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Yup . . . we are still livin’ rite har in Texas . . . BUT we can pretend, can’t we? After all, Hawaiians are spending their time in December on the beach and in shorts. Whoa, that doesn’t put me in the Christmas spirit . . . . I love having some cold winter weather to put me in “the” mood. (Note the key word in the previous sentence is “some.”)

But none of that is relevant because the “Hawaii Christmas” I’m talking about is happening next summer. Our family is planning a trip to Hawaii, and that is our Christmas gift to the “kids” (and may be their gift for the next 2-3 years!). We’ve decided that we’ll spend their inheritance WITH them — and so far they’re not complaining.

Our Christmas party this past weekend, therefore, was not the traditional type. No turkey and dressing or ham or lamb or crown roast. Nope, we had kabobs on the grill — Hawaiian chicken with pineapple. Our side dishes weren’t particularly Hawaiian, except for the fruit plate and the pudding for dessert (made from coconut milk). But our table decorations

and music put us in the hula mood! Even the sunshiny afternoon helped us forget we were in central Texas in December and let us pretend there might be a beach beyond them thar hills. If 2008 goes by as fast as 2007 has, we WILL BE on that Hawaiian beach in just a few days. (Reminds me of a remark by my friend, Ann, the other day — our days fly by as we get older, just like the paper on the toilet roll goes really fast at the end.)

Now, that’s no way to end a happy blog-day — so, let’s just change the subject to this wish for all of you: Merry Christmas and many blessings to you and yours!