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Good morning! Happy Christmas Eve. I hope that your week has been fabulous and that you are ready for Christmas. I am looking forward to a relaxing day today and tomorrow. Whatever is not done is not going to be and I am ok with that. I simply want to sit back savor the next two days with family and friends.
Twas The Night Before Christmas or A Visit from St. Nicholas
Clement C. Moore
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”
Legend has it that if you sit under a pine tree on Christmas Eve you can hear the angels sing. I will be sitting under my tree this evening hoping to hear the angels sing. What will you be doing?
Whatever you are doing I hope that you are surrounded by the love of family and friends because at the end of the day that is all that matters.
Happy Christmas Eve!
If you are looking for the perfect drink for Christmas Eve try one of my hot chocolate recipes from Once Upon a Chocolate Life.

Tonight, I will be cuddled up on the couch looking at one of my three small trees. I have already started early this morning admiring the twinkling lights on my tree in the front portion of the house.
I'll be baking today. I may be hanging out with my neighbor for a while since he wants to play with some photography! It will be a gentle day, as I too will watch and listen for the angels singing right here where I live.
LOVE TO YOU MY FRIEND!
Merry Christmas!
Hele fijne dagen …liefs Ria x ❤️❤️❤️
Merry Merry Christmas love Ria x ❤️❤️❤️
Hope your Christmas was wonderful and wish you all the best in the New Year!!