60's Retro Christmas Party 2007

It has been a tradition around here for me to throw a Christmas party as my gift to our church. This year the theme was Retro with a 1960's emphasis. Fun, fun, fun! In order to do it properly, there just has to be an aluminum tree with a color wheel!

I asked people to feel free to come in their best vintage 1960's costume. It wasn't a contest, BUT if it had been, I think Serena would have won as Jackie!

Diego would have been a close second! His mommy reconstructed this from a thrifted adult t-shirt. Pretty clever.

Best dressed family?

Here's my attempt -- complete with Twiggy lashes and white lipstick.

Serena, me, Leona

I bought these flowers for Levi's dedication. They were a beautiful addition to the decor. They are still pretty four weeks later from original purchase!

The traditional -- and top secret recipe -- Taco Soup was served. Dessert (forgot to snap a picture of it) was bowls full of 1960's candy -- red wax lips, Zots, Goobers, Lemonheads, to name only a few -- and root beer floats.

1960's album covers decorated the table and served as chargers.

After dinner and before dessert, each person was randomly assigned a number. Each number had an activity attached. Here we have someone learning the Macarena.

A live nativity scene -- with an actress even playing the star!
After dessert, we opened presents -- under $5 vintage exchange game. I happily ended up with a small 1943 children's book, Pillowtime Tales. Fantastic.
I'm pretty sure a good time was had by all!

Merry Christmas!

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."

Luke 1:46-47

My Little Bellringer

Others of my grandchildren have done the same in previous years, but this was Diego's year to ring the bell for The Salvation Army. He did so with gusto and lots of people stopped and filled his little red bucket.

I mean, who could resist?

The Ballet and Tea

Two days ago, I was privileged to accompany my two granddaughters and their mothers to the ballet in San Gabriel. Being the Christmas season, of course it was The Nutcracker. Afterwards, we had tea at the Rose Tea Room in Old Pasadena (certainly a place to return to). The entire day will unquestionably be kept in the "Best of Memories" file.

Holding hands as always.

Beautiful girls.....

Their beautiful mothers...

All so very delicious...

These next two pictures were taken by Miss Jael:

Jael's cup

Meg's cup
(They are different...)

Levi's Dedication

Sunday, December 2, was a blessed day. Levi Joseph was dedicated to the Lord by his parents with his grandfather officiating.

Poor little guy cried through the whole ceremony -- well, except when Nana was loving him.

Daddy and Mommy wrote and sang a song to Levi based on the meaning of his name and their prophetic blessing to him.

Destined to bring unity and purity;
You are destined, destined.

In Jehovah, you will find your support in times of trouble.
When you call on His name,
He will hear and give an answer.
Stay on the path He has chosen,
For it will lead to your destiny.

In Jehovah, you will find all the strength to complete your work.
As you stand between this world and the wrath of our God.
Plant your feet, stand your ground,
Don’t be afraid to reach your destiny.

As you decrease; your God will increase.

Daddy blessed his son.
As stated before, I always give a reception in honor of each of my grandchildren on their dedication day. This year, I was physically in a bit of pain. On Saturday, I slowly made it through all the preparations. As the evening wore on, Daja sent me to bed. When I woke up the next morning, she had everything set up so beautifully. Thank you, Daja!

The menu consisted of Sausage and Wild Rice Soup, Baked Italian Sandwiches, and Caramel Apple Trifle for dessert.

It was a wonderful party and a great day. Adults talked, laughed, and got caught up with each other's lives. It was a cold, sunny day, so the children played hard outside.

After a long hard day playing, Ezekiel came in trying to tell me something was wrong. He was whimpering and pointing to his leg. Something was down there. I started pulling. Oh, my! It was his diaper!

Christmas Meme

I've been tagged by Amy for a Christmas meme.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I think wrapping paper makes a prettier gift, but sometimes only a gift bag will do.

2. Real or fake tree?

Well, it depends on the theme for the year and who will be here. If Daja is going to be here, I try for a real tree. This year I am doing a retro Christmas, so we're going all out with the aluminum tree and color wheel!

3. When do you put up the tree?

Usually about the second week of December -- especially if it is a real tree. Don't want it drying out!

4. When do you take the tree down?

Most often, the day after Epiphany.

5. Do you like eggnog?

YES! Especially mine. :-)

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

Probably a pink mohair sweater the Christmas I was in eighth grade. Gorgeous! (I was so amazed that my parents could afford it. I'm sure they sacrificed to do so, which made it all the more special!)

7. Do you have a Nativity scene?

Certainly, but I'm still on the lookout for the "perfect" one for me. I haven't found it, yet. I've seen some I've liked, but the price wasn't perfect!

8. Hardest person to buy for?

My husband. We've made it pretty easy for everyone else. We now draw names and have a theme. Last year it was games. This year it is anything book-related.

9. Easiest person to buy for?

Daja.

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?

I'm not telling.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Maybe a few of each. I haven't sent out mass Christmas cards for years. It is on my 101 list to send out a Christmas newsletter. This wasn't the year to do so, though. Not much I want to share.

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

This year it would be "The Nativity Story". Probably because I haven't seen it a "dozen" times like so many others!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Whenever. Sometimes I have gifts way in advance. Sometimes the *mood* doesn't hit me until the middle of December. I really don't have many to buy anymore, so it doesn't really matter.

14. Have you recycled a Christmas present?

Of course. Why not? If it fits the recipient better than it does me.........

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Peanut Butter Bon-bons, Snowflake Pudding, Chocolate Yule Log -- of course, all my favorites would be desserts!

16. Clear of color lights on the tree?

Depends on the year. This year, none. We've got that color wheel, remember?

17. Favorite Christmas song?

"Away in a Manger". Third verse always makes me cry. (My kids watch me on that verse to see if I'm crying.)

18. Travel or stay home at Christmas?

Usually, stay at home. I would love to rent a cabin in the snow next year.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Maybe on a good day.

20. Angel or Star tree topper?

Usually an angel. I don't know this year. I think our angel is too heavy for an aluminum tree. Besides, it really doesn't fit the retro theme.

21. Open gifts Christmas eve or day?

Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

All the politics about religion.

23. What I love most about Christmas?

Being with my family and celebrating traditions.

I don't know who to tag. If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged! Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2007

I have been trying to post this for days. My desktop computer has some problem with my blog page. I can get on any other web page and it all works fine. If the blog page does happen to load up, then it won't let me upload my pictures. So, I finally came up with the bright idea of mailing all the pictures to myself and using my laptop. I know, I know. I should of thought of it sooner. But, it is quite the long way around things.

So, anyway here's our Thanksgiving. I think I'm setting a record for how many pictures to put in one post!

We've had a recent tradition that everyone brings an "activity". It can be anything. This year included a Thanksgiving quiz -- complete with prizes for each question, a board game called "ImagineIff", "Cornucopia" coloring pages for the children that decorated our table later, and a field trip! Sarah-Kate took all the kids across the street to a little mini-farm. They got to look at and feed the chickens, turkeys, doves, and rabbits.

Sarah-Kate was also in charge of all snacks and hors d'oeuvres this year. That was her pick so she didn't have to worry about any of the actual meal items. She did a fantastic job. It was all as delicious as it looks!

Miss Jael and Miss Meg were in charge of the relish tray under the tutelage and guidance of Auntie Daja/Mommy. They did a great job. There were olives, pickles, a homemade cranberry relish, and goat cheese. Meg, six years old, went shopping for the cheese. She was looking for brie. They didn't have the kind she wanted. She was not too happy. She told the grocery lady, "Well, maybe we'll just have goat cheese, then." The lady looked at her in amazement. Not an average six year old's taste in cheese, you say? She is her mother's daughter!

There were twenty-four of us this year, so we opted for two turkeys. Grandma (my mother) made one in the roaster and Papa (my husband) fried a second, smaller one. Both were delicious!

About an hour before we ate, I asked the men to move furniture and set up tables. They had to completely rearrange our dining/family room. We added two long tables to the dining room table to make an L-shaped dining arrangement. I asked them to cover the additional tables with brown paper. Then we decorated the paper with the beautifully colored pages that the children had colored earlier. The papers given to the children were just empty cornucopias. I asked them to fill them with blessings. They colorfully colored the horn-of-plenty's and then added a variety of blessings, including flowers and music!

I think they might have gotten the idea of flowers from our centerpiece.

Almost ready to sit down..........

We still couldn't fit all of us around the big table, so the three little two-year-old's got a table all to themselves. Are they not adorable?

I wonder what the conversation around their table was?

Luc got the honor of sitting next to Papa.An hour or two after dinner (and when the tables were taken down and the furniture back in place), we brought dessert out.

Pumpkin pie with real whipped cream, sweet potato cake, and gingersnap pumpkin dessert. Can't have just one!

The evening was then just spent playing and enjoying one another. Here Ihbeleg is getting to know Odie. I think they made friends.

Captain, on the other hand, would rather leave the animals completely to themselves.

And Levi, our youngest, just needed to find a place to sleep!

Papa really wanted a picture with all ten grandchildren. I think we waited too long. Couldn't get them all smiling and looking at the camera at the same time. But, here he is with his pride and joy's!