Since my daughter was quite busy with college and my son was immersed in rhetoric studies, there was less time for all our favorite activities.
Nevertheless, we found moments of time for a few of our favorite things.
CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
More paramount than ever is the time gleaned during the four day weekend of Thanksgiving.
On Friday morning, we drove to Evergreen Acres Christmas Tree farm to choose and cut down our own Christmas tree.
We’ve been doing this ever since we moved to Virginia in 2009, since this isn’t even possible in San Antonio.
After choosing the tree, my son sawed it down, and helped carry it to the car.
Upon arriving home, the kids decorated the tree while I decorated the rest of the house.
As much as I love the clove-studded oranges, and as simple as they are to make, this year has been incredibly busy.
In lieu of the fancy oranges, I purchased these dried orange slices at Colonial Williamsburg….and I’m so glad they beckoned me.
They were such a time saver to quickly add to some cinnamon sticks small red decorative balls, and I’m still hearkening to the 18th century Colonial Williamsburg style!
And for those who wonder how in the world I get that tall skinny candle to stand without toppling over, I merely light the candle, let some drops fall onto the fireproof glass plate where I want it to adhere, then I hold the base tight to the drippings.
The drippings quickly set and dry, holding the candle firmly in place…unless someone accidentally swiped the candle.
ADVENT
The Sunday night after Thanksgiving we began Advent…
MICHAEL W. SMITH
A few weeks later we got to see Michael W. Smith in concert at our church.
Encouraged to allow the seats at the main Tyson’s campus open for the general public, we watched the program via a large screen at our home campus in Manassas.
All the kids heard me talk about before attending Michael W. Smith’s Christmas concert, was how popular he was when he began his career when I was a teenager.
….how my favorite song was Friends are friends forever, when the Lord’s the Lord of them…
…how we sang some of his songs in choir at Wayside Chapel…
We had a really great time!
Along with all the Christmas songs, Michael W. Smith also played everyone’s favorite, Friends! See? =)
BAKING
Through the busy days I made most of the cookies myself, since my kids didn’t have time to help, this year.
The final item I bake is the Stained-glass Fruit Cake, which is super moist and delicious, made with real mince meat.
Here’s a sneak peak at the year’s Gingerbread Village…
MAKING TAMALES
On Christmas Eve, they helped me make the tamales for dinner that evening!
That was a huge help, allowing us to easily knock them out in an afternoon!
