ThanksChristmas began four years ago when we realized we had better have some family traditions that our kids remember in our own home. The idea is that one day, with spouses and in-laws and all the calendaring this requires, our family would have a separate gathering, apart from the actual holidays, where we would celebrate it all. We begin with a thanksgiving feast, listening to readings that Rory has cultivated. Then we read our own family compact aloud and reflect on the year and all our many thanksgivings to God.
The soundtrack to ThanksChristmas is Orchard House. I play that ballad over and over throughout the weekend as it seems to match the feeling that we are right this moment living ‘the good ol’ days.’ These kids keep growing and this is our sprint to soak them up when they’re all living under our roof.
I’ll begin with our ThanksChristmas miracle. It happened when Elsie realized we didn’t have powdered sugar to make frosting for her cinnamon rolls (Aldi was out!). We tried making our own in the food processor, but it wasn’t great. So instead she made a caramel sauce and then poured the warm caramel over the rolls. It meant each roll was soaked in caramel with more caramel you had to sop up on your plate with the bread. We had rave reviews all around because is there such thing as too much caramel on a caramel roll? I don’t believe so. It was mostly a miracle because moods were frustrated during the powdered sugar fiasco, but then this new favorite was found. A new ThanksChristmas tradition! And everything was joyful again.
We ate our Thanksgiving dinner and I was trying to remember what happened in between these two meals, and then I remembered- I slept! I was in the kitchen with my daughters for much of the two days. We laughed and dreamed of seasons to come- what it will be like to have their own little kids running around, who will bring what to each ThanksChristmas. There are dreams aplenty!
I woke up from my nap and Elsie and Hattie had made these charcuterie boards for dinner.
We had family worship and then cozied up to watch The Nativity Story. I am stirred every year, I love this telling of the Christmas story so much. It is quiet and calm, moving and beautiful.
The second day begins with the great bb gun squirrel hunt. In four years, no squirrels have actually been harmed during this hunt. But that doesn’t mean they don’t keep trying! These four took to the woods and came back with tales to tell. This was Elias’ first squirrel hunt and he was very pleased.
Meanwhile, we made swedish pancakes and our own seasoned sausage. We’ll never go back!
Apparently I didn’t get a picture of breakfast. But that’s okay because the main part of this day is giving our gifts! We drew names and everyone had a handmade gift to give to their person. Rory gave his gift first- a short story he wrote for Ivar. He read it aloud later in the weekend and we LOVE it.
Next Ivar gave his gift to…Abel. Oh man, this gift was incredible. Abel has been asking for a horse trailer, and Ivar made him one with a truck and hitch. To be 3 and have a big brother who can make your toys must be very wonderful.
Elsie had my name and made me seven unique dish rags with the day of the week stitched on each one. I love them so much!
I gave Alden the type case picture frame I had made years ago, and began filling it with his own pictures to hang by his bed. I told him he could keep special rocks and treasures on the other shelves.
Alden gave Rory his own walking stick. He said it took him a long time to find a straight stick in our woods and then he sawed it down, and added a washer and a screw to help grip the bottom.
And Hattie had Elias and Elias had Hattie. They thought that was hilarious. Elias gave Hattie a dishrag he had woven on Elsie’s loom, and Hattie gave a Elias a giant m&m cookie she had frosted. Unfortunately, Dad sat on the cookie when he went to take a picture, as it was under tin foil and under a blanket sitting on the couch waiting to be unwrapped. So the design was extra special and extra hilarious.
Abel had an assist from his dad, and while Abel slept, Rory made a new family card game for Elsie’s gift. It was an instant favorite.
We ate Elsie’s french silk pie and Elias’ smooshed cookie and cozied up for a night of board games, left overs, and playing with the horse trailer.
These are the good ol’ days. No doubt about it.
