Don't seem like Christmas If the Mummers are not here<br /> <br /> Granny would say as she'd knit in her chair<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Certainly doesn't feel like Christmas is near with absolutely no snow here in TO-I still have flowers in my flower box outside; that my mother planted when she visited me in the Spring! Who feels like Christmas shopping when the weather is so mild, it don't seem like Christmas for sure<br /> <br /> But I, and some others (not those who are eager beavers and have all their gifts bought and wrapped already), better get on the ball as it's going to be upon us before we know it-this coming week.<br /> <br /> This week will be nice, even though it will be very busy. But Christmas day after the turkey (and ham in my house) and all the vegetables have been cooked and served will be so nice with all the loved ones if you're lucky enough. I LOVE spending time with family and this is such a special time. I reminisce a lot about Christmases home in Newfoundland, about the good times that were had. I wrote this little poem about it a few years back and it even got published in The Compass Newspaper, the local paper from my community where I grew up. A poetic reflection of holidays past in Northern Bay, by Celeste Delaney-Loughrey<br /> <br /> My Newfoundland Christmas Memories<br /> <br /> A few days before Christmas Dad would go in the woods and cut a tree<br /> <br /> He'd drill holes and insert branches to make it perfect and pretty<br /> <br /> Mom would pull out the box of decorations and the star for the top<br /> <br /> Be careful with the blue glass ornaments so they wouldn't drop<br /> <br /> Our tree was almost all blue with a little red here and there<br /> <br /> The lights outside on the house were always blue too and another colour ne'er<br /> <br /> We always opened our gifts Christmas Eve night<br /> <br /> And all get new pajamas which was alright<br /> <br /> Mom would have the turkey already on cooking and the vegetables to soak<br /> <br /> At midnight we'd have a little plate of turkey and a glass of coke<br /> <br /> In the morning there would be Santa gifts and stockings full of treats<br /> <br /> We would enjoy them all until Jiggs Dinner was ready to eat<br /> <br /> Watching Christmas movies was always a favourite of mine<br /> <br /> Also family and friends dropping by during Christmas time~ <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> I just hope my son will have good memories from the Christmas traditions that we have instilled. He's already informed me that he likes to put out certain themed ornaments each year. We also have the tradition of getting together with my family up here Christmas Eve-just like my Nanny Delaney used to do. We go to my sister's place in Acton for Christmas Eve, open up our swapped presents and then pick up my inlaws on the way back. We prepare the turkey, have a few delicacies, my son opens up his Christmas PJs, and then we hit the pillow.<br /> <br /> Christmas day my Mum in Law (with a little help from me setting the table and such) cooks a big Scottish fry up (that my Irish father in law has purchased from the local Scottish shop). Then afterwards we go to Christmas Day mass while the turkey is on and I continue with the cooking of a Jigg's Dinner. It's an open house invite at our house, drop by whatever time you can, and there's always food if you're hungry.<br /> <br /> After the meal and desserts, the table is cleared for a game of Loughrey clan Poker, with the women out dancing in the front room with our precious grand daughter, my sweet nieces and not too big cool son. Life is good!<br /> <br /> Take care (enjoy your Christmas traditions) and all the best~Celeste<br /> <br /> www.talesfromaway.com   Submitted By: Alicia "Celeste" Loughrey