Merry Christmas 2022

 Merry Christmas

A few years back, I moved my own little family's Christmas get together back to Christmas Eve morning. I really liked having it the Sunday before as it was the first gifts and the first holiday foods and no one had anywhere to be, etc.  Still, after Mom died and there was no more big Christmas Eve party, it just was too lonesome on  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

As I mentioned in a previous post,  we have a local establishment that helps single mamas get on their feet. I spent Wednesday wrapping presents and then spent the evening with some sweet littles and their mamas decorating houses, sipping hot chocolate and eating cinnamon rolls.  

 

One little lady  spent an hour and half, hardly looking up, icing up her little house and the big house (oh, and sticking candy in her mouth). 

 

For our breakfast, I was bored with the usual fair, since I already fixed part of it on our Tennessee vacation. I found a recipe for rolls in Phil's favorite flavor- butterscotch, so thought I'd try it. I actually used less rolls than called for, but oh my- popping out all over.  It was tasty, but wasn't a big hit with the family. 

I had an unusual tree experience this year. The balsam I usually get doubled in price. My sweet nephew Oliver brought me a tree from the farm.   The absolute fattest tree I have ever, ever had. We barely got it in. I don't know if it was the drought this summer or what, but it immediately started shedding in a way I have never experienced. It was very literally raining pine needles. Ever up for something to keep these gramerlings entertained, and ever the teacher, I decided to take the tree down before presents and each one had to predict how tall the needle pile would be. This little project was a big hit. 

Look at those branches, have you ever. 

This became our yule log as they dragged it out to burn. I had fretted that due to needle loss, it could go up in flames at anytime, but interestingly, it sputtered right out and wouldn't burn.  So weird. That will ever be the remembered tree and the fact that I imagine we'll be finding pine needles  until next Christmas. 

Next up was another new for Christmas. I never recall sledding on any Christmas Eve in our past as we almost never have snow.  Thursday and Friday plunged us to below zero and left a blanket of the wished for white stuff on the ground. 

When Lilli is on camera duty, we have to have feet pictures.

And, Elsie Gray in someone's glasses.

 Time for stockings. Wow, lots more room for this line-up

As soon as an Advent devotion and breakfast were over, I started a big pot of soup for lunch .

Then it was time for Christmas movies. 

I had time for a little nap before we headed to Uncle Tim's where he, with is able assistant Aunt Tish were hosting Christmas Eve. 

With all the joy, I am still haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past, and for whatever reason draw some comfort in still trying to include them-

The scrubbies we received from Mom, every single Christmas. The flashlights from Uncle Jimi.

The traditional potato candy handed down from Mom to Glenda and from Glenda to lots of our littles. 

Kaye's cheeseball-

We hadn't tried an all call on Christmas Eve since Mom passed away four years ago. Due to weather and the fact that in four years other traditions have been established, we were low in number. I was glad for the ones I got to see.  And I got a few pictures. I missed Jordan, Conner, Tony and family,  and Raechel and her crew. 

We ended the evening with a lovely Christmas Eve service at church. 

Tonight we'll assist another local place who hosts Christmas for anyone who is alone. 

Merry Christmas to all!

December So Far

 As usual, December was crazy busy with the Gingerbread House Party and the endless activities I do with my students. Added to that was a trip with the kids to Norris Tennessee to go to the Appalachian Museum. It was supposed to be a big deal with candle light, sorghum making, singing and a live nativity, but the whole evening program was cancelled due to rain. Still I wanted the kids to experience a bit of Appalachian life and that was accomplished. 

We rented cabins in Norris Dam State Park. Everyone converged at our cabin for supper in the evenings complete with music-

crafts-

coloring-

visiting the dam-

popcorn-

gaming-

conversation and just chillin' -

Hot chocolate -

sewing-

storytelling-

oranges with peppermint sticks-

The Appalachian Museum 

The Lenoir Museum's tribute to miners-

And a last stop, with those that remained, at this picturesque little church that sat in the side of hill. Got some of the that ol' time religion- and it is still good enough for me.  They sang seven songs. It had been a long time since I was in church with two of my kids and a passel of gramerlings, at the same time-sweet. 

Everyone headed home. Pap and I made stop at my cousin Myra's to visit, have dinner and express our sorrow at the loss of her husband Henry.

It was  a good trip and I am always thankful to the Good Lord when we come and go safely. I was glad to see a part of life our ancestors live and to be able to talk to the kids about it. Soon this generation of kiddos will be marrying and going their separate ways, so no time like the present to get it done. 

Another death of our friend Bob will take us out of town next week.  It would be sure enough sad no matter, but right at Christmas, well. 

So the usual mad rush when school ended on Tuesday to get the last things done.  Blackbean Omelets with Ol' Mother Hubbard's crew and another night of gingerbread at a local place. Stockings are stuffed, and systems are go for our Christmas Eve breakfast with my people and Christmas evening with my siblings.