Christmas this year was another fun time at home with the family in the ‘Ville. Friday evening I flew home – well, actually after the 4 hour flight delay it was about 1 AM on Saturday when we landed. Thankfully I had a new scarf project in my carry-on bag – by the time we finally boarded the plane I had knit close to 20″ on it. It was late enough and I was tired enough that I knew better than to knit (even on this simple pattern) while flying – so Christmas tunes on the iPod passed the time on the plane. My time in the ‘Ville was very laid back – it was great to just spend time with the family. Grandma’s health has been up & down more in the last year – so it meant that we spent more time at home.

On Sunday evening we went to a beautiful Christmas service at church – Rebecca read one of the scripture selections. The selection of scriptures and songs in the beautiful candlelight made for lovely start to Christmas Eve/Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve was consumed with wrapping presents (note to self for next year – wrap early!) & finishing up with some decorating around the house. We ended up not seeing a movie (as has been tradition). After a yummy pasta dinner we did keep the tradition of watching It’s A Wonderful Life – it’s a story that we never tire of watching at Christmas.

On Christmas morning the tree was surrounded by what seemed like a mountain of presents – the Artisan family must have been pretty good this year.  We opened our Christmas stockings (all needlepoint by Artisan Dad) and enjoyed Mom’s orange rolls for breakfast before “tackling” the mountain of presents. As in years past, it was as much fun to watch others open their presents as it was to open your own. Included in the mountain were handknits for everyone (more details in another post). We also continued the tradition of receiving lots of books – so we all spent lots of hours with our noses in books.

For the last couple of years I have taken charge of the Christmas dinner menu – it’s a chance for Rebecca & I to have fun in the kitchen and give Mom a break. This year was another delicious spread. Earlier this month I came across the recipe for Pork Roast with Cardamom Mushroom Sauce and that became the starting point for our dinner. The rest of the menu included Cranberry and Toasted Pecan Couscous, Sweet Onion Casserole, Creamed Spinach (thanks Rebecca!) and Mom’s Sour Cream Yeast Cresent Rolls. From a favorite winery in Michigan we enjoyed a tasty Edel Doux white wine. Dessert later in the evening was a delicious Pear Cranberry Crisp. We all agreed that the recipes were winners – I look forward to making them again!

Before long it was time to head back to the airport and fly back to my home. Just like most families, we have assorted holiday traditions; however, I’m also thankful that we have a family trait of flexibility – even though we didn’t do “all” of our Christmas traditions this year it was still a fun time of being together as a family and focusing on the real reason that we celebrate – the birth of Jesus!

(stay tuned – it’s time to finally reveal all of the Christmas knitting…)

The odds are pretty good that I won’t experience a White Christmas next week when I’m home in the ‘Ville to celebrate with the family. This past Sunday was truly a White Christmas for me here in Chicago – a wonderful chance to celebrate the season with friends! What was initially forecasted to be “a bit” of snow ended up being 7+ inches by Sunday morning. While the earlier snowfall this month may have provided a bit of winter wonderland the new snowfall definitely kicked it up a notch.

The snow outside plus the house finally decorated for Christmas brought the holiday spirit into the house to stay. Last weekend I was looking to get my Christmas tree and at the 5th lot I finally found one that had charm; didn’t break the bank; wasn’t sprayed green and was just right – as soon as I brought it in the house the scent of a pine forest wafted throughout.

As the snow fell on Saturday I spent the time prepping for my 2nd annual Christmas tea with girlfriends. I was thankful that the snow didn’t impact our plans – most of the gals were still able to come by on Sunday for a cup of Christmas tea and a great afternoon of friendship.

Once again, the afternoon managed to pass by without a single picture being taken. These flowers were in the center of the table and the platters were filled with: cucumber sandwiches (really, I don’t think it’s a tea without these); ham roll-ups with cranberry orange cream cheese; spinach dip tortilla roll-ups; mini quiches; mini cranberry pumpkin muffins; brownie bites (with a hint of coffee & cinnamon); Mom’s Swedish brownies; strawberry jam shortbreads & a lemon chocolate pound cake (thanks Jen!); & a box of See’s candies. My silver snowman tray was filled with an assortment of tea bags & everyone customized their tea with some sugar, cream, lemon or mint.

Like last year’s tea, the afternoon was filled with fun conversations among friends in the living room surrounded by the Christmas decorations. The glow of the lights on the Christmas tree, the nativity mantel and candles throughout the living room was enhanced by the glow of friendship and conversation. It was fun to see “my friends” find commonalities among each other & dive deep into conversation throughout the afternoon. Everyone seemed to enjoy a few hours of slowing down and pausing over a cup of tea. I think that this will be a Christmas tradition for years to come.

After the tea, it was time to celebrate Christmas with my Chicago family. Jen’s husband Greg joined Jen, Kristy & I at my house. We ordered dinner from a favorite restaurant and had a fun evening of laughter, stories and exchanging gifts.  The first of my “secret” knitting was gifted – details to follow in a Christmas knits post once all items have been gifted.

The month seems to have just flown by – one week from now I’ll be at home with the family gathered around the Christmas tree. Each of us will be enjoying a mug of coffee (& maybe homemade cinnamon rolls) as we begin to open Christmas presents. Later in the day, Rebecca & I will prepare Christmas dinner. When we look out the windows we may not see white; however, we don’t need snow on the ground to have a cozy family Christmas.

Sometimes a White Christmas is a state of mind and sometimes a White Christmas is covered in snow.