Skip to main content

My White Christmas

So as Christmas has been quickly approaching us, many feelings and views on this holiday have entered my thoughts. This Christmas has been different for me this year because 1) I'm in Arizona where no snow, cold, or frost appears. and 2) I will not be choking down the ole' thick, milky, fishy grog we call "Oyester Stew" with my family up north.

The first feelings I had experienced this christmas were of somewhat sadness this Thanksgiving. I went to the movie "Four Christmases" with my sister Lisa and sister-in-law Emily. The take-home message of the movie was that family is the essense of Christmas. Although the movie was something one would consider comedy (and believe me, I laughed until I hurt)...I remember one point of the movie I had tears rolling down my face in wonder of what Christmas will be like without the pickled herring, mom running around the house in a frenzy, and watching all my nephews enjoy the holiday.

However, after we returned from Thanksgiving in North Dakota; Ryan and I put a Christmas tree and decorated it to fullness, baked cookies, and were serenaded by Bing Crosby's christmas hits; I was filled with that "family feeling" that I worried would be lost this year.

This year, I have had to put a little more effort into "getting into the spirit" since the weather is sunny and gorgeous every day (and in NO WAY am I complaining :D), and I had put a great deal of thought into what Christmas is about, and how much family means However, I have found myself extremely happy, light-hearted, and smiling ear-to-ear because I have found that "warm fuzzy family feeling" this year with Ryan.

Words do not explain how happy it makes me feel with Ryan was just as excited about decorating the tree, putting up lights, and decorating christmas cookies as I was. And...he even likes pickled herring--and may some day try oyster stew (Just for tradition's sake). So mom, if you are reading this--and feeling worried that I will be sad this Christmas away from all the action: feel reassured to know that I will be warm, safe, and extremely happy this year; and we will go to Christmas Eve mass ;)

Comments

Lisa's Yarns said…
We'll miss you this Christmas! But at least you get out of having Oyster Stew! ;) ha! Ryan definitely has to try some - it's a right of passage. Kevin's making Oyster Stew & shrimp so we'll eat well! Then we are getting together at Barb's on Christmas Day - I am so excited!! :) It's been years since we've seen any McDougalls around Christmas!

Send some warmth & sunshine our way. I'll be in Phoenix a month from today!!!
December 16, 2008 at 8:20 AM
Anonymous said…
Abby, not to worry, I'll get the recipe for "oyster stew" from your mom and we'll have it at Christmas! :D

I know you'll be missing your family; and they'll be missing you...however, WE feel really honored and excited to have you with our family this Christmas!

Hugs,
Lora
December 16, 2008 at 8:38 AM
Abby said…
Lora, please please please don't feel annnny obligation in the WORLD to make oyester stew. It is truly disgusting. Lol. The only thing I like about it is the nostalgia--and it was almost enjoyable to complain about :) hahaha But your capacity to care and make things happy and "home-feeling" means the world to me :)
December 16, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Marlys said…
This is funny, but I was looking in the freezer for something last week and came across a quart of frozen oysters we bought last Christmas! Dad insisted we eat them so I made stew on Sunday during our blizzard and it tasted awesome! Your Dad & I both grew up eating oyster stew - must be our German heritage - for Christmas so have developed a keen taste for it! If you can stand to bite into a rubbery oyster, the broth is so warming! Maybe someday you will learn to like it, too! We get to have some next week but with fresh oysters from the east coast - so I'm sure it will be even better! Mmmmm!
December 16, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Marlys said…
More about Christmas - we will miss you so much this year! I try not to think about it too much - sob, sob. We will also miss Chad, Emily & Kolin but being together over Thanksgiving was a blessing! Each of us must travel the path planned for us, and I'm confident that your future life with Ryan will be a blessing. You will have many stories to tell your children about your heritage and many laughs, too. Just remember that life is full of joys, sorrows, laughter and tears - always has been, always will. The sorrows and tears make us stronger and the joy and laughter patch our souls. May you both have a Blessed Christams!
December 16, 2008 at 7:06 PM
*ErinSimmons* said…
OMG! Abby, I don't know who is more funny!! you or your mom?hahaha I wish we could be there with you and Ryan. We'll be thinking of you!! Luv ya
December 18, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Momma Bear said…
Abby and Marlys,
I have just read the blog. I laughed and then I cried with each tale and comment. To be perfectly honest, I think oyster stew sounds quite good.

I hope everyone’s Christmas was pleasant. I miss you all very much and look forward to seeing you soon.

Marlys, thank you once again for including us for Thanksgiving, we enjoyed ourselves so much.

God Bless You!
Jan
December 28, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One Confused Lady

Yesterday morning was packed with a session of cross training.....rushed home to shower and get professional-looking....headed across town for an interview.....kicked butt at my interview...."bopped" over to our house to see the progress of the build......headed to the "design center" to sign more paperwork.... (Side note: I cannot get over just how much paperwork is involved in building a house. Holy Hannah. And we haven't even closed !!! Iy-yi-yi....Those lovely people in history who got law-suit-happy.....God bless 'em.) Yesterday was a good day! So here's a little humor for your Thursday. A little thought. A little depth.....( A little cynical rant ) Afterwards, I decided to head to one of my favorite places to peruse.... Target. But my experience at Target was far from fun, relaxing, or pleasant. Just confusing. Loud. Crazy. Despite many screaming children-temper tantrums.... Which is common and un-escapable. Although screaming chi...
7 comments
Read more

A weekend of the great outdoors

As I am preparing for my return to the real world tomorrow, I feel a strong sense of dread. As I won't have a weekend or free week for a long while! Instead of focusing on that.......I'm sharing a few snapshots from our awesome weekend! This weekend we were in Big Lake, AZ -- which is about 20 miles from the New Mexico border (just 5 1/2 hours from our house). (last weekend we were in Parker Canyon...which I will blog about another day) We camped from Friday-Monday, which was the perfect length of time. The temperatures were a great escape from hot Tucson. In fact...it was VERY cold at night. It was in the low 30's at night, 60's during the day. The trout fishing was incredible. Here's a few snapshots: Home Sweet Home for the weekend! Look at the giant tree I cut down!!! Wow!! (Okay, this was posed...) But...Ryan did teach me how to use a wood-saw! There were tons of dead/fallen trees lying around. So we cut all our firewood for the weekend! I felt very ...
7 comments
Read more

St. Anthony, Where are you??!!??

So. Let's talk about my day so far. And why I suck at being organized. Do any of you know these people who always have it together? They never lose ANYTHING. They have a spare set of every important document, item possible. Every document has a file, every item has a place, every place has a label. They are always collected, have every duck is in the row. They live in perfection. This description is my husband: Ryan. My second question: Do you know anyone who's life is an absolute train wreck? They are always running in circles. They cannot be responsible for an important item if their life depended on it, because the strangest things happen to them. They never seem to be at the right place, or never seem to be on time. They cell phone often ends up in the refrigerator. There is always a giant debacle occurring. This description is me: Abby. Well this morning two people of this nature got to mingle a little. Well, they happen to be husband and wife--so they have to mingle withi...
6 comments
Read more