The snow is falling, so very pretty. I am enjoying my afternoon tea by the fireplace and looking back on our first Christmas here in Paradise. Quite different from our holidays in our homeland.

Last year we were living in a small hut barely large enough for the family, but we were thankful and made it our home, knowing we would have a nice abode in the near future. The snow was falling today as it was then a year ago. We had gone into the woods to gather evergreens and berries for decoration. We shared our Christmas festivities with our Indian friends. The Indians and our children had enjoyed hearing about our customs and listening to our Christmas poems, stories of the birth of Jesus, and carols. They joined in with us as we sang. They are nostalgic memories I will never forget. Our Christmas this year will be much different.

We now have larger homes and room for a Christmas tree. I still have ornaments the grandchildren made which will adorn our tree. Hopefully, they will be passed down from our generation to another, keepsakes of days gone by. We have made a tradition of wild turkey and venison, and hardtack for Christmas Eve. We will still gather around the fireplace, say prayers, read Christmas stories and poems, and sing carols.

Some of our Indian friends will be with us again, and they have come to love our traditions and we have come to love their traditions as well. This year we have a church in which to attend services; a beautiful church built with love. We will spend time with and worship with the new people that are coming into the territory, some of which are Swissers along with more Huguenots, some of who were given 10,000 acres. I am happy to be able to welcome them and make them a part of our territory. We will sing some French carols. My favorite is Il Est Ne Divin Enfant.

This year we will have homemade gifts but will also have other ones - a real treat, although some of those gifts were unique, they also become a part of my memories. I will be making our traditional dishes and deserts. I will be making Clafoutis which is our favorite traditional desert. There will be 12 others also in keeping with our tradition! I am so looking forward to this Christmas with all my family and friends.

Que Dieu benisse famille et mes amis - Joyeux Noel!

Note: If you would like to listen to my favorite carol, go to your browser/google, type in Il Est Ne Divin Enfant in French. There are several renditions to listen to, also.