“Tea, dear?” Helen held out a heavy, festive mug dotted with red and green stars and dropped a mischievous wink. “My special Christmas recipe.”

Peter loomed behind June and snagged the mug with his one hand, looping a long arm over her shoulders. “Oh, you can’t miss this. Ma makes the best Christmas tea.” He held it to his face and inhaled the steam wafting into the room. “Mmm. I’ve already had two today. It’s tradition when we decorate.”

“I can tell you already had several,” Helen admonished her son. “You just stole June’s!”

Green eyes went wide atop the thick clay. “Srrrrry!” His gulp swallowed half the mug’s content. “Sorry, my dear, I wasn’t thinking.”

“I’d love to try some,” June said, laughing, and tried to snatch her prize out of his hands.

He lofted it above her head and headed to the kitchen, waving his hands in the air with a faintly ominous sloshing. “No, no, must get you fresh.”

“Or, you could try this one.” Helen handed her another clay mug, this one blue with a pattern of yellow stars. “I haven’t sipped from this one yet, dear.”

“I take it this is, mmm, special tea?” June laughed and gave it a quick sniff. “Oh!”

“Well, a wee drop of the Irish does keep the peace, now. A good whiskey never goes awry at Christmas, does it?”

From the kitchen, Peter began singing. “We wish you a Merry Advent, We wish you a Merry Advent, We wish you a Merry Advent and a Happy Christmaaaaaas!”

George joined in on the extended note and draped an unusual silver boa over his wife’s shoulders, waving an artificial pine branch as he conducted along with the words. “Good tinsel we bring for you and your treeeeee.”

“These are not the words!” scolded Helen. She let out a sigh. “We wish you a Merry Advent and a Happy Christmas!”

***

This week’s more odds than ends musical prompt was inspired by AC Young, while mine went to Padre. A merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate, and here’s to a 2025 filled with song and story!