it's not life that matters but the journey...

Love the shot of Fuji. Just amazing. *envies*

I'm with you... For years now, I've really lost that "Christmas spirit." It's all become so commercialized and money-driven... people stressing out about what to buy, not having enough money to spend... and for me, that just kills the spirit. So this year, being that my mother still hasn't been able to land a job, she was stressing about not having as "grand" a Christmas as we usually have. (meaning fewer gifts) So I took the opportunity to (hopefully) start a new tradition... I suggested we just skip the gifts this year. I said gifts are nice and we all enjoy them but in the end it's just "stuff." And we don't necessarily need more "stuff." I suggested we do our normal brunch (YUMMY) and dinner (EVEN YUMMIER) and just spend the day focused on each other... playing games and just enjoying one another. It took about a week but they all finally said it was a good idea and so that's what we did... we played board games and had a great time. I really enjoyed Christmas this year more than I have in a looooong time. :-)

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... sushi, chicken and miso sounds like such an awesome Christmas feast!!! Can I come live with you? lol...

Happy Holidays to you, Laura. I hope all is well in your part of the galaxy!!!

(sorry for being such a bad LJ friend of late as well.. and thank you for sharing your life over there with us!!!)