Happy Christmas Eve All!
Today is a very busy day in our house - I will be cooking most of the day as we actually have our big feast on Christmas Eve. We have done this for the last several years, as my father was in a nursing home and the end of the day was not good for his Parkinson's symptoms, so I needed everything cooked Christmas Eve so he could have a great meal of leftovers! Naturally enough, I assumed that now that he is gone we would go back to having Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day.
No Way. Apparently, if you do something 5 times in a row, it is a tradition and my children were horrified by the thought! So Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve it is!
So you know what I am doing today!
Our tree this morning, replete with presents:
Last night I made a big spaghetti supper for my sister, her husband and their daughter. The 22nd was my BIL's birthday, so I made him a yule log cake:
I am sorry it is sideways - I have idea why it is doing that besides my best and most heroic efforts for it to do otherwise!
And here is how I set my table last night and will do so again tonight:
Isn't that cute? the little napkin tucked into a santa suit ornamentQ! It is hard to tell here, but there are two plates stacked underneath, plus the charger plate.
And a view of the table, with my centerpiece (which I have already switched the yellow roses out for red and every place setting gets a little vase with a red rose and real holly!
And some random photos of the ornaments on the tree, some very sentimental, like a little bird feeder made by my mum:
Forrest's kindergarten paper tree
An antique santa head ornament. I actually collect these...I started doing so several years ago when our tree was not tied and my grandmother's ornament, which was like this one, only even older, was sadly broken. So now I troll ebay and etsy and antique shops and keep looking for more..
Another one...
And one more, tucked behind one of my dad's painted ornaments.
And finally, a little gingerbread boy given to me by a friend in high school. The Gingerbread boy was my favourite story when I was a child!
I hope you have a lovely day and that Santa finds you tonight!
Stay Safe Out There - there is no need to rush today!
Today is a very busy day in our house - I will be cooking most of the day as we actually have our big feast on Christmas Eve. We have done this for the last several years, as my father was in a nursing home and the end of the day was not good for his Parkinson's symptoms, so I needed everything cooked Christmas Eve so he could have a great meal of leftovers! Naturally enough, I assumed that now that he is gone we would go back to having Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day.
No Way. Apparently, if you do something 5 times in a row, it is a tradition and my children were horrified by the thought! So Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve it is!
So you know what I am doing today!
Our tree this morning, replete with presents:
Last night I made a big spaghetti supper for my sister, her husband and their daughter. The 22nd was my BIL's birthday, so I made him a yule log cake:
I am sorry it is sideways - I have idea why it is doing that besides my best and most heroic efforts for it to do otherwise!
And here is how I set my table last night and will do so again tonight:
Isn't that cute? the little napkin tucked into a santa suit ornamentQ! It is hard to tell here, but there are two plates stacked underneath, plus the charger plate.
And a view of the table, with my centerpiece (which I have already switched the yellow roses out for red and every place setting gets a little vase with a red rose and real holly!
And some random photos of the ornaments on the tree, some very sentimental, like a little bird feeder made by my mum:
Forrest's kindergarten paper tree
An antique santa head ornament. I actually collect these...I started doing so several years ago when our tree was not tied and my grandmother's ornament, which was like this one, only even older, was sadly broken. So now I troll ebay and etsy and antique shops and keep looking for more..
Another one...
And one more, tucked behind one of my dad's painted ornaments.
And finally, a little gingerbread boy given to me by a friend in high school. The Gingerbread boy was my favourite story when I was a child!
I hope you have a lovely day and that Santa finds you tonight!
Stay Safe Out There - there is no need to rush today!
The Yule log turned out great. Especially love the deer. Table looks beautiful and I love the Santa suits. I have to run out and pick up a few things and then it's back to the gift wrapping. I will eventually get it all done. I hope! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you as well! Isn't it amazing how eventually we do get it all done? Never fails!!! Have a lovely holiday!
DeleteWe have our big meal tonight too,roasted duck breast with quince sauce and then we open presents after we read the christmas story.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow and on wednesday we visit family.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Oh I love roast duck! That my be a meal here later in the week! All of my Acadian friends (french canadian maritimers who those who may not know that) go to mass Christmas Eve and then stay up and open all of their presents after midnight! So much fun! We usually just open new Christmas PJs here!
DeleteI hope your day is wonderful. Your table setting is excellent, I'll try to remember more-is-more when I set our table today!
ReplyDeleteI'll be making a big lunch then settling into an afternoon of baking my piggy cookies. Then it's off to our party. I spent yesterday organizing our presents and spending millions of dollars at the drug store (those stocking stuffers!!)
Tomorrow is our big meal but I'll be roping MrBP into it as well.
xox!
Yay! More piggy cookies! The Yule log was a hit, but way too much dark chocolate - had trouble sleeping after that one!
DeleteThis afternoon I am doing the turkey and a couple of other small things. I might even make Barefoot Contessa caramels. I am, as they say, off the chain!
I think the table looks nice, but it is always a struggle - I do not have the knack on a regular basis, that is for sure!
Lots of love to you and yours! Please make sure Miss Buttons gets to know Margaret O'Brien - I am quite sure they are of the same ilk!
Howling, if we do something twice it's a tradition! Your home looks so cosy, that's what Christmas is all about. My dad will definitely be having a whisky with yours up in the bar on cloud 9. I'm working till about 7pm tonight - Dickensian workhouse for me!
ReplyDeleteWell I will be thinking of you, I am reading a book right now for starting my new next chapter! Hope to have more to share there soon with my 3 wise men!
DeleteI hope you have a very wonderful and enjoyable day, WMM! Your table setting is absolutely lovely, and I love seeing more of your Christmas tree decorations, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI will be baking another batch of cookies today and wrapping up a couple of gifts that are scheduled to arrive today via UPS. Then later on we will be attending the Christmas Eve service at church, followed by dinner at my parents' house, and looking at Christmas lights in their neighborhood. Then we will head home to get the littles tucked into bed so that Santa can come and leave their presents.
Hi FFM! I love driving around and looking at the lights! SO much fun and such great traditions! I am hoping I get one more visit from the purolator man, but I would be surprised! Am already thinking of what I plan to let go of in the new year!
DeleteMerry Christmas Wendy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful home you've created for the family. Kids love tradition and when something started ...it rules. Our daughter Taylor was born Christmas morning 26 years ago. The first few years we tried to switch the table after turkey to a pink theme. Nobody wanted cake so when she tuned 7 we decided to have her party on Xmas Eve. She loves it .
Thanks you for the wonderful spirit you sprinkle on us.
x0
I love the name Taylor - how beautiful! I always wondered what it would be like to have a Christmas Birthday! Sounds like Miss Taylor has the best of all worlds! I hear you too about the cake - I imagine they will roll me into bed tonight!
DeleteWMM, well done you on keeping the kindergarten decoration in such pristine condition!
ReplyDeleteWe have our big meal on Christmas Day, with smoked salmon, shrimp and prosecco on Christmas morning for present-opening. My husband does the turkey - he loves to do it and is much better at me, I just help out. This evening after Mass we'll have a ham dinner - there will be certainly lots of leftovers around for the next few days! Merry Christmas!
Hi Patricia - we should introduce our husbands, mine is Mr. Mashed Potatoes - I hate doing those and he loves it! And I have a bottle of Prosecco chilling for tomorrow morning's festivities as well!
DeleteMerry Christmas to you as well!
I love your table settings! I wish I had even half of your ambition (the yule log, the cooking, the decorating...). I've been to the markets this morning, and mailed my cards this morning too (late, but better than I expected). Will prepare food and wrap this afternoon. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHi Cate! I have not sent one Christmas Card this year! I have so many sympathy cards to respond to that I have decided to tackle them together, so people will get two for the price of one in early January for me!
DeleteAs for wrapping, my husband and children did the lion's share. I am a good shopper but a lousy wrapper! Have a wonderful Christmas!!
Oh WMM, I love your whimsical ornaments and the Santa napkins are hilarious!
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I am attending big Christmas Eve dinner so I am not cooking tonight. Yesterday, I prepared sweet grain pudding and fish in gelatine to bring over.
Your yule log looks great, I am impressed.
Have a wonderful Christmas Eve and the rest of the Holidays!!!
Thanks AJC! I can't wait to hear all about your holidays!
DeleteBY HOOK OR BY COOK WMM, I think new traditions are good ones too. I cook today as well, but that is so I can get in all the phone calls, Queenie's message, cocktails etc. tomorrow without a lot of fuss and muss. Already done cranberry chutney, pumpking pie, stuffing prep, brie in pastry, still have chocolate pie and hard sauce to work through. Have a wonderful, tasty, cosy night! I love your individual place setting bouquets and will copycat for Christmas 2013.
ReplyDeleteGF! Wow! My turkey is cooking its little heart out so I am feeling quite content as all smells good! I just made a pan of caramels, a first for me - will let you know what I think! Cannot do tomorrow without the Queen! Oh, and tonight we will drink a bottle of wine we bought at our winery tour this summer - cannot wait - we have been hoarding two for tonight and New Year's day!
DeleteMerry Christmas and much love to good old CB!
Your home is so festive and those Santa settings are just too cute! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas eve and dinner. Our turkey fest is tonight, but I think we have you beat for acquiring holiday traditions. If we try something once and like it, it's enough to start another tradition. :)
ReplyDeleteABC - I think you are right on! WHy mess with one time of perfection?
Delete