Epiphany 2011

At our house, we celebrated Christmas without stockings or gifts or a tree.  NS' birthday, which happens to coincide with Christmas, did involve a modest showering of presents.  Still, Epiphany (a.k.a. Three Kings Day) provided a unique opportunity--at least in theory--for everyone in the family to experience the joy of giving.  Besides, a post-holiday holiday can help ease the transition to the new year and daily routines.

On the eve of January 6 we each placed a shoe on the hearth.  Morning brought a few merry surprises.  There were watercolors for NS and homemade coupons for CP.  I, the instigator of this first annual tradition, found my lovely "mothers naturally" bookmark which NS had confiscated, then later, in a generous change of heart, instructed me to hide in my own shoe.



NS also helped me to make a tea ring with a shiny 2010 penny hidden inside.  Alas, none of us was the lucky finder of the coin.  Uncle J found it in the piece we gave him.