I wanted to drop in and wish everyone Happy Holidays! I’ve been caught up in the trappings of the month since the first week! Christmas at The Pines always starts the day after Thanksgiving. The holiday decor and trees begin going up over the next several weeks. My mother turns the place into a mini Winter Wonderland.
The Roanoke Christmas season opened with the Dickens of a Christmas, an annual event which drew thousands to the downtown Square-as I shared in my last post. This always gets me in the Christmas spirit-although I am typically late to start shopping! In subsequent weeks, I connected with friends and colleagues over brunches, lunches and dinners to celebrate the season and each other’s company.
I prepared handwritten notes on monogrammed stationery and sent them out to colleagues, close friends and family. I love the vibe of writing personalized messages. It adds a classic touch to a long held tradition.
Several days before Christmas my family visited my home in Salem, and we toured the annual Illuminights show at Explorer Park. Several organizations sponsor beautiful exhibits. Mill Mountain Zoo debuted the Black Bear exhibit in 2019 and it was great to see it again!
I spent Christmas at The Pines with my family during my week long vacation.
My brother gifted us Samsung tablets. My mother and sister gave made my brother and I handcrafted wall art with a burnt wood finish. It has the inscription “Man Cave” painted in the center. Truly a sentimental piece made with love!
On Christmas Day and over the next several days, we ate on spiral ham, homemade macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy. We ended the night watching Home Alone 1 and Home Alone 2 for the rest of the evening–quite nostalgic as it was our childhood favorite.
The day after we at leftovers, and my mother made an Egg Custard pie. It has not been the healthiest of days, but well worth it!
It is the season of giving and reflecting on the happenings of this year, and planning for the future. By the year end, we will have our family “summit” where we discuss our goals for the upcoming year. A family that supports on another grows stronger. We are certainly a tight knit family that are very goal driven, and invest deeply into each others’ lives.
I look forward to what 2022 brings and looking for better ways to give back during the new year.
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