Christmastime is officially begun...

It’s cloudy out there today, and it’s okay. We’ve had a run of beautifully clear and cold days, and I have done my best to savor them…my favorite weather! “Sweater Weather is Better Weather” is printed on a little sign I hang amongst my Fall decorations. Clear and cold is the ultimate sweater weather! Even better, the NE wind was merely a breeze, or absent, for most of those days. After all this good fortune in the weather department, I cannot complain about the return to gray and wet that is now occurring. Though a deluge is predicted, it will still be cool, and enhance the coziness I love.

Today is the Official Start of Christmas Season here in the Honcoop Household, and it has been that way since our establishment as a household. Never has a Christmas tree been up before this date, and usually, much later as The Farmer prefers it go up after his birthday on the 7^th. Today, the boxes of decorations start coming out, as I have recovered sufficiently from hosting Thanksgiving to consider another project of large proportions.

Our Thanksgiving gathering was so pleasant, and added to our thankfulness. Our group numbered twenty-two, as a few were missing, but still a full house, and a day full of visiting, laughing and savoring the foods of the season. I actually recognized that the turkey was done before the appointed time as predicted by the instructions which is a major win for me! I’m gaining the skill of making that determination on my own…and feeling inordinately proud of it.

My family just loves having pictures taken...

Coloring...it's not just for children anymore!

Part of our afternoon was spent in a shower of gifts for Tiffany and our Grandbaby. My side of the family does showers in the most casual way possible which was perfect for this setting. Thanksgiving allowed family from out of town to participate, which added to the fun. We all delighted in the tiny little clothes, and books, and supplies for the little one soon to arrive.

I did not buy this for the Grandbaby -- but someone who knows me well did.

And we are on Baby Watch these days. Tiffany’s official due date is December 8, but with some fluctuations in her blood pressure, there is the possibility that Baby Honcoop might not wait that long. It could be ANY DAY! I can hardly think of anything that makes Christmastime more fun than this!!

Though, truthfully, it would make ANY time of the year exciting, and unparalleled in the fun category!

I carry my phone AND charger with me at all times these days. Our calendar is full of the usual December meetings for The Farmer, and activities of the season, but I wonder each time I add something if we will be there, or with our new Grandbaby!!

You may have noted that I say ‘Grandbaby’, and not grandson, or granddaughter… The reason for this is that Dillon & Tiffany have chosen to do things the old-fashioned way and wait until baby is here to discover its gender! Somewhat rare in these days of modern technology, but certainly adds to anticipation.

And it has saved The Farmer a lot of money, so far, because I can only buy neutral clothing, of which there is little available.

I’m sure I will make up for that.

In the meantime, I will start on the Christmas decorating, and try to avoid feeling it is a lot of work for a short amount of time, and finish my Christmas shopping so I am ready to do little but rock the Baby at every opportunity.

It IS The Most Wonderful Time of This Year!!