Yuletide in Pennsylvania

An unexpected benefit of living in the suburbs of Philadelphia is that many of our neighbors not only put their holiday lights on their houses early but keep them burning through the end of January.

In fact, on a walk around the block this afternoon with Julie --- three days before the Super Bowl --- we saw lights still shining on a few houses.

With this being an unusually cold winter, it has been nice feeling that Merry Christmas spirit all around us longer.

Christmas also started early, with multi-colored or white lights twinkling on houses about the time Halloween decorations came down.    

Our family gets in the holiday spirit early ourselves, making Christmas fruitcakes in November.  In my Thanksgiving blog post, I failed to mention that Jay and Amy went over to Gina's to help their sister decorate her family's tree.  It turned out beautiful.

Julie and I appreciated their handiwork when Gina, Laszlo and Emma hosted us for a delicious ham Christmas dinner on December 23.

We opened presents, including some versions of Skee Ball and Miniature Golf they gave us.  We all tried our hands at mastering these tiny games.

It was a lovely afternoon.  We took an extended walk in their neighborhoods around their condo. I strummed some Christmas carols, and the others often sang along.

Why did we celebrate Christmas on December 23?

Because on Christmas Eve, Julie and I boarded a flight to Los Angeles where our Yuletide celebrations continued.

By the way, upon using the term "Yuletide," I decided to search the internet to find out exactly what that term means.  Yuletide is an Old English word for the12-night Norse celebration of "warmth, merriment and fellowship," according to Parade.  The Twelve Days of Christmas, as it were.

Technically, the Yule season starts annually on Winter Solstice, December 21.  Our trip to California would return the day after New Year's Day, so while we might not have celebrated exactly 12 Days of Christmas, it turned out to be a pretty good fit. 

A week before Christmas, Emma performed as part of a small group in the annual ice-skating show at Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society.  We arrived early and scored seats in the warm "private box" on the second floor.  As part of the exclusive feel, the club provided a catered buffet with the price of admission.  It's always a fun event.

Notice those are not Snooker balls, but snow ball puffs on the pool table.

Click here for video of holiday horse and "sleigh" rides in our neighborhood.

Valley Forge

Wesley's Favorite President