Christmas in the County.

Christmas in the County is HAPPINESS.

And Happiness is:

:: Brothers and sisters - and nephews and neices - home ALL together.
Beautiful chaos.
I often think that we could make big bucks having our own reality t.v. show. It's insanity.

:: "While You Were Sleeping." Every year. It's tradition.

:: Homemade and handmade gifts. This here? Honey. Liquid Gold, Baby.

:: Late night bowls of cereal with sweet sisters-in-law. Both of us bleary and knowing full well that morning with the hoolies comes way too soon. But a little extra time with her? It's well worth it...

:: Do It Yourself projects with Grampy downstairs in "his office." Often involving burnt, pinched, or pounded fingers.

:: Uncles who are just new Daddies themselves - practicing patience with three (THREE!) wee hooligans who clamor for his attention and time. That's a lot when you are used to only one.

:: Afternoon tea and cookies with "just us girls" while the littles nap and the big boys are busy being mighty white hunters.

:: Dragging little boys (AND this year big Mama's) behind the four-wheeler on little plastic sleds - slowly at first - and then building up to the big dumps and hilarious face washes!

:: The food. OH - the food. There here is a delish fruit salsa and cinnamon sugar tortilla chip dip - courtesy of my new friend, Pinterest. Cut up as much fresh fruit as you want - and a little frozen as well, if you wish. Add a few tablespoons of homemade jam to give it some sweetness. And then take tortilla wraps, spread with a thin layer of butter and cinnamon and sugar. Bake in a 300 degree oven until crisp. Party in your mouth.

:: Brand new bits of deliciousness added to our family. What a precious gift. This is my sweet, handsome new little nephew who looks SO much like my brother, that I feel just a wee bit weird kissing him all over his face and his neck...

:: Fun gifts from a brother who knows me well.
:: Teaching the entire family "Mafia" and seeing who is a good liar and who is..er..not.
:: Fifteen partridge. A feast for supper.
:: Sweet, fun, practical, intentional gifts.
:: Time together - crazy chaos, silly fun, yummy food, and FAMILY.

"It's the joy of the small that makes life large." ~ Ann Voskamp.
Yes, it is true. I can attest to that.
#2226-#2240 of my Joy Journey.