Christmas 2011

A Nimrod Christmas in pictures and words...

Christmas morning fireplace before the boys were awake. 

Our Advent candles and a few gifts under the tree. 

Each year we read from the Scriptures as a family. This year Jonathan read most of it, but Chas read too. That made the reading extra special. (and maybe I cried a little.)

Stockings, Sleepy eyes & Smiles. 

DandyDoodle wasn't left out.  

There was so much laughter and hugs of thanksgiving and not an ounce of disappointment. 

After we shared the morning with our family, I headed to the kitchen to prepare for our guests. We hosted a friend who was without his kiddos for the morning due to a change in his marriage, a couple who was unable to travel back to CA to be with their children and grandchildren and our sweet, sweet neighbors who are without children or family near. 

Upon arrival they each received a new pair of warm & cozy wool {men} or fuzzy {ladies} socks and then were asked what treat they wanted in their coffee, heavy whipping cream, Irish Cream or Kahlua. I put one to work grinding more coffee beans and another helped carry the food to the table. Shoes were removed and toes covered and more than one of us purposely slid across the bamboo floors. 

 We filled our plates with scones, drizzled with a cranberry citrus compote, ham, breakfast burritos, peppermint shortbread, bacon & an egg dish that turned out super yummy. What's a meal around the table without an "I hope this is good. No recipe, but lotsa heart" dish. (Eggs, onions, mushrooms, spinach, sage, mozzarella, rosemary, Himalayan pink and sage salts, pepper & dollops of ricotta all over the top after it started to set in the oven.) 

We shared a couple of hours around the table, seconds and thirds, rounds of coffee & mimosas (I maybe didn't have the orange juice  part in my glass), laughter and smiles, stories of pasts and hopes for the future. We held hands and a blessing  was asked for upon all, with thanksgiving for the blessings of the days past. We walked our friends to the door and gave them 2 more gifts. We gave them a bag containing candles and a card. We asked them to remember the morning and know they are loved when they light the candles inside. It was a beautifully, perfect morning, filled with joy and hope and love and peace and Jesus.

It's the season to be in slippers for hours and fuzzy boots when DandyDog needs to be walked & trail shoes when running, because they are warmer. 

It is the season for burning stacks of wood and eating pounds of my mom's GF Chex mix. Yes, I have it as a side to breakfast, lunch & dinner. 

We headed to my parents later in the day and were able to enjoy Christmas with my parents, sister & her family. More laughter and gifts exchanged, stories retold and new memories made. I really missed my brother and his family. Christmas dinner was put on hold for a couple of days, instead our bellies have been filled with yummy soup and all of the foods we eat one season during the year. 

As I write, my daddy-o is chopping onions, my mom is mixing, the boys are playing outside and Jonathan is probably watching HGTV. We have already watched Christmas Vacation this morning and it's time to click "Publish" and join my parents in making a meal together. 

My BEST Christmas continues. The waiting and coming is over & the celebration of the Christ Child is in full swing and I am one happy gal.