No hustle and bustle

The forecast called for 1 to 3 inches. I think we got 5 or 6. It's very pretty.

The temperatures are expected to get a bit above freezing in the afternoons the next two days. I think we'll still manage to have a white Christmas, but I don't know how pretty it will be.

Our neighborhood is quiet. Probably half of our neighbors have "gone home" for Christmas.

The shopping is done. The baking is done. The Christmas postcards are in the mail, as are all the gift boxes. The lights are on the tree, and we'll put the ornaments on tomorrow. We have a good supply of wood for the fireplace. We've got all the ingredients for several more batches of eggnog.

We have no plans to travel, and no expected visitors. Although we miss our relatives, we aren't missing the stress of packing, the nightmare of driving several hours with little children, or the futile attempt to clean the house before guests come.

This is perhaps the quietest, calmest Christmas I've ever had.