Monthly Archives: December 2010

Growing up I always wanted a fireplace, especially for Christmas. As a little girl, I worried that Santa wouldn’t be able to deliver our presents since we didn’t have a fireplace and I wanted a place to hang our stockings that would be a bit more suitable than in a doorway. It’s what I always saw in all those Christmas movies and in my favorite books and it was something I envisioned for myself. When Michael and I were looking for our first house many years ago, one thing that was a MUST was a fireplace. We both wanted a place where we could cozy up in the cold winter months and of course, a place to hang our stockings with care for the Holidays. Well, we got our wish! For our first Christmas in our new house, I sewed up some stockings for our fireplace and after Lily was born, I made one for her as well.  Every year when I look at those beautiful treasures, hanging from our mantel, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have this simple tradition for myself and my family. I think of how I yearned for this as a little girl and how wishes really do come true. Santa can now come down a chimney to deliver our presents and on Christmas morning we’re able to open our stockings to find those lil’ surprises that only fit in these tiny gems – just like in those movies and books that I love so much! Santa, we look forward to your arrival. We’ll have some yummy cookies and warm milk waiting for you and don’t worry…we’ll remember to put the fire out so that you have a safe landing.

The other day Lily and I were playing piano and she asked me to play some Christmas music. I didn’t know any from heart, so I opened up the piano bench in search of some Christmas sheet music. To my surprise there were a few different books of Holiday tunes sitting there that were passed down from my mom. You can tell they’ve been used a lot and I love that her handwriting is scattered throughout the music as well. A smile came across my face as I remembered all the times my mom played this very same music in our house growing up and how we’d all sing along. Great family memories that I can now pass along to my own daughter. My piano skills aren’t quite what they used to be, but I was able to play many of the tunes just fine and Lily was delighted. We’ve been playing Christmas piano tunes every day now and nothing else gets me in the holiday spirit quite like this. I’m so grateful for these pieces of sheet music. It’s something being passed down through the generations of my family and for that…I’m thankful!