been full of love, light, hope, and forgiveness! I enjoy the whole season - from the
First Sunday of Advent all the way to the Epiphany! The day after Christmas through
the Epiphany is (for me) the "All is calm, all is bright" part of Silent Night. The gifts
have been bought, wrapped, and opened. The baking has been done and the (as in our
case) big family celebration is over (until the next get together)! We actually had two
big family get togethers this year:
Saturday, December 22nd, our oldest son and granddaughters drove in and arrived
about noon. By 2:30 p.m. the rest of our family began to arrive. We were blessed to
spend the afternoon and evening with all of our family; our children, their spouses, and
all ten of our grandchildren. The kids ranging in age from three years and nine
months to almost thirteen years old had a blast. The weather was perfect and it was a
beautiful day! They played basketball and hide n seek. They jumped on the trampoline
and played cards. I bought a new 300 piece puzzle (Nativity Scene) and placed it on the
card table in the living room. The puzzle was finished by the time everyone left. Our
son brought some homemade eggnog and it was great. We have our own traditions and
they change a little each year! Tamales and tortillas, beans and taco meat with all the
fixings (grated cheese, sour cream, hot sauce) chili con queso and chips! The motto in
our home is: "If you are hungry when you leave - it's your own fault!" Thank
you, Jesus, we always have plenty of food for our large family and for anyone else
who stops by! We had a "crazy sock exchange" and it was lots of fun. Everyone had
some type of decorated socks (Jim picked out "Wylie Coyote" and mine were the little
space guy). You fill one sock with small little items; candy, cards, lip balm, hot wheels,
gift cards, etc. and everyone picks a number - like a White Elephant Christmas gift
exchange. Anyway, there was a lot of laughter and we all had fun. Our oldest son
and granddaughters left on Sunday afternoon. Their visits are always too short but we
were so happy they were able to be with us! We decorated waffle cones with green
icing before they left. They looked like Christmas Trees! The cones were upside down
and we pressed M & M's into the frosting for decorations and we used gummy worms
for the garland! We really like that activity and the best part was you could eat them
when you were through! Jim and I went to Mass on Sunday evening and arrived early
enough to pray the rosary before Mass began.
Monday, December 24th, Christmas Eve - I still had a lot to do! I wrote out my list
and checked it twice! I was so happy when everything was done. We went to the
Christmas Eve Mass at 6:00 pm and it was beautiful, joyful, full of song and light!
Tuesday, December 25th, Christmas Day - Happy Birthday Jesus!
Jim and I made four loaves of beer bread. He sliced the ham and I put the beans on the
stove. The presents were all wrapped and the food was ready and our family arrived
once more. We were blessed with another "awesome weather day" and we gave thanks
to our Heavenly Lord. We stood in a circle in our living room and prayed together before
the grandchildren opened their presents. We reminded them to always be thankful and
to be kind to others. Our four youngest granddaughters handed out all the presents and
then the excitement began....pajamas and boots and books, oh my! Wrapping paper and
boxes were quickly picked up and out the door they ran. Our Christmas Day Meal is
not traditional but it works for us! You eat when you're hungry and there is plenty to
choose from; ham on beer bread or ham on Hawaiian Rolls (every kind of mustard and
mayo to choose from). Sausage balls, a bowl of beans, or a bowl of caldo (soup) or both
and or all of the above! Tamales left over from the Saturday before, chips, and quesadillas
made to order, are on the Ynostrosa Menu for Christmas Day and we thank God for it all
because we truly feel blessed!
We made edible Christmas Trees out of waffle cones once more; marshmallows, sprinkles,
gummy worms and M & M's, oh my! With green icing everywhere we sent them outdoors!
A lively and kind of rough basketball game ensued between the parents and the older
kids! My two J's (both of their names begin with J) he is 8 and she is 6 came in and
complained to me about the basketball game. I fixed them a drink and made them a
quesadilla and they sat side by side at the bar and ate. Their spirits picked up and I took
a cute picture of them - Nana knows how to make everything turn out all right! That's
my job - taking care of all my babies, my precious gifts from God.
It was a little after 9:00 pm when our home was quiet once more - Just Jim and I and
a peaceful, silent night. The hymn I love so, especially on Christmas Night!
Silent Night, Holy Night
All is calm, all is bright
I pray that this Season of Christmas brings you joy, love, and light!
Wherever you are, near or far
May God bless you and all those you love!
Christmas Peace and Blessings, Sharla
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