Christmas Past

49 this morning, overcast. Some hard rain yesterday evening.

We had a wonderful day yesterday, so nice that I forgot to take photos. Lots of food, my number 3 son and his daughters and one girl's SO and new baby. New baby! The highlight of my day for sure. What a little doll she is. Hannah did think to take a few photos, thank goodness.

I am amazed by how much I look like my mother in these photos. No makeup on, can you tell? Just a nice, relaxing day, with time to hold that sweet little Elliana. 

I was impressed by how the baby's daddy was with her. He seems to be absolutely amazed, and right there to help with anything she needs. It was a joy to watch him. Hannah is her usual competent self, such a good mother. This is her second baby, and both have been such good little ones.

This photo, from lo these many years ago--I think this was 2004, judging by the mantel decor--shows Hannah when she was just a little one, in front on the far right.

And here is Hannah today.

It was so warm that we ate outside. Rain threatened but didn't arrive until much later. It was just perfect, with barbecued chicken and grilled bread, veggies, baked beans, and all the other fixin's. We have enough leftovers to feed us for several days easily, and I sent most of the cookies out the door with the company.

Today is back to normal. I'll be working at the antique mall so I won't be here snacking around. A good thing, right? Happy Boxing Day, all!

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Christmas Baking

41 this morning, cloudy. Showers predicted later.

It seems like Christmas here in our region is either warm or snowy, with not many in between. 

I looked back through Facebook posts from this date for the past 10 years. Every one was either a warm day or snowy--usually just flurries, but still.  This year will be a warm one; last year we had snow. I'm happy with whatever weather we have, honestly; the holiday is still magical.

I'm baking today, pies and mincemeat tarts. I used our own mincemeat from the cellar and our apple pie filling from the freezer, but the pumpkin came from a can because we didn't raise any this year, somehow. Seems like that just slipped by us. But the pies smell delicious anyway.

  Mincemeat tarts, almost ready to go in the oven.

This is the least baking I've done for Christmas since I was a bride in 1968. It seems odd not to do more, but this year there hasn't been time for it, and I honestly just didn't feel like it. Which is okay; I usually give most of it away anyway, or it goes to waste because we don't eat much of it, actually. Larry has to watch his sugar and I have to watch my weight, so not having sweets around is a good thing.

Back to the kitchen for me. The pies need to come out of the oven, and the tarts need to go in. Merry Christmas Eve, my friends!

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Tiny Road Trip

28 this morning, with a promise of clear skies. Very thick frost on everything.

So yesterday evening we took a little road trip to a neighboring town, to see their Christmas lights. Friends had posted about the lights online and I wanted to see them myself. We needed straw for the henhouse anyway, so we could get that a Tractor Supply and enjoy the lights too.

Most of my photos are terrible, since I took them through the window of the van with my phone while we were still moving. But here's a few that aren't too terrible.

All of downtown was so prettily lighted.

Their courthouse isn't one I like, but they sure did it up with lights. 

This is just a little sample of the light show around town. People decorated their homes nicely too. It was certainly worth the drive to see it all. 

It's a small display by most standards, but still so pretty. Spencer is not a large town, but it has a vibrant downtown, something that has been lost in many towns its size. Oddly, the coming of Wal-Mart to this community was a real boon; the big store drew in business from outlying, even more rural counties. This then attracted other businesses like Tractor Supply and the ubiquitous Dollar Tree. Many existing businesses got a boost too. A few closed--the small grocery store, a five-and-dime, but others took their place.

We haven't been out to do much of anything this Christmas season. We missed the annual play by the local theater group because I had the dates wrong and when I realized my mistake, I had to work at the antique mall. Since I no longer perform, we don't get the outings to little towns around the state to see the decorations and to celebrate with friends along the way. But it seems like we've been celebrating in a way since deer season. With our oldest son and his family here, and third son and his daughters as well for apple-butter-making, then Thanksgiving, followed by the visit with our granddaughter from Colorado and lots more family, we've had all kinds of excitement at the old homeplace. Mix in the putting up of decorations and packing and mailing Christmas gifts, and now, getting ready for Christmas dinner with third son and his daughters and grandchildren--yes, it's been a joyful, busy time. 

Today I'll do some baking--not much because we don't need it and no one eats much of it. But a few family favorites will come out of the oven, and then tomorrow will be the real preparations. My son will make his famous barbecued chicken since it's going to be a warm, if wet, day. I'll make potato salad, Tipper's sausage balls, little smokies, baked beans, a tossed salad, veggie tray, cheese and meat tray, several pies and a cheesecake for one granddaughter who loves it. That should be enough, I think. 

So off now to the kitchen, where I expect a lot of you are already working away.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.