That's a wrap for 2024, and Swedish Christmas

Well, here we are at the end of 2024. 

Wife and I have had a good year in many ways. We are still in relatively good health for our ages as I await knee replacement surgery and we both notice we tire a bit more easily. But all things considered, not bad. 

We were lucky enough to take some nice trips this year, which I recounted here. 

But as with any year, there were challenges and sadness, perhaps more than in recent years. We both lost dear friends, which was difficult. The cancer journey for my son-in-law continues, and he will be having more surgery. While there is still no spread beyond the colon, a new tumor was recently detected in that area. 

Right now, he and my daughter and their three children live a normal life, looking from the outside. Their faith and good humor stand them in good stead. But this weighs heavily on them and all of us. We are praying for complete eradication and for them to be able to move on with their lives. 

I will likely retire this coming year, with the date being as yet unknown. This is equal parts exciting and terrifying for me. Lots to process there as I come to the end of my working life. 

I think what you call all of this is life. Ups and downs. Happiness and sadness. Challenging times and less challenging times. Changing seasons and transitions. 

Wishing all of you a happy and prosperous New Year. I hope we will continue to check on each other  here and on your blogs. I appreciate our little community here. 

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Before I sign off for the year, I want to report on this year's international Christmas Eve, an annual tradition with our family. Full disclosure, as a family we observe Christmas Eve December 26th and Christmas Day December 27th, but that is a minor detail. 

This year's country was Sweden, and we can't seem to remember how we picked it. I think Wife and I decided we should do a Scandinavian country and Sweden it was. Given that there are no Swedish restaurants around, this year's meal was all home cooked and, as usual, Wife did an outstanding job. 

One of the pictures includes the menu. FYI, Wife decided to nix the green beans and added a marinated tomato dish, not on the menu, that was delicious. In fact, all the food was above average and would be good in any setting. 

Decorations had a woodsy theme, and we were able to borrow some props from the Canadian year as well as acquire a few new ones. The table runners and needlepoint hanging came straight from Sweden via Etsy. 

Pictures will tell it better than I can. As usual, drinks and apps were in the entry hall before dinner in the dining room.