christmas memories

Photo Gallery: A Beloved Christmas Tradition Continues

Posted by Barbara Techel
Photo Gallery: A Beloved Christmas Tradition Continues
Can you stand this card? I can’t stop looking at it – from my Sistah V – to me, because she knows my heart and my love of animals.

Everyone has one… that little child in them that is just waiting in anticipation to come out…especially, I think, during Christmas time.

It’s exactly how I feel waiting for the special day I have every December with my dear friend, Sistah V, and our Christmas celebration.

I’ve said it before, and I say again, that going to Sistah V’s house is like going to grandma’s. There is so much nostalgia within the walls of her home that it envelops my heart and is so reminiscent of those hugs one got from grandma as a small child.

And so it was again that the magic of Christmas filled my heart with joy once again, being with my Sistah V, wrapped in the warmth of her home sweet home, as we partook in simple joys and pleasures.

Sistah V’s tree, though the tinsel not on yet, always, always takes me back to how my grandma P.’s Christmas tree looked.

I love how the Christmas tree lights reflected off the photo on the wall. I simply love how she decorates and could just sit and look at all her special treasures ALL. DAY. LONG.

Our gifts awaiting to be opened…

But first! Time to pick out cookie cutters for cut-out cookies!

And while cookies baked and frosting began, we watched Journey Back to Christmas – a must see Hallmark movie! Well, aren’t all Hallmark movies a must see?!  

Cookies I decorated… and geesh… a blurry photo. Hmmmmm. Okay, true confession…. I had a glass of Bailey’s Irish Creme while decorating. This could explain things. 🙂

And before I left… one last moment of enjoying Sistah V’s decorations in the backyard, which you can see from her kitchen window.

Driving home, love of friendship filled my heart…thinking about the ending of the movie and how I was trying not to get all emotional… as you know those movies can make one do!  When just on cue, Sistah V cocked her head to the side, sitting across from me, sprinkles of various sugars and frosted fingers between us, she looked at me and we both had tears in our eyes.

Another memory firmly planted in my heart. A blessing so beautiful I find it hard sometimes to believe how truly lucky I am.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

One of My Favorite Christmas Traditions

Posted by Barbara Techel

20131222_101630One of my favorite Christmas traditions is spending the night at my dear friend’s house. She calls me Sistah B and I call her Sistah V. We’ve known each other for about 15 years now, though I feel like I’ve known her forever.

I’ve always referred going to her house as “going to Grandma’s.”

I LOVE all her holiday decorations. Many from days gone by. Sistah V is also a great cook. We always have yummy snacks and good things to eat.  She recently moved, and though the move was tough in many ways, her new home was just as warm and welcome. No matter where she goes I told her, it is because of her and all the sweet things that surround her, that makes it home no matter the street she lives on.

So I share a bit of my favorite tradition with a sneak peek inside my Sistah V’s house.

20131222_101703

20131222_101333

20131221_174854Partridge in a Pear Tree towel from my Sistah V

20131222_101448Moon and Star pj’s for my Sistah V who loves anything with moons and stars. Also bought her the pretty scarf.  Tasha the owl which I gave her for her birthday this past summer.

20131222_101243Sistah V surprised me by taking me to a darling little yarn shop in her town called Magpie Cottage. Once there I got to pick out something that she said she would knit for me.  Wait until you see the beautiful vest she is knitting me!  Here is sneak peek of colors.

20131222_094756Next morning got Gidget all snuggled up for the ride home.  Gidget’s ear just wouldn’t cooperate and stay tucked inside her scarf!

20131222_101907The view out Sistah V’s window (her sister plowing the driveway) right before we headed out.  Yup, we had a big snowstorm to drive home in. But made it home safe and sound.

Another year, another wonderful memory made.  Oh, how I love this Christmas tradition at Sistah V’s!