To say that everyday is like Christmas when on the farm may be slightly exaggerated. But it is a wonderful way of life. Not easy by a long shot. It is very hard work, physical and enough of it to keep one busy from sunup to sundown and then some.

May I say that preparing for the feast of this glorious holiday actually begins in the summer when the vegetables are at their best growing strong in the abundant sunshine swaying in the gentle breeze, crisp and fresh. Grandma always took the best to preserve, just for our Christmas day celebration. Sweet potatoes were left as long as possible in the earth as carrots and kale. Peppers are pickled . Weeks before December 25 the house I s alive with baking cookies of all shapes and sizes and fragrance of spices that fill the air.

Breads and pies are next The house is decorated with garlands and lights. The evergreen trees outside also have the colorful red and green lights adorn them. A crèche is given a place of honor before the fireplace in the living room, but the child Jesus is not placed until Christmas Eve. The hearth glows with the dry wood gramps has stacked outside the back door. My grandmother peels tangerines and sets the peels on top of the cast iron wood- burning stove in the middle of the kitchen. The fragrance is the most pleasant perfume to fill the air.

There is a flurry of activity and everyone is busy. When at last Christmas Eve has arrived it is magical. All the grandkids arrive to have hot cider hang stockings sing carols and wait for Father Christmas. The glow from the fireplace and the colorful star on top of the Christmas tree is picture postcard magic. But it is filled with more than lights it is filled with children laughing, singing listening to the story of the birth of Jesus caring and sharing while building up memories that will last a lifetime.

The day of Christmas takes on another scene entirely. By now gifts have been exchanged opened and the kissing and thank you has passed. The little ones play with the new toys and we all look forward to the two roasts, side dishes and the produce saved from summer bounty. All this with eyes on the spectacular deserts the drawing for the gingerbread house and more stories to tell.

We sit for a long time taking with family thankful to be together.

We cannot believe we have consumed 2 roasts a large turkey stuffing and side dishes along with soups and salads. Grandma makes sure we all go home with a package of food cookies and several types of bread. We leave the farm and outside the snow is silently falling, gentle gleaming crystals of white to kiss us God speed until we meet again. I wish everyone a beautiful Merry Christmas