Almost Christmas!

Me: "I'd like to pick up this parcel, please."

Rummage, rummage. Looking high and low on shelves.

Me: "Um, I think it might be quite large."

Postal clerk: "OH ... It's THAT one"

"Are you feeling strong today?"

Me: "No."

I picked up this parcel from Berlin yesterday. It's full of presents for his family and hers, along with clothes and things the travelers decided were too heavy to pack around. We had been advised to open our gift as soon as it arrived, so we did. I was very tempted to open the parcel before Tim got home from work, but refrained because I couldn't lift it out from the car. It weighed 23 kilos (roughly 60 pounds). 

And a little rant. That huge box cost about $120 Cdn to ship from Germany to Canada. I sent a box about the size of an Amazon book box (small) for $100 Cdn from Canada to Germany. They each arrived in roughly the same amount of time. Canada's very high postage costs are one reason I'm hesitant to open an Etsy shop.

However. Moving on.

Inside our parcel was this charming pyramid - that's what the German word for it is. Tim assembled it and I lit the candles. The carolers in front of the church whirled merrily, never once getting dizzy, although they are slightly blurry here. It's so pretty. 

And silly me. I thought of the hands that wrapped the present and just wished that I could hold them close to me. Our adventurers are missed, and never more than at this time of year.

But they have left Berlin and are holidaying in the Swiss Alps, where snow is falling, falling, falling. Ashley is learning to ski and Owen is renewing his skiing techniques. They are having a grand time. Italy is next on the itinerary.

Around here, the cutest little mushrooms are waiting for me to assemble the Bûche de Noel, which will be done tomorrow.

The spiced pecans are wrapped up in a set of handled consomme cups I found at the thrift store, with snowflake cellophane and polka dotted green ribbon. These will be delivered tomorrow to our neighbours.

Bread is rising on the counter top for a chocolate filled babka recipe that I've been wanting to try. That, along with egg strudels (currently residing in the freezer) and fruit will comprise our Christmas breakfast.

I'll be posting sporadically for the next while. Because, in addition to Christmas, we're moving between Christmas and New Year's. It's a partial move for now so there's not an overwhelming urge to pack up the entire household. I'll explain more in the New Year.

Merry Christmas to all of my wonderful readers. I appreciate each one of you and pray that you will experience the Hope, Love, Joy and Peace that the Christ Child brings to earth.