Christmas Around the House

I thought you all might enjoy a peek of what our home looks like for Christmas.  Most everything around our house this time of year has some sentimental meaning for our family.  I love how unpacking our Christmas decorations leads to a trip down memory lane.  It reminds us of our roots and is hopefully building those same roots in Caroline's heart for years to come.  

These are my childhood Little Golden Book 

Christmas stories

We are hosting Christmas this year so this is where we will be enjoying Christmas dinner

Our Advent tree with ornaments courtesy of 

A Holy Experience

My grandmother's nativity

Stockings knitted for each of us by David's mom

Christmas dishes given to me by my best friend Ansley the Christmas David and I were engaged

Dickens Village church from my grandmother

And finally a night shot

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Holiday Baking

Yesterday we finally finished the last of our Christmas shopping!  I could finally check that off the holiday to do list so today Caroline and I tackled some holiday baking.  Last year we made gingerbread men so this year we decided to try frosted sugar cookies.  

We followed the recipe from Annie's Eats.  They were buttery and delicious!

White Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cups sifted flour

Directions:
Cream butter.  Add powdered sugar.  Blend in egg, almond extract, vanilla, salt and flour.  Chill dough until firm.  Roll to 1/4" thickness on well-floured surface.  Cut with cookie cutters.  Place on greased cookie sheets.  Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.  Cookies should not brown.  Frost and decorate when cool.

Tutus & Ballet Shoes

Amidst the usual hustle and bustle of the Christmas season we have had some additional festivities this year filling our holiday calendar.  

At the beginning of the school year Caroline started taking a little beginning ballet class for 3 to 5 year olds.  She absolutely LOVES it!  She is a huge fan of the book and show series Angelina Ballerina and this has been her opportunity to live out her dreams.  Every Tuesday when I pick her up from school she barely wants to do anything but change into her leotard, skirt and ballet shoes and head off to ballet class.  

After much practice these past few months, Caroline and the other girls in her His Steps class had their first opportunity to show off all that they've learned at their Happy Birthday Jesus performance.  

It just doesn't get much cuter than a group of little girls with their hair pulled back in buns wearing little pink tutus.  Such sweetness!

The girls did such a great job showing off the techniques they've learned and having fun.  We were so proud!

It was David's first time getting to see her dance.  He couldn't take his eyes off of her.  It was so precious!

Caroline's cheering section also included my mom, Aunt Rosie, and my sister.  She is one loved little girl!

To commemorate her special day Caroline received her first piece of real jewelry from Mommy.

And a musical jewelry box from Nana.

What I'm Listening To

The temperatures have been so warm around here lately.  It has me longing for some cold, snowy weather.  It's hard to get in the Christmas spirit when it feels like spring outside.  So today's musical choice reflects my longing for some fluffy precipitation. 

David and I snuggled up with the twinkling of the Christmas tree lights and watched this crooner's Christmas special last night.   It was the perfect ending to a hectic day.

Surcie

The Christmas season was my dad's favorite time of year.  He would get giddy with excitement and anticipation as soon as Thanksgiving arrived.  

One of our favorite Christmas traditions was him taking all of us girls shopping.  He was always a meticulous dresser and had a love for really nice things so he always had great taste.   We would spend an entire day from morning till dark trolling stores and taking lunch and coffee breaks to refuel and rest our feet.

Heading off in Papa's truck

Snack break at Starbucks

Last year on our shopping trip Caroline and I rode on a little train

Part of this tradition, included him buying a little surprise gift for my sister and I that he called "surcies".  For those of you that have never heard of this word, here's a little background.

A surcie is a Southern tradition of giving a small, thoughtful present to someone you love.  They are not intended to be reciprocated and are usually unexpected.  It's a simple way to let someone know they are special to you.  

Some surcies that he gave me over the years included perfume, gold earrings, shoes, winter coat, and more.  He always wanted to buy something a little bit frivolous that at least my practical self would not ordinarily purchase.  That's what made them so fun!

Caroline receiving a surcie

To remember him, I plan to keep the surcie tradition alive in our home.  This Christmas I have a few surprises up my sleeve.  I'm excited to shower those I love with a little way to say "You are special to me."

Heavenly Rolls

I have always wanted to learn how to make homemade rolls.   So when I saw a pin on Pinterest for amazing homemade whole wheat rolls, I instantly knew it was a recipe I wanted to try.  I'm so glad I did!  

These were the easiest things to make and they didn't leave my kitchen looking like a disaster zone. You can't ask for more than that right?!  

Look at that buttery goodness!  It's hard to eat just one.  

I followed the directions from An Oregon Cottage.  She did such an amazing job and was so detailed with her instructions, I am not even going to attempt to post my own play by play.  So  do yourself a favor and click over for the recipe and head straight to your kitchen.  You'll thank me later when you're eating them hot out of the oven.  

What I'm Listening To

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of all the hubbub of Christmas shopping and think to yourself, "If I hear George Michael's Last Christmas one more time on the store speakers I will lose it!"  I know, it totally squashes my Christmas spirit when that happens.  

Today's song choice always pulls me out of my George Michael induced grouchy mood whenever it comes on. It's the perfect antidote.