First Chilean Christmas

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Originally uploaded by erostkowski.

I have survived my first Christmas away from home. The HCAs celebrated in Pocuro this year, my home. We live in the middle of wine country and it's absolutely beautiful. Summers in this region of Chile are fantastic. It's hot,sunny, and dry during the day and cools of considerably at night. We have been taking advantage of the great weather by eating under the grape arbor that past Associates constructed in our front yard. I set the table using all the skills I've picked up from the home decorating magazines that I am addicated to. My sister sent the snowflake ornaments that we strung from the vines and the candy canes that made our place settings.
In Chile, Christmas Eve is a bigger holiday than Christmas. We went to Mass in the Chapel that is right next to our house. Everyone eats after mass and midnight, so we followed with the tradition. In the morning, we gave the gifts that made for our gift exchange and spent the rest of the day reading, playing cards, and listening to Christmas music.