Let's Celebrate!!!

"May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door and happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas..."

Welcome! It is a "Celebration of Traditions"!

This is the time of year when traditions are very important. Important because of  connections...

Connections to the past...

The future...

Young...

Old...

Connections to loved ones...

New friends...

Humankind...

So let's celebrate!!!

When I think of our traditions... the first thing I think of is the joy that this season has always brought me. I truly believe!

BELIEVE!

I always have and I always will. My parents, grandparents, and sister were responsible for my belief. Elves would peek in the windows and report any misbehavior to Santa... so you knew you better behave.. or else! We once went on a drive to look at lights... and who did we see... but the jolly ol' man himself looking in someone's window. Boy! I was sure hoping whoever lived there was being good! And I knew then and there that he was REAL! Nobody could convince me otherwise... then or now!

I remember sitting on Santa's lap every year...

See... it all started when I was a wee one!

I hope I was successful in passing the gift of believing onto my children.

Another tradition...

Food!

I come from a long line of fabulous cooks. My Grandmas, my Mom, my Aunts... they always had plates of wonderful sweets...

Bon bons... penuche... ribbon candy...

Not only were they tasty... they were so beautiful to look at!

And cookies... oh my... cut-out sugar cookies... thumbprints... spritz... and my all time favorite... Ginger Lace cookies... Mom's specialty!

One tradition that remains very important to me is making my home festive. Making it a welcoming place. My Mom and my Grandmas always had such beautiful decorations. The sparkling lights... the greenery.. wreaths, candles.... and most of all the tree... oh the tree... how I still love decorating the tree...

A recent tradition in my little family... which is still a favorite of my very grown up little girl, is visiting a "Living Nativity", put on each year by a nearby church. She reminds us of it each year.

The tradition that means the most to me is going to Christmas Eve services. We always went as children... I remember receiving brown sacks filled with apples and peanuts. The music brings forth so many emotions. At the end of the service... the lights are dimmed and candles are lit as we sing the final hymn of the evening... Silent Night... I truly can not get through that song without weeping. Even though my Grandparents are all gone... I hear their voices singing along with me... oh how I miss them.

After church, we gather with family.

Family is such an important part of our traditions. Through memories of past celebrations...the excitement of the present celebration... or the thought of future celebrations... family is always there. Even though we can not always be together at the holidays...the love and joy and warmth is with us all...near or far. Loved ones are in our hearts always...

These traditions are quite simple and probably not unusual... but they mean so much to me and my family.

Please visit one another and share the joy of everyone's traditions! Click on the links below...

Have a wonderful celebration...

eb,   Leslie,   Amy,  Michelle,  Sandra,  Vanessa,  Cindy,  Mary,  Vickie,  Linda,  Lisa,  Robin,  Carol,  Darly,  Lea,  Heidi,  Teresa,  Becky,  Mary Beth,  Mel,  Dede,  Gretchen,  Natalie,  Michelle,  Karin,   Heather,  Carolyn,  Maija,  Jana,  Maggie,  Cindy,  Stephanie,  Annie

Comments

[Maija Lepore]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories, Jill! I want to create some new traditions this year for my family. I still want to have my memories with my mom when she was alive, but I need the distraction of creating new ones with my children!

[Robin~Thrifty Miss Priss]

Hi Jill! Love your pictures - just adorable sister dresses! The ribbon candy really brought back some memories! Sticky teeth and fingers but so yummy! Thanks for hosting the "Traditions" get together! I've enjoyed recalling all those memories. I can't wait to see everyone else's posts!
Robin

[Karin (creativechaos)]

I love all the pictures! That ribbon candy is a work of art! Thanks so much for doing this.....I had so much fun writing my post and thinking of all the new traditions I am creating for my children. Christmas was a magical time for me as a child. My mom was a single mom of 5 kids, but I came from a huge family of close knit aunts, uncles, cousin and grandparents. I really believed in Santa too. And sometimes even as an adult I still believe! Merry Christmas!

[eb]

Oh Jill - what a beautiful post! - bringing back all those memories of sharing and the innocence and joy of childhood - you are truly the keeper of the flame... so wish we were closer in proximity to share these traditions as we did as children - thank you creating these connections...

xox - eb.

[Gretchen]

Your pictures evoke such warmth and memories of my own. What a fabulous idea this was, Jill. Enjoy your festively decorated house, the yummy cookies, and, of course, Silent Night. Blessings!

[Maggie]

Good Morning Jill,

Thank you for sharing the special traditions in your family. I hope today is the start to many more wonderful traditons. See you soon!
I have reposted again! XOX

[eb]

yikes - its red now - colors are so tricky aren't they?... I like this red... I'm having so much fun hopping around the tradition tree - what a great idea Jill! - lots of wonderful inspiration...

xox - eb.

[Vickie]

Thanks again Jill. It's so nice to think of these and to see the special memories of others. We always had lots of cookies and candies and good food too. I love your pictures and traditions. Bless you for doing this!

[stephanie]

Jill,
This was a very special treat to share in a world of celebration. Love the pictures you have of you and e.b!
http://rodrigvitzstyle.typepad.com/rodrigvitz_style/2007/12/sharing-in-cele.html

peace,
steph

[AnnieElf]

There are our traditions. More to come as I add to this year.
http://scenesfromaslowmovingtrain.blogspot.com/2007/12/jill-over-at-follow-your-bliss-has.html

[Mom & Dad]

Dear Jill...this is a most eloquent and beautiful post. You have renewed many of my memories of Christmas Past. How time flies from the time you and Beth were little girls til now! I am so pleased that you still BELIEVE!
Beth will remember waking you in the wee hours of Dec.25 when Mr. and Mrs. Santa were safely in bed undisturbed, and delivery complete. I confess now, how Dad and I listened to hear two little girls "ooo and aw" as they discovered the bounty under the Christmas tree ,which some how or by Magic, Santa had been to visit!
Cherished memories and mnay more...and hopefully they continue as time passes. XOX, Mom

[Mom & Dad]

PS....The photos are wonderful as is the beautiful Christmas music accompaning you Post! Those ginger lace cookies look so yummy! What a pair of gorgeous Christmas Babies sitting on Santa's lap! XOX, Mom

[Leslie]

Awwww, such a cute picture of you and Beth sitting on Santa's lap! I can see that the traditions of Christmas have always been celebrated in your family, and how important those traditions are to all of you. Thank you so much for sharing them and these beautiful images! And thank you for hosting this delightful Christmas blog hop! Such a wonderful idea.

Oh, and I LOVE your banner! I wish I knew how to do that.

Merry Christmas!

[A Fanciful Twist]

OH How wonderful!! I have many a photos of sitting on Santa's lap and screaming my head off!!!

Your family love and creativity exudes!!!! Thank you for sharing and letting us share!!! xoxoox

[Mosaic Queen]

Thank you for hosting this celebration Jill. So sorry I'm late! We had a party a holiday party at our house last night that lasted until the wee hours.....and I'm still recovering.
I Love the photos with Santa. I remember having one with my sister, but I have no idea where it is now :-(
Happy, Happy Holidays to you!!!!!!!
Hugs!!!
Michelle

[carol]

Thanks for hosting the event, Jill, and for sharing your traditions and photos!
Carol

[eb]

just posted some woodland holiday traditions - could you link me as eb please - this is so cool Jill - loving it...

http://www.elizabethbunsen.typepad.com

xox - eb.

[nita from red tin heart]

Your pictures are wonderful. xoxo Nita

[lisavc]

Love your header Jill :) and the old photo of you and sis and Santa..gorgeous.

[Jana]

I, too, am loving your new blog look, pics and this lovely post!! I'll be posting on my blog soon. Hope you had a wonderful time down here in my neck of the woods....it sure was warm & muggy when you were here, huh?

[Dede Warren]

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Jill. I finally got my post up!!!

[Cindy (JunqueArt)]

Jill thanks so much for getting us all together to share this holiday season. Your post is so great! I felt as if I were sitting in your home all cuddled up listening to you talk about all your memories and love of family! Today was really crazy but I did get my post done. I plan to share more photos and traditions throughout the next few weeks.

[Lea]

Dearest Jill, I am having so much fun going through the list, I'm half way in making my way to all these wonderous places that make me want to join them all for the holidays! This has been just fantastic, thank you so... and your banner has changed from this morning, right? and I do believe the olive is new too??? I love it! The pictures are so precious, and that box of ornaments takes me right back to my grandparents... oh I loved Christmas with them! And what would I give for one of those ginger laced cookies... XO

[becky]

lovely jill.your post makes me *feel festive*! i want to join your family, so i can learn how to make that gorgeous ribbon candy...and just because knowing you, i can only imagine what a wonderful family you come from :) i haven't gotten my post written yet-but first thing tomorrow morning i will share! thanks!~

[eb]

hey - love the olive and the banner frame - gorgeous...

xox- eb.

[eb]

... scrolling back - the olive ground makes the reds pop...

xox - eb.

[Dad & Mom]

You have changed your banner! I liked the other one, too! Both are precious ! XOX, Mom

[Darly]

Jill how sweet you and your sister are on Santas lap. My sister and I had "sister dresses" even in summer. What an identity crisis, huh? lol. Thanks for sponsoring such a fun and insightful blog day.
Kindest regards,
Darly

[jessi nagy]

girl this has been so fun reading through everyones traditions!
i was so busy with the cookie swap, i did'nt post sunday!
i think my new tradtion will be our cookie swap!
thanks for coming!
jessi
ps were doing the snow dance!

[Gillian]

The ginger cookies, the glass ornaments...so much of this reminds me of our own family traditions.
I am here via Vanessa, and let me tell you, what a beautiful and thoughtful blog you have here Jill.
xo
Gillian

[Daisy Bouquet]

A beautiful and well written post. I believe and always will. There are so many kind generious people in this world that give of themselves each and every day. Mary

[Mo'a]

Your traditions are lovely...and the photos are wonderful...I love seeing how other people celebrate Christmas.
Thank you for all the links...I will be visiting each and everyone.

Three years ago I started a blog so that I could share the Icelandic Tradition of the 13 Jolasveinar (Christmas Elves) I needle felted a reprecentation of them and each day I introduce each one as the come down from the mountains...each one has his own personality and tricks.

I love the music on your blog...again thanks fro sharing.

[Art Tea Life]

ahh SUCH Treats !
Your Mom's cookies may haunt me...the decorations are so kool.

Thank you for inviting us in to see your special traditions and reminding us to BELIEVE...

I wanna BE THERE for Christmas !
Beautiful Photos as always JB
xo-S.

[Art Tea Life]

ohh I did not know you had music. Someone said "love the music"- must bring this up on my other computer (work / no speakers on this one ! ack)

[Art Tea Life]

oh and ! love the new LOOK here...and your smiling photo face ! Nice to see You. The banner is beautiful.