Wednesday, December 11, 2013

'Tis the Season Blog Tour

The girls at Red Rose Alley are delighted to join in our sweet friend Jemma's 'Tis the Season Blog Tour.


Around here, 'tis the season for holiday traditions! We wanted to share some of our favorites with YOU.


There's nothing more fun than decking the halls with our favorite holiday decor to kick off the Christmas season. This year Sheri went with traditional red, silver, and white.







Holiday baking makes the season even sweeter. Pour in a few ingredients...


mix it all up...


and soon the house is filled with the warm and sugary scent of fresh-baked goods. Jess makes cookie tins for her friends every year--sugar cookies, rice crispy treats, Russian tea cookies, and gooey chocolate chip.


When the kids were little, the family would spend cozy fire-lit evenings gathered around the Christmas tree singing all our favorite carols. The music of the season puts us in the holiday spirit every year.  




After Christmas Eve mass we come home to enjoy a festive holiday meal. Dad makes his traditional French onion soup, and in these last few years we've been pairing it with a hearty side, like this yummy truffle-oil, bacon-Gouda mac and cheese.  
 
 
Like most kids, Jess, Nel, and their brother couldn't wait to open presents on Christmas Day--so we started the tradition of opening just one on Christmas Eve.


All our presents from Santa are marked with a big black initial. It's always a treat to see a S, J, or D under the tree.
 

Each and every year, we make a point to spend the season celebrating and giving thanks for the many blessings we have in our lives. And we're especially thankful for YOU, dear friends. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy season of celebrating your own holiday traditions.  


Thank you, Jemma, for inviting us to be a part of your 'Tis the Season Blog Tour! To all our merry friends, we hope you'll be sure to check out the creative bloggers who are spreading the holiday cheer this week!


Monday, December 9th
The Cafe Sucre Farine
At Home with Jemma

Tuesday, December 10th
Poppy View

Wednesday, December 11th
Home and Lifestyle Design

Thursday, December 12th
Cozy Little House
Comfy House

Friday, December 13th
The Feathered Roost

Saturday, December 14th
Across the Way
The Dedicated House

A happy Christmas season to you!

~ Sheri, Jess, & Nel ~

44 comments:

Dewena said...

You can't beat red, silver and white for color theme at Christmas! I can tell that you're all set for Christmas and for Christmas Eve with one present each to unwrap--it was always pajamas for us! And to come back from Christmas Eve service to a meal of French Onion Soup and that marvelous Mac 'n Cheese, wow! And then some of Jess' cookies for dessert, nice!

I'm sure your friends love the tins of Christmas cookies, do they return them for refills? People don't seem to prepare gift tins anymore at Christmas but what a nice gift it is.

I enjoyed very much getting to know the family of Red Rose Alley today and your beautiful home, and through our tours!

Merry Christmas Sheri, Jess, and Nel!

Patty Rumaker said...

Thanks so much for sharing your holiday traditions and what wonderful traditions they are. I used to give and receive holiday tins of cookies and other treats, but it just hasn't happened recently, but maybe it should! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Sheri Jess and Nel,
I love the tour and seeing all your wonderful décor. Your traditions are so endearing. I have used the same colors this year in some areas and just love it.
Christmas cookies baking and gifts ready to open is so special. Love how you have marked them in initials. What a great idea. I can't pick a favorite decoration as they all are so perfect. Singing carols round the tree is something we did and still do every year.
So enjoyed your home tour. It is a magical and cozy spot to celebrate the season and the birth of the Christ child.
Thank you for sharing.
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and many blessings always.
Love, Celestina Marie

Miky said...

Dear friends I love your holiday traditions ;)
Happy Holiday
Miky

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Oh Sheri and Girls!!
This post is so beautiful,heart warming and above all an incredible expression of your love for one another and the special traditions which you honor each Christmas! Could your decorations be any more delightful! I love your treasured Italian Hutch a true gift from your dear husband. Our entire family would love this mac and cheese recipe.
Thank you for your friendship and for joining Tis The Season!

Love,
Jemma

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Beautiful Christmas decorations. I love how you put the initial on each child's package.
It's so wonderful to have traditions and carry them on through the years.
Love your colors and they look lovely. Thanks so much for sharing this terrific post.
Mary

Grace said...

what a lovely post and wonderful traditions. Your home looks so pretty. Grace xoox

Poppy said...

Hi Sheri, Jess and Nell,

What delightful traditions in your household, all so festive and fun! From the charming decorations and the feast of French onion soup and the rich, truffle-oil, bacon-Gouda mac and cheese, to the one-gift opening on Christmas Eve, (something we always did, too!), your holidays must be full of warmth and cheer!

Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!

Poppy

oldthings said...

So lovely Christmas traditions !
I liked your season decor and the cookies ! The packages look pretty by these delight colors ! Thank you for sharing all your traditions !

Brenda Pruitt said...

How festive and cheerful! Happy Holidays to you!
Brenda

Nely said...

You have a wonderful Christmas tradition,I relaly like Christmas in Amerika,I hope to spend one holiday in America...
Have happy Holidays to you!
Hugs
Nely

Barbara said...

I love Christmas (family) traditions and I've surely enjoyed this wonderful post. Those fresh baked cookies look delicious, I wish the WEB has a scent button :)

Hugs for y'all!
B.

Susie said...

Sheri, It all looks so very Christmasy. I love the snow globe:):) Gooey cookies to snack on too. Oh yum. Hope all of you are enjoying your lovely decorations. xoxo,Susie

Anonymous said...

EEEeeee!!! How fun, fun, fun!! Can I come over and play with all the pretties? Save me a cookie, please. :)
I spy an ornament from Italy. Well, I have one just like it and it was made in Italy. Pinocchio. :) He's actually among my top five favorite ornaments, okay 10...cannot tell a lie. teehee
Oh, how I love Jemma's tour. Thank you so much for introducing me to her, Sheri.
Thank you for sharing all this goodness, girls.
xoxo's

tammy j said...

these tours are so much fun!
wonderful peeks into such creative and beautiful lives and homes.
i love your traditions ~ the dinner and santa's big initial marks! and the snow globes! my favorites always. but the little reindeer . . . captured my heart.
i enjoyed this post so much i had to go back and read every december post. especially like nel's idea of making a book mark!
simply lovely!!!
thanks for the tour red rose. ♥

Melanie said...

I loved seeing all your beautiful decorations, including the presents...hmm, wonder what Santa brought to your house? ;-) Thanks for sharing your home and beautiful Christmas decor with all of us!

Jenna Leigh said...

Awh, so pretty :)

I hope you can come over and return the favor. :)

http://abeautifulheart07.blogspot.com/2013/12/baby-its-cold-outside.html

Patricia said...

Beautiful pics, Sheri, love your red/white/silver and you have some gorgeous ornaments. The pile of presents look tempting and attractive, and you are so organised! I am still buying, and have only wrapped a few. Best wishes for a perfectly wonderful and delicious Christmas to you all!

Anonymous said...

Everything looks so festive. The cookies and mac and cheese look so yummy. Love the big black initial that Santa leaves on the presents. Lovely tour!

TARYTERRE said...

LOVE your color scheme for the holidays. BEautiful decorations. I love French Onion soup. What a wonderful tradition.

Anonymous said...

Everything looks very cheerful and festive Sheri! French Onion soup is one of my very favorite! Have fun!

NanaDiana said...

I see you got hit by that International Spammer. He/She/It are working overtime this year! I love all your decorations. It all looks just great. We do ONE Present on Christmas Eve too and it is always new pajamas!;>) xo Diana

Khammany said...

Loved the tour! The cookies look so good! I can almost smell them!

Imogen said...

Thanks so much for a gorgeous post, this is my favourite post from your blog. It's so sweet and beautiful that you have so many traditions, I think that makes Christmas extra special. The red silver and white decor is pretty and I love how it provides such a holiday feel. I'm completely in love with the polar bear snow globe- I really want one of them! Thank you too for being such wonderful friends. It's been a true joy getting to know you this year.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning girls! I am late, but nonetheless happy to celebrate with my girls...thank you for the cookies, the warm greetings, the candle to light my way. So much love here, I can feel it.

Bless you all! Anita

Patricia said...

French soup and cheese from Holland :)
What a lovely Christmas traditions!
I love the star!

miss b said...

I always enjoy reading about Christmas family traditions and it's surprising how these develop often from a one off event. French onion soup and a special mac and cheese - they sound like the perfect comfort too. The polar bear snow gloobe is adorable.
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

Yuli Conversations said...

OMG! So cute! I love how you decorated your home! Everything is just so magical to the last detail, Christmas is the best!
Yuli
yuliconversations.blogspot.com

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

I love your holiday traditions and decor! Thanks for sharing your loveliness on the 'Tis the Season tour. Hope you have a lovely weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

Ivy and Elephants said...

Thanks for the sweet holiday wishes and sharing your traditions with us.
I'll have to try that mac ans cheese of your, sounds yum!
Hugs,
Patti

hi-d said...

So pretty! Love the Christmas music too. I had to start before Thanksgiving. haha...Have a beautiful Christmas!!!

Beauty Follower said...

Hello my ladies!
Lovely xmas decor and food :)

http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr/

Redecórate con Lola Godoy said...

Hello, thanks. Yes, I'm Spanish from Andalucía. I speak 4 languages. I studied design and I work in orthopedics. makes prostheses but I love the world of handmade. You're always welcome in my blog. Kisses and hugs.

Jan Hermann said...

Oh what fun...seeing all of your beautiful Christmas ornaments and decorations...and I can almost smell those delicious looking cookies!! Would you mind passing one through the screen? I hope that works on your end!! LOL!!!

Merry Christmas!! ♥

Anonymous said...

Beautifull pics!
pretty idea!

Susie Swanson said...

Everything looks so beautiful. I love red, silver and white together. Thanks for sharing your beautiful decorations with us. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Love and hugs.

Riitta Sinikka said...

♥♥♥

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning most darling Sheri...

What a delight to wake up and see your comment. It blesses me so that you would come again to leave a word, to not want the magic to end. I never want it to end, never. And you know what? It won't end. There is something greater than us that will never let the dream die.

Big hugs to you and I leave next Friday for CALIFORNIA! How I wish I could meet you. LOVE! Anita

September Violets said...

I love all your Christmas traditions and decorating. It's nice to have the same routines to look forward to during the holidays. I had a friend who used to change her kids into red pajamas in the middle of the night while they were sleeping ... it was Santa's gift to magically change them into new red pj's every Christmas Eve. It's so fun to get treat the kids with all this excitement. Thanks for sharing your beautiful decorations. Wendy x

Unknown said...

I am so excited to see this post and that gorgeous silver star from my Stylemindhic Boutique shining brightly. I looks so at home in your lovely abode. I always wonder where those little beauties will end up so this makes me so happy. You all have some lovely holiday decor and the warm family traditions that go along with it. The french onion soup with truffle mac n cheese sounds amazing. Enjoy every moment and thanks for opening your holiday to us. Cheers ladies!
xx, Heather

Ricki Treleaven said...

How much fun, ladies! I love the tour. Everything looks so festive! I bet y'all have fantastic family parties during Christmas.

xo,
RJ

Kristie said...

Sheri,

What a wonderful Christmas tour of your favorite memories! The Mac and Cheese looks so yummy...I'm hungry, I guess you can tell because my eyes and stomach had me looking at the food. LOL I love the silver star with gold...so pretty.

It sounds like you and your family are rich in tradition and enjoy the holidays so much. Merry Christmas, Sherri and family and Happy New Year!

Mary Palumbo Collings said...

Girls, All of your traditions sound so wonderful. Continue enjoying the Season!
XO Mary

Palomasea said...

Festive indeed! Thank you for sharing all of this warmth and beauty!
And I love your tradition of a present from Santa...the magic lives on... :)

Thank you so much, dearest Sheri, for all of your visits... I appreciate every kind word.

Blessings and warm hugs,
- Irina