most excited

i love this time of year, with the holiday decorations, festive food and drink, and chilly temperatures. it's all just so lovely - the snuggle time, stews, knee-high socks worn to bed, baked goods shared with friends. and i just can't get over the pomegranates and citrus, the poinsettias and eucalyptus.

but what i'm most excited about is the time spent with friends and family. there are few occasions during the year when people are able to congregate at the same time, but christmas! the joyous season for celebration! friends come into town to visit family, family come over to feast. it's magical! i don't even know how i'm going to contain myself when emma and her beau visit la. and abby! two visits in a matter of weeks?! festive dinners with local friends...yesss. and then home for the holidays - mama and daddy in their heart-warming, perfectly decorative abode. extended family join in debauchery, and all is well.

so as the masses scramble about for the "perfect" gift, may you find excitement in the simple things shared with those you love.

college flashback to christmastime at ophir