Happy St. Nikolas Day! [A few days late]

All you Germans out there - you'll know just what this means! What did you find in your shoes on Dec 6th? Coal? Or fruit and sweets?

Okay, so I must admit we just put our shoes under the tree last night and (somehow) St. Nikolas (Oma & me) found them, even though late. Then it hit me: has it really been so crazy that we celebrated two days after the fact?

I just realized yesterday that in the last two weeks or so I have been home about three days. Not to mention that I hadn't even blogged in awhile. Well, know that I figured out just how little I have actually been home puts it into perspective - and it is a bit of a relief! Personally, I think we should put another week or two between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Besides, we could then enjoy our decorations longer!

But, here it is - that wonderful, peaceful, lovely moment when all is still, quiet and well with my soul:

Yummy! We got the treats (and NO coal of course!) Never mind that they are sitting in my boys stinky shoes. (That's right - mine don't stink....  All that non-biodegradable packaging IS worth something!) These are cookies and chocolates from Germany. Marzipan, Pfeffernusse, Dominos, Contessa, Schokoladen Kranze, Gingerbread Cookies...

Even the foil wrapped kiddie coin chocolate is delicious - unlike the cheap stuff one gets here. Besides, it even comes in five and ten dollar pieces! What's not to love? Our Oma (the German term of affection for grandmother) sends St. Nikolas packages to all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren every year. It is such a neat tradition that keeps our heritage alive through the generations.

Thankfully, our tree was decorated last week. And, she looks lovely! I'll put up a post on that story later ... there is ALWAYS a story with our trees. And this year, well, the story is that there really is no story - at least not like prior years. Phew... nice to actually get the tree home and keep it this time...