Let There Be Light!

Our holidays aren't really over for quite some time yet, with friend gatherings slated for the upcoming week or two!

 

But there was plenty of light going on in our world on Christmas!

There was the candlelight on the table as we enjoyed our traditional Christmas Eve feast.



The diabolical light in the eyes as Kevin trounced us in Scrabble. (Rick and I remember when we had to help him with the letters when he was just a kid. Now he's a grown up kid and I wished he was helping me!) Yes, there are a couple of entries here we find questionable -- but I don't think it would have mattered.



There was the light of the grill flames when Kevin grilled wings with the new sauces he and Molly gave Rick for Christmas. (And mighty tasty, too!)



There was a lot of light in the kitchen as we turned them up to be able to do the best frosted cookies. Frosting cookies on Christmas Eve is our tradition, one we've been doing since both boys were small.

 

This year we seemed to have a record number of cookies! Yes, lots taken to friend gatherings -- better their hips than mine (though I had my share!)

 

There's always light in our eyes when Rick makes bread! This time he was making it to send north when the boys and Molly left to do the holidays with their mom.

Let there be light in the eyes when opening the Christmas presents....

 

....and playing with them out later!

 

Yes, our eyes light up with the traditional breakfast, complete with toasts! (Versus toast.)



We do the obligatory family portraits....

But nothing makes our eyes light up like the fortuitous appearance of the meter reader just as we were taking photos. Finally, one with all of us!

It's time for the kids to leave, as we say goodbye and watch their tail lights as they go down the street. A wonderful holiday filled with joy! But there is one missing from all this!

In case you wonder where Lizzie was, she comfortably having her hours of sleep at her own house. But never fear -- she, too, had her holiday gifts and loved them!

There are more celebrations to have, of course. Leftovers in which to indulge, new gifts to play with, lunches and dinners with friends, post-holiday shopping and yes, thank you notes to write.

But first, let's have a cookie!

Fa La La!

Today I forgot to turn on the oven when I was baking my raspberry bars and spiced nuts. No harm done -- it just took longer. I'd take a photo of the kitchen but I'm too embarrassed.But I am getting, as Patty often says, "my twinkle." I hope you're finding yours, too!

The stockings aren't yet hung, but the mantle is scaled down this year -- and I'm very happy about that. The lovely arrangement in the center is from my friend Barb, who surprised me when we went to tea.



Tea is an annual celebration with us, going to a local herb farm and enjoying a lovely lunch, wassail and shopping in their gift area.



Yes, I felt the twinkle.



I felt it last week when Greg, Rick and I did Rick's tree. When the kids were little, they always fought over whose turn it was to put Grandma's angel at the top.

This year Greg had no contest!

And yes, I'm decorated enough. Here's a bit of a home tour. In the family room, there are three trees, two small, one tall and skinny. This one has my feather boa wreath as a skirt!

And the cat tree! Some of those ornaments are on my big tree but these all make me smile. The tree topper always gives me a grin.



The skinny tree by the fireplace looks almost like last year when I took you on a journey to the Giant Gingerman. A few less ornaments this year. But who can tell?

In the living room there are a mass of trees. You probably saw the big one (or its details) in the last post. And the "white tree" looks the same as last year! But this one is new -- couldn't resist this tabletop tree when Coldwater Creek had their post-holiday sale. Boy, do I miss Coldwater Creek.



I took the photo of the top shelf here before I put the ornaments on the Solstice tree at the right -- but again, scaled back. Lots of teeny bottlebrush trees, too. (And lots in the window panes as well!)

I took a hint from my Southern Exposure post here to use my quilts and blankets in a festive way -- and my basket collection, too!

My Emil Weddige litho is one of my favorite pieces of art so I kept it simple underneath.

Here's another teeny tree with bits and pieces I like.

And of course, the top of the china cabinet isn't immune to cheer!

I won't worry about sharing the pink bathroom tree or my dad's fishing tree -- those look the same as other posts, too!

Of course there are greens around, even if most of the trees are faux. Last year, friend Barb (of the copper pot on the mantle) used this beautiful glass basket to make a wonderful arrangement. I saved the "guts" of it and added new greens and sticks this year. Not bad!

There are still plenty of things on the to-do list, even though presents are wrapped and I went to the store. Lunch and get-togethers with friends, the annual movie-watch, cookie deliveries. It'll happen. But for now, I leave you with a quick glance at how one gets on the naughty list.

And, along with that, the warmest and happiest greetings for a beautiful Christmas, a Happy (post) Hanukkah and wonderful New Year!