Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas Eve

Before I show you pictures of my home, I wanted to tell you what Christmas was like growing up for me.  As soon as the Christmas Holidays rolled around, I couldn't wait to hit the road to spend the next few weeks at my grandmother and aunt's houses.  You may remember me telling you in previous posts that they were sisters and lived next door to each other.  The house would be filled all week with my aunt's baking in preparation for the Christmas Eve celebration we would have at her house.  My grandmother was in charge of baked yams and her chocolate pie. 

My grandmother, my parents, sister and brothers and other aunts, uncles, and cousins would meet at my aunt's house late in the afternoon of Christmas Eve we would have dinner and open presents.  I would have helped her bake the pies (coconut and pecan) and cakes (gingerbread) and cornbread dressing like I've not had since being at her house.  I think it was her special touch that made this dressing so good as I've tried through the years to replicate it.  My mother's comes close, but there was no sage in it (sorry for all you sage lovers) it had good browned cornbread, turkey drippings and broth, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.  There'd be turkey and a spiral baked ham along with so many other dishes and desserts. 

Another one of my favorite desserts she always made was what she called Cottage Salad.  I make it each season for my family too.  It is so simple to make, it has orange jello (not made just open the box and add), crushed pineapple (drained, no juice), cottage cheese (I like the small curd) and cool whip.  Add all together and mix well in a pretty bowl.  It is so good!!

Christmas

After dinner, "Santa" would pass out the presents to everyone.  What a special time it was.  There'd be so much laughter and oohhs and aahhs at what was given to each of us.  We'd all normally be sitting by the fire my uncle had made as he continued to add wood to it.  It was magical, at least in my eyes it was.  I miss this time. 

So many of my family members have gone on and now Christmas time is usually quiet in our home.  We normally still celebrate it on Christmas Eve, except this year will be different.  My oldest son will not be home until Christmas Day, so we'll be celebrating then.

My family no longer wants the traditional turkey and dressing and they don't really like ham, so instead they've opted to have Fahita's.  I know it doesn't sound much like a Christmas meal, but you know what I decided a long time ago.  It doesn't matter what is served as long as I have my family around me is all that matters.  There'll still be ooohhs and aahhs and laughter and talking and probably watching a game or a Christmas movie on TV, and for this I'm thankful.

Here are a few Christmas touches around my home:

my christmas 001




mychristmas 010

more christmas 010

mychristmas 001

mychristmas 009

my christmas 003

more christmas 009

more christmas 001

more christmas 003


christmasdecor 002

Please don't forget the true meaning of CHRISTmas this year and say a special prayer for those that are still fighting in the armed forces and those that are not as fortunate to be home this year.  Merry Christmas to you all!!

22 comments:

  1. Here at the Casita de Trash we call that "pink stuff"! Same ingredients except cherry jello (sugar free for the "man") and I add pecans to mine. I'll put pecans in anything that will hold still long enough!
    Love the "Love" on the mantle and all your sparkle, sparkle!
    Merry Christmas and enjoy your time with your family tomorrow!
    Debbie

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  2. Loved hearing about your Christmas when growing up!! What fun that must have been!
    Merry Christmas and I love your Home all gussied up for Christmas!
    Blessings~

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  3. Merry Christmas Theresa....!

    THANK YOU for sharing your special Christmas memories....!

    I hope you & your Family enjoy a WONDERFUL day together....!

    Cheers from Oz,
    Tamarah :o)

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  4. You are right. It isn't about the food, or the presents it is about family being together. I hope your day is wonderful tomorrow. We have "daddy" home this year- last he was in Afghanistan and he will be there again next year..so we will cherish this one even more.
    Have a great family day filled with love and fun.
    tammy

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  5. Your house looks beautiful! We're in Missouri this year, but when we're in Texas we have tamales on Christmas Eve. I'm sure your family just started a new tradition of Christmas Fajitas!

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  6. I have wonderful memories of my grandparents, great aunts and uncles and our Christmas traditions too. Things are different now...not worse...just different! Loved hearing your story and seeing your lovely decorations. Merry Christmas! :)

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  7. Merry Christmas, Teresa, my first blogging friend.

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  8. Christmas blessings to you and yours...love those Santa pillow cases....beautiful decorations...have a wonderful Christmas day....Shelley

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  9. Merry Christmas and have a wonderful time with your family. sandi

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  10. Loved hearing about your Christmas Holiday Memories!*!*! AND your House Decorations are just Lovely... Have a wonderful Christmas Day Theresa...
    Jeanine, ChiPPy!-SHaBBy!

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  11. Merry Christmas my friend! Your home is lovely!
    Theresa
    aka:tot

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  12. Merry Christmas Theresa...Beautiful home and thanks for sharing Memories(they are precious)...enjoy your Christmas...we are having a "Winter White Christmas" here in Illinois. ps I think I'll try your cottage salad...sounds good!
    Blessings~~~Carolyn

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  13. Love your Christmas decor! Here in East Texas we have fajitas too! After Thanksgiving we are thru w/turkey and dressing. Loved your childhood story, reminded me of me going to my grandmothers too! Couldn't wait to get there and start cooking :)

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  14. Thanks for sharing...your life growing up sounded wonderful. LOVE your new blog header picture too!!

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  15. Hi Theresa! My grandmother also made the "Orange Salad" but she added mandarin oranges. Very tasty! Your photos are wonderful and have a Merry Christmas. Susan & Andy

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  16. I just love all of your gorgeous mirrors and that collection of Mercury glass - so pretty!

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  17. hope you had a wonderful Christmas day with your family. we opted out of the traditional meal this year as well, and you are so right about all that matters is that you are together. love all your little holiday touches.

    hugs,

    shelley

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  18. your pictures always amaze me- I never come to visit here without a lovely sigh of enjoyment...

    Karen

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  19. When I was young, we lived in Oklahoma and would often have white Christmases. We would also have all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents around . . . it was so magical. Sometimes we celebrated at our house, sometimes at one of the relatives house.While we were living in Hawaii, Christmases were no fun at all. It was hot and we had no money. We sorely missed the rest of the family.

    I enjoyed reading about yours. Thanks for sharing!

    HAve a wonderful 2011,
    Teresa

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  20. I enjoyed reading your christmas memories Theresa ... and your home looks so warm and inviting, hmmm a bit like the owner? ... I hope you and your family are enjoying the season together! ... and I would take fahitas anytime!!

    xo
    Jill

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  21. This so touched my heart...all of the special memories...what will our children and grandchildren remember as special? Your home is beautiful...I love the special holiday touches!
    Rene
    love the cottage cheese with jello too...the *only* way to eat cottage cheese in my opinion!

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