as a gift.
It was truly a wonderful day.
This year, we'll be spending the day at her sister's house. It will be nice to spend the day with our family, but it will be bittersweet on my end. Although I just saw my father for a few days last month, I haven't seen the rest of my family in almost precisely a year. By now, I'm getting used to not seeing them very much. It's still atrocious, but I'm getting accustomed to it. Perhaps next year. Perhaps.
I've spent a lot of time this week promoting Inside Glass Jar Goodies. I've submitted press releases to New Hampshire newspapers and have sent versions of the book to Kindle and Smashwords for approval. A giveaway is in the works, and I will keep you updated on it!
Until then, I'll be making an eggplant out of yarn.
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