Christmas 2010 - Traditions and gifts

Marty says "Anything Goes" for this week's "Tabletop Tuesday"...so here I go! Be sure to visit "A Stroll Thru Life" for a wonderful visit with Marty and friends!



We've been blessed with another wonderful Christmas filled with the love of family and friends.

One of my family traditions growing up was my mother's Italian dinner for Christmas Eve -- I've carried that on as a Christmas Eve lunch of Lasagna, salad, garlic bread and my husband's sweet potato pie. We had four generations around our tables. My dad, Mr Mid-Atlantic and me, our daughter Katy and her husband Brett and his sister Rachel, and our twin grandgirls, Kendall and Keelyn. I set two tables -- this was the dining room table setting.


And this was the kitchen table setting.



This "china" was the very first set of Christmas dishes I owned. I've always loved holly, so when I found these after Christmas about 25 years ago, I was thrilled to get a box (settings for 4) at half price (something like $10). Over the years I've added more - (in fact this year I found some matching glasses on eBay that should arrive soon -- they'll be added to the table next year). We always invited my in-laws for Christmas morning breakfast and used these. At this point in life, I could probably afford to purchase a much more elegant set of Christmas dishes to use -- but these are the ones that hold wonderful memories for me....much more precious! Now my children have carried on the tradition of Christmas morning breakfast and we go to our daughter's home. (Our son and his family live in Georgia) -- I gave them both boxes of Christmas dishes when they were first married. So fun to see the tradition live on!



These were for the twins. I found these at Goodwill before Christmas last year and the Santa cups were a fun addition this year from Target.


This little centerpiece trio of angels called my name at Marshalls this year.



They're even sweet from the backside -- love those little wings...but most especially....


....their little arms wrapped around each other in love!



It was certainly a gift to have the grandgirls here and watch them open their Christmas Eve gift of new pj's -- this is Kendall.



And Keelyn...too bad I didn't get pictures of the pj's too. You can see that unwrapping is serious business!



This sweet little tin box was a gift from a wonderful friend....it quickly became a part of my Christmas decor as a mistletoe box!



And can you see that there's a new guy in town?



....yep....that would be Santa #48 for our collection! My husband's sister and husband give us a new Santa each year and Santa has put some in my stocking over the years as well. I think maybe this one is a little camera shy.



There! That's better!



And last, a picture of our White Christmas. It started snowing Christmas night around 6 and was still snowing yesterday morning when I went out to get the paper.




Best of all....I have no place to go! So I can enjoy this picture perfect snow without having to dig out....another gift!

Hope you've had a wonderful Christmas at your cottage or castle...wishing you many blessings for the New Year.

See ya!