Christmas Eve at the Rabbit Patch

~ rabbitpatchdiary.com

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Christmas eve morning is here . . and with it rain.  I woke to the sound of rain and it was lovely.  I wished it were snow. ( Just a light friendly snow that would not hinder anyones’ progress)  None the less, it is the magical eve of Christmas, and rain will suit me fine.  I couldn’t complain today, if I wanted to, for I especially love Christmas eve.   Besides, the holiday lights still twinkle, and the kitchen smells like Christmas fare.  The table, will be adorned with the Christmas china, and most importantly-my loved ones will gather around it.  

When the rain breaks, I will gather pine-enough that you smell it when walking in.  Paired with the apples and oranges, the smell of Christmas will be prevalent.  My oldest sons, Brant and Tres will drive in from Wilmington today-and Mama and Daddy will join us for a Christmas eve supper.  I am already cooking and clean linens are on the beds.  I have a lot of floors to scrub, that will immediately be tracked with dirt and mud, when everyone comes in.  The dogs will be bathed at the last moment and candles will be lit-especially the one in the “welcome home” lantern at the back door.  The boys will not have wrapped a single present and so I am always on alert to begin that task in the late hours.  

I did not get back to the rabbit patch, til well after dark. yesterday.  I drove back in muted light, which was a far cry better than the drive going, in the rain.  I had to stop by the grocery store, and there in lies the culprit of my late arrival, home.  To complicate matters, I was undecided about what dishes to bring to the gathering on Christmas night, at the home of my parents.  It must have shown, as a young man asked if he could help me.  I decided to make “Aunt Agnes’ apple salad” and the cheddar garlic biscuits, my niece, Hayley, loves.  The check out lines were full, more than I have ever seen them int the small town.  When I became the next to check out, the gentleman in front of me, promptly, dropped a gallon of milk which exploded upon impact.  Now, there really is no merit to “crying over spilt milk” and so I became last in the next line, without holding a grudge.  The man that dropped it was full of distress and there was no need to add to it.   

In the Afternoon

What a commotion, there was in the old farmhouse-and it lasted til just past one.  Finally, at long last, the floors were scrubbed and the scent of fresh pine lingered in the air.  Cash had a bath and candles were lit.  What lovely moments, when all is ready and the children due to arrive. 

I lit the “welcome home” lantern and thought, Christmas eve is a lovely time.

 

Dear Readers of the rabbit patch diary,  I can not thank you enough for the gifts of kind and encouraging words, you leave me.  So many times, I am moved to tears at the sight of them.  How generous you all are.  As big as this world is, you all have a way of making it a cozy and friendly place.  Thank you, with all my heart.  Merry, merry Christmas . . . love Michele

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31 thoughts on “Christmas Eve at the Rabbit Patch”

  1. Michele~
    your written words are always so wonderful. ! I read them & send them on to my grandkids up in Wyoming. the oldest girl, at 8 years loves them. she is a good reader & shares with her younger brother. Thank you so much. you were encouraging to me when i was trying to blog.
    Love & best to you. Happy Holidays!! Lois Joy hIllgren

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    1. Merry Christmas my dear friend-I hope you will write again-I loved everything I read and miss it. I do love hearing from you and hope Beauty is well. Thank you for you are the one who encouraged me. Merry Christmas! love Michele and tell your grand daughter Merry Christmas too!

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  5. I was stunned at the photo of your Christmas tree. The number of gifts and the sizes of them!!!! There is not a single wrapped gift under our tree! That’s not as bad as it sounds. John took care of the grandsons, or at least I THINK he did. We gave a check to the NJ daughter, and I sat down and ordered our son’s gift a few minutes ago. He found just what he wanted ON SALE on line. Surely a Christmas Eve purchase will count as a Christmas present! I haven’t yet taken care of the Danish daughter, but she’s in Kenya right now and won’t notice. I do have stocking stuffers, if I can remember where I put them. Here comes a bit of envy. Your Christmas is so organized!!! Merry Christmas! You deserve it!

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    1. Oh dear sweet Anne-hope yours comes together beautifully-remember that I shop through out the year and have the trusty Christmas closet! haha! However we do Christmas, it is lovely! Merry Christmas my dear friend! and thank you so much for ALL you do for me-I remain so very glad we met! love Michele

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  8. How absolutely beautiful your tree is, Michele! My goodness it looks like something out of a fairy book! How I again enjoyed this beautiful place as only you can make it so. When I had many people over for the Holidays I did just the basic cleaning and left the scrubbing until “after” they left. 😉 Merry Christmas to you and your precious family! May today be the best one yet!! 🎄🎁🎄

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  9. How good to make your acquaintance precisely today, on Christmas Day. Yes, Christmas is always this mix of bless and stress (I mean bliss …) and the world would be so much better than it sometimes seems to be, if people could just act like you – without holding a grudge!
    I’ll be back to read more here of course.
    Wish you a really good holiday season!
    Ellington

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  13. You’re not fooling anyone.
    It is Christmas EVERY DAY at the Rabbit Patch.
    For what is Christmas? A date on the calendar? Decorations, gifts, a tree?
    No. Christmas is a spirit, and you carry it with you throughout the rolling year.
    At this point, you couldn’t stop it if you tried.

    Peace blankets the Rabbit Patch, not at my beckoning, but because it is drawn to YOU.

    Paz

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  14. Merry Christmas to you my friend! I always feel like I have come home when I come on over to the Rabbit Patch. Your pictures make me want to come through the door carrying a plateful of Christmas treats!
    I am blessed knowing you.

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  15. Just when I thought Christmas Eve preparations couldn’t get any busier, you add “washing the dog” to it!! Now I feel like a slacker for not washing mine;) It sounds like a lovely time with your family.

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  17. I’m late in reading Christmas posts and am trying to catch up with everything I’ve missed, and although I’m here now, my lateness doesn’t let you know that I was thinking of you and sent a prayer out on Christmas day, asking that you should have a truly loving, warm and wonderful day with your family.
    Sending you my love ~ Cobs. xxx

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