Let's start with the morning mood:
The morning of December 31. I wake up to the delicate aroma of freshly brewed coffee that someone (oh, miracle!) made for me. It's snowing perfectly outside - you know, the kind that falls softly, like in the movies. And, most importantly, there is no slush or waist-high snowdrifts outside.
Pre-holiday bustle:
I'm decorating the Christmas tree. The toys are all intact, the garland is not tangled, the cat is sitting to the side and watching philosophically, and not trying to gobble up the tinsel. There are already presents under the tree that I managed to buy in advance, and not at the last minute, running around the shops like a participant in the show “Survive at any cost”.
Preparing the festive table:
Everything goes according to plan in my kitchen. The potatoes don’t burn, the mayonnaise doesn’t run out at the most inopportune moment, and the oven doesn’t decide to go on strike. And yes, I don’t forget something in the fridge to find it after the chimes have struck.
Greeting the guests:
The guests arrive on time, cheerful and in a great mood. No one complains about traffic jams, lost mittens or forgotten presents. They give me champagne (not the cheapest!) and compliments: “How cozy you are!” and “You look amazing!”
The holiday itself: And here we are, sitting at the table, smiling, raising our glasses, telling funny stories and eating my ideal diet salad (by the way, see the recipe in the previous post!). The music is playing, but not too loudly, and the kids, if there are any, are doing something peaceful, like putting together a puzzle, rather than jumping on the couch screaming.
The chimes: When the chimes strike, we all make wishes. At that moment, I look at my friends and family and realize that happiness is here and now. And then there are fireworks, dancing, and my signature attempt at doing the moonwalk to “Last Christmas.”
The perfect morning on January 1: I wake up refreshed and full of energy. The kitchen is tidy, the fridge is full of delicious salad leftovers, and my soul is happy that everything went perfectly. Oh yeah, and no dishes in the sink! That’s a fairy tale.
With love and humor, yours, Maria.