Valentine’s Day Dinner

Catherine and her Papa had a nice Valentine’s Dinner date last night and they were nice enough to let me come along! The three of us went to the Daily Harvest Cafe for some delicious sandwiches. At first we had a table for three, but Catherine decided she would rather sit in the comfy chairs- alone. with Papa. So I stayed at our table while she and Peter went off to color by the windows.

A good time was had by all!

Christmas Joys: Family

Nothing about the Christmas season is better than spending it with family. Here are some photos of Christmases past!

Christmas Joys: Tomtegubben

Every year there is a small tribe of Tomtegubbes that watch over my Mom’s kitchen. They were always my favorite of her Christmas decorations. I was thrilled last year to find some of my own at Bestemors Scandinavian Shop in Mystic, CT this past summer.

I did a little internet searching to find a little more about them. Here’s the wikipedia entry: Tomte.

We didn’t do a whole lot of decorating for Christmas this year but I did make sure that those little guys were up and they have added to my Christmas Cheer. Who else has something that makes them feel especially festive?

Christmas Joys: the Tree

One Christmas many moons ago (four years ago, but who’s counting?) Peter and were spending Christmas in Pennsylvania with his family. It was my first Christmas away from my family and also my first Christmas morning in a hotel. I was feeling a bit melancholy about missing the big tree an ‘home-ness’ of the hotel and during a last minute gift run to the Schuylkill Mall, we decided to buy a little tree.

It was the cheapest tree that K-Mart sold. It was also fiber optic. I’ve had serious mixed feelings over the years about this tree. I typically do not like artificial trees, or light-up branches. It is too small and the branches change color on a too-fast rotation.

BUT-having lived in an apartment for years and not wanting a real tree this year (due to the two ts- travel and toddler) we continue to set up this little tree year after year. I fear it is starting to grow on me.

Still, I miss the pine smell, the cutting of the tree, the vacuuming of the fallen needles, the tucking of a bird’s nest inside and all the other things that come along with having a real tree. There’s always next year’s tree to plan for! How do you trim your trees?

Christmas Joys: Cards

As soon as all the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone I start stalking the mailbox for Christmas cards! Photo cards, homemade, letters, postcards…it doesn’t matter. I love them all. It’s great to hear from friends and family and to have something other than Chinese menus and Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons in the mailbox!

I’ve been hanging up each card we’ve received on the door in the kitchen and they’ve made the room so festive!

I know that sending out Christmas cards is a huge project, but I hope everyone knows that I truly love receiving them and looking at them day after day! They are physical reminders of all who we love (and who love us). Thank you!