Elves, Elegant Tree, Elaborate Decorations,Emmanuel
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Teacher, teacher it snowed last night! Did it snow where you live? Imagine my surprise when I looked out the window to see enormous snowflakes floating down from the sky. Do I have pictures? Noooo, it was too dark for my camera to detect anything. Maybe next time, I’ll get a shot for the classroom. Now for my “E” post assignment.
I can’t think about Christmas without thinking elves, Santa’s little helpers!
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Did you know there are particular names associated with some elves and their responsibilities?
Bushy Evergreen is the inventor of the magic toy-making machine.
Shinny Upatree is Father Christmas’s (Santa’s) oldest friend and co-founder of the secret village in Lapland.
Wunorse Openslae designed Father Christmas’ sleigh and maintains it for top performance. (It is believed that the reindeer reach speeds faster than Christmas tree lights.) He also cares for the reindeer.
Pepper Minstix is the guardian of the secret to Father Christmas’ village location.
Sugarplum Mary is Head of the Sweat Treats, and assistant to Father Christmas’ wife, Mrs. Claus, also known as Mary Christmas.
Alabaster Snowball is very important. He is the Administrator of the Naughty & Nice list.
Every since our children were really young, I’ve made eggnog every Christmas. We used the recipe from The Little House Cookbook by Barbara M.Walker
Ingredients:
6 eggs, separated
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 quart of milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Beat the egg yolks and sugar in the bowl until thoroughly blended. Slowly beat in the milk, then stir in the cream. Refrigerate this mixture while you beat the egg whites until they form white peaks. Pour the cold egg-milk mixture into the punch bowl and scrape the egg whites onto the surface, blending some in with a few deep strokes of the spoon. Sprinkle the nutmeg over the foamy surface and carefully dip into cups so as not to disturb the foam. Yields 6-cups.
This is a simple recipe. It bothered me to serve raw eggs to small children so I modified the recipe.
- I mix all the ingredients in a kettle on the stove top while simmering over medium to medium-low heat for 15-minutes, stirring nearly constantly to keep the bottom from scorching. Just before I remove from the burner I add one or two teaspoons of vanilla extract and nutmeg. Cool, refrigerate, and serve chilled now boiled custard with a little extra nutmeg on top of each serving.
I know that it’s traditional to serve eggnog during the holidays but did you know it was also served to the sick and feeble? Recipes for both always called for rum, brandy or both. Now, I understand the origin spiked eggnog. What puzzles me is why give it to the sick and feeble?
Elegant Christmas tree…our family Christmas tree photographed in 2009. We bought this beautiful 6.5′ artificial beauty from Christmas in America after Christmas 2008 at half off. Christmas in America are the same folks who made our previous tree. It endured 21 wonderful Christmases. This fake Douglas Fir tree, like the one, before was made in the good ole USA, which we absolutely love!
Decorating for Christmas has always been a fun, meaningful tradition for us. We’ve chosen some elaborate decorations to express our Christmas spirit of joy.
Pictured here, you’ll see a pewter Christmas bell on the left. This became a regular tradition for us for many years until Helix Pewter and Copper in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee closed their showroom door. Owners, Dan & Chris, became a part of our extended family for several Christmases. The darling baby shoes belong to our oldest daughter, Brittany. What tiny feet she had! We display all three of our kiddos baby shoes on our tree year after year.
The Lenox porcelain bear ornament pictured announces the year I was found to be with child. In this one, the year is 1989. I was expecting our second DD, Nicole. We have three of these precious ornaments on our tree.
In the early 90s, my DH bought the New England Dept 56 Christmas Village for me.
You can see Craggy Cove Lighthouse and the Captain Quarters with a little girl building a snowman. The street lamp lighter was a part of another Dept 56 collection but I liked it and my DH got it for me.
This is McCrebe’s Cutters & Sleighs. There is a man cutting wood on the left and on the hill, you can see the kids sledding.
One of my favorite pieces is the Old North Church. To the right of the church is a Christmas tree and at the base is a small nativity scene. You can’t see it well in this photo, but I like that piece very much, too. On the right, you’ll see Christmas carolers in front of Abby’s Bed & Breakfast.
Amidst all the fun of Santa’s elves, the tasty goodness of eggnog, the beauty of an elegant tree and heart warming elaborate decorations, our focus remains on the one true reason we celebrate this magical holiday season… our Savior, Emmanuel’s birth!
I dedicate this post to our Everlasting Lord!
For more “E” posts, visit Alphabet-Thursday!
Thanks for hosting Miss Jenny!
My Questions today are:
(1) Thinking about Christmas traditions, what is your favorite?
(2) Do you have a particularly special decoration, if so what is it and why?
19 Comments
Jenny
What a great Christmas post!
You shared such wonderful things here…I feel very holiday like and ready for a scrumptious cup of eggnog!
Thanks for an exceptional link to the letter “E”.
I bet your house is filled with all kinds of Christmas spirit.
A+
Andy
Hello.
WoW! You’re certainly in the Christmas spirit!
I’ve always liked Enya’s music. I find it very relaxing.
Enchanting post.
Thanks for sharing.
For ref:
JamericanSpice
You should come decorate my house! I love your post.
I almost shared that Enya song this week, but it wasn’t the one I was looking for.
I don’t really have any Christmas traditions, but I’m hoping to make some. Singing under the tree, allowing my kids to pick their own ornaments etc.
2. Nothing special. I’m sure special decor will come soon.
Aloha!
Julienne
What a pity it was too dark.
Thank you so much for your prayers for Col he is a much loved member of our community and he needs that miracle…I know it can happen.
I enjoyed your visit.
Icy BC
1) My tradition for the Holiday is making glass ornaments with my children, something I started after my divorce.
2) My special tradition is glass ornaments that the children made with the year and their name on them.
Maggie
I so enjoy seeing how everyone decorates their home st this special time of year.
Your tree is exquisite!
Dana @ Bungalow'56
Love your tree and now want to try making egg nog. Thank you for a post that definitely helped put in the spirit of the season.
Dana
Pondside
I’m such a lover of family traditions, Cathy, that this made me feel a little weepy – the tiny shoes on the tree are so lovely!
Judie
When my kids were little, they could open one gift on Christmas Eve. It was always new Christmas pajamas, so the morning photos showed them without their ragtag ones!!
beckyp
what a great post Such wonderful pictures. I love your tree. We usually get a real one but this year I found a fake one att eh consignment shop and I am in love Hopefully my hubby comes home before they close so I can go get it. We don’t really have any traditions in our family and i cant really say i have a favorite decoration….
and about Tamis comment My parents preserved my baby shoes as well I think they are bronzed but Im not sure how they did it
Gattina
We still haven’t frost, so I hope snow won’t come to quickly, and certainly not for Christmas we have to drive, lol !
Tami
Lovely photos. It didn’t snow where I live, but it did drop 20 degrees overnight. Brrrr! It would be nice to get snow on Christmas. The tiny shoes remind me of my first pair. My parents had them dipped and preserved (don’t ask me how, I have no clue).
Poetic Shutterbug
Cathy, what a wonderful post.
1. We used to have many traditions while my parents were alive yet now we really don’t have any but still enjoy the holiday.
2. I have an ornament of a Santa that I have had for decades. He is actually falling apart now but that ornament was mine to hang on the tree each year. We all had our specials. Now he sits is my curio cabinet with other mementos but brings back many happy memories.
Theresa
Extremely Enchanting:)
Leovi
The world of the elves. Sounds like a fun lifestyle.
anitamombanita
what a fun Christmasy post. The tiny shoes reminded me that my mom had a collection of itty bitty shoes…from all over the world. They’d actually make great Christmas tree decorations. Maybe we’ll have to do that one year.
Mrs B
What a lovely tree and village! I’ve always wanted to start a village, but I’ve hesitated because I’m not sure where I’d put it. I’ve built up quite a collection of decorations over the years.
I still can’t believe how quickly Christmas snuck up on me this year. We’re just heading out to get our tree this weekend!
Have a lovely rest of the week and weekend! ~Mrs B
Sue
What a great, Christmasy post. I somehow missed the notion that Santa’s elves were named, but I like it!
And I also love hearing some of the stories that go with your ornaments. Those are the best kind of tree decorations, aren’t they? They seem to sparkle the brightest when we remember something special with them.
And of course, Emmanuel. The reason for the season!
=)
Self Sagacity
yes, I love christmas decorations. I think garlands are my favorite, they are festive, easy to decorate and easy to clean. lol.
I don’t have traditions Cathy, I need to start some. We don’t do anything the same every year, for real.