I'm Dreaming of a........

Yes I live in Alaska.
Yes we have snow.
Yes we use a wood stove to keep our house warm and cozy
Yes we have already reached temperatures so low that my thermometer won't even register it. Maybe because the thermometer knows that if it really reported that it was a -50 below I might throw it out the window. Whatever the reason, it just registers down to -40 and stops. I can imagine that it is not that cold. But I must tell you, that when it "warmed" up to -22(Which it was earlier in the week) I was excited. I am not sure why since it is still to cold to go do something outside but it is all in the principal of that fact! I know every song about the Christmas season is based around the fact that there will be snow, cozy fireplaces . My life could easily fit into a Christmas song.
"Dashing through the Snow, In a one horse open sleigh"(though here in Galena it is more likely to be a dog sled team)
"Frosted Window panes, Candles beaming in side"
"Walking in a winter wonderland"
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack frost nipping at your nose"(even though I have no idea what a chestnut really is or tastes like)
"Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, since we've no place to go. Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow."
"I'll be home for Christmas, You can count on me. We'll have snow and mistletoe, and presents under the tree."
And my absolute favorite song "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know" (even though technically I never knew a what a White Christmas was untill the last few years. But I sing the song anyway. I think it is just one of those songs that get you excited for Christmas!)

I do love where I live and snow and winter but .... This year I can honestly say, the song that I find myself singing more often is:

"Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That's the island greeting that we send to you from the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you"

This song always reminds me of the movie "Donavan's Reef", starring John Wayne. Christmas on the Island of Hawaii. Tropical Paradise. I love that movie! I don't really want to go to Hawaii but if my husband took me I would NOT complain. But my thoughts are more on a Zambian Christmas. One of my Aunts in Zambia posted on Facebook a few days ago that she was "Dreaming of a White Christmas" and that made me start to think of what I dream of for Christmas and all the memories I have of Christmas in Zambia. This is where my mind has taken me.

I am dreaming of green Christmas, where the grass is so green and soft you can go barefoot. Flowers are always blooming and my favorite flowers the Zambian Flame Lily and the Fireball Flower always bloom at Christmas! My dad would always have a shovel in the back of the truck and when we drove out to churches and would see any of these plants we would did them up and transplant them to our yard. I love these flowers. My wedding bouquet was made with the Flame Lily. BEAUTIFUL!!! I would love to see these things!

 Flame Lily

                Fireball Plant( I don't know the real name of this plant but it is so PRETTY!)

I am dreaming of a Christmas where a tree is usually an artificial but it can be real, if you can convince my dad to go out and hunt for one or three. I say three because the species of trees that are available, usually only have a few branches so to create a fluffy tree with enough branches to hold lights and ornaments you need three and then you tie them with wire. 3 trees make for a lovely tree! Then you tie it to the ceiling so that it won't fall on top of you. Trust me when I say having a pine tree fall on you is a little poky! The positive about a real one is the smell and you can use tinsel on the branches!

I am dreaming of a bright Christmas. Where the sun shines brightly for more then 3 hours in the day.  And I mean REALLY SHINE!! Where you don't need lights on except for the Christmas tree. Where if you sit outside long enough you can get a tan! I havn't had a tan in so long I could probably blend in to the white walls in my house!

I am dreaming of a HOT Christmas. The kind where the steam from the ground creates that dusty African smell that can not be described but everyone that has been there knows! Swimming is not unusual on a Zambian Christmas. And if you run out of space inside your house, set up tables outside on the veranda.

I am dreaming of a wet Christmas, where it typically rains in the afternoon after the rain clouds build all day. The heat before the rain is HOT and HUMID! And you can smell the rain about to start. Fixing your hair would be pointless and wearing ANY of your Christmas sweaters is OUT OF THE QUESTION!

With the rain comes the the issue of ZESCO (the Zambian Electric company) When it rains , it never fails to turn the electricity off. NEVER FAILS. Every Christmas I can remember, there was no power and mom did most of the cooking on the camping stove or over the grill! But I love that memory!

I am dreaming of the traditional holiday feast! Enchiladas, tacos, salsa, chips, queso....DON'T Judge! Don't you know that Mexican food was originally served at the Stable? Just kidding!  Trying to find a turkey in Zambia while I was growing up was like wishing for snow! hahaha! But every Christmas Mexican food is on the menu and friends and family by the dozens arrive at my moms house with a dish to add to the collection and to enjoy the meal.

So while most people are dreaming of  a White Christmas, I am dreaming a of the total opposite. I will sing the song "I'll be home for Christmas...only in my dreams" But I will still be singing Mele kalikmaka and wishing for a Christmas that is green and bright with trees swaying.  But whatever I am wishing for White or Green, I will be enjoying the warm house with my wonderful family and friends. I will be enjoying the turkey and ham along with all the trimmings.  Enjoy the season  and enjoy the sweet memories of Christmas that we have had. I hope and pray that my boys as they grow up will enjoy the memories that we are creating. I hope when they grow up, they think back with fondness of the Christmas' that we have now with the same fun memories that I have growing up.

Mele Kalikimaka!