
Well, it’s almost Christmas, and I hope you’re all doing as well as you possibly can. Christmas at our house will certainly be different this year. My daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter will be celebrating with us via Zoom. My son, who lives with us, will hook up my laptop to our big screen TV so they’ll be as close to us as possible. If luck, we might be able to get my brother-in-law in Ottawa to Zoom in with us as well.
I’m still cooking a turkey and enjoying some wine, and gift unwrapping. I still feel excitement and joy by the holiday season and am heartened to see people doing so many generous things to make the holidays a little better for others.
Today, I’m sharing some photos that represent some of my December. First up are three of my favorite tree ornaments. The chandelier and First Nations design are gifts from my sister who usually brings me a new ornament every year. The pink flamingo was purchased from the gift shop at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, where we took my mom for her 75th birthday just over a decade ago. This will be our second Christmas without Mom, and I still miss her very much.
But we’re also overjoyed to spend our first Christmas with Ellie. This photo was taken on Dec. 10th, after she’d been to the doctor for her checkup and vaccines. She’s now 4-1/2 months old.

It snowed in our area on the first official day of winter, which is kind of cool. When you’re retired and don’t have to drive to work every day, you appreciate snow a little more.

To those who celebrate, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!! And happy holidays everyone!
I love the picture of you and Ellie!! What a sweetie. Enjoy your Zoom Christmas. It will still be fun. xo
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Thank you, Darlene. Yes, Ellie changes every time I see her. She’s an absolute doll. Merry Christmas!
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Best wishes to you all for a wonderful Christmas. I’m doing much the same thing: local and far-flung family via Zoom.
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It should be interesting! All the best to you, Julie!
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What a lovely Christmas post, Debra. So many memories. That’s what it’s all about. I love the ornament with the First Nations design, and of course I love the picture of little Ellie with her grandmother. You are blessed. Merry Christmas!
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Thank you, Jane. Yes, I do feel very blessed. Glad you liked the photo. Have a very Merry Christmas!!
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Happy holidays to you, Deb! We are camped in the desert of Arizona and will hang out with two other nomadic couples over Christmas. I’ll try to Skype my parents in Belgium tomorrow (if the cell data connection is strong enough) and we plan a Zoom call with my in-law family on the 25th.
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Let’s hope your Skype connection works! Sounds like you’ll be having a lovely time, though. Wishing you all the best!
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Look at all that rich, beautiful hair on Ellie! Merry Christmas to everyone, Debra.
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Thank you, Jacqui, and Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!
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Last year I was there to see my youngest grandson open his birthday presents. Yesterday I got to see him open my birthday gift to him. So it will be a strange Christmas ahead for sure, but you’ve already had the best gift this year — your lovely granddaughter. Enjoy!
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Thank you, Mallee. Hoping that the Christmas holidays will be happy and peaceful for you, despite the angst and strangeness of this season.
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I wonder if Zoom will crash with all the use this Christmas! I know I’ll be on it more than once with far-flung family. Thanks for sharing your photos. Ellie is a real sweetie and I love the ornaments. Have a lovely Christmas, Debra and all the best in 2021. Cheers!
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Thank you, and yes, I’ve been wondering about Zoom crashes too. We are definitely including my brother-in-law in Ottawa, so this should be interesting. Enjoy the day!
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I’m not sure which I liked better – the happy that is in that photo with you and the baby, or the winter wonderland… Merry Christmas!
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Thanks, KC, and Merry Christmas to you as well!
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