Home For The Holidays

Technically we celebrated in my sister's home, but all my sibs plus my mama were there so it felt like home. Family is home, right? 

We put a million miles on the car, but opted to drive because a) we needed to drop our dog off at hubs brother's house in Tennessee and b) we were hauling a lot of stuff. Originally our pup was going to spend his Christmas holiday in a kennel closer to home, but after his Thanksgiving 'mishap' occurred my sister-in-law very kindly offered to have him come there. 

We didn't bring him north with us mainly because my sister has two cats and a pup, and my other sister has a pup, and my niece has two pups. All those dogs would have been a little bit too everything so all the out of town dogs stayed home. 

We drove to Tennessee the Wednesday before Christmas and spent the night at hub's brother and sister-in-law's house. We had a most fabulous Italian dinner at a restaurant there and a really nice evening being together. 

This pasta made inside a wheel of cheese is as deliziosa as it sounds. 

Hubs and I got on the road early Thursday morning for the trek to Philadelphia. There was some slow traffic in spots, but we were never at a standstill so calling it a win. A ten and a half hour drive made in twelve hours four days before Christmas is definitely a win. 

My mom lives with my sister and my brother lives nearby too. My older sister and her daughter and son-in-law flew in from South Carolina early Saturday morning, and then the gang was all together for the duration. Actually my brother was with his wife's family Christmas Eve, but they all came to Philly for Christmas dinner, and then they had my sister's birthday at their house the next day. 

We had the famous breads from Marchiano's Bakery for breakfast on Christmas and the day after too. If you want these breads for Christmas you have to order months ahead, and we definitely want. They are somewhat similar to a calzone, but are filled with egg and pepper, or bacon, egg, and cheese, or ham and cheese, or sausage and egg, and they are so so good. We spend a lot of time talking about these breads on our drive north lol. 

My niece got us all matching shirts to wear with our pjs and the wording was truly on point-ha!  

The boys got shirts too but I don't know how they feel about their pj picture posting here, so how about one of hubs (the dog whisperer) instead-

This dog is not easily won over, but she took to hubs right away this visit. 

My sister is a wonderful cook and made so many delicious meals while we were there. Is this post all about food? Perhaps. But we did spend a lot of time in the kitchen and it was fun to chop and stir and gab unrushed with my sisters and niece.  

Hubs acted as sous chef Christmas Day while my brother-in-law made us a fabulous beef wellington for dinner. They had lobster on the grill too and we ate like kings at every meal. 

On Tuesday hubs and I drove over to NJ in the early afternoon so we could meet up with friends for an in-person catch up before going on to my brother's house. My older sister's birthday is the day after Christmas and we try to make it extra extra. My brother and sister-in-law made yet another scrumptious dinner and there was cake and presents and the happy birthday song sung. 

We lived in this part of the country a long time, and a trip back reminds you of so many things you miss. 

Family most of all. 

We were up early on Wednesday to make the long drive home, with one more overnight stay at my sister-in-laws house to collect the dog. He was not spoiled at all while we were away-ha! 

We were on the road from sun up to literally sun down, which happened to be spectacular. 

It was a lovely holiday, a different kind of Christmas for us without our girls or any grandchildren in the house, but lovely all the same. I'm grateful for family who fill in the spaces, make me laugh, and hold our childhood memories especially close this time of year. 

Tea And Hodgepodge

Welcome to the final Wednesday Hodgepodge in 2023. There won't be a Hodgepodge next Wednesday (December 27), but we'll be back with brand new questions in a brand new year on January 3rd. Thanks for playing along today and every Wednesday. Here we go-

1. Did you do more talking or more listening yesterday? Was it by choice or by necessity? 

Probably talking because I talk a lot. I was at home all day Tuesday, finishing up the last bits of Christmas preparation. We had people working in our yard and hubs was in and out, so maybe not as much talking as I might normally do lol. 

2. Are you a tea drinker? Hot, cold, or both? Flavored? What do you like in your tea? Do you make Christmas tea this time of year? What time of day do you like to sip your tea? 

I love tea, hot and cold both, but hot is my favorite this time of year. I have a cup most afternoons around 3 PM. I like just a splash of milk in mine, but if I'm not feeling well will drink it with honey and lemon instead. Not a big fan of flavored tea. I used to make Christmas tea (the recipe that calls for Tang), but haven't made that in years. I remember liking it a lot, but can you even find Tang in the stores anymore? 

3. What's an activity you won't try, an event you won't attend, or an athletic challenge you won't take part in not even for 'all the tea in China'? 

bungee jumping 

4. What's something most people seem to love but is not 'your cup of tea'? 

Starbucks drinks and movies based on the Marvel comics 

5. How does your family celebrate New Year's Eve?  

We're normally at home on New Year's Eve. Too many crazies on the road and I think it's been established here on the blog that I am not a night owl. We love to have friends over and this year a group of our college besties will be here to spend the weekend. We will have some nice meals, play games, lounge in our pjs and laugh til our sides hurt. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It wouldn't be Christmas here without me sharing my favorite carol. It never gets old and the lyrics seem to pack a bigger punch with every passing year.  May the peace of Christ fill your heart and your home this holiday season. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 531

Hi Hodgepodgers! Here are the questions to this week's random. But first a quick note-there will not be a Hodgepodge next Wednesday (December 27). We'll be back with brand new questions in a brand new year (January 3rd). Now here we go-

1. Did you do more talking or more listening yesterday? Was it by choice or by necessity? 

2. Are you a tea drinker? Hot, cold, or both? Flavored? What do you like in your tea? Do you make Christmas tea this time of year? What time of day do you like to sip your tea? 

3. What's an activity you won't try, an event you won't attend, or an athletic challenge you won't take part in not even for 'all the tea in China'? 

4. What's something most people seem to love but is not 'your cup of tea'? 

5. How does your family celebrate New Year's Eve? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Holly Jolly Weekend

My blog muscle is a bit flabby but going to try to exercise it a little today. Hubs and I were both a bit under the weather earlier this month so we haven't done quite as much as we normally do in December. We passed on a couple of fun parties and watched movies at home instead. 

If you read here you know logistics are a thing for us always. Neither of my girls live where we live nor do they live near one another. Nor do they live near their in-laws. Bother. What that means come holiday time is we all learn to shift and share. They spend every other Christmas with us and every other with their in-laws. 

This is an in-law year so we try our best to stir up Christmas fun with visits prior to the big day. We had a fabulous Thanksgiving with Daughter1 and her family in one state, then spent this past weekend with Daughter2 and her family in still another state. The weekend before that Daughter2 and her family trekked to Daughter1's house for a visit there so whew!, lots of miles for everyone.

I feel like this is not something you spend any time thinking about when your kids are young. At least I didn't. Holidays? Of course we'll all be together for ever and always amen. The idea that you won't spend the holidays with your tiny pony-tailed little girls once they're grown is not something you need to contemplate when they are still tiny pony-tailed little girls. Parenting is best managed one season at a time. 

When our girls were growing up we spent every single Christmas at one grandparents home or the other.  We packed the car so full you couldn't see out the back window and we schlepped many many hours and many many miles through ridiculous traffic so they could be with their cousins, our siblings and our parents. All of our siblings did the same. 

I know many people dig in their heels and refuse to be anywhere but their own house on Christmas morning, but we never ever considered not spending Christmas with one family or the other. It wasn't easy or convenient, but today my now grown girls know and adore their aunts and uncles. Looking back I can see so clearly how these concentrated blocks of time with extended family helped create the sense of warmth, security, and belonging they carry with them to this day. 

I hope my girls will always schlepp. I hope they will load up all the boxes and bags and the bazillion pieces of equipment babies and kids require, and they will inconvenience themselves for family. That they will do whatever it takes to be with grandparents, in-laws, cousins and each other for special occasions or no occasion. 

That their own children grow up knowing there is a great big circle of family who will be there to celebrate and soothe, to support and nudge, to shower them with so much love it makes a scary world feel less scary. They will know it because they've slept on a pallet on the floor in an overly full house, they've eaten too many Christmas cookies while playing Dominoes with people aged 9 and 79, they've worked jigsaw puzzles on a card table, had an aunt do their hair, learned to shoot pool, and have talked about everything under the sun while sitting beside someone who shares their DNA. This is a gift whose value cannot be overstated. 

Back to this past weekend, which we spent with the cutest little 18 month old boy we know. Y'all this little guy is just brimming with personality. He is so cheerful and talks a blue streak and we are positively crazy about him. 

Saturday was gray and chilly but we braved the Little Debbie Park anyway, mostly because we wanted to see what it was all about. It's a great play spot for children, better for those just a little bit older than sweet baby J, but he had fun watching the bigger kids on the zip line and climbing walls. There's a lot of open space for running and playing too. 

I don't know if Little Debbie Cakes are everywhere, but in this part of the country they are a popular sweet treat. Hubs ate his fair share of oatmeal cream pies when we were dating and there's a giant one you can stand on in the park. There's also  a cosmic brownie you can climb, and the Christmas Tree Cake too. 

It was freezing so we didn't stay long before heading home for lunch and naps. I won't say whose lol. 

We gave him our big gift later that afternoon, and it was a hit. He climbed right on and was ready to go. 

I think I did about 40 laps around the kitchen-dining room-hallway-living room while I was there, but when someone calls you NeNe you jump. 

Yes I'm Nana, but NeNe is how he says it and I am here for it. 

He can't quite pedal it himself yet, but three cheers for the genius who came up with a long handle for the adult walking behind. I'm betting it was a mom or dad whose back ached from bending awkwardly over a tricycle trying to make it go.   

My son-in-law is king of the grill and made us a delicious steak and lobster dinner. And Daughter2 is the original 'star baker' and had made (literally) dozens of cookies so we ate our fill. Who else loves The Great British Baking Show? It's our favorite and we watch it together apart lol. She's in her house and I'm in mine and we text each other the whole time we're watching. Our favorite! 

Sunday morning we went to church, then later in the afternoon their neighborhood had a little holiday light contest followed by cocoa with Santa. Little man was fine watching from a distance, and he didn't cry immediately upon sitting on his lap. He did decide pretty quickly though, that this was not for him. A photographer was there capturing the moments, but we're grandparents so of course we snapped a few hundred of our own too. 

Maybe not officially Christmas but it felt an awful lot like it. 

Hodgepodge Rizz

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. 'Tis the season...

1. Oxford's Word of the Year for 2023 is 'rizz'. Hmmm...before today had you ever heard the word? Do you know what it means? (Apparently it's short for charisma) Have you ever used the word? If you were in charge of the world, what word would you declare word of the year for 2023?

Before I saw the article announcing the word of the year, I'd never heard it or used it. I can't imagine its a word I'll be using in the future either. If I were in charge of the world, what word would I choose? Nana of course. That's one of the most used words in our house anyway. 

2. What's one word you tend to abbreviate in your writing or speech? (as in rizz for charisma)

I think I use fave for favorite on a pretty regular basis. 

3. Are you a Hallmark movie watcher this time of year? What's your favorite character from a holiday- themed movie, book, or TV special? 

I've seen one or two, but I'm not really into the Hallmark movies. My favorite character from a holiday themed movie, book or TV special? I always liked Cindy Lou Who from the animated version of How The Grinch Stole Christmas. And I love the book (and the family featured in the story) The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. 

4. Something you look forward to eating this month? 

Homemade Christmas cookies. They're a big deal in my house thanks mostly to my momma, the original Star Baker. I won't have daughter2 home to bake for the holidays this year, but I'll still do a few of our favorites to share. 

I made peppermint snowballs today and they definitely say Christmas to me. 

5. What's the most stressful part of the holiday season for you? 

I try not to let stress play a starring role. I don't enjoy the wrapping, but hubs has been a big help this year so that task is mostly knocked out. Probably the most stressful part of the holidays always is getting everyone where they need to be-traffic, flights, etc. Travel at the holidays is not for the faint of heart. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My book club met today (Tuesday) and we had a fun little ornament exchange. Everyone brought an ornament that in some way relates to a favorite book, or a book they really enjoyed. Then I read a story filled with the words left/right and whenever I said left or right you passed your gift to the person on that side of you. It was fun. I brought a painted oyster shell representative of one of my favorite books-The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy. I received a beautiful stained glass bird ornament representing The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. We all enjoyed this and will definitely do it again next year. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 530

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then skate back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there!

1. Oxford's Word of the Year for 2023 is 'rizz'. Hmmm...before today had you ever heard the word? Do you know what it means? (Apparently it's short for charisma) Have you ever used the word? If you were in charge of the world, what word would you declare word of the year for 2023?

2. What's one word you tend to abbreviate in your writing or speech? (as in rizz for charisma)

3. Are you a Hallmark movie watcher this time of year? What's your favorite character from a holiday- themed movie, book, or TV special? 

4. Something you look forward to eating this month? 

5. What's the most stressful part of the holiday season for you? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Hodgepodge Blues

Welcome to December and this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. What's one fun thing on your December calendar? 

We won't be with our girls this Christmas as this is an 'in-law' year, but we are going to see sweet baby J in a couple of weeks and that's always fun. 

2. Sherwin William's Color of the Year for 2024 is Upward, described as 'a hint of silver lining', 'a breezy blissful blue' (see sample here). Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2024 is Blue Nova, where 'violet and blue come together in a sumptuous hue'. (see sample here) Valspar's Color of the Year for 2024 is Renew Blue, a balanced blue with a touch of grayed sea -green' (see sample here). 

Seems like the design world is keen on the color blue for the new year. Do you have a lot of blue in your home decor currently? What shade? Of the three colors listed which one's your favorite? Do you need to paint? How likely is it you'd select one of these shades for your home? Which one? 

I do not have a lot of blue in my home decor, and what I do have is more navy. We live on a lake so lots of blues and greens outside my window.  Because we have a lot of windows the landscape is almost like art, so the interior needs to complement that. Generally I prefer dark woods and warmer tones. 

Yes we need to paint, but the task feels daunting. It's hard to paint just one room isn't it? I mean one room leads to another then another and you know what I mean I'm sure. I feel like none of those blues would work very well in my house currently. Upward is too 'baby blue' with my furnishings, Blue Nova a little too purple, and Renew blue a little too aqua. I do have a small stripe of a very soft blue in my bedroom and master bathroom window treatments that works with my color scheme. 

3. Do you struggle with 'the seasonal blues'? What are some things you do to try to beat the blues? 

Not particularly. Not saying I never get the blues, but I don't think they're related specifically to fall or winter. I love the changing seasons and am not sure I'd want to live in a one season climate.

If I feel the blues coming on the best thing for me to do is get outside, literally out of doors, but also outside of myself. Doing something for someone else helps. Every once in a while I might give in, play all the sad songs, have a little cry, then dust myself off and carry on.  

4. Blue jeans...love 'em r no? How many pair do you own? Are you married to a particular brand? 

Love em. My favorite item of clothing and I'd wear them every day if I could. I own 'a few' pair, but am not married to a particular brand. 

5. In terms of holiday preparation (baking, shopping, wrapping, mailing, meal planning, etc) how far along are you? 1=haven't given it a second thought, 10=nothing left to do but wait. 

I have a little bit of shopping, but a lot of baking and wrapping still do do, so will give myself a 5. Eeek. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our Japanese maple wearing holiday red in December...

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 529

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then jump back here tomorrow to share answers with the rest of Santa's elves. See you there-

1. What's one fun thing on your December calendar? 

2. Sherwin William's Color of the Year for 2024 is Upward, described as 'a hint of silver lining', 'a breezy blissful blue' (see sample here). Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2024 is Blue Nova, where 'violet and blue come together in a sumptuous hue'. (see sample here) Valspar's Color of the Year for 2024 is Renew Blue, a balanced blue with a touch of grayed sea -green' (see sample here). 

Seems like the design world is keen on the color blue for the new year. Do you have a lot of blue in your home decor currently? What shade? Of the three colors listed which one's your favorite? Do you need to paint? How likely is it you'd select one of these shades for your home? Which one? 

3. Do you struggle with 'the seasonal blues'? What are some things you do to try to beat the blues? 

4. Blue jeans...love 'em or no? How many pair do you own? Are you married to a particular brand? 

5. In terms of holiday preparation (baking, shopping, wrapping, mailing, meal planning, etc) how far along are you? 1=haven't given it a second thought, 10=nothing left to do but wait. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

December. But First Thanksgiving.

Just doing my usual post Thanksgiving post. In December because that's how I roll. 

First things first...the little brown dog is doing very well. He celebrated Thanksgiving in the Animal Hospital following his belly surgery and is happy to finally be home with his person. 

fyi-his person is the hubs. Daughter1 is his second favorite, followed closely behind by my sister-in-law. I think I'm number 4 lol. 

This is his second time around with belly surgery, and hopefully his last!. This one has gone much more smoothly than the procedure two years ago, he's healing well, and the only real challenge is keeping him 'low-key' for a while. 

Because the pup had to stay in hospital for a few days we were able to travel to daughter1's more or less as planned. We left Tuesday morning and what should have been a seven hour drive max, ended up taking ten. It was raining which didn't help, and the traffic was insane. There's a part of the highway near Asheville that hubs and I swear has been under construction since my oldest started uni in 2006. True story. 

We finally arrived safe and sound sometime after dinner, but before the boys went to bed so there were hugs and squeals and whew, so glad to be here. We didn't see Little Miss until Wednesday morning as she'd already gone to sleep. 

Yes. I'm going to give an absurd level of detail because details help make the memory. 

Wednesday my son-in-law had to work, but the rest of us piled into the car around noon to grab lunch out. Let it be noted for the record that I climbed in and out of the third seat of a minivan at least eleventy million times during our visit, which is no small thing. Grandparenting is not for sissies. 

We went to lunch in a cute little place not far from their home, then ventured into the city to see the model train exhibit at Union Terminal. 

Later the Mancub and I kicked off a five day UNO tournament (the mancub came out on top), then daughter1 and I started prepping food for Thursday's feast. 

One of the things I most look forward to and enjoy about any holiday is spending time with my girls in the kitchen. We all like to cook and bake and it's always a sweet time of chatting and just being together. 

Thursday the men kept the littles entertained while we cooked and then we cooked some more and then there was more cooking. That's Thanksgiving, right? My daughter invited another couple and their children to join us for dinner and they arrived around 3 PM with the most delicious baked brie appetizer and a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. 

The entire meal was wonderful, and we had so much fun that at the end of the night my daughter said, 'Mom! We didn't take a picture of us in the kitchen!' Or at the table either for that matter, so we grabbed the phone and recreated our pretty mimosas to snap one for the books.  

These were yummy-pomegranate juice with a small piece of orange, some cranberries and just a smidge of rosemary, frozen together in an ice cube tray, then topped with champagne when ready to serve. 

Friday we stayed close to home until my son-in-law got home from work. Then we bundled up and went to the Cincinatti Zoo to see Zoo Lights.

It was cold but lots of fun. We got there before dark so were able to see some of the animals, and enjoy the lights too. 

Little Miss just goes with the flow and is pure sugar. She has grown so much since last we saw her, and it was especially fun to have lots of time to get to know her better. 

On Saturday hubs, daughter1, Little Miss, and I left the boys home with Daddy so we could meet up with some friends from 'the Maryland years' who live in Cincy now. 

We had the best time catching up in person and again, Little Miss was good as gold. 

Sunday we went to church followed by brunch right after. Then it was home to decorate the Christmas tree, open new pj's and ornaments from Nana and Pawpaw, and start amping up all the excitement little ones bring to the month of December. 

After 34 hands of UNO it was time to go. We were up early Monday to make the trek home with just one quick pit stop at the Animal Hospital to collect the little brown dog. The drive home was thankfully a breeze and while it's always hard to leave it's nice to come home too. 

And now here we are. Advent. The season where we prepare our hearts for Christmas. Honestly the other day I had a moment of anxiety about all there is to do then caught myself when I realized it was still November. Everything starts so early and is so full on and so buy this!-don't miss that!-do all the everythings!-that it's easy to lose sight of what it is we're actually preparing for.

I saw a quote recently that said, 'Let's approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last-minute rush'. Not an easy thing in the times in which we live, but I know I want to try. 

Wishing all the weary souls in this world peace in this season of hope and Advent.