Preparing for Christmas

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Since the first shed was built on our property, it has been a tradition to buy a live Christmas tree from Randy's down the road.  The tree has a root ball and after the Christmas season is over we take it outside and plant it.  Only two of these five trees remain and one of those is barely hanging on.  Mike and I decided to try yet again this year but we wanted just a small tree that would be easy to maneuver in and out of the house and to its finally planting space. 

The last few years we have had to plant our living tree practically in the backyard because it was too hard to move it farther in the winter weather.  If the ground was frozen enough to move the tree, it also meant it was too hard to dig.  And if the ground was soft enough to dig, we could not move the tree without the tractor getting stuck.  That meant that Mike and I had to go to Randy's and purchase this years tree without any 'assistance' from our daughters.  When we have their assistance we usually end up with the biggest tree they can find. 


So Mike and I went to purchase the tree early in the month and did not mention it to anyone.  To not leave our family members out of the process completely though, we left the tree on the back patio until everyone had actually arrived for Christmas.  Emily and Mike moved the tree inside but then everyone was too busy to decorate.  So in the end Mike and I decorated it.  I actually just finished before we went out the door for the early evening church service on Christmas Eve. 

SPILSBURY GINGERBREAD HOUSE

My sister in law has a tradition with her family of building gingerbread houses.  We actually got to participate in that one year and it was a lot of fun.  I had never done it before.  So this year I lived vicariously and looked at her pictures on Facebook. 

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

I did spend time on a favorite Christmas past time which is baking.  I made fudge and Chex Mix per my daughters requests and added peanut butter cup cookies.  I made two new recipes which I will repeat next year.  These were Citrus Cranberry Shortbread cookies and mint chocolate cookies.  I also managed to squeeze in coconut bon bons and Emily made some butter cut out cookies.  

 RINGING THE BELLS

Another Christmas tradition, since joining our church in Greenville, is to ring the Salvation Army Christmas bells.  This year Emily and Laura helped me.  We had a good time and it was not even all that cold for a change. 

FAMILY

Of course, Christmas is all about family and I was fortunate that all my children could be here for the holiday this year.  Emily is the only one who lives far away now but she came in early so we got to spend quality time with her.  By we I mean Mike and I and her sisters and brother-in-law and ALL the dogs.  Best I can tell she was glad to be with us too.