Time for the great cleansing

Well another holiday season has come and gone. It pretty much was one long feast that ended last night with our 12th night feast, a celebratory dinner marking the 3 kings arrival in Bethlehem. Before this year I always felt that once Christmas came and went I felt let down almost as if I didn't squeeze in enough fun and then all at once it was gone. So we made a commitment to keep on celebrating or try to anyway until 3 Kings day or Epiphany. How? How do you keep that magical feeling of Christmas alive and the goodwill flowing when Valentines Day goods are already marked 40% off in the store?
We decided on just one thing, to eat by candle light every night between Christmas and New Years eve. Nothing (in my never humble opinion) is as nice as dining by candle light. I think we actually ate by candle light 10 of 12 nights. I am not sure we managed to keep the spirit of Christmas but possibly did keep it's counterpart, goodwill much longer this year. And I tell you what, you'd be amazed by what your kids will eat when the candles are lit and they can't actually see the food that well.
The end all last night was a 3 Kings cake which was just puff pastry cut in a simple circle, brushed with butter and sprinkled with sugar and baked. The surprise was a pecan hidden inside and whoever found it was deemed 'king of the year'. Our 5 year old son found the pecan and promptly wore the title, king of the year, right in to the ground. *sigh*
Anyway the title for the post was the great cleansing. Unfortunately it's that time of year when I quit eating so richly. Again may I say ***sigh*** I have a hate/love relationship with January. On one hand I hate giving up my cookies, candies and treats like that. On the other hand I do love fitting in my jeans a bit better and being able to bend over without panting. So bring it on January, lets have your best shot, I'm ready.

PS January? could you please quit being such a cold bitch? -35F is way to cold, even for you. And longer than a week? Give me a break!