With Christmas but a mere day away, I will be hustling yet again to get presents wrapped at the last minute. Seems this has turned into one of our family traditions. However, I did make my very first pecan pie with my 10 yo son and we had a blast. We actually made two and they look beautiful. Hopefully they pass the taste test. It’s not all in the looks right?

When I was growing up (in Anchorage, Alaska), Christmas Eve was a special night for us. Looking back I now realize how very fortunate I was to have such wonderful Christmases with my family and hope that my husband and I are doing the same for our kids. It wasn’t just about the presents, it was about the food, the house being packed with family and friends, the Christmas tree that held precious ornaments from days past, the lights buried in snow on the pine trees out front and the frost around the windows creating a wintery picture frame.  We opened all the presents from each other that night and left Christmas day for Santa gifts. We have continued this tradition with our kids, who seem to love it as well.

When it comes to a white Christmas, our kids have yet to experience one, but what I saw this morning came as close as I can remember in the 14 years I’ve been here in Phoenix, Arizona. It rained heavily last night and this morning as I said goodbye to my husband as he went off to work, we opened the front door to what we would call a wintery scene:

The roof tops and street were frosty and glistening in the heavy fog. With our neighbors Christmas lights all aglow, it was quite a site to behold. If my Christmas wish comes true, this weekend we’ll get some snow. The forecast is for snow in the northern sections of Phoenix. Keeping my fingers crossed! I know the kids would be thrilled about it.

With all this being said, I would like to thank each and every one of my visitors for taking time to read my posts, enter the giveaways, visiting Free Birthday Treats.com, sharing it with others, visiting my sponsors and leaving such wonderful comments. I am extremely grateful to you all!

Happy Holidays and prayers that good things are to come in 2009!