Hardware Store Christmas Tree

A friend recently reminded me that going to the same local hardware store for your Christmas tree each year is just as much an adventure and tradition as tree farms and suburban wonderland can be. Sometimes life in the city seems void of spirit and adventure. But supporting small business is no joke. This is our family tradition, trees from Frager's, supporting a business that is fighting its way back after a fire. We have a blast and I am so thankful for a tradition that is both meaningful and also easy, even if it isn't quite picturesque.  The same friend also reminded me that trees from big box stores can also be traditions (and economical to boot).  

No matter what your Christmas tree tradition looks like, I am glad that we get a whole season of celebrating from my hardware store tree to your freshly cut off the mountain or white flocked plastic beauty. A tradition would not be nearly as special if all of our traditions were exactly the same. What are your Christmas traditions?

I've teamed up with a few of my friends to host a "Sharing Christmas" link up. 

Share your heart, your traditions, your favorite family recipes, how you celebrate Jesus. 

Whatever feels like Christmas in your home.

Will you join us on Monday, December 15th?

25 Family Favorite Christmas Books

This is our collection of both Christmas and winter books. I keep all of our snow and winter related books packed away with our Christmas decorations. And when these come out, a box full of our other books takes its place in the closet. This keeps our old books fresh and give us a fun host of reading throughout December and often into January. I hope these can make your December reading time as lovely as ours.

1. Frosty the Snowman by Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson
2. The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry
3. The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats
4. A Christmas Wish for Corduroy by Don Freeman
5. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
6. Snow by P. D. Eastman
7. A Joyful Christmas, a treasury collected by James Ransome
8. A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz
9. A Christmas Carol (the baby lit version) by Charles Dickens
10. Frosty the Snowman, the little golden book* 
11. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the little golden book by Robert L. May*
12. Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
13. I am Small by Emma Dodd
14. Holly & Ivy by Rumer Godden and Barbara Cooney
15. How Brown Mouse Kept Christmas by Clyde Watson
16. Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer
17. Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
18. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
19. Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
20. Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones
21. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
22. The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg
23. Babar and Father Christmas by Jean De Brunhoff
24. The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
25. A Bakers Dozen by Aaron Shepard

*our copy of these two books were my Dad's when he was a boy, which makes them extra special.

I am always looking to grow our collection, what are your favorite Christmas books?

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The Year of the Firemen

alternative title: The Year of Few Good Pictures

Like most little boys, Behr and Hudson have been excited about all things fire trucks. It helps that one passes us here in the city about every three minutes. Hudson makes the fire truck noise and points with excitement. Behr exclaims, "Go save people!" Behr was a fireman two years ago (in this hand-me-down yellow jacket) but hadn't fully grasped the concept. 

When I saw this fireman's coat in Behr's size at Costco, it sealed the deal. You have to love a good Costco impulse buy. It helped that Mark and I had been plotting how to transform our wagon into a masterpiece for the trek down East Capitol Street. A fire engine was the perfect choice! A few days before trick or treating I also snagged these hats from the target dollar spot (similar) which are a hard plastic, way better than the flimsy ones you can get for free. 

The boys might not have performed for the camera, but we passed some real fireman who honked and waved at us. Definitely one of the their highlights. 

Behr accompanied Hudson to most of the houses, teaching him how it works. Behr was eager to say thank you, even thanking people before getting any candy from them. Hudson was miffed that not every house offered candy. He would shake on the locked gates we passed, not wanting to miss a single opportunity. Hudson also cracked us up by trying to go back to the same houses again and again. Behr said he was smart, wanting to get the whole bowl of candy instead of just a few pieces.

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Easter 2014 + Sending Pictures to Family

We had a sweet, filled Easter Sunday. Lots of stops, from our church's first Easter service, to potlucks with our church family and then dinner with neighbors. A few more activities were planned, and then skipped thanks to epic naps. But it was probably for the better. Throughout the day, we quietly reflected on how our every day points to both our need for a savior and his triumphant resurrection.

These two, they look like they are in cahoots with one another!

Over the years, the idea of creating tradition has been belabored here on the blog. We've had fits and starts, but may finally be settling into routines that suits our family. We've settled on some books we read throughout lent, keeping them on our coffee table instead of the book shelf. This is our third year having a low-key Easter egg hunt out front (see 2013, still pregnant with Hudson & 2012). We make an egg casserole the night before so cooking is minimal in the morning -- reducing this helps me be calmer, everyone gets to eat sooner, and as parents, we can be more present with the boys. We also keep our egg hunt simple and try to time it based on when everyone seems to be in a good happy, well-fed state, rather than squeeze it in before church or before naps.

Behr has been telling people there are race cars in Easter eggs, because that is what we did last year. Memory of an elephant, I tell you. To his disappointment, we moved away from the race cars. He loves his race cars, but there isn't much to distinguish between them, and there is even less that points back to God. We opted for Schleich farm animals. The boys were both thrilled by these, and Behr has already been talking about Noah's Ark, God making the rain forests and the jungles and the farms, and how animals have babies too. I am hopeful that over the years as this animal collection will lead to both imaginative play and opportunities for conversation.


A bit about how we keep family in the loop with growing boys on our hands:

I recently realize I am sorely behind in sending letters to the boys grandparents and great-grandparents. Since Behr was little, I have purchased photo cards from Shutterfly to serve as updates with both pictures and a few details about our happenings. Since Hudson joined the party, this has been lacking. But I am picking it up again! Now through Wednesday (4/23) photo cards are on sale from 30-50% off. My favorite is to use the picture folded cards (available in portrait or landscape) so the only design or text on the card is what I choose to add. The quality is great, the grandparents love them. They are easy to share. I order enough for all the family, one for each of the boys "baby boxes" and for Mark and I to each put on on our desks. For ~$1.50 each, they are a huge win for everyone who doesn't get to see the boys every day.


I would love to hear from you. How was your Easter?
Have for formed any new traditions or are you carrying on some from your own childhood?
And if you have kids, how do you keep the extended family in the loop? (especially those not on social media)

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Ham and Lentil Soup

There is something wonderful about holiday left overs. Turkey sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving, pie for breakfast after Christmas dinner, and Ham after Easter. My husband loves a good spiral ham. We pick one up a few times a year, including this past New Years Eve. However, a spiral ham goes a lot further than I remembered. I started wondering how we were going to ever finish it. After breakfast casserole, quiche, and plenty of ham on salads, we turned to our trusty crockpot. Here is the recipe we came up with, adapted from our favorite chicken and lentil soup recipe.




Ingredients:
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 small onion or a handful of shallots diced
2 cloves garlic, whole (for flavor, not for biting into)
1 cup dried lentils
1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground or dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups bone or chicken broth
1 cup water (for a total of 5 cups of liquid, if you have less broth on hand, add more water)
1/2 cup tomato sauce
Note: you do not have to salt this dish before cooking. There is plenty of salt from the ham. You can add salt to taste upon serving.

Layer the ingredients in the crockpot following the order they are listed. Cook on low for 10 hours, or high for 6 if you need to speed things up. Each crockpot is different, so check about half way through cooking time. Once the vegetables and lentils are soft, you can serve. The longer this cooks, the thicker the soup becomes. Discard garlic and bay leaf before serving. Enjoy!

Alternative serving option:
Once this is finished cooking, refrigerate over night and serve on sandwich rolls like sloppy joes the next day. The lentils will continue to absorb the cooking liquid, making this the perfect consistency.

If you have favorite recipes for leftover ham, leave the link in the comments. 

I am always looking to try new recipes.

I've Been Baking

While I wasn't blogging (or shopping) in January, I've been baking. I have received questions on instagram about the recipes to some of the baked goods I posted and also enjoy documenting the process for myself for later reference. Don't you hate when you find a good recipe, modify it to suit your tastes just right and then totally forget what it was? (Pumpkin cookies from 2012 I am talking about you).

Here are some of the recipes and modifications I have been turning to this cold long winter season:

1. Christmas Morning we enjoyed Cranberry Breakfast Cake. If you enjoyed my Blueberry Cake from a few years ago, this is very similar but without crisco! When I found this recipe on Alexandra Cook, I was smitten. Rarely do I find a recipe that doesn't need changing, but I decided to cook this one straight with only two minor exceptions: I used lemon zest and I make a buttermilk substitute because I never have it on hand. Follow this recipe straight, it is perfection. Plus, everything can be done the night before.
2. Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins are a big hit in our house because we buy raspberries in bulk at costco. On the rare occasion that we have leftovers or some that are about to go bad, they quickly become muffins. These were a special snow day (plus hot chocolate) treat. I have made these a few different ways, but on days when my brain isn't quite processing, I rely on someone else to tell me the measuremetns. Allison's recipe is a keeper.
3. I have tried and failed to make scones several times. I am not quite cut out to be a baker. If it is simple and the measurements don't have to be exact, then its my kind of recipe. But I saw these Pomegranate Scones and couldn't resist. Folks, they are game changers. Go make them this weekend. I promise you won't be disappointed. This recipe, and the encouragement of my friend Kandyce has even gotten me started on making my own scone recipes. More to come on that front. Stay Tuned!
4. Baked Oatmeal has been popping up in my instagram feed so I decided to give it a whirl. The first recipe I tried came from The Nourishing Gourmet and I am hooked. I skipped the apples and the pumpkin seeds, and reduce the maple syrup, but baked oatmeal has become a great weekend activity that leads to easy mid-week left overs. Both Behr and Hudson gobble it up and it makes little mess. Even if this wasn't so delicious, I am sure we would keep making it again and again!

Maybe you are snowed in and looking to do some baking this long weekend. Or maybe you haven't quite gotten your act together for Valentine's day. Whatever the reason, I hope this round up of recipes make your weekend extra special. None of these recipes are my own, but in the spirit of today, this post is about sharing the love. Go visit these fab blogs and enjoy their delicious treats.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Speaking of...what are your traditions? 

I would love to know how to celebrate (or boycott) Valentine's day.

Christmas Trees and December Goals

As Thanksgiving weekend glided to a close, our family quickly began ramping up for Christmas with lists and my own "hurry up and do" attitude taking over. Decorating and wrapping and baking topped the list and I was headed down the wrong path. Then an unexpected out of town guest asked to stay a few days. A friend stepped into our home and spoke truth and encouragement. We were able to take a breath and refocus.

I am so thankful for the friends God has placed in our life. I need to say that phrase more often. It is so easy to overlook the community around us. I am thankful for external events that often have to force me to slow down or shift focus. I am most thankful that before I wrote down these December goals, I was given a chance to weigh them with a new perspective. Part of setting these goals is leaving space for the every day life, not cramming things in just because we think we should.

• Do one Christmas activity with Behr each week. This is the slowing down part. I want to make every day special and magical for him during the advent season. And then I get overwhelmed and we do less and fight more. So one activity a week. Some ideas: Construct the gingerbread kit I bought for 2012 and still have on our kitchen shelf, bake cookies for friends (using the dollar spot star cookie cutters he picked out), sit and play with the nativity set, talking through the Christmas story.
• Do one festive family activity each weekend. Ideas include Christmas Tree Shopping (already done!),  Zoo Lights, National Harbor, a Christmas play or concert.
• Prepare my heart for a 2014 challenge that I am embarking on with Lena -- this includes talking to friends and family and asking for accountability.
• Finish the concept phase and photographs for my Spring 2014 Collection for my etsy shop. This lady is a huge piece of my inspiration for the collection, and she doesn't even know it! And because I am trying to prep for my new collection, everything in the shop is currently 25% off with code: BLOGLOVE25
• Pantry cook - be creative in making dinners from what we already have.
• Get the boys passports (the most practical to-do on this list!)

I am linking up these goals with The Tiny Twig. 

Roosevelt Island on Veteran's Day

Three day weekends are my favorite to stay home. Forget battling everyone else who is trying to drive to and from somewhere. I want to stay home, follow our normal weekend routine and use the time gained from an extra day to go on an adventure. Are you with me?

This year for Veteran's Day, I really wanted to go to Arlington National Cemetery, but we also realized we couldn't remember the last time we had been to Roosevelt Island, one of DC's greatest treasures. We hunted for rocks, kept our eye out for planes overhead, found a good walking stick, spied a family of ducks, and enjoyed the fall colors, slowly changing here in DC.

We wore these boys out, so we didn't quite make it to Arlington, but the drive past allows me to still see the section nearest to my heart. How do you like to spend your long weekends?

Also, this cheesy instagram pic might be my favorite from our day, 

especially our hats which now have new meanings.

Happy Easter!

This Easter was low-key, waiting for baby.

Growing up I celebrated traditional Catholic/Protestant Easter and also Greek Easter (which follows a different liturgical calendar). While Easter this year was without travel and extended family, we will be celebrating Greek Easter in May. I look forward to sharing some of those traditions with you later this Spring.

Easter 2012

Easter 2011

Easter Books

Over the past two years, I have longed to establish Easter traditions for our family. This comes with each holiday as our family grows. We have begun a collection of books to tell the story and meaning of holidays. This year, I have begun keeping them on our coffee table - this helps us read the books more frequently and begin having conversations about the season of Lent. Here are the books we have so far.

The Easter Story - Biblically accurate, this story of Jesus' death and resurrection is closest to what I want to be teaching Behr.

What Is Easter? - Behr's favorite Easter book so far, he likes saying, "No," when we talk about whether or not Easter bunnies, eggs, and jelly beans as we flip through this board book. This is a great simple intro to separating the commercial view of Easter from why we celebrate God's son in the church.

The Legend of the Easter Egg - A wonderfully redemptive story about a boy and his sister who is severely ill during Lent. This book is better for slightly older kids. I also recommend reading it first yourself to be prepared for some of the questions that this book might raise.

I Am a Bunny - this is not specifically an Easter book, it isn't even actually a Spring book. But the illustrations are wonderful and something about the change of seasons makes me pull this book out this time of year. Definitely a keeper!

I would love to grow this collection, so please share your recommendations in the comments!

And because I love looking back at milestones:

Easter 2011 // Easter 2012

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