I must confess that the Christmas of 2021 was heartwarming. After a year of isolation, it was beautifully celebrated. I did torture myself because I did not manage to share as much on Instagram as I had planned, but after thinking about what had happened in the last 1,5 months, I just needed peace from emails and Instagram, giving them a little less attention. I had to be in the moment. I desired to be in the moment. And I was. And I am immensely proud of that as that is one more thing I learned in 2021. To be present.

What was our Christmas like? Peaceful all the way through since I bought all my gifts in October and November and hung back on projects in December. It was the 27th of November when, still ill, I got a bag of pine, holly, ivy, juniper, spruce, and more from our local grower Bilasti. They do spoil me – all the time, and I am grateful for that. Although I still could not smell, had little sense of taste, and even less energy, I could not imagine our first advent without my kitchen wreath. We already had two other wreaths, organized by my dear friends, but I just desired one that was solely my labor of love and Christmas spirit. When it was on the wall, I knew that we were good – for the season, for joy and love.

The 1st of December came, and I secreted the girls' advent calendars into their rooms. It is no ordinary calendar because chocolates do not sneak into it frequently. I did hide Christmas ornaments for the tree, some chocolates, notes with things we will do and things they can choose to do. We enjoyed December beautifully. To the utmost that we could do those days. It finally felt like a real Christmas mood with candles lit every day, a sparkling tree, and stars in the windows. Maybe it was because it was our house, or perhaps I have grown to appreciate things more. And when the snow came just before Christmas, we knew – there is still some magic left in this world.

Sauteed cabbage was prepared the day before, as were the grey peas, boiled beans, and potatoes. It was late on the 23rd when we decorated gingerbread cookies and layered the honey cake. I salted the perch and drank some wine while Armands sipped cognac. You could feel the air – it was merry and bright as if it was singing. We could feel it with all our senses. If there's one morning I cannot sleep, then it is the 24th. Not because of stress or anger because I must do things but because of excitement and joy. I woke up to decorate the table. We baked pīrāgi, roasted the duck and crisped up those Christmas potatoes. Already dressed for the occassion, Armands complimented me on my looks and gave me a glass of champagne that I gladly accepted. The evening flew by like a shooting star with poems, songs, and dancing by the tree. It was merry and bright, not only in song. At our house. I am thankful for that.