It seems, on this Christmas Eve, that our traditions are disappearing.  Or maybe this is life, on life's terms.  I am resistant though, to our family shrinking and scattering to all corners of the continent.  Our children, now young adults, have work schedules that do not include holiday sit-downs.  It is hard to feel connected.

I think that we need a few weddings and many babies to follow!  I want to see my family hunkered down around the harvest table, elbows rubbing, laughing, debating, sneaking scraps to the dog.  I want that fullness, that sense of everything-is-right-with-the-world that only comes with such a gathering.

Tomorrow we will journey to Connecticut to join my sister in New Canaan.  Andrew and Carson have to work, Hilary has the flu.  Matthew couldn't make it in from Santa Fe, BUT we will have Hadley and ourselves and mom.  It is enough.  It has to be.  No sense crying after some other arrangement - we have to move forward and create new traditions and share in the gratitude that we have what we have.  There, that's better.  On, on.  ( a little pep talk is good for the soul!)

There was no time to paint and washi the little clothespins - but they serve their purpose unaltered.  Perhaps I will paint them and give them festive jackets before I take them down.

And I am still working on gift tags!  Such addictive little pleasures.

The Christmas Banner is hung and a tree needs to be decorated.  The calamari is stuffed, the Spinach Rockefeller steaming and I am getting the carrot cakes out of the oven momentarily.

I took leftover carrots to the draft horses down the road and delighted Harley on my return with equine smells on my coat.  He's been following me around sniffing and trying to lick my sleeves! 

So, I am reporting from Empty Nest Central where we plod forward into this new territory, somewhat confused and bewildered by change.  Tonight we will honor the victims of Sandy Hook by placing a lantern at the end of the driveway.  " Imagine all the people, living life in peace ..."