Happy Epiphany! Since it’s still officially the Christmas season (for a few more minutes, anyway), is it all right if I share some of our favorite things from Christmas this year?
First up are these Gingerbread Cities from Better Homes and Gardens. We made one for ourselves and a few to give away. They took some time, but since Lily’s always looking for something to do, it worked out well. A fun note: the recipe is from Gesine Bullock, sister of Sandra Bullock.
Here’s how they turned out:
The fifth graders at our school make gingerbread houses every year. We loved Will’s twist: a cabin tank!
Only two-thirds of us are partly Swedish, but at this time of year that little bit takes over! We devoured Trine Hahneman’s book, Scandinavian Christmas, with all its gorgeous photos and recipes. Trine’s quote sums up our Wisconsin winters perfectly: “I love the cold and the way the world turns silent when covered in snow.”
I ran out of time this year, but next Christmas I want to try to make the pine bough snowflake. Do you see it down there on the left? Beautiful!
Okay, I feel a little sheepish about this next photo. Yes, we bought an Elf on the Shelf. I really hadn’t planned to. I mean, it’s just a big marketing ploy, right? But so many of our traditions have sort of petered out with the older kids being so busy, and Lily asked so nicely. So I figured, why not try something new?
And here’s the crazy thing: I love the elf! We named her Delfina and established right away that she’s a good elf and not one of those leprechaun wannabes. And we had fun! Lexie and I did a few cool scenarios when we had the time and energy. And other days Delfina just joined the nativity scene or took the angel’s place on top of the tree. Nothing crazy, just fun.
We gave roasting chestnuts on an open fire a try. They were okay, but I feel like we were missing something. I think we need to buy roasted chestnuts from a proper New York City street vendor before making any final judgments. Do vendors still sell roasted chestnuts in New York City? I hope so!
Lily made reindeer food, of course.
We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s! Can’t wait to see what 2014 holds.
What a lovely, lovely family photo! (Belated) Merry Christmas!
Great picture!! Is that a dash of red I see in Andrew’s hair? I am glad you and Lexie are back at the blog. Such a treat each morning. (How do you think Alexandra is handling the -8 degrees in Atlanta????)
Thank you, Marilyn!
Thank you, Judy, I’m always happier when I’m writing. Andrew’s so tall, I can’t even see what his hair looks like from down here. But I think the red you’re seeing is a reflection from all the Santas!
I had no idea it’s so cold in Atlanta! Although that explains what Alexandra meant when she said the scarf I sent is the only thing keeping her warm. Maybe I should make her a nice thick wool hat, too. Hah!