Our Christmas Eve service at church was lovely. My friend, Shirley, met us there and sat with us. It was so good to have her with us again this year. She lost her husband last year and her son, who lives in Texas, was here during the holidays and they both came to the Christmas Eve service with us last year.
I tried to capture the beauty of the candles in the dark church but my phone camera had different ideas.
There were luminaries lining the driveway as we left the church and headed home. So pretty!
Our evening was very quiet. I made us a stir-fry for dinner and we watched a couple of Christmas movies, including another Scrooge. We opened our gifts to each other. I got Joe a Galaxy3 Smart Watch and two Villanova masks (his college). Also some candy in his stocking. He got me a purse I wanted and a sterling silver chain I had my eye on, as well as lots of sweets in the stocking.
Christmas morning, I started cooking our Christmas dinner. Helen and Cheryl were due at 2:00 p.m. We had a Honeybaked ham, Au gratin potatoes, green beans, deviled eggs, pickles, and dinner rolls. It was a very casual day and I even used paper plates (gasp!). For only four of us...
My 'casual' and silly Catmas shirt.
We received so many cards this year! They are doubled and tripled in the clips! Many are from some of you and I thank you for the greetings!!
Here are Joe, Helen, and Cheryl at the table.
I did some laundry on Saturday and not much else. Leftover ham for dinner! We went to church yesterday. It is COLD here these past few days but will be warmer later this week. I took down the outside Christmas decorations but will leave the inside until after the first. Our friends, Jim & Elaine, are due to arrive on Wednesday and we have invited them and Tim & Judy for New Year's Eve. On New Year's Day, we will have Helen & Cheryl, and Jim & Elaine (if they want to) for the traditional pork and kraut meal. Because we are in the south, we add black-eyed peas, too. Some day this week, before the 31st, I need to do some grocery shopping! That's the plan!
Peace & hugs!! Jesus loves you!
Wonderful recap!! You had a wonderful Christmas weekend! I love keeping it simple, but somehow even simple becomes complicated...but that's okay...the end results of joy and blessing and happiness in being together with loved ones and friends makes all the effort well worth it. I am excited because my sister and her hubby have decided to come up for New Year's Eve and spend the night with us! That is a first! They live about 2 hours away but usually just come and go. Since they and we are getting "older" and don't like to drive after dark, they decided to come spend the night! So now I need to get my guest room cleaned back up from all the Christmas wrapping...but it will be fun. Hope you have a fun week too. It sounds like you will.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a very nice weekend. Nothing wrong with paper plates.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
What a lovely Christmas you had, Terri! Keeping it simple at Christmas is often the best way to go. And yes, you do have a passel of cards!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Beautiful church grounds! Gosh, I've not seen luminarios since I left New Mexico. Your Christmas Eve and Day sounds perfect, and 'amen' to using paper plates. No muss, no fuss!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your cards! And the pretty candles and luminaries! Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect!
ReplyDeleteWe had a candle light Christmas Eve service at church too. It was so nice. They had us circle the sanctuary before lighting them and it was touching to see that circle of lights.
ReplyDeleteWe also went home from church and watched Scrooge and had ham dinner for Christmas. Great minds think alike!
I love getting cards and appreciated yours!
Terri, we need to exchange addresses so I can add you to my card list! I think casual was the perfect way to go this year. We did the same, serving it up buffet style to boot. Thanks for sharing your Christmas. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas celebration looked lovely. What a neat way to display the cards!
ReplyDelete