Holly Jolly Times with Family

It’s been feeling a little bittersweet now that Christmas is done. On one hand I am happy to be slowly getting everything put away and falling back into routine, but on the other – I’m missing all the music, family time and that magical feeling. I’m having a hard time putting away all the twinkle lights just yet.

My youngest cousin came to visit my family earlier in the week and was able to join in on all the pre-Christmas Eve dinner festivities like baking gingerbread cookies, watching movies (we took her to go see Frozen – loved it!), setting the table, wrapping gifts and of course making the peppermint bark.

The fridge was full, but thankfully the weather was cold enough to put the peppermint bark outside on the back porch to set. When they brought it inside, everyone was shocked to see that there were little footprints in it and quickly called me over with my camera.

I started taking pictures and made suggestions like “someone should find a field guide so we can identify it” and then they all burst out laughing. Apparently, while I was upstairs getting ready, they’d made a little bird footprint stamp out of a potato and pressed it into the bark, in hopes that they could fool me. It worked!

Earlier in the week, my Dad had pulled out all of his vintage oil lamps, cleaned them and filled them up with fresh oil and new wicks. He was so excited to light them on Christmas Eve.

 They gave the table a lovely glow.

After games (crokinole!) and appetizers, we did a $5 gift exchange – which of course gets quite heated. There is always one wrapped gift that everyone is determined to take from each other.

My cousin scored bacon flavoured gumballs. The dogs loved everyone’s breath, but I think I’ll stick to peppermint myself.

We had a great Christmas Eve with the family and I think it’s safe to say it was one of our best ones yet.

Before we knew it, it was Christmas morning. The coffee was made, the tree was lit and we all settled into a sea of wrapping paper.

We did our traditional Christmas morning breakfast – Strata using the recipe from The Family Stone (love that movie), peameal bacon, eggs, fruit and gingerbread cookies.

After all the festivities, the dogs were just as wiped as we were – tongues hanging out on the floor and all.

We spent the next couple of days hibernating inside with family, eating lots of great leftovers, watching movies, knitting, discussing wedding plans (it’s coming up fast!) and just hanging out. I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas break.