we've been grabbing the reigns of more than one holiday for a few years, and i think we have it down now: we love the food and beauty of Chanukkah, the meaning and reverence of Winter Solstice, and the tradition and excitement of Christmas. it has made for a wonderful last few weeks, strengthening our family ties, given us room to create together, and maybe added a few pounds as well:) here is our 2009 holiday in pictures:
1st night of Hanukkah, b lights the first candles
using family recipes, we ate both potato and sweet potato latkes (with applesauce and sour cream of course), stuffed cabbage, and israeli-style orange chicken.
a little dreidel action
first time wearing a yarmulke..and he ate about 10 sweet potato latkes
loving the beauty of candle light
Solstice night came and after our sweet, private family ritual (you can read more about it here) we opened some gifts for mind and body, to get us through the rest of the cold winter days: clothing and books. here the kids pour over their new books sent by uncle payson and aunt kamla and other thrift store finds:
calendars from grand-p and cookie!
a family photo (george must be a cat b/c i could not fix his eyes on iPhoto!)
christmas eve baking: my cinnamon rolls rose!!
ooey-gooey goodness!
making snowflakes and stars to hang up
and while the girls and i craft.....
papa makes dinner!
our new christmas eve tradition: blake's ramen. soooooo good, and we used one of the chickens we slaughtered for the broth and meat--we felt very connected to this hot bowl of yumminess.
before bed, a little dancing and twirling
a fully-stuffed stocking, complete with cat butt stickers (i bet you can guess who that's for...)
i was afraid they'd fall, they were packed so tight!
a lovely sight heading up to bed that eve....
george discovers the joys of chocolate in your stocking
even papa got some treats in his stocking that he's had since he was a child (his mom handmade it)
drinking tea and handing out gifts
puzzles from grandma!
haha, we found this board book at powell's: Nietzsche 4 Babies.
more goodies from grandma...how did this girl not have a jean jacket already?
blocks rule
and firetrucks;)
a shoe made from pipecleaners...that is SO mayan!
time to eat: egg-and-bacon pie, cinnamon rolls, cranberry oatmeal muffins, lox-and-bagels with homemade cream cheese, chicken apple sausage, and mimosas.
isadore and athena snuggle up together and watch Wall-E
C ventures up to see the loft
Athena and Michael feed the chickens
christmas day barn fun!
its so nice to have this little family close to celebrate the holidays with!
dreamy looks from mama and papa nomad...looking over the past, looking toward the future?
don't leave me out, guys!
mayan scopes her viewmaster newly filled with shrek slides
i love my sister-in-law
Athena and a chicken
the egg collector
being silly in papa's glasses
what holiday is complete without a rousing game of scrabble? for the record chemynne, the newbie, kicked our butts.
finally, a delicious christmas dinner of duck legs in braised red cabbage with wine and prunes, and carrots with shallots and herbs. aahhhhhh.....
it was a great way to close out 2009....
what was your favorite part of this holiday season?
what was your favorite part of this holiday season?
2 comments:
wow, leah...what gorgeous spreads. and so much fun to see pictures of your sweet family. i miss you!
When party animals marry! Add kwanza next year. Ha Ha!Maybe the simpleness. Toby and I didn't exchange presents for the first time in 41 years but we enjoyed the food and lights and snow and family and travel. The cards people sent to keep in touch, simple decorations.Giving.
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