Christmas Eve

on Christmas Eve I had so many things I wanted to do to lay the foundation for our Christmas traditions

first on the list was to make some cookies for Santa...

like most girls, molly loves to be right by my side in the kitchen

it is fun to have a cooking partner

christmas morning muffins

ready to bake the cookies

but first a little taste

icing for the cookies

after getting everything ready at home we got ready for Christmas Eve service at my home church

we went with my granny

of course, she looked so festive in her red christmas eve dress

trying to get a picture together is really hard these days

i have looked so bad throughout the entire holidays...no time for makeup!  i can't even believe myself!

at home we had christmas eve snacks...as you can see she did not like the red hots! ha!

madison and eddie came over to help make and spread the reindeer food on the yard

she opened one gift on christmas eve which will always be her annual christmas pj's

this year i bought a beautiful green gown  with santa appliques on it, she may be able to wear it next year also.

then, aunt nancy came over (our across the street neighbor) to read twas the night before christmas

cookies for santa and carrots for the reindeer...all ready

this is her christmas eve pillow case i bought at a little boutique last year in hopes i would have a little one to use it...my wish came true!  it's supposed to bring sweet dreams and a peaceful night sleep on christmas eve.

she's pretending to "sleep" here

such a ham!

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Christmas Eve

Christmas Tradition #25

Christmas Tradition #25

This is my Granny's famous Orange Butter Coffee Cake. We have Christmas Breakfast/Brunch and she always brings it. It melts in your mouth and is so comforting that you could literally eat the whole pan! Here's the receipe if anyone wants to try it this year.

Orange Butter Coffee Cake
1 packet red star active dry yeast
¼ cup water
1 cup sugar
½ cup sour cream
2 ¾ - 3 cups flour
1 cup toasted coconut
2 Tbsp. orange rind
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
½ cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 350*
Soften yeast in warm water in mixing bowl. Stir in ¼ cup sugar, salt, eggs, sour cream, and 6 Tbsp. butter. Gradually add flour to form stiff dough, beating well after all additions. (For first additions of flour use mixer on medium speed) Cover, let rise in warm place (85-90*) until light and doubles ~ 2 hours.

Combine ¾ cup sugar, ¾ cup coconut, and orange rind. Knead dough on well floured surface ~ 15 minutes. Roll out ½ dough to 12” circle. Brush with 1 Tbsp. melted butter, sprinkle with ½ sugar and coconut mix. Cut into 12 wedges; roll up starting with wide end and roll to point. Repeat with remaining dough. Place rolls, point side down in 3 rows in a well greased 13x9” pan. Cover, let rise in warms place until light and doubles ~ 1 hour. Bake @ 350* for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Leave in pan, pour glaze over cake sprinkle with ¼ cup coconut. Serve warm or cold.

Glaze
Combine in saucepan: ¾ cup sugar, ½ cup sour cream, 2 Tbsp. orange juice, and ¼ cup butter. Boil 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

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Christmas Tradition #25

Christmas Tradition #24

Christmas Tradition #24

Many years we have attended Christmas Eve services at church and they are always very good to remind you of what the season is really about. It puts your heart in the right place and I highly recommend it!

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Christmas Tradition #24

Christmas Tradition #23

Christmas Tradition #23

We never have done this, but I always thought it would be fun to open up 1 present on Christmas Eve and have it be matching pajamas. Then on Christmas day stay in them all day long and play with all the new toys! That is what I want to do when Molly comes...

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Christmas Tradition #23

Christmas Tradition #22

Christmas Tradition #22

I love Christmas concerts of any kind, but my all time favorite is Amy Grant. She began having Christmas concerts in the late 1990's in Nashville when we first opened the Sommet Center (concert/sport venue). I went to her concerts every year for a while. Tonight I'm taking mom to hear Amy Grant and Vince Gill at the Ryman Auditorium for Mom's birthday (the 23rd).

Other seasonal events I've enjoyed through the years are the Nutcracker, The Nashville Symphony, and the Rockettes. We're lucky in Nashville we have a lot to choose from throughout the year, but especially at Christmas time!

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Christmas Tradition #22

Christmas Tradition #21

Christmas Tradition #21

School Christmas Party

Ok, so this tradition isn't a family thing. But of course every year I celebrate 'winter holidays' (because we can't only call it Christmas anymore) with my class.

This year's gift for everyone was a wallet and a miniature globe...thanks the Target's dollar bin this summer!

Good food!

For this relay they had to run to the chair, put on mittens, unwrap a hersey kiss, eat it, and run back to line and tag the next player. Very fun!






For this relay, they had to hold hands and pass Christmas bows down the line without using their hands...I didn't expect the 'germ passing' element of this game because when we started they all wanted to use their mouths to pass with! Gross!!! I originally thought they'd use their chins and elbows, but they did differently. I thought the parents were going to die when they used their mouth!

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Christmas Tradition #21

Christmas Tradition #20

Christmas Tradition #20
Stockings, Tree, and Gifts!

This year we only put out about half of our normal decor. We did buy a new tree which we really love and...it's PRE-LIT! That is really nice. We put it in our dining room and put our nicer ornaments on it. Usually I put up about 5 trees, so this year with only 1...it took no time! I love Christmas trees, but I don't like putting lights on them.

My mom always does a great job on the fireplace/hearth. We have fancy stocking we put up on the hearth for mom, Eddie, Ambre, and me. We use older stockings my great grandmother made for Eddie and Madison. We bought initial letters at Restorations Hardware a couple years ago to label each stocking.

Madison found the presents under the tree tonight and was ready to get into them!

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Christmas Tradition #20

Christmas Tradition #19

Christmas Tradition #19

These are some random pictures of some of my favorite Christmas decorations. Of course decorating for Christmas had to make my list of top Christmas Traditions!

Elf on the Shelf...he moves every night to a new spot! On top of the bookshelf are some of my favorite decorations for my bedroom...a pastel family of choral singers, a Christmas plate from the year I was born, and two beautiful ornaments

Of course we make room each year for Rudolph, Rhonda, and Ralph S. Mouse! (excuse the cords on the floor!)

Battery operated Gingerbread house

Fitz and Floyd Pitcher and Platter

These are my favorite...Madame Alexander White Christmas Dolls

House and Igloo from our snow village. The igloo is very old and that's why I love it! They both light up.

Our nativity, it moves and plays music

Just for fun....a blast from the past! This is me in 1979!

I think my mom has had a gumball tree every year!

Our hall tree in the foyer with Santa. You can't see very well, but our Christmas tree reflects in the mirror.

Christmas plates

Gingerbread cookies and petifore cakes (candles)

Christmas kitty teapot set

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Christmas Tradition #19