THIS IS MY INTERPRETATION OF WHAT THE “CLAUS COMPOUND” MIGHT ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE, AND I EVEN ARRANGED FOR SANTA AND A COUPLE OF REINDEER TO STOP AND POSE AND TO GIVE US AN OFFICIAL “WELCOME WAVE.”

THIS IMAGE IS AN AMALGAMATION OF MANY WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS EVE MEMORIES I HAVE; MOST OF THEM CENTERED AROUND GATHERINGS IN THE “PIANO ROOM” OF MY SISTER ETHEL'S COLONIAL PERIOD HOME.

AN ACCOMPLISHED SINGER AND PIANIST AS WELL AS A CARRER EDUCATOR, ETHEL WAS ALWAYS A TRUE ROMANTIC. EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE, SHE BROUGHT THE FAMILY TOGETHER AROUND HER PIANO TO SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS, A TRADITION HER DAUGHTER ELIZABETH MAINTAINS TO THIS DAY.

ALTHOUGH THIS ILLUSTRATION TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN, IN TERMS OF "STORYTELLING" RATHER THAN A "FAMILY SING-ALONG," TO ME, IT CAPTURES THE WARMTH AND SPIRIT OF THOSE VERY SPECIAL EVENINGS THAT NONE OF US WILL EVER FORGET.

THIS SCENE PORTRAYS WHAT I IMAGINE IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE AS MIDNIGHT APPROACHES. THE ELVES ARE DILIGENTLY LOADING SANTA'S SLEIGH WHILE RUDOLPH STANDS SENTRY OUTSIDE THE BARN-OFFICE.

AND TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE GIFT CARD ON SANTA'S DESK. NOTICE TO WHOM IT IS ADDRESSED.

 SANTA SITS IN HIS ROCKER ON HIS DECORATED PORCH, WITH RUDOLPH NEARBY. HIS TRUSTY CUP OF COCOA RESTS ON THE TABLE, AND HE SEEMS COMPLETELY ENGROSSED IN A POSSIBLE FUTURE “BESTSELLER.”