Christmas Season 2012 - The First Sunday After Christmas

The above photo is the manger scene on the altar at our church, Gethsemane Episcopal.  I took the photo on the first Sunday after Christmas.

Christmas Season 2012 - Holiday Lights

Christmas 2012 - Christmas Tree

I did not have the time or energy to decorate the tree as elaborately as I usually do.  This year I only hung the Christmas balls.  It turned out to be understated and still quite lovely.  Dale particularly liked it.

Christmas 2012 - Advent Calendar Before and After

Here are the before and after shots of the Advent calendar Mom made for Pete's family.  I hope the kids enjoyed putting the pieces up as much as Sam, Pete, and I did when we were little.

Christmas 2012 - More Photos

Christmas 2012 - Christmas Day

Dale and I stopped by the house of our friend and neighbor Warren on Christmas morning.  He hosted a light breakfast and we were able to meet his delightful parents.  After that we enjoyed a very relaxing afternoon.  It was very cold outside but the sun was shining brightly and it was lovely having snow on Christmas.  Last year was a brown Christmas - the first in about six years.  In the evening Mom came to dinner.  We served beef stroganoff.  Pete and Stephanie texted us to wish us a Merry Christmas.  The above photo is what we texted back to them along with a Christmas greeting.  What a beautiful Christmas it turned out to be. 

Christmas Eve 2012 - Mom's Christmas Tree

After dinner Dale and I went to Gethsemane for the late Christmas Eve service at which we both sang in the choir.  Before we left Mom's I snapped this picture of her with her tree.  She decorated it this year with many of the cross-stitch hearts she likes to make.

Christmas Eve 2012 - Fondue

Mom made the traditional cheese fondue for Christmas Eve dinner.  We also had steaks, salad, and dessert. It was all absolutely delicious.

Christmas Eve 2012 - Decorating the Tree

This Advent/Christmas season has been a little different than others due to my not feeling I've had the time to get set up in the way I like to.  I'm in a liscencesure program and in a class that just ended this past Friday and I've been busy as can be and finishing up a paper. I just didn't have the time or enegy to decorate in the way I usually do and that includes decorating the tree.  I decided that this year I'd just decorate it with balls and not the other numerous blown glass decorations I have.  I spent a fraction of the time decorating than I usually do and it actually looks great.  I certainly don't want to be this basic every year, but this year it just feels right. 

Christmas Eve 2012 - Thinking of Dad

Dad's been on my mind a lot today.

Christmas Eve 2012 - Setting Up the Tree

Here I am setting up the tree.  A special thanks to Dale for putting up with me being such a ham for the camera.

Snowman Collection

Yesterday I received the shipment for a recent online order. In addition to two Santas, the snowman seen in the very middle of the above display arrived. Christmas came a little early!