Now that 2010’s turkey day has initiated the season of thanks and giving, holiday festivities are in full swing, just as the cold chill of Jack Frost creeps in and as daylight hours shorten. A new dawn has been born in our family and yet we keep threads of tradition together. Nutmeg sticks took first place, followed shortly after by a midnight batch of 73 Almond Crescents/balls. Miracle on 34th Street was performed downtown last night. Once the first string of lights went up around the dining room window and the front door received a big red bow, the house started looking festive. We’ll know Christmas is almost here when a gingerbread house goes up and the tree is trimmed.