Merry Christmas … wherever you are

This holiday is a bit out of the ordinary for us. There’s no snow; it’s green and balmy, and the scent of the ocean occasionally floats in on the breeze.

We’re in Halifax, which has to be one of the nicest cities in the country, celebrating Christmas with my sister. I’m writing this from the family room near the NICU where my little preemie nephew is camped out. He won’t make it home for the holidays, but home is really where there is love and he is surrounded by it here. We’re bringing Christmas to the hospital, and we’ll be together.

I don’t have many words today, but I wanted to pop in to say Merry Christmas…wherever you are.

cookie tin

A lot of people come through this family room; to make tea, catch a nap, let the kids play or fix a snack. The other day I overhead a tired looking mother sigh and say “I know this sounds crazy, but I really miss doing dishes.”  Never mind the comforts of home, she was missing that mundane task we do every day.

I don’t know where you are this Christmas. I don’t know what your year has looked like, or what you’ve been through, but I urge you to count your blessing, wherever you are. You don’t have to look very far to find something to be thankful for – even if it’s a sink full of dishes in the comforts of your own home.

We’re crazy privileged to live in this country, where my sister and her baby can get top-notch health care for free, where we can walk out the door and down to a clean lake, where we can drive ten minutes and buy fresh-caught lobsters for dinner.

Those are merely a few of the many things I am thankful for this Christmas. Here are a few more small things, in photos nabbed from my Instagram feed. Lobster tails, eggnog, big salads and small gifts.

lobster

Fresh-caught lobster – a Maritime Christmas Eve tradition – prepped in the hospital kitchen and enjoyed today for lunch.

eggnog

Tree trimming with popcorn and eggnog.

tablescape

A simple tableset for Christmas dinner in my sister’s bright dining room.

big salad

‘Tis the season for big salads. This one helped me to clean out the refrigerator before our road trip.

jars

Jars of homemade cranberry sauce for gifting.

Merry Christmas…wherever you are!

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16 Comments

  1. Merry Christmas to you and your family as well, Aimee. Somehow, with all the craziness that is happening in your life this year, and especially this Fall/Winter season…you still find time to make these magazine-worthy spreads for those around you (and thankfully document it for our viewing pleasure!). You have such a gift. Blessings on your New Year!
    Sarah M

  2. Same to you! After moving to Canada this year and now spending Cmas in Florida, we realized that “home” is wherever our little family is at that moment in time. Best wishes to your nephew for healthy growth in the days ahead!

  3. Best wishes to you, your family, and that wee soul in the NICU. I have a baby friend who has been in the IWK since his birth last winter, and I know that the love and care offered here in Halifax is top notch. I hope this city comforts you and fills your hearts!

    Merry Christmas and all the best for 2016…

    1. That is encouraging, and yes, what great care in the IWK. It’s beyond impressive. We so enjoyed our Halifax holiday.

      All the best for the new year to you too. xo

  4. Just back, teary eyed, from Instagram. It was the rolled up sleeves that got me. I remember that so well – and sleeper legs tied together because the actual legs never got into them anyway. My 3lb 13 oz early arrival turns 21 on New Year’s Day.

    Everyone will feel better once the gavage is history, won’t take long. He’s beautiful.

  5. Hello Aimee,

    Thank you for your amazing blog!! I love to pop in and see what is new!! Hope you have a great Christmas with you family!! It seems you are very good at making the best of every situation you are in..agile and flexible!! Great virtues to have!!!

    That salad looks amazing….do you have the recipe? What dressing did you use to top it all off?

    May you next year be a healthy one.
    Love Janice

  6. Gorgeous, Aimee, and such a nice post. I have been following your Instagram a bit closer lately as I live just an hour down the road from Halifax in the gorgeous Annapolis Valley. So glad your family enjoyed your Maritime Christmas. All the best to your family in 2016.

  7. There is an incredible amount of love and support in the staff, nurses, doctors and volunteers that are all their to help your sister’s family through getting that nephew strong enough to go home.

    Thinking of your family, and wishing you a Merry Christmas (belated) and a Happy New Year. Here’s to more baby cuddles and giggles coming your way in the new year.