I think I'm enjoying this holiday season more than I have in a long time. Maybe it's because my children are getting older; they can participate more now. But maybe that makes me slow down and enjoy it more too. The clock is definitely ticking on their belief in Santa Claus; this may the last year for the big one. But they both still believe and they're both very excited about Christmas. I'm still feeling relaxed about the whole thing, like I'd been trying to. My shopping is done. Yay! Now it's just the wrapping.
I'm excited too. I'll be baking cookies this weekend, a few different kinds. I may make some fudge too. It's good to be in the kitchen, good to be at home in general. I love having the Christmas tree up; there's just something so comforting about knowing it's standing in the living room. I bring my tea in there, sitting for a minute between tasks. I made rice pudding last week, on a rainy afternoon. I used our eggs and raisins we made this fall. I love to make rice pudding; the stirring is satisfyingly repetitive. I've been making soups; just this week, both pasta e fagioli and chicken soup with matzo balls. My Italian grandmother and my Jewish one were visiting me in the kitchen.
There's so much going on: recitals and school events. Advent chocolate every day! I love how caught up my children are, how completely Christmas-crazy they get. There's a little greed, sure, but it's mostly about the fun. They love the early darkness and the colder weather. They get so excited to be in the car when it's dark out. Isn't that funny? It's a huge thrill for them and I love their excitement. It's not just Christmas, it's wintertime and all the unique things winter brings: cocoa and cookies, afghan-snuggles, crafty afternoons at the kitchen table. It may snow this weekend! I really hope it will be cold enough for a fire. I'm so happy to make the season festive for them, to keep their bellies full and their bodies warm.
Such a lovely post Jennifer. I can really feel how tuned into the festive season you are. I'm feeling surprisingly festive too; I think it is because my eldest is relishing all the festivities this year. Everyone likes looking at the Christmas lights on the street and on the houses. We've baked too and your rice pudding looks delicious. You've reminded me about the chicken soup. My Grandma made a mean chicken and matzo (Kneidlach?) ball soup. I never did write it down so will have to rely on Nigella's version!! xx
ReplyDeleteCold enough for a fire? I wish it was warm enough not to have to light a fire! Well, actually, it's lovely having the fire lit! And the Christmas tree nicely decorated. Everything warm and cosy. I miss having young children about with their Christmas excitement. My boys (now men) have their birthdays in December - 17th and 19th - so this month used to be sooooo exciting for them.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the Christmas craziness and keeping people warm and full!! Well put friend! It is a magical season indeed and your photos just show how very beautiful it all is in the simplest of places! I look forward to seeing some of those cookies! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun times there - and your photos are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post, Jennifer, filled with Christmas spirit! How sweet your children are, your pictures really capture the magic and so do your words.
ReplyDeleteHelen xox
Really lovely post ! And wonderful pics ! Thanks !
ReplyDeletehttp://woolandcats.blogspot.fr/
A magical post for a magical season. :o)
ReplyDeleteThis post is so full of cheer! Love it.
ReplyDeleteHello Jennifer! Your post is full of joy and holiday happiness.. I feel the very same way! We are going to try and make some shortbread cookies and let the boys cut out fun shapes and decorate them.
ReplyDelete((hugs)), Teresa :-)
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*H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
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Glad to see you are enjoying it. I love coming home to twinkling lights on the tree. x
ReplyDeleteLovely photo's and happy times, your joy is infectious Jennifer. :) xx
ReplyDeleteIt is a joy to visit your post, Jennifer, and to share your joy in this season. I remember about 57 years ago on my way to school having a hot debate with my kindergarten classmates about Santa's existence .... I believed in him. Flash forward to 27 years ago my oldest daughter's second grade teacher was none too pleased to report to me that my daughter had announced to her classmates in the cafeteria that Santa was not real...Mercy! xx
ReplyDeleteYou're right, so much about this time of year is exciting for the little people isn't it. We're definitely feeling it here! CJ xx
ReplyDeleteAlways great to come and visit you - I wish I could come for a cup of tea and a chat sometimes, I really do. My girls love the dark outside and on our last few outings to family we have waited until it gets dark and driven back through our high street so that they can see the white lights on every tree is the main street - they love it. Megan is 5 and had a little wobble on Santa this week, asking questions and trying to find out how it all works. She said she didn't remember it last year and was worried she had been rude to me and he wouldn't come - it took a lot of cuddles to get over that one! I love your rabbit by the way, I made one of those last year sitting in the garden in the summer, they are a joy to make. Lots of Love, til next time Jo x
ReplyDeleteI hope that you enjoy all of your preparations and fun! xx
ReplyDeleteYour post has helped make me feel a bit more in the Christmas spirit, Jennifer. Thank you for that! Hang on to these precious times with your children. They are at such a wonderful, uncomplicated age. I'm glad you are feeling relaxed and able to enjoy the season. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the happiness and contentment in this post Jennifer. It makes my heart happy for you. I must admit, being in Hawaii this week doesn't feel Christmasy at all despite the decorations everywhere!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
A wonderful post, enjoying the best of the season, so magical with the little ones still believing.
ReplyDeleteClare xx
My two little ones are hopping mad with exitement about Christmas, the two older ones are rather non-plussed. Enjoy your Christmas joy whilst they are still little, teenagers are a bit boring when it comes to the festive spirit and all. I am going to bake, too, this weekend. Can't wait to read about your cookies, it is alwasy exiting to see what other families do. x
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer, such a beautiful post, nice and cosy! Always a pleasure to read, and see your atmospheric photos!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time,
Ingrid xx
http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be
That is just how Christmas should be Jennifer! Beautiful photos, I especially love the colour in the second one!
ReplyDeleteV x
Christmas is magical when your children are young. I have to admit that it does lose a little of its sparkle once the kids are older, but we still enjoy it and the little traditions evolve.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post, Jennifer, and you and your family are obviously enjoying the Christmas season. The little GB looking at the tree is a wonderful image - you could frame it! You are storing up precious memories forever.
ReplyDeleteYour post really lifted my spirits - and that was just what I needed today !
ReplyDeleteLucky you - maybe snow in the weekend ?!? Oh my I will be jealous...
Enjoy this season, enjoy the magic you can share with your kids !!
And PS an italian and a jewish grandmother ? That is just fantastic, "cooking-wise" ! You must be a living and walking cookbook, with all the recipes that they must have learnt you !!
And here in Europe, we have a saying : "the love of a man goes through his stomach". I have a feeling your hubby is well-fed ;-))))
Its lovely that they still believe, it makes it even more magical. I have the pleasure of my young Grandson at the moment so it has been thrilling preparing for Christmas this year. Some wonderful memories in the making for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely cold enough for fires here! What a beautiful post; such relaxing words and gorgeous photographs. That rice pudding looks delicious and how fantastic to make your own raisins. An Italian and a Jewish Grandmother - lucky, lucky you. I've one daughter home from uni and the other has her last day of term tomorrow - let the festivities begin! x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! I hope you all have a beautiful Christmas. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your red chilli lights. I too am enjoying and savouring this Christmas, it might have something to do with having a new baby around. I love that you said you'd made food and your grandmothers where suddenly with you.
ReplyDeleteI made a dish last week that my papa made .When the family ate it, they all said it reminded them of him. I hadn't told them it was his dish, so it was great to hear each person say it tasted like his. He isn't dead , he ran off with another woman and we haven' t spoken in almost twelve years, I rarely mention his name .I think what I 'm trying to say is that in the kitchen is a great place to be .Despite what terrible things can happen in life the consistently happy place is a kitchen .
I think that's why I love cooking and crafting. they are both things that require no words you simply have to watch and suddenly you are creating stuff that will in time always remind you something good.
Jennifer thank you for sharing, I'm off to make some vine roasted tomatoes with garlic and basil.
Lots of love
H
Sounds lovely Jennifer! My eldest is 5 so we are also in full-on Christmas mode here :-) And school holidays started yesterday so it's double the excitement at the moment! x
ReplyDeleteyour Christmas preparations and excitement sounds wonderful x
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteLovely warm and cozy post and can see that from your lovely home and the photos.
Glad that your little ones are excited about Santa coming and well done for finishing your Christmas gifts. Love the sweet rabbit and the little dress.
happy weekend
hugs
Carolyn
It sounds warm and cozy, wonderful and magical all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
Wonderful colors in your photos! Have a nice weekend :)))
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and lovely words. Your home life sounds happy and it's looking very warm and festive in your house too. Wish I can taste that rice pudding! x
ReplyDeleteYou really capture the pre-Christmas excitement of having young children in the house in this post, Jennifer. It took me back nearly 40 years to when my children were small and the excitement was almost unbearable. Enjoy your cookie-making. Sadly there's no Christmas baking for me this year with this wrist....
ReplyDeleteI read this last week and meant to comment but forgot. Anyway, I just wanted to say - what an utterly charming post. I feel warmer and more festive just from reading it. x
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