Real Christmas

I may have mentioned a time or two that I have been designing products for a jillion years or so (and loving it, I tell you!) and people like me design Christmas all through the year. And when we are not designing for it, we're looking at it, thinking about and at least once a year we actually celebrate it! Or as Jim and I call it, "Real Christmas". Sometimes it's hard to drum up enthusiasm for decorating the house when really, I was working on Christmas during Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July and yes, Labor Day.

But sometime around this time of year, I actually get a soft spot in my other-wise cold cold heart for twinkly lights, fake snow (I am in Florida after all) and the smell of ginger and cinnamon wafting from somebody's (maybe even my) kitchen. And then something big happens. I hear it. Someone singing Oh, Holy Night. Like I heard last night. And then, I drag the decorations from the loft in the garage and bore Jim with all the stories of how we acquired each one and then I'm officially In The Christmas Spirit!

Maybe I'll draw a picture about it.

Thanksgiving...

I love Thanksgiving...what's not to love about mashed potatoes and gravy as the focal point of a meal? Oh, it's the turkey, you say? Ooops, my bad. I especially love cranberry sauce-- particularly the straight from the can jellied variety, with the can marks visible when you slither it out (onto a fancy plate of course---I'm not completely without style!). My sisters and I have all become foodies over the years but I think most of us still have canned cranberry sauce on our table (right next to the whole berry, orange,walnut, brandy concoction).

But mostly I like this holiday for all that it's not...no presents, no religious affiliation, no decorating unless you include a few pine cones and candles artfully arranged (or not) about the table. I love the kid art place cards and I will never forget my nephew Nick reciting a Thanksgiving poem he learned in 1st grade (and that boy is an attorney now!). It's simple family time, and so darn American. It makes me happy to live here and happy to be in this family.

And I am so. darn. grateful. I am healthy, strong, have work that I love and am married to an amazing guy who makes me laugh every day. I am completely jazzed for what's on the horizon and still wake up every day with the notion that "I get to draw today!".

Have a wonderful day---enjoy every morsel of turkey, pie, mashed potatoes...and life!