Nona's News — Holiday in the Hamptons

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays.  I love this time of year, the smell of the Christmas trees, neighbors helping those in need — It is my time to be with family, friends and redefine the past year and what goals I have for 2012.

I've been doing a bit of traveling recently, therefore, I'm way behind in my Christmas shoppping, uh oh!  Of course, as I live in Connecticut, it would be easy to run out to the mall or Greenwich Avenue and pick up my gifts and be finished.  No, I don't think so —I'm going to wait and shop in Westhampton Beach. I'll be home in a few days and can't wait to shop with the friendly owners of the stores in town. I love the shops that stay open all year — There are great presents to be found at all. Has anyone stopped at Flowers At the Greenery?  Carel's boutique is amazing and he has the excellent ideas for all of his clients.

I also love exploring the streets and homes of our town.  When I'm home, I love to walk up and down and around and see all the lights and decorations. They are charming. Our streets tell a story in fall, spring, summer and winter.  If only the houses could talk. And, if you are a health nut, you can take a great walk — It is exactly 3.8 miles from the post office to the beach and back again. Just think, you can see beauty of the Christmas trees, Christmas lights, snowmen and burn off those fruit cakes! On the way home, I like to stop in to  and bring a Chai Lattee home. The staff is so friendly and nice. I love their soups, scones and Lattes!

While the entire family won't be able to join us at mom's house this year, memories will be with us of Christmas past and much will be the same, like the smell of coffee brewing in the morning, phone calls to relatives who can't be with us, memories with my siblings, the great Christmas parties mom use to throw with 70 people and counting...including Santa. I don't know how she did it. We will still want to open the presents EARLY.  Poor mom and dad —they'll have to get up early as they always did and if the weather permits, there will be a visit to to Rogers.  And then, who has to clean up the madness from under the tree?  Officially, we can stop listening to Christmas music at noon as it started on radio before Thanksgiving!  

Now New Year's Eve I have to think about! Cheers...talk to you soon.