Holding On To Christmas

I tried to hold on to Christmas this year, I truly did. As soon as I felt time speeding away from me, I mentally told it to slow down. I savored. I enjoyed. I talked and listened and cooked and ate and cleaned and started over again and laughed til I cried all the while begging and even willing time to slow down. I did not want Christmas to come and go. I just wanted it to stay because when Christmas is here everything but the happy goes away for a few glorious moments and we don't have to worry about anything or miss anyone. We just stay in the Christmas moment which really is the most wonderful time of the year. Even without snow.

I took my time wrapping presents. I carefully and slowly prepared meals and Christmas goodies. I hung the ornaments on the tree with care in slow motion. I thought carefully about each gift and the recipients. I thoughtfully put together a daughter gift that took hours and hours. I forced myself not to wish the days away before the arrival of NashvilleDaughter and DrummerBoy.

I slowed down the opening of the presents as much as they'd let me which really turned out to be not much. I slowed down the eating of the Christmas feast which they didn't argue about much because this is a family who loves to eat. I slowed down the watching of the Christmas movies but they took away the remote. Time marched on and on and on.

I sat and watched the faces of my precious grandbabies. I held them and cuddled them. I laughed at their delightful merriment. I watched them unwrap gifts by pulling one tiny strip of paper at a time without trying to rush them. I watched very young cousins share hugs and kisses. And play hide-and-seek. And I delighted in their amazement.

I barely contained myself at the hilarity of all 4 sisters under our family roof with their SOs. I took picture after picture after picture after picture. I listened to their grown-up stories and shared my own. I watched with pride as they showed how much they love each other and as they doted on their niece/daughter and nephew/son.

No matter how hard I tried, Christmas came and went but not without a few lessons.

A few notes about an empty nest Christmas:

• When giving a toddler a little kid's tablet (yes, we did this because she has figured out how to get into our phones and between missing a few things and calling people it's just going to be better this way and also yes, we will limit her screen time in a big way and one more yes, I realize she loves it because we're all on our stupid phones way too much but she does need to be tech savvy to compete/survive these days so...the debate continues) please make sure it's already turned on and on the home page because the sounds a toddler makes when she can't have it RIGHT NOW are ear piercing. Toddlers know how to throw conniption fits. As a matter of fact, they may have created the very first one.  

• When you have all your grown up kiddos and their SOs (minus one who was visiting his fam because who doesn't want to be with family during the holidays and they aren't married anyway so...) under your roof for the holidays, watching them interact together and being truly terrific at being aunts/uncles and mommies/daddies your heart will nearly burst from all the feels so learned to control the teary eyes or use the allergy excuse and have tissue on hand. 

• No matter how hard you try to hold onto Christmas it will do you like all the other days of the year and pass by at the speed of light or sound, which onen is faster? Anyway, enjoy every single precious moment even though you know it will end because it will leave some of the most wonderful memories behind and you certainly don't want to miss those. 

• Share the job of photographer. If you're stuck behind the camera the whole time you'll miss too much so take turns passing the camera around and passing it around almost assures you you'll see something later you missed during. Also, at some point just put it down and enjoy watching.

• If you give your grown up kiddos a sentimental gift, have another box of tissues on hand. 

• Prepare to be overwhelmed with laughter and love, Y'all. There is just no other way to say it. Oh and don't worry about taking pictures of the food if you forget. That's not the most important thingh even though it is delicious! And you do save yourself from the judgement of people wondering if your whole family is made up of gluttons. 

• Try as you might, you won't be able to stop Christmas from being over but we can hold that feeling in our hearts and show it in our actions throughout the new year and that, friends, is what Christmas is all about. 

Wishing Y'all love and peace through the new year 

and a happiness that is more than you ever hoped! 

Thanksgiving Recap

It's over and the Christmas season has officially begun. I just hope it isn't a rush but something I enjoy, appreciate, and take time to reflect upon. It's not that easy when I think about all of us being together instead of some here and some there. Having family all together in one place becomes quite special once the kids are all grown up and living their lives out in the wide world.

Anyway, we had nearly everyone here for Thanksgiving the two most important being the grand kiddos, of course, because once they arrive everyone else takes a back seat like the third backseat in one of those old station wagons so they're not even facing the front kind of backseat but come on, they're grandchildren.

So, did we take pictures of the spread? Nope. But there was a spread and the attending lovelies brought dishes this year that were super yummy-lish! AthleticTrainerDaughter (Bug's mommy) even made my grandmother's yeast rolls and they were PERFECT! AND TeacherDaughter made a mac and cheese that nearly equaled Grandmother's mac and cheese! Oh and PLEASE let's not mention those evil cookies TeacherDaughter made that I've had at least 7 of so far and I HATE them. It's so wonderful having bakers in the family who are nearly as good as Grandmother! I say 'nearly' because is anyone ever AS good as their grandmother at baking? Anyway, here's a picture of the pumpkin and sweet potato pies and a ceramic turkey and a pumpkin candle.

We were just too busy talking to loved ones not in attendance and playing in the nursery with the teepee and yes that was made for the grandkids but sometimes grown-ups are lucky enough to maintain a close relationship with their inner child and like to get inside and play, too. That's Tucker getting off the toddler bed where he had been looking out the window while on squirrel watch. 

This is what Bug (formerly known in blog land as, Baby M) does when she sees Grandma which is one of the many reasons she will get the proverbial pony whenever she decides she wants it. That's TeacherDaughter holding Bug. 

We were busy taking pictures. Here's Bug's mommy aka AthleticTrainerDaughter. 

And her daddy aka Best SIL in the world, smartest guy we know, computer guru to the point none of us can tell you what he does because it's just too far over our heads, and all around nicest guy you'd ever hope to meet. And yes, he is wrapped around Bug's little finger already. But then, aren't we all?

And the lovely who is still in close touch with her inner child otherwise known as, Baby R's mommy aka ArtistDaughter. 

 We were also busy roaring like tigers because of course that's one of the first things Bug's Clemson obsessed parents taught her to do and I have to admit she does it quite well. Cutest little tiger roar I've ever heard. Here's a still of it:

Her mommy roared for us, too.

We were busy drawing. Here's a shot of Bug using Grandmas's face as a desk which turned into a hilarious game of peek-a-boo once she realized what she had done. Oh and yes, my arms are both filled with grandbabies these days and there's nothing in this world that makes me happier. Talk about a full heart? That's mine. Full. Every single time these two are around.

Here we are putting our heads together. Ha!

It's always all about the little bits in our family and it is a pure delight to have little ones filling up the house and our hearts.

Baby R playing with a turkey candle.
Did I tell Y'all he is rolling over already? At a mere 3 months old?
Yep, he turned 3 months old yesterday.

That face. Melts my heart every time. 

Oh and, that cutest little roar? Her parents are trying to get it on video but the only time she won't roar like a tiger is when the video is rolling so... Isn't that just like a kid? I'll post it for Y'all when we get one. If it's before she goes to college. Ha!

Have a wonderful weekend, Y'all! Love and hugs to all!

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Food, Fun, and Family

No matter how long you have an empty nest, it's always lovely when you have everyone, or nearly everyone, home for a meal. And that's just what happened yesterday.

I tried a few new-to-me recipes I found on Pinterest and those who live close were more than willing to be my guinea pigs.

Mexican gazpacho fruit salad, fish tacos (made with fresh flounder),
sweet potato fritters, and citrus cake for dessert.  

Y'all, I can't tell you how absolutely wonderful it is to watch your grown kids parent. I look at my girls and I think I did a pretty darn good job raising them but when I watch Baby M's mommy parent, it becomes immediately clear she is so much better at it than I. And my SIL? A most incredible daddy. Baby M is one lucky little girl. She hit the jackpot on parents.

These two are the best parents. I'm so proud of them.

Goobers. That's what this bunch is when they're all together and I wouldn't have it any other way. Remember how one of your most favorite sounds, when your kids were growing up, was the sound of their deep down from the belly laughter? It remains one of my most favorite sounds when they are all grown up. It is impossible not to smile, at the very least, when you hear your adult children laughing hysterically with one another. It's amazing how laughter can take away worry, lighten your load, give you peace, fill your heart...

Three sisters and a baby. We missed Nashville daughter so much but she and DrummerBoy will be with us in July. 

It was just a dinner on a holiday weekend. And yet, so much more.

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Empty Nest Easter

When you live in an empty nest (or empty except for one lingerer) you tend to overlook some holidays. Or, at least I do. This only started happening when the lovelies grew up and moved out on their own. Not so much when they went off to college because they still came home and expected the whole shebang but after college was over, x4, I slowed down on what I term the lesser holidays. Not because they are lesser in meaning per se but more because they are lesser in terms of family coming together.

Peter Rabbit came for dinner. On a couple of tea sets.

For example, no one likes to miss Christmas around here and if I had my way Thanksgiving would be included in this. But Easter, July 4th and the like take a backseat as far as me going all out decorating and preparing a huge family meal.

Here's the little one. Maybe next year we'll have tea with Baby M. 

But then I thought, why should I not prepare food on these 'lesser' holidays? Wouldn't that bring my independent-minded daughters and their SOs back into the nest for a minute? You know, long enough to enjoy but not long enough to be considered roomies.

I made food! Not a ridiculous amount, but I made it.
And there was key lime pie for dessert. 

Plus, there is a granddaughter now and she should know the fun of our family gatherings. Actually, if we expose her to them now she won't be frightened as she gets older because we are a fun-loving, crazy bunch and I wouldn't change us one little bit.

All that being said, we gathered for Easter dinner this year. It was Baby M's first Easter and I think, when she looks back at family photos, she needs to see her 'first' holiday gatherings whether she was old enough to understand the concept or not.

And I enjoy having everyone over. It's good to laugh and share and just have a good time with those you love.

These two were MIA and I missed them so much!

But they'll be here this summer for Baby M's first birthday and the baby shower for this auntie who's expecting my first GRANDSON in August.

Yep. There's going to be a boy up in here. And none of us quite know what to do about that. But we'll certainly find out in August. We are all excited that Baby M will have a cousin so very close in age and it's pretty cool to have one of each.

Yes, he already has a name but he'll be known as Baby R here on Empty Nest. Y'all know my empty nest, right? The one that's beginning to be overflowing with grandbabies?

Ok moms/grandmas of boys, is there really any difference in what you do other than love them to pieces?

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Thanksgiving Fails

Can you believe it's Day 7 of NaBloPoMo and I'm already using the prompts? Actually, this is not the first one I've used. I'm trying to do this on two blogs and it's wearing thin already.

Today's prompt is: What was your worst Thanksgiving food fail?

I'm pretty sure it was the year I decided we would have a carb free Thanksgiving. Oh, and any year I decide Thanksgiving is the right time to try a new-to-me recipe.

The year I went carb free wasn't that long ago, just a few years and I'm quite sure I do not care to go down that road again. Not that the recipes were bad, a couple of them were quite delish but, it wasn't my grandmother's Thanksgiving. If you're not having her Thanksgiving, why bother?

Ever since I was a little girl my grandmother and mother were in charge of holiday meals.  Even on those Thanksgivings and Christmases when everyone came to our house, they prepared the meals.  And I was super duper ok with that arrangement. However, no one bothered to tell me that, as we all got older, I would be expected to take over.  So now, when they come to my house, I prepare the holiday meals which are still not my grandmother's holiday meals. But I try.

At Thanksgiving, Grandmother always got out the good china and the silver (which she used on Sundays and holiday, I use paper plates sometimes) and served up a feast of turkey, cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole (the kind with the marshmallows on top), green beans, corn, potatoes, rice and gravy, homemade rolls (it's just NOT a southern holiday without the carbs!), broccoli casserole, cranberry sauce etc.  Luckily, Granddaddy's blessings were short and sweet and eating commenced rather quickly. I prepare the same dishes but they just don't taste as good as hers did. Do y'all think it would help if I used the good china? Where can I get some? Ha!

The first time I prepared Thanksgiving here by myself there was that moment when our youngest asked if there was mac and cheese.  "Yes!" I replied enthusiastically since I know it's her fave.  "Did Mimi make it, or did you?" she asked. 

Oh well, here's to the coming of Thanksgiving this year when I will, once again, prepare the family Thanksgiving meal to the best of my ability.

Do you prepare your family's Thanksgiving meal?

Find the Hidden Message

Some of you may remember that I took the family to the mountains for Christmas this year. Wait, last year. Sheesh. Here we go with the confusion of what year it is for the next three or four months.

Anyway, the Christmas that passed so quickly by just last week is the one that landed us in the mountains. How's that? Ha!

Our little cabin was the same one in which the lovelies and I spent the last year of 2014. You can read all about it right here, here, and here. Good grief, did it really take THREE posts for that vacation? Maybe so, since I hadn't actually had a vacation in nearly thirty years. Sigh.

Christmas was nice in the cabin except for the weather which was summer-like and the tremendous amount of work that was required to pull off Christmas in an unfamiliar place. I had no idea that was going to be the case. Lesson learned. Go to the cabin AFTER the holidays. Or make other people get in there and help.

Two things to mention here:
1. The amount of photos in this post are ridiculous.
2. There is a hidden message somewhere in this post. If you think you've found it, mention it in the comments. Those who get it right will be entered to win a special gift! 

The first order of business was to find a Christmas tree farm and secure a tree for the cabin. Check.

Tucker quite enjoyed this part of the vacation. So many trees, so little time. 

The oldest and the youngest of the lovelies. And Tucker. Wanting to get to that tree instead of smiling for the camera.

We may have also found a bakery and secured some sugary goodness in the shape of Christmas cookies. 

These were tasty! I know because I ate one. Ok, two. Fine! Three. 

Deanie and DrummerBoy made it the next day from Nashville. 

And the games ensued once my dad and step-mom arrived the day after that. Seriously, this family cannot get together without playing games. The hilarity is off the charts! 

We played a new-to-us game. It's like the Chinese Gift Exchange but, inside three of the gifts, there are hidden gift cards. No one knows where the gift cards are hidden but each gift has been tampered with to add to the confusion. This game turned out to be hilarious too!

That's Dad. He unwrapped a pregnancy test. Which was hilarious on several levels, not the least of which is the fact that we have a pregnant lovely this year. Last year? Now. 

The Dogs:

 DrummerBoy brought his doggies too. Which meant, between the three furballs, that no humans had a place to sit. There may be thirty pounds between them and, yet. they need that much space. Go figure.

Our dogs might be a little spoiled.

Dad discovered that Rocky will howl if you howl. So, Dad howled. And Rocky howled. And then the rest of us howled. 

The Gifts:

We are a Panthers' family, after all.

This gift was tagged: To the two who live with me. They thought it was their eviction notice. Wish I had thought of that.

Don't worry girls, it's not an eviction notice. BTW, the ornaments on the tree were made once we got to the cabin. I was afraid mine would be broken if we traveled with them.We used pine cones and acorns, wrapping paper and Kraft paper. Whatever we could find, it went on the tree.  

The Food: 

Christmas Morning brunch. 

I forgot to take pictures of how the food grew once more Christmas visitors arrive. 

Santa:

Santa brought presents and stockings for everyone! 

Tucker shared since someone didn't bring stockings for their dogs...shame, shame.

Don't worry. The pups all had stomachs full of stocking treats!

The MIA: 

These two had to go to a state far away for Christmas this year. I've heard that it's only fair. Whatever, But, hey! That just means we get the baby the first year! What?!

These two are giving the best gift of all! They aren't just having a baby, they're having my very first grandchild! Which, by the way, is a GIRL!

Mother Nature: 

Even though the weather failed to cooperate, Mother Nature did deliver with her mountain beauty:

Christmas morning view from the deck. 

Christmas Eve view from the deck. 

Even the fog was lovely. Because everything is better in the mountains.  

We saw the sun a couple of times. I don't mind the rain, though. 

And there were Christmas colors right beside the upstairs deck.

I even saw DEER!

Our fun, old-fashioned family Christmas was not thwarted by weather that was entirely too warm for December. Our laughter and time together along with the great views provided by Mother Nature made everything just fine. 

Did you find the secret message? If not, try again. It's not labeled, but it should be easy. If you did, or when you do, leave it in the comments!