{ It's All About the Little Christmas }

Years ago, as I was at the bottom of the attic ladder listening to rummaging and grumbling from up top, when a clear voice called out, "we have WAY too much Christmas!" Well, that was just crazy talk! Ask every contractor or friend that has helped us with any project around here the last 7 years and they'll tell you the bottom line mantra around here: "It's all about the Christmas." Here's a typical exchange with a carpenter:
"How do you want this to look when we're done?" As I explain and their eyes glaze over inevitably they will hear me say, "It's all about the Christmas, I want it pretty all the time, but especially at Christmas." Somehow, they usually get that. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm talking window trim, soffitt covers, porch railings or mantel details...they get the Christmas reference. But this year only the most treasured boxes left the attic. The little 3 foot treee, instead of the 7 1/2 foot tree. Only the Santa collection from my Honey Mom (grandma) and the Snowman collection from the kids are displayed. Even the lights outside are minimal. Next weekend we're hosting an open house for friends and neighbors. Nothing big, just hot cider and snacks. No gift exchange, just food and friends. We're keeping it simple...we're keeping it small. We've spent very little this year but where we have spent, we have known the shopkeepers. We've donated to local charities with both a little money and time. So while it will always be "about the Christmas", some years like this one, it will be a little Christmas with a mighty heart.