Merry Christmas!! Oh such tidings of joy. This morning Terry and I loaded our sleigh and headed to the Farm to celebrate Christmas Day with the whole family. I was beyond myself with excitement. This year, Grandmother Ginny, Phyllis and DJ joined the whole clan and it was a dream come true. They arrived Christmas Eve and I just couldn’t wait to see them. If memory serves, the last time we were all together in Sumner County for Christmas had to be sometime in the late 70’s so this is indeed a blast from the past.
The entire house was decorated to sheer holiday perfection. I think even Mrs. Claus could garner a few hints. The den had trees laden with lights and ornaments and overflowing with the most beautifully wrapped packages. It was a feast for the eyes.
The kitchen and pantry were full of whimsy with red and white polka dotted mixing bowls, holiday tins, hand towels, vintage dishes and miniature trees.
Walking into the sun room was like stepping back in time with its white Christmas tree, silvery tinsel garland draped around all the windows and holiday LP’s waiting to be played on the turntable.
All the bedrooms were also adorned with whimsical trees, holiday accent pillows, snuggly throws, sequined boxes, sparkly baubles, Christmas Villages aglow, fresh floral arrangements on bedside tables and stockings hung with care. Every nook and cranny was designed to evoke visions of sugar-plums dancing in their heads.
The dining room also had its very own table top Christmas tree brimming with homemade and personalized photo ornaments from years gone by. The table was set with a sparkly, nature inspired theme. Eye-catching red chargers held plates with a charming, wintry scene while a rustic basket was layered with pine boughs, stems of snowy, white cotton and sun-bleached antlers as the centerpiece.
Christmas lunch was a bounty of goodness. A turkey roasted to golden perfection, was served alongside sliced honey baked ham, mashed potatoes swimming in melted butter, creamy mac and cheese, green peas, green beans, deviled eggs, cranberry relish, confetti corn and Janice’s famous cornbread dressing.
Each place setting also had its very own Christmas popper filled with paper crowns and silly jokes that tumbled out when snapped. We popped our poppers and shared our riddles which were wonderfully juvenile and absolutely hilarious. Who is the most famous skeleton detective? Sherlock Bones…I rest my case.
We also enjoyed a host of desserts including Jill’s towering, three layered cake frosted with a gorgeous basket weave pattern and accented with red, white and green fondant ornaments with golden finial caps. In addition to that, we savored Dad’s lip puckering homemade key lime pie with its crumbly graham cracker crust and his pecan pie with its homemade flaky crust and filling that was gooey, sweet and nutty.
When we could just not eat another single bite, we made our way into the den to indulge in a cavalcade of fun. The room was laden with beautifully wrapped gifts, each chosen to evoke joy and happiness for its intended.
The kitchen and pantry are decked out.
Grandmother enjoyed Josh and Jill’s master suite which they so graciously shared. It was dreamy.
DJ slept in Levi’s room which was all aglow.
How cute is Phyllis’ attic oasis.
Table top tree in the dining room with all sorts of homemade and photo ornaments.
Festive dining room table.
Getting ready for the feast.
Isn’t this a fun kids table or what?
One special Christmas, in a galaxy far, far away, Santa paid a special visit to Phyllis. She must have been a very good girl that year because Santa left a trail of Coca-Cola’s that wended their way from her upstairs bedroom, across hallway, down and around a stairwell, transversing another hallway, through a dining room into a kitchen alighting to its final destination underneath the Christmas tree. Well, she must have been exceptionally good girl this year because Santa once again magically bestowed her with her beloved Coca-Colas. Would could be better than a trail of Coca-Colas? It is the Real Thing after all.
All the kiddos are armed and ready for a Nerf battle.
Dad surprised Janice, Jill and me with hilarious socks that read, “If you can read this, leave me alone, I am watching Hallmark movies.”
Levi surprised Josh and Jill with a sweet gift. It is indeed all about family.
DJ and Levi both received new boots. Cool boots for cool dudes.
These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do, one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you.
Thank you Nancy Sinatra.
Janice and Jill worked their little fingers to the bone making homemade fringed, fleece throw blankets. Aren’t they just the best?
Not to be left out, Phyllis reacts with joyful surprise as she receives her very own cozy, reindeer throw blanket.
I also received a host of wonderful and thoughtful gifts. To my sheer and utter delight, I also received a homemade blanket from Janice and Jill. I am filled with overwhelming joy, deep appreciation and have shed tears of happiness. The 1930’s pattern is nostalgic and full of whimsy with its pink, red and green plaids, candy canes, holly, and rosy cheeked Santas. You have created an instant heirloom.
Speaking of Coca-Cola, Elijah received the ultimate gift, a case of personalized bottled Cokes. What a lucky boy!
Jill admires Levi’s hand painted wrapping paper from Roy. Inside…a North Face jacket. Nice.
Drinking vessels were also a big hit.
Terry received the coveted WeatherTek floor and cargo mats for our Jeep.
Levi, Lily and Elijah all received very special photos, printed on glass of the fun day we spent cutting and stacking firewood this past November.
All the kiddos also received a smiley face, pancake and waffle maker for our budding chefs.
Books and journals were all the rage. This is a family that consumes the written word.
Levi picked out the cutest Lenox dessert plates and mugs for Gigi.
Uh, huh, huh. It’s the King mama. Phyllis receives a life-size Elvis for her office.
Levi receives a popcorn making kit. He is the ultimate popcorn maker.
Dad and Janice open a pair of mugs from the Cocoa Palms Resort in Kauai, Hawaii to mark the occasion of their 30th wedding anniversary.
Mele Kalikimaka!
