Everyday Living

Our Christmas Traditions

~ Christmas, Decorating, Faith, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Music

β€œAnd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:13-14‬ ‭

Is Christmas really only 4 days away?!  I hope all of you are finished with your shopping and all of the hustle and bustle that comes along with this time of year so that you are able to relax and enjoy this coming weekend with your families! Here at Everyday Living, we have been busy sharing our home decorated with things collected over many years…the precious items that are held so deeply to our hearts and full of memories! Before Christmas arrives on Monday, I wanted to let you all, our dear readers, in to a more personal side of our family’s Christmas…some of the traditions we have.  Some have been a part for a long time and some are a little newer! Traditions are the moments and the times that create memories that last a lifetime!  
    *No one gets into the Christmas spirit more than my Renaissance Man. He begins with the cutting of pine, cedar, and Leyland Cypress from our twenty acres.

The kitchen door gets a fresh pine garland every year, always thick and fragrant!

We really aren’t sure when Butch began making the Williamsburg fruit fan wreath (more than 30 years ago for sure) that hangs on his workshop entrance, but a year has never been missed!  He also adds white lights to the rose arbor and our garden fence! Time ran out on his plans for the patio, but he did cut a cedar tree (Charlie Brown style) and decorated it with colored lights!

Butch also places fresh greenery on the chandelier in the dining room and refreshes it weekly! Do you see why I call him my Renaissance Man?
 Most of you know that music has been a major part of our lives! It was music that brought Butch and I together.  And what better way to celebrate Christmas than through music?  We love attending Christmas concerts, movies, and theater! We have been most fortunate to attend many through the years! So many are only beautiful memories with no photos…John Denver Christmas concerts and also a Johnny Mathis one to name a few. Music is truly the soundtrack of our lives!

The historic Alabama Theatre in Birmingham hosts their annual Holiday Film Series each December…and the tickets sell out fast! White Christmas is one of my favorite movies with Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney singing and dancing. We saw the Broadway production in NYC in 2008, it was truly magical!

A few weeks ago, Christian artist and composer, Chris Tomlin performed Christmas Songs of Worship at the Alabama Theatre.  It was a wonderful evening of worship and fellowship with friends!

The mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ provides music prior to the holiday movies!

The Christmas tree and decorations are always stunning at the Alabama!

Two years ago we attended Joy-An Irish Christmas by Christian artists and composers, Keith and Kristyn Getty, who are from Ireland. It was a night of beautiful traditional and Irish folk music and worship…and particular meaningful because we had made a trip to Ireland that summer!

My beautiful girls, Allison (daughter-in-love) and Katy (chosen daughter) with me at one of the musical events!

We attended “Behold The Lamb Of God” last year at a church in Birmingham. It was such an enjoyable evening of worship by Andrew Peterson, singer, songwriter, and author!  If you haven’t heard of his album “Behold The Lamb Of God”, then you should check it out!

Last Thursday Butch and I heard Jennifer Nettles in concert, who blended Christmas music with her country hits! It was worth driving and the price of admission to hear her sing “Celebrate Me Home” and “O Holy Night”. Tonight we are going to hear the Annie Moses Band in concert. They are a family of incredible musicians and singers…can’t wait!

We have seen the Radio CIty Christmas Spectacular three times in NYC and two of their traveling performances. It is truly spectacular…

…the precision of the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers performed by the Rockettes is amazing…

…but the majesty of the live nativity at the end always brings me to tears!
Food evokes so many memories of Christmases past. My precious Mother was a fabulous cook, and no one has ever topped her desserts! Since she passed away ten years ago, I make many of her recipes at Christmas! Her fruitcake converted folks that said they hated fruitcake. She would bake and give away at least ten every year. I don’t do that, but I do make one for myself and Daddy each year.

Her red velvet cakes were legendary! One sold at a benefit auction for $1000. Her recipe is safe with me!

Who doesn’t love chocolate…and especially home-made fudge!? I have to limit how much I eat each day.

I started a tradition when Seth was probably 2 or 3…he stood in a chair and we made gingerbread boys! We haven’t missed a single year…

…and when he married, Allison got in on the action! This year Ella Mae will be helping us…can you imagine flour everywhere? It will be so much fun tomorrow!
Butch and I are so grateful to have traveled to almost all of our 50 states, over 40 countries, and 5 continents. We hope to make it to Australia in the future, but I will pass on Antarctica! We started years ago buying a Christmas ornament everywhere we traveled. As we unpack them and place them on the tree each year, we share the memories of every place we have visited. May I share just a few with you?
Left to right 1) Boston, 2)Monticello, 3) Alaska, 4) Mount Vernon, 5) just one to represent many skiing trips to Colorado, 6) New Mexico, 7) Grove Park Inn, 8) San Francisco, 9) London
We have collected so many that we have to rotate them from year to year. I guess a travel tree would be a nice addition, but since I have only put up one tree the past two years, I don’t see that happening!

 A photo from six years ago when Butch and I went to the Biltmore for the candlelight Christmas tour! No photos were permitted, but it was truly gorgeous! We stayed at the Biltmore Inn and we look back on the trip as being so memorable…sometimes the most unexpected places make for a beautiful memory!

Becoming grandparents nineteen months ago has been an amazing gift from God. Ella Mae has brought so much joy and fun into our lives. Most of you know that I keep her three days a week…all we do is play, dance, sing, read, eat and nap but I love every minute spent with her. A grandchild is the best reward for getting older!

 Most of our Christmas memories and traditions start right here, our home of almost thirty nine years…and I would not want to live anywhere else! It is small by today’s standards but it is filled with a lifetime of memories! Thank you sweet readers for allowing me to reminisce and share some of our traditions! We know there will be some new traditions, but we will hold on to the old ones also!

I hope you will be spending time with your families over the next week, as that is what I will be doing! Let’s keep making memories and sharing traditions with those we love!

  Linking with:
 Pieced Pastimes, Life on Lakeshore Drive,Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Katherines Corner,Vintage Mama’s Cottage, Marilyn’s Treats, Peonies & Orange Blossoms, Eclectic Red Barn, Share Your Cup,21 Rosemary Lane,The Vintage Nest, The Essence Of Home, Feathering My Empty Nest, Kingsbury Brook Farm,  The Red Painted Cottage, Love Of Home,My Soulful Home, Celebrating Everyday Life, Little Farmstead, Starfish Cottage,  Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined,The Freckled Rose, Life and Linda, DIY 180, The Stonybrook House, Celebrate & Decorate, Sweet Sensations, The Dedicated House, Jodie Fitz

Comments

  1. Pam, this post is so beautiful. I cherish our Christmases together of years past, and some of these photos make them seem like yesterday. I love the fruit fan Butch made for me years ago, and although I have not taken the time to decorate it and put it out this year, seeing yours makes me still want to!

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  3. Pam, this post is filled with so much beauty and joy and fabulousness (not a word, I know, but it is oh, so perfect!). I think my favorite photo is Butch with the tractor full of greens, but then I see bunches of others and I’m like my little niece who, when seeing July 4 fireworks, pronounced after each one, “that’s my favorite color!”

    Your home is beautiful, your life full of joy and love. And really, that’s what it’s all about!

    A side note — I’m having a 10th blog anniversary drawing which closes on Christmas. There are links to the sign-up post from whichever post you land on! Do enter!

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  5. Pure CHRISTMAS post. I love the Williamsburg fruit fan wreath that Butch puts on his building and that he really gets into the decorating for Christmas. Ella Mae dressed in her cute little outfit is your second CHRISTMAS tree that moves all around your house making each room more Joyeous. Did you make the fresh pine Garland above the kitchen door? It is so pretty. Also don’t want to forget to mention the making of your mothers recipes that keeps her memory alive or the music that both of you love so much. Would love to hear a Butch sing. Hope one day you will let us here him sing in one of your posts. Wonderful wonderful post. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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    • Alice, thank you for all the sweet and encouraging comments you leave! Butch makes the garland on the kitchen door. Ella Mae is pure joy and I am thankful to have so much wonderful time to spend with her! One day, maybe we can share Butch’s beautiful voice! Merry Christmas my sweet friend!

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  6. Merry Christmas! Your post made my heart happy. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the whole world lived their lives with such joy? You are truly blessed and bless the rest of us with your sharing.

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  7. So much beauty, love and joy you have shared with us this morning….the sights, sounds, tastes and joy of Christmas. It is a fabulous post. I love Jennifer Nettles music also. The Annie Moses group is something else. They were at our church and then Bob and I went to one of their concerts. The memories of your Mother’s baking almost parallel mine. She baked and gave also. Just loved seeing pictures of your family. Traditions are so important. They are like little anchors to our families. It is so obvious that God is the center of your life and everything you do. Thank you for this outstanding post!!

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  8. Pam, I have followed your blog for several months and enjoy it so much. Would you consider telling me about how you met your wonderful husband and how music brought you together ? Merry Christmas!

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  9. Beautiful post! I dearly love the traditions and memories that this time of year brings. I hope that you have a blessed and joyous Christmas week! Merry Christmas, sweet friend!

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  10. Merry Christmas Pam! You & Butch really go all out to celebrate the season with your fabulous fresh decorations, trips and music! Christmas is truly all about memories, and just think of the ones you will make with Ella Mae this year!
    Jenna

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  12. Thank You for sharing your Christmas traditions. Ella Mae is adorable. Have fun making cookies with her.
    MERRY CHRISTMAS and a wonderful New Year.
    Marion

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  13. Just discovered your blog. It’s wonderful! Your pictures are outstanding too and I love your faith in God! May you and your family have a blessed Christmas!

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  14. Traditions are what make holidays special and it is important to hang on to them as long as possible as they are packed with memories. Enjoy Christmas with the family you cherish. BTW, kudos to Butch for being such a handy guy.

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  15. This post so touched me that I became tearful, Pam–happy tears. Your family is such a shining example of people exuding their love for the lord–it literally comes through in all your writings and goes straight to my heart where I feel such peace and hope in this world that oft times has such dark moments. Oh, if only the whole world could shine God’s light the way your family does–what joy that would be. We used to live in Williamsburg, VA and go back often. We would watch all the decorations go up in anticipation of the Grand Illumination. I love all your beautiful greenery and hearing how you celebrate. My mom was a fabulous cook, too, as was my dad. I’m not as talented but I try. Thank you for sharing such meaningful and lovely memories. Merry Christmas and all good things in the New Year!

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    • Bobbi, your comments brought tears to my eyes, Happy and encouraging tears! God sends encouragement just when we need it. We wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year!

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  16. Dear friends Pam and Butch, everything is so wonderful that I do not know where to start …
    Just tell you that I’m excited that someone like you can show with so much illusion and goodness the everyday things of your world, of your life.
    You are wonderful beings, I knew that the first day I came to this blog that is nothing more or nothing less than everyday life.
    Now I’m going to Granada, I’ll be in touch because there I have Antonio’s PC (I do not like to communicate with the mobile phone) and I will follow your steps.
    Congratulations on this Christmas for you and for that beautiful family you have. Happiness and blessings for each of the minutes of your lives.
    With love
    Dolores

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    • Querida Dolores, te deseamos la Navidad mΓ‘s maravillosa con tu hermosa familia en Granada. Estamos muy bendecidos de que en este gran blog, haya encontrado nuestro pequeΓ±o blog. Β‘Te deseamos un sano y feliz aΓ±o nuevo! Abrazos y amor, Butch y Pam

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  17. Dear Pam, A beautiful Christmas post, full of everything which makes Christmas so special. You enrich our lives with your wonderful posts about your life and the lovely part of the country you call home.
    I so enjoyed reading about your fruit cakes, as I bake them too. They are truly a Christmas treat for those who love them.
    Thank you for sharing the beauty of your life, especially during this glorious season of love. Wishing you and your beautiful family a Merry Christmas and the best of health and happiness in the New Year!

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  19. Music is my favorite part of Christmas too! I also watched White Christmas last week while I was working in the kitchen. You have such great memories and I loved reading about all of them. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  20. I so adored your wonderful Christmas traditions. Next year, I would love to invite you to see my husband, Jim perform along with the barbershop chorus, Voices of the South at the Lyric Theatre. It will be held the second Saturday in the evening. It is a fabulous holiday experience and you & Butch would be our Guests of course.
    Merry Christmas!!!

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    • Edith, how exciting! We would love to do that and to hear Jim and Voices of the South! I haven’t been to the Lyric and would love to come! What a gracious gift! Happy New Year and blessings~

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  22. Pam, traditions are what help to make Christmas so special! We have quite a few that our family does and I look forward to it every year. I always love that fruit fan Butch creates! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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