December 23, 2012

Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas 

I'm getting ready to host Christmas Eve dinner for family and friends.  When I was growing up in Minnesota we traditionally had oyster stew on Christmas Eve (It's a Minnesota thing) , I can't say I ever liked it, I ate the stew, not the oysters and a lot of oyster crackers!  The tradition has changed over the years from a Christmas Eve dinner of appetizers to now, a traditional Florida dinner of NY strip steaks on the grill...YUM


The food isn't important, it is just so fun to gather on a special night with family and friends.  

I want to thank a dear Canadian blog friend Kasia at Chatelet for sending me this beautiful handmade ornament and card...Thank you!


Before I go, I wanted to repost this sweet story and picture from last year


So the story goes....This Nativity scene was erected in a church yard and during the evening some parishioners came across this scene


An abandoned dog was looking for a comfortable, protected place to sleep.  No one had the heart to send him away, so he was there all night, curled up in the comfort of baby Jesus' lap

To make it even sweeter, the dog breed is a shepherd

Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas!

Carol




36 comments:

mizdarlin said...

Beautiful picture, nice story...
have a wonderful holiday season, Carol...
Wendi

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Enjoy your holiday fun! Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

That cad and hand made ornament are gorgeous! Have a very Merry Christmas! And, as far as the abandoned dog goes, I hope someone gave it a new, forever home. I'm an animal lover, what can I say...

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

Oh, I know your happy to have the steaks instead of the oyster stew!! Even on the coldest of Florida days I am so thankful to be here in the winter.

Merry Christmas!!

Greta said...

A very merry christmas to you and your family, Carol.

Thank you for sharing the photo of the lovely dog in a manger. I hope he/she found a forever home. Bless him/her.

Vicki said...

Wishing you a Merry Christmas! I love the dog in the manger. So,so sweet.

Egretta Wells blog said...

What a sweet photo of the dog sleeping in the manger! Speaking of Minnesota...my hubby from there talked about Lefse, so we had it last night with butter and brown sugar. The Lefse itself came from Minnesota! Of course, you know all about it??
Merry Christmas!

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Yes, I've seen that precious manger photo; touching.

Your blogger-friend sure was kind to send a HANDmade ornament and card. So sweet.

Enjoy your steaks!

Merry Christmas, Carol.
Kelley~

Teresa said...

A Lovely story that brought tears to my eyes...
May we all find Shelter in His Arms whenever we need.
Let the spirit of love gently fill our hearts and homes. In this loveliest of seasons may you find many reasons for happiness.
Love,
Teresa

Debbiedoos said...

Enjoy and a very Merry Christmas to you!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

NY strip steaks on the grill sounds delicious. I think it will be a little to chilly here for the bbq, so we're having ham and tons of extras. Merry Christmas to you and your family Carol. Hope you have a wonderful celebration.

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

I love that story! Have a wonderful Christmas Carol! xo

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Love the wreath you made from the wedding and you should keep it!
MERRY CHRISTMAS, dear friend!
love,
deb

hopeandjoyhome said...

We grew up in SD and did the oyster stew thing too! As a kid I didn't like it either but we did it w/ our own family too..sort of a Scandanavian punishment before opening gifts? Despite our insisting it was "tradition", our kids finally rebelled so we switched to potato soup and sub sandwiches! Merry Christmas Carol!

polkadotpeticoat said...

Your last picture was precious....Have a truly blessed Christmas too, Love Heidi

Karen said...

We also do oyster stew on Christmas eve. When my brother got married he gained a beautiful five year old son with his new wife. When told everyone had to have oysters on Christmas eve before we could open presents, he said "I'll just have a leg" We all died laughing and now the story is part of the tradition and my wonderful nephew is 26!

NanaDiana said...

I just love that last picture, Carol. I grew up with oyster stew, too, on Christmas Eve in Pennsylvania. I loved it- oysters and all-and now I can't get oysters here in WI...xo Diana

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh my gosh Carol, love that picture and story of the dog. Now that is truly a heavenly site! Love your sweet gifts. I too will be hosting Christmas Eve. Last year we did a sit down dinner of Prime Rib. One of my daughters has to work until 7 and it will be at least 7:30 before she gets here so we are going with appetizers. I am going to make some sweet pork for little bbq sandwiches. Like you said, it's not the food that's so improtant it's the time together. Grandies will be acting out the Nativity. Love, love it! Have a very wonderful Christmas!
Hugs,
Jann

Shabby chic Sandy said...

Oyster stew--that sounds wonderful! Enjoy the holidays...that last photo is just precious :)

Unknown said...

That is just the sweetest story!!! :') Have a Merry Christmas dear friend!

Hugs,

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Merry Christmas, Carol! Enjoy your time with family and friends!

Dawn said...

Carol,
What a cute story. We have a Shepard in our flock also:) Merry Christmas!

Celestina Marie said...

Just precious. I love a story like this one. Love your gift from Katherine. I have her giveaway going to post after Christmas too. She is so very talented. Your gathering tonight sounds lovely. Enjoy and Merry Christmas.
Xo CM

Donna said...

The dog curled up with baby Jesus is the sweetest ever! I hope he ended up finding a good home. My dad always ate oyster stew at Christmas. I don't like oysters, so I never tried it! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Debbie @DewdropGables said...

Lovely photo and story about the shepherd dog.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year!
Debbie :)

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

Love the photo and the story of the shepard dog...so appropriate!!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas Sweet Friend!
We are having a very non- traditional Christmas dinner. I figured since family isn't here and another couple who is not able to be with family is staying with us a few days- we would do something completely different. We are going to smoke some salmon, have stuffed mushrooms,and other goodies!

I think the shepherd dog was trying to keep baby Jesus warm on such a cold night!

bee blessed
mary

Anonymous said...

hope someone adopted that beautiful shepherd. :)Carol, right now I am sure you are in the middle of a happy and fun evening. Here...it's just he and I. I spent the day making more cookies and getting ready for tomorrow when the gang all converge here. So looking forward to it. I hope you have a beautiful Christmas and a very happy New Year. xoxo

Chenille Cottage said...

Oh...Carol! My heart is just swooning right now with the glance at the puppy in the manger. If that isn't precious and so poignant!
Blessings and a very Merry Christmas!
Carolynn xxx

Stampindamour said...

Merry Christmas Carol!!!

-PaMeLa :)

Perfectly Printed said...

Merry Christmas!! What a sweet story!!

chris

Ivy and Elephants said...

Such a sweet story, miracles abound if we just open our hearts.
Wishing you a happy and blessed new year.
Hugs,
Patti

Piera said...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A LOT OF CARE FOR THINGS THAT WILL BE THE NEW YEAR!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Carol, I love that photo. Was the little guy adopted? I love German Shepherds! :D

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Carol!
Oh I love that dog picture! Thanks for sharing.

kristiB said...

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! The picture of the dog really touched my heart, I am hoping that he/she will be adopted!!!