We moved to this neighborhood six months ago, knowing that it was a great area of Jacksonville...but little did we know that our choice of street address would land us in a Christmas light spectacular! There is always that one street where folks go all out come the holidays, and during the month of December their neighborhood is full of people cruising by in wonder of the twinkling bulbs, and the power bill.
The opposite side of the street from us happens to be such a dazzling display of electricity...lets just say that this joyful discovery is just one more affirmation that moving off our little island to the big city was a grand idea.
The girls and I go on evening strolls to admire our neighbors' handiwork, and on one such occasion we happened to meet the man with the grid plan. I asked him how it all worked...did he have a generator? He told me in an unexpectedly sheepish manner that he had two computers, one in the garage and one in the closet under the stairs that powered the operation. Angels and candy canes dangling 20 feet up in the air, words projected on the side of the house, giant crosses and evergreens, snow ball fights, sparkling deer, stars, inflatable penguins...this man went all out. In mid-conversation Lil' Bit became suddenly very upset and began to whimper. "Look mommy! Look at Frosty! He is dying!"
"Maybe he is taking a bow?" Our neighbor interrupted my ridiculous response and expertly explained that Frosty was melting and would soon be back upright. Lil' Bit was greatly relieved as he re-inflated and we continued on our walk. I am not a religious person, but I appreciate the homage to light during this dark time of year. Speaking of...Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah is a holiday that calls for oil...aka fried food. Chef made jelly donuts the first night of the holiday...the beginning of a barrage of sweets to lighten life during the holidays. This week we received what I call "the holiday diet fucker package." Chef and I always vow to go on a crazy diet between the Thanksgiving feast and the Christmas feast, but inevitably a DF package arrives and ruins our good will. Rum balls, truffles, sugar cookies, peppermint bark...a towering smorgasbord of sinful delights compliments of mom. I know one day I will too send my brood tins full of empty calories, and they will eat them dutifully with great gusto.
The idea that we don't have to indulge over the holidays is poppycock. There is no better way to celebrate the richness of life and the end of a year than with rich delicious food. So my advice to you this last week of December, this first official week of winter is to go for it.
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