These were Abue's angels. I have nice memories of them at her house, and love seeing them every year now at my own. My girls say I'm the one in the middle, and they're the ones on either side.
Here is a powerful excerpt from Bonhoeffer's God is in the Manger:
This was our church's Advent book last year. Since I like tradition and familiar things, I decided it would be my Advent book each year. Because Advent started late this year (Dec. 3), I ended up missing a week in this book and The Cloud of Witness. From now on, I will begin both books the Sunday after Thanksgiving every year, regardless of the official "start" of Advent.
These were creations the girls made at the party with their American Heritage Girls friends:
(Front and back)
I covered the plates with plastic wrap, and we enjoyed looking at them throughout the Christmas season.
One of my girls has a birthday one week before Jesus's, so we always have non-Christmas sweets for her special day:
These had chocolate chips and Andes mint chips baked in!
Baking is a big event during this season. It's easy to get overwhelmed with sweets. Next year I believe we should start baking earlier. We waited until Dec. 19 to make treats for friends and family, and ended up with some for us, too. The closer to Christmas Day it is, the more sweets seem to accumulate. Why not bake around Dec. 10 and stagger the desserts? This would also enable earlier distribution to neighbors.
A note I made to myself last year was to set aside an entire afternoon or day for baking. It's terrible to cram such a joyful activity in with other things and feel rushed. I was thankful we planned lots of time for the gingerbread, my girls' favorite Christmas project. Their designs are more elaborate every year!
We always use the same recipe, same vintage tablecloth, same cookie cutters...and listen to our "Wonderful Christmastime" station while working. As I said, there's nothing like the comfort of traditions, and I delight in the memories my girls and I are making.
A slight break from food, back to the real meaning of Christmas...Here is my favorite decoration of all time:
This is another of Abue's former things. When I was a child, it moved to my house, and then my mom graciously gave it to me. My girls now cherish and delight in this manger scene. Abue tells me every year that she bought it in 1966 for $6. I keep it in its original sturdy cardboard box. We had to replace the old newspapers (from the 1960's) that cushion the figures, but even the straw is original to the set. The one thing that hasn't survived are the plastic trees. They lasted until about two years ago, and finally crumbled. The star is shabby, but still holding on. This set is one of my most special treasures.
Here is another treasure from a grandmother:
Jeremy's Granny Beulah had this ceramic tree out every Christmas, and later, kept it in her room when she moved in with my in-laws. What a privilege to have it in our home now, and carry on the tradition! It reminds us of her, too.
We put up two artificial trees in our home each year:
The tree on the left is our big one in the den. It has three light settings: white, colored, and both flashing. We prefer the colored lights, since for years, all we saw were white. We keep presents for the girls under this tree. The smaller tree rests nicely in the dining room by the window. I've had to re-string it over and over, but it's a sweet little tree under which all other gifts go. We remove its ornaments after Christmas, but I carry it down to the basement and leave the tree standing as it is, lights strung, until I get to carry it back up next year.
Back to the dainties, and other fun things:
A blessing from our friend and his cappuccino maker
An afternoon of homemade peppermint patties, and anything else we could find to dip into chocolate (pretzels and spoonfuls of peanut butter)
Mimi's pork crown roast...
...and ice cream roll!
Brick always brings us joy!
Speaking of animals and joy....
What do you think of Liz's gifts to Nibbles? The poor guinea was a good sport, and the girls were overjoyed!
A new rodent was under the tree:
Meet Sidney the hamster, named for the Pens #87!
We are officially rodent experts. The difference between a guinea pig and hamster is tremendous, although both are cute and lovable.
My hubby knows that for me, nothing is more exciting than unwrapping old books:
I spotted these at the antiques mall, and knew what I wanted for Christmas. He navigated his way through, found them, and put them wrapped up under our den tree! Jean Ingelow's poems are throughout The Cloud of Witness, and I couldn't resist this beautiful book, especially since my girls and I study a poet per twelve-week school term. The McKinley book was written in 1901, right after his assassination, and is full of striking photos and information. I even discovered a folded-up church devotional guide from 1903 in the pages!
We ended Christmas with two more favorites:
Deep fried duck...
...and sweet potato soufflé loaded with spices and gooey marshmallows!
Merry Christmas!!!!
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