Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar

I don't mind the rain, really.  I was glad to hear it this morning when I woke up.  We've had such a cold dry spell lately.  But with sun.  I love the sun too.  I have noticed as I get older, I long for the seasons.  I wish for drastic season shifts.  I think I'd eventually like to live closer to the mountains, or over the mountains and through the woods, with snowy winters and hot summers.  Oh, and preferably a farmhouse on some land.  Maybe lakeside.  I should have bought the Mega Million ticket at the Ephrata Safeway.

But I can always count on the shift inside my house.  I love to decorate as the year flows.  My kids love and expect it too.

Traditionally I like to keep Christmas decorations up until at least January 6 ... El Dia de los Tres Reyes -- Three Kings Day.  This day commemorates the Three Wise Men, Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar, who followed the star to Bethlehem, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  My mom practiced this tradition.  And when I told my aunt from Wisconsin I was taking it down early, she gasped...."but it's not El Dia de los Tres Reyes".  Please forgive me.

It's also the end of the 12 days of Christmas, which begin on Christmas day and end on the 12th night, January 5.  (I just learned about this, I didn't know....did you?)

But this year I took them down January 3, nothing significant, but I was done.  I'm ready to start a new year and excited for the next ....Valentine's Day.  You'd think I'd be opposed to such a day, not being in love or having a "lover" to share such a Hallmark holiday with, but it's a favorite.  I love the colors and the hearts, and soon my house will be filled with pink, red and LOVE more LOVE.