It snowed and we had a white Christmas. Apparently, the first one on this island since 2009!
Holly bush outside my balcony.I made this Christmas tree for my mother many years ago. (Remember when ceramics was all the rage?) It’s mine now. I am happy I took a lot of care when painting it. Always give your parents well-made things because they will become yours eventually. 😉
My daughter and son-in-law came over for an early Christmas dinner. We looked at each other and thought we had accidentally coordinated well, in black, red and plaid. We thought it would be good opportunity to take a Christmas photo. Clearly I am we are not good at this.
Photo fail #1. Do not show the remote shutter in the photo. Also (another note to self), do not take photos when hair is still wet and unbrushed.Photo fail #2 The one holding the remote shutter is not sure it is working.Photo fail #3 And then we decided we really needed to try to get more of the snowy background, well…in the background.Photo fail #4 Someone is distracted and not looking at the camera. Someone else is looking oddly and excitedly cheery. No, I was not drinking yet.Photo fail #5 We decided to move out onto the balcony. Daughter decided husband’s hair needed some attention.Photo fail #6 OK, this is really not working. Get it together, people.Photo fail #7 We give up, almost.Photo #8 Not a fail. Let’s quit while we are ahead, and eat!Roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon and balsamic glaze. Mmmmmmmmmmm.The glorious turkey of 2021. Soon to be expertly carved by the son-in-law.
A tiramisu was requested, which I had assembled a couple of days before.I decided to finish it with a Dutch twist, instead of cocoa powder: dark chocolate hail. The tagline (in red above the words Jumbo Hagelslag) translates to “a party on your sandwich”. Yes, Dutch people put chocolate on their sandwiches. What a country! 😉The final verdict was that it was no Widow Badass trifle, but it was tasty. Ignore the bloom on the hagelslag. Being a non-chocoholic, I can’t go through a box fast enough so why did I think it was a good idea to buy such a big box of the stuff? Beats me.Postprandial food coma relaxation.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas celebration, if you celebrate. I know I did.
Love the photos! Shows the time lapse with the hair drier by the end! The trick, apparently, is to let the tall people with longer arms do the selfie. Chocolate on a sandwich hey — chocoholic here says that seems a bit excessive. Glad you were able to gather and enjoy a silly silent (I bet not!) day. Bernie
If you think chocolate on a sandwich is excessive, I’m glad I didn’t mention the colourful candy sprinkles you can also buy for sandwiches 🤣. Perhaps I will get a box next time at the Dutch grocers, to show you. Thanks, Bernie 💕
Hi Deb – lovely to see the happiness and plaids! The main thing it was warming healthy (or otherwise) fodder for the shovelling ahead. I remember those snow days – I think it snowed on the 18th … but must have cleared off for Christmas – then came down again. I remember … it was a shock for me – but at least pretty. Enjoy the festive week ahead. xoxo
Son-in-law was called out in the evening to do a snow plowing shift so he was well and truly fueled for that exercise after our rich meal. Thank you, Hilary 💕
I wouldn’t call #6 & 7 fails. Fun! Does snow on the island contribute to the Christmas feeling? In NE Alberta this morning, it’s -35C. Just finished reading a book by Plum Johnson, They Left Us Everything, a memoir about purging the huge family home after her parents’ death. I don’t think she got a ceramic Christmas tree but she he did leave with the special gate latch. The thing that resonates with me from the book is that she thinks purging parents’ home helps the next generation know them better (hmmm). Merry Christmas.
I think it is better to get to know the previous generation while they are still alive. So many things I would love to talk to my mom (and dad) about, and it comes years too late. Snow contributes to the Christmas feeling anywhere in the north, I think. I remember my first green Christmas back in Ontario…I was newly married (for the first time) and so depressed about it I shut all the drapes in our home and pretended there was snow outside. I have adjusted by now (thank you, climate change) since a white Christmas became something special instead of something to be expected. Thank you 💕
Looking at your selfies reminds me of the silliness that ensued when we would try to do selfies together. The common thread is … well, you! Do not lose any of your style!!! It works 🙂
It appears that your Christmas was exactly what it’s supposed to be … precious time with loved ones, laughter, memory-making, and the inevitable ‘crash’ that comes with hard work, followed by hard play ❤️
Btw – yes, I remember chocolate sprinkles on toast. It was the quirky goodness of having a Dutch mother!!
Love your photos. You guys were clearing having a lot of fun. I also love your old ceramic tree. My nieces collects them, started out with the one her grandmother made. I’ve never seen one with the gifts underneath. If I show her yours she’ll be in lust.
That tree has to be around 30 years old! I used to have a rather plain glazed one, that I paid a coworker to make for me. I wonder whatever happened to it…hmmmmm. Must have left it behind when I fled my first marriage. Thank you, Jean!
Lovely photos Deb. You look like you were having a fun time. It was a pared down Christmas for us this year. Only 8 for dinner and we were all roaring with laughter.
Leslie xoxo
Wonderful Christmasy photos, Deb, and the out-takes + captions are great! Gotta love a family that can enjoy seashell Jesus, ceramic Christmas trees, & chocolate on sandwiches. 💕 Wheeee – onward to New Year’s!
Photo #6 is definitely my favorite! Your turkey looks perfectly roasted and I envy your eventual turkey soup. Although I would have preferred the Black Forest Trifle (although I’m not a chocoholic either), your tiramisu looks pretty yummy. Enjoy your winter wonderland.
There is something empowering about holding that remote isn’t there? No ‘say cheese’, or ‘1,2,3 smile’, just click away and let the magic happen. And, it did!
It looks like you had a lovely (and delicious) Christmas celebration. Thank you for sharing your photo “fails.” I feel better knowing I’m not the only one that gets the remote in the photo. Happy New Year! Here’s to all the adventures we’ll have in 2022!
That holly-in-the-snow photo would make a lovely Christmas card. I’m very impressed by your ceramic Christmas tree. Merry Christmas and all the best in 2022!
An exceptionally beautiful post on many levels, Deb. I love your photo of the holly bush! Flash back on the ceramic Christmas trees. The selfie photos made me smile. What fun! Chuck and I ‘tried’ to take some selfies New Year’s eve and in most of them we look like the munchkins in the Wizard of Oz……either the angle of the photos?……or we ACTUALLY look like the munchkins! Happy New Year!❤️
Would love to see the two of you as munchkins! Heck, would love to see the two of you, period. 🤞🤞🤞for getting together this new year! Thank you very much, Erica 💕
Looks like a lovely time was had by all! Merry Christmas!
Thank you 💕 It was lovely to spend Christmas Day with other people, for a change 😁.
Love the photos! Shows the time lapse with the hair drier by the end! The trick, apparently, is to let the tall people with longer arms do the selfie. Chocolate on a sandwich hey — chocoholic here says that seems a bit excessive. Glad you were able to gather and enjoy a silly silent (I bet not!) day. Bernie
If you think chocolate on a sandwich is excessive, I’m glad I didn’t mention the colourful candy sprinkles you can also buy for sandwiches 🤣. Perhaps I will get a box next time at the Dutch grocers, to show you. Thanks, Bernie 💕
Hi Deb – lovely to see the happiness and plaids! The main thing it was warming healthy (or otherwise) fodder for the shovelling ahead. I remember those snow days – I think it snowed on the 18th … but must have cleared off for Christmas – then came down again. I remember … it was a shock for me – but at least pretty. Enjoy the festive week ahead. xoxo
Son-in-law was called out in the evening to do a snow plowing shift so he was well and truly fueled for that exercise after our rich meal. Thank you, Hilary 💕
Love the selfies. The fails are perfect!
Thank you, Rivergirl 💕. I like them too but then I am a fan of goofiness 😁.
Glorious ivy!
I couldn’t get a shot of the ivy (it was already buried under the snow) but the holly did look spectacular.. Thanks, RG 💕
Stupid phone. That’s what I meant!
🥴
@#%!&! Technology!!!!😫
I wouldn’t call #6 & 7 fails. Fun! Does snow on the island contribute to the Christmas feeling? In NE Alberta this morning, it’s -35C. Just finished reading a book by Plum Johnson, They Left Us Everything, a memoir about purging the huge family home after her parents’ death. I don’t think she got a ceramic Christmas tree but she he did leave with the special gate latch. The thing that resonates with me from the book is that she thinks purging parents’ home helps the next generation know them better (hmmm). Merry Christmas.
I think it is better to get to know the previous generation while they are still alive. So many things I would love to talk to my mom (and dad) about, and it comes years too late. Snow contributes to the Christmas feeling anywhere in the north, I think. I remember my first green Christmas back in Ontario…I was newly married (for the first time) and so depressed about it I shut all the drapes in our home and pretended there was snow outside. I have adjusted by now (thank you, climate change) since a white Christmas became something special instead of something to be expected. Thank you 💕
Looking at your selfies reminds me of the silliness that ensued when we would try to do selfies together. The common thread is … well, you! Do not lose any of your style!!! It works 🙂
It appears that your Christmas was exactly what it’s supposed to be … precious time with loved ones, laughter, memory-making, and the inevitable ‘crash’ that comes with hard work, followed by hard play ❤️
Btw – yes, I remember chocolate sprinkles on toast. It was the quirky goodness of having a Dutch mother!!
Thank you, Joanne 💕 Yes, it was exactly what Christmas is supposed to be. You nailed it!
Love your photos. You guys were clearing having a lot of fun. I also love your old ceramic tree. My nieces collects them, started out with the one her grandmother made. I’ve never seen one with the gifts underneath. If I show her yours she’ll be in lust.
That tree has to be around 30 years old! I used to have a rather plain glazed one, that I paid a coworker to make for me. I wonder whatever happened to it…hmmmmm. Must have left it behind when I fled my first marriage. Thank you, Jean!
Lovely photos Deb. You look like you were having a fun time. It was a pared down Christmas for us this year. Only 8 for dinner and we were all roaring with laughter.
Leslie xoxo
That’s wonderful, Leslie! Thank you 💕
Wonderful Christmasy photos, Deb, and the out-takes + captions are great! Gotta love a family that can enjoy seashell Jesus, ceramic Christmas trees, & chocolate on sandwiches. 💕 Wheeee – onward to New Year’s!
I feel so SEEN 🤣. Thank you, Del 💕
What awesome pics! None of them are fails to me! And your turkey looks delicious!
Thank you, Donna 💕 The turkey was (and still is) pretty darn tasty!
Photo #6 is definitely my favorite! Your turkey looks perfectly roasted and I envy your eventual turkey soup. Although I would have preferred the Black Forest Trifle (although I’m not a chocoholic either), your tiramisu looks pretty yummy. Enjoy your winter wonderland.
Truth be told, that photo is my favourite too 😍. Thank you, Janis 💕
Great photos! Looks like a wonderful day. Thanks for sharing your joy.
Loved doing so! Thank you, Janet Mary 💕
Looks so nice! And the brussel sprouts!!! YUM!!!
They were so yum I have to make more soon! Thank you, Dawn 💕
I was having difficulty commenting on your blog, but it looks like I can comment on it now. Strange. I hope you had a merry Christmas.
I did! I hope you did too, TG. Thanks 💕
There is something empowering about holding that remote isn’t there? No ‘say cheese’, or ‘1,2,3 smile’, just click away and let the magic happen. And, it did!
Yes, so true! Thank you, Suzanne 💕
It looks like you had a lovely (and delicious) Christmas celebration. Thank you for sharing your photo “fails.” I feel better knowing I’m not the only one that gets the remote in the photo. Happy New Year! Here’s to all the adventures we’ll have in 2022!
Hehehe! That makes me feel better too. Yes, to 2022 adventures! Thanks, Christie 💕
Photo fails are awesome. No turkey for us this year… grilled shish kabob for 25 Savages.
Sounds delicious! Thanks, Kieran 💕
Not as good as your turkey or dessert looked.
They were mighty tasty!
That holly-in-the-snow photo would make a lovely Christmas card. I’m very impressed by your ceramic Christmas tree. Merry Christmas and all the best in 2022!
Jude
Thank you, Jude 💕 Same to you!
Happy New Year! Stay safe, have fun, let’s hope 2022 is a good one.
Thank you, Wendy 💕 Same to you!
LOL!! You had me laughing with you while going through the images of you guys. I love #’s 6,7, and 8!!
The food looks delicious. We had a white Christmas as well it was lovely and I can see yours was too and silly! Never lose that gift!! 🥰
An exceptionally beautiful post on many levels, Deb. I love your photo of the holly bush! Flash back on the ceramic Christmas trees. The selfie photos made me smile. What fun! Chuck and I ‘tried’ to take some selfies New Year’s eve and in most of them we look like the munchkins in the Wizard of Oz……either the angle of the photos?……or we ACTUALLY look like the munchkins! Happy New Year!❤️
Would love to see the two of you as munchkins! Heck, would love to see the two of you, period. 🤞🤞🤞for getting together this new year! Thank you very much, Erica 💕
How cool is that? A white Christmas???? Giggled at your photo fails and a great big yum for those sprouts! Happy new year.
Thank you, Jo 💕 Same to you!