Christmas in July - part II
With just days left before Christmas,
we took the suggestion of a friendly local
and found the modern art gallery of
Modern art
And nature
And history
Melded into
An afternoon
Rich with beauty.
Christmas Eve dawned
with as much excitement as we've ever had.
Whispering and secret conclaves,
exchanging of tape and scissors
amid the small spaces of our home.
Cookie decorating and mirth
spilled over to the outdoor spaces.
The candles were lit,
one for each day of the season,
and we fell asleep with
anticipation of the Dayspring.
On Christmas morning,
Sleepy-eyed children lit
the final light - the Christ candle -
as cinnamon rolls baked in our tiny oven.
Joyfully, gifts were opened
And calls to family made.
To enjoy the rest of the day's light,
We opted to hike through the hills
in the crisp air
and return for a simple supper,
birthday cake, and games
to finish the celebration.
along with the thronging masses -
to sample pastries in the sunshine.
After consuming more than our share,
we took the rest of the day
to view the area's flora and art,
take in the beauty of The French Laundry's kitchen garden,
and sample the confections of Kollar Chocolates.
The town of Sonoma
charmed us
with its intact history -
the mystery and romance of the northernmost Spanish mission.
called us back on New Year's Eve
to conclude 2013 together
laughing,
eating good food,
and giving thanks - for the year behind and the year ahead.
