Keeping Traditions Alive

Traditions are important to me because they were passed down from my mother, and every year at Christmas I want to keep the traditions alive - the ones from my own mom and the ones that I created for my family when the kids were little.  Here's a few traditions that I hope to keep for years to come.

Sugar cookies are my

favorite cookies

of all, so I bake them

every year.

 

 

White Christmas is a must

to watch every season.

 

 

Wrapped presents with a

BIG black initial

was something that my mom

did for us kids, and

I carried on this tradition

with my own kids.

 

 

I still put pomegranates

in their stockings,

no matter what age they are. : )
 

 

We each have our own

holiday cups

on Christmas day
filled with hot chocolate
or eggnog.

 

 

These holiday cookies

are so yummy,

and as soon as I see them

in the store isles,

I buy a box to take home.

 

 

I put this trinket box

out every year and it's special

to me, as it belonged

to my mom.

She had it in her kitchen

all year long.

 

We listen to Burl Ives
while decorating
the tree.

 

There's nothing like

sending cards

and receiving cards in

the mail.  I hope

I never stop this tradition.

 

 

I try to explain to my girls

how important

family traditions really are.

They will one day

pass them on to their kids

and think about

their grandmother and mother,

while they tell them

stories of Christmas' past.

 

 

~Sheri

Leftovers!

We headed to Jess' for Thanksgiving dinner yesterday.  We started at 5:00 in the morning when it was dark out to beat the traffic, and we sure did.  It was a peaceful trip there with not many cars in sight.

We are in the mountains now, and it's so beautiful.

Jess lives 5 minutes from here.......it was so good to see the ocean again.

A place of lighthouses

gnarled and twisted trees

birds everywhere

and beautiful homes along the ocean that one usually dreams to own.

Jess greeted us with a fire when we got there.  She has one of the old wood burning stoves that you see from long ago.  Her house is charming, and the main room is open and spacious for guests.

 
She made some snacks for us before dinner - an idea she got on Pinterest.  Isn't this cute?

I love her balcony with its rustic charm.  She has this pretty patio set out there.

Look at the dress she was wearing.  The fabric looks like turkeys!

And now, the turkey's ready and time to eat.

Jess and her fiancé did a great job hosting their first Thanksgiving together.  She was calm and under control in the kitchen, and the table she set was lovely.  Now, I'm going to have some of the leftovers; maybe the turkey leg they wrapped up for me!

~Sheri

A Day Of Gratitude

These turkeys are

struttin' along to wish you

a Happy Thanksgiving.

 

 

We're very thankful

for You.

Enjoy your turkey!

 

~Sheri, Jess, Nel

Engagement Photo

This is one of Jess'

engagement photos, and

I wanted to share

it with you.

 

This cake topper

reminded me of Jess

cause the girl's

skinny.

hehehehe.

 

 

Jess is in the planning

stages of her

wedding right now,
and I want her to have
lots of fun
in the process.

 

 

~Sheri

I Appreciate You, Old

Some people prefer spending their time in the newer part of town.  Not me.  Oh, I like to visit the malls and theatres sometimes, but the older parts of towns with their history and charm have always pleased and welcomed me more.  Some of my fondest memories happened in the older parts of my town; meeting my brothers and sister for lunch, running into an old friend that was dear to my mom and dad, and the warm smiles when I pass through streets that have been there for 100 years.

Old downtown festivities

 

 

Old parks

 

 

Old streets

 

 

Old sweet shops

 

 

Old country roads

 

 

Old trees

 

 

Old churches with old

rose bushes

 

 

Old restaurants that serve

the best Chinese food

 

 

Old charming houses

 

 

Yes, the new is fun and exciting,

but the old captivates me,

and it has stolen

my heart with its comforting
and gentle manner.

 

~Sheri

 

Lingering Autumn

A lot of rain is supposed

to come our way,

so I'm enjoying Autumn

as long as I can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm still hangin' on to Autumn.

~Sheri

A Light for Paris

Our hearts and prayers go out to Paris. 

There can be light in even the darkest of times

where love is found. 

Paris, nous t'aimons. In these troubled times, may healing light and love guide your people to a place of peace. 

~ Sheri, Jess, & Nel ~