~ Twelve Days, One New Year ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

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A group of friends got together and we threw an

OLD FASHIONED NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION!

So much fun!!! 

Conductor counting down and orchestrating the balloons drop

We began the evening with Holy Mass and thanksgiving devotions.

Everyone dressed up, and brought their favorite hors d'oeuvres.

We feasted on a roasted pig; toasted in the New Year with sparkles & bubbles; learned to swing dance; and ate the most elegant and delicious cake.

We basically had a REALLY GREAT (FRIENDS & FAMILY) TIME!

 

 

 

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Celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas:

the feasts between Christmas Day and the Epiphany...

Because Christmas is just too important to be confined to only one day.

 

 

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maraschino eyes...

 

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It is time to stop indulging in all the celebratory practices and get on with my resolutions.

 

 

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

and linking up to Catholic Bloggers Network

2014 Monthly Link-Up Blitz - January

{Family Journal}

~ Twelve Days of Christmas 2013: Gingerbread Cookies ~

The only thing better than gingerbread cookies, are nativity gingerbread cookies.  Or certain gingerbread girl cookies.

Butterfly and Little Lamb have really been baking up a variety of wonderful cookies this Christmas season.  I'm just the clean up crew...and the taste tester.  And that is just fine by me.

Years ago we made a Gingerbread Nativity & Manger and we placed these gingerbread cookies along side.  Wilton sold a Nativity kit...sadly, they no longer sell the kit.

Here are some wonderful ideas for DIY Gingerbread Nativity Scenes:


credit

This one is over the top:



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Remember, you can keep it simple and sweet.  We did.  :o)

~ Twelve Days of Christmas: Days I, II & III ~

 
On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree

 

"My true love" refers to God

 

I mentioned in this post, last year, how we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas with gifts (in addition to special activities).   One gift for each day. 

New ornament for the Christmas tree

We began by opening our stockings on Christmas Eve, after the Vigil Mass and before Midnight Mass.  It was a Mass Marathon.  :o)
Actually, I missed both my girls singing in the choir at the Vigil Mass...Little Lamb was running a fever.  So I attended the Midnight Mass with my son (he wanted to serve both).

Then on Sunday morning, before the later Mass, we sat around and opened the first set of gifts while enjoying some homemade baked goods.

We started out with a 'community' gift, rather than individual gifts. 
I had wrapped several gifts that the family could enjoy over the Christmas Holydays. 

The Civil War 1000 piece puzzle, and the Ronald Reagan CD & DVD I had purchased during our summer family vacation.  The variety of books were purchased from our local Catholic store to add to our (leisure reading) library. 
We had the traditional gingerbread house to work on during the Christmas holydays.

Past Christmas gift

I was the happy recipient of beautiful Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments.  I thought I would re-purpose our Advent Jesse Tree (thankfully I haven't had time to store it back in the garage...way up top). 

We are enjoying listening to Christmas music, feasting, sitting around a lit Christmas tree.  :o)

Taking walks, sipping hot chocolate, watching movies, reading, and working on this...

And this...

Christmas 2013

The “three French hens” represent the Three Persons in God.

~ + ~
The “two turtle doves” represent the two natures in Jesus: human and divine; also, the two Testaments, Old and New.

~ + ~
The “partridge” is Jesus himself, and the “pear tree” is the Cross.
 

~ Twelve Days of Christmas ~

Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real - style

(Is it Thursday already!?)

 

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

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I found these PRETTY place mats on clearance...I just love a good find at a great price.

 
 
 There were only two sets (of four) left.  Perfect.







Growing up, I never knew the real meaning behind the Twelve Days of Christmas...I knew the song well, but not the true meaning.  At least, I don't remember if I ever learned the true meaning. 

 {happy}

For each of the Twelve Days of Christmas, my children get to open a small gift...small and practical.
It could be a tooth brush and toothpaste, band-aids, shampoo, or colored Q-tips.    Practical.  My children are authentically thankful to receive these *gifts*. 

It teaches them to be appreciative for ALL that we have.  That we shouldn't take anything for granted.
They are always cheerful and HAPPY to open their gifts...even when they know that the gift will might be modest.  (I will throw in a home-run gift at some point...keeps the anticipation and excitement going).  :o)
We have not always done the twelve gifts, but we have always tried to keep things simple (and non-materialistic).

Let's face it.  We are blessed.  Blessed in so many ways.

It's just a fun tradition that helps to keep us focused on, and continue celebrating, the days of Christmastide.  I probably would not do this if I had a large family...but I can handle my little brood of three.  I also use gift bags (when I can) instead of individually wrapping the items.  I will wrap books in tissue paper and then place in a gift bag...I have re-used our gift bags year after year.
On Christmas Eve, after Mass, the children begin by opening their stockings...

Again, the contents are usually modest:

 

dental floss, toothbrush, tissue pack, chap-stick, lollipop (which I bought from my friend's daughter's American Heritage Girls fundraiser - win/win), candy cane and a mouthwatering orange .  

Orange Happiness ~ California Gold

As Little Lamb says:  "Momma, I love how you give us lots of fun things to eat, but then give us the tools to take care of our teeth...it's like giving a party, and then giving a dust pan". 

{funny}

FUNny Fondant snowmanlady.

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While picking up a needed item at the craft store, I saw that the Gingerbread House Kits were on clearance for $5 - I was planning on making some myself...but this was done.  And done is done.  REAL easy for the momma.

A little seismic retro-fit was needed for a couple cracks...California ready!

This kit came with some fondant...and the icing was already set to go.  All the candy was included.  I repeat:  Done is done.

 

We had so much other baked goodies on hand...that it wasn't an issue when we didn't eat the gingerbread house...well, we tried.  But nothing can compare to home-made gingerbread anything.

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment!