The holiday season is one of those times when other aspects of life take a back seat, even if just for a couple of days. It is the only period where we are given permission to drop everything and just spend time with family and appreciating what the universe has blessed us with. So, like the rest of you, I will be taking a couple of days away from beer writing (but not beer drinking) to celebrate the season with my family. Hopefully I receive some interesting gifts (although I doubt they will top last year’s), but more importantly I am looking forward to seeing the reaction to those gifts I am giving.

I want to wish all of you and your families a Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah/Festive Kwanzaa or whatever version you celebrate. Regardless of the name, it all means the same thing – appreciating what we have, loving who is around us, and taking a moment to remind ourselves of our priorities.

So I hope you drink some good beer, get some really good presents and return to work/school in a few days relaxed and excited about the new year in front of us. I promise to be back on the blog job next week and look forward to connecting with you during 2012. I know for me it will be another big year. Another 2 month sojourn in Halifax awaits me, as do many other new adventures in my life. I hope your coming year is equally as exciting.

For now, I am off to open a bottle of Old Deuteronomy, sit on the couch looking at the Christmas tree and fulfill the annual tradition of watching The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (the original, not the stupid Jim Carrey movie).

Merry Christmas to you and your family and I will see you in a few days!