AHHHhhhhhh...

And it's over.

 Christmas that is.

All the running and doing and making and wrapping.

I really did have a good Christmas, with my kids and a couple friends.

I had 7 days off from work...and loving it!

What makes my Christmas good? Having my kids here.. the end.

What could make it better?  having our traditional family foods, homemade pizza,

Breaded Pork Cutlets.. aka: "Breaded Meat"  and of course

Crescent Cookies! Cookies I literally grew up eating at Christmas time.

I cannot imagine a Christmas without them!

I love that my kids LOVE our traditional foods. At some point, they will each ask:

"Are you making Pizza?...are you going to make Cookies?......are we going to have Breaded Meat?"

and my reply... "are you kidding?.. " Of course none have actually tried to make these "infamous" dishes themselves yet. We used to make the cookies together when they were little, but they're "just fine" with

MOM making it all. I did tell them they better "get to learnin'" how to make the family recipe Pizza and Cutlets, so the tradition can carry on.

It was 42 degrees and a snow less Christmas, which was just fine with me. Not having to worry about

people driving in and going home on icy  roads. Yeah, it's pretty to look at but...I'll pass thanks.

I didn't get to see the rest of my sisters, who had their own Christmas Eve, with their kids and grandkids,

but we kept in touch on FB... ahh.. technology...

So.... it was a simple Christmas Eve. But just the way I like it.  My kids all here at the same time

wonderful friends.. and favorite foods.

Having memories of Christmas past and of my own childhood. Missing my parents,

But being so thankful for all that I have good in my life.

So, hope you enjoy my photos below, and a little glimpse of my Christmas.

Hope you had a great Christmas too.

Have a wonderful healthy, peace-filled New Year.

.....How many days till Spring?

5 sheet pizzas...finished at 2 a.m..
lots of work.  It's Pepperoni covered LOVE!

Just some of the "Feast"... The "famous" Crescent Cookies,

"Breaded Meat in the Red Bowl, and Pizza.

Son Eddie, putting his gifts under the tree.

BFF Gloria, Newlyweds Daughter Allison and Andy, Daughter Jamie.

My Babies!

Allison & Andy's gift to me. Their wedding on DVD, a beautiful

Wedding photo, and gorgeous Wine Glasses.

Crazy  siblings Eddie and Jamie

I "made" these for my girls at:

www.zazzle.com

I made Allison and Andy, a book of photos  I titled

"Behind the Scenes the making of a Wedding"

They really loved it.

Family and laughter... the best!

my handsome son Eddie

It's all fun and games, till someone (Allison!) throws a

JR. MINT, and it lands in a pool of hot candle wax!

Gloria brought this amazing array of Cheese cakes..

all I can say is .. O-M-G.

And just as I thought it couldn't get any better,

Jamie (who spent the night) treated me to breakfast!

...but not before she woke me up,  by standing in bedroom doorway,

singing Christmas Carols!!

I returned the "favor" by shouting "Fa-la-la-la-laaaa!

down the hall when she left... ya we're a weee bit

crazy : )

Christmas Day

Gifts I made for my girls and BFF

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR

The holidays!

I have a love-hate relationship with them.

I love the tradition and the idea of family and gathering...and of course the FOOD.

I hate getting the "gottas"... "Gotta buy a Turkey" "Gotta clean the house" "Gotta make the stuffing" "Gotta buy presents" "Gotta put up the tree"

I know...... It's all worth it. Being with my kids, family and friends.

But holidays aren't what they used to be. Ha! how many times has that been said?

  I know, it's memories of childhood, wide eyed, and full of anticipation. Gifts and the glitz. I was clueless as to what it really took to really "make" the holiday's special.

Not till I had my own children, did I realize what went into "happy holidays."

Making it special and memorable was a lot of work.

Last Christmas, I was busy making my family's traditional homemade pizza, I posted on facebook: "My whole house smells like Pizza!"...... my  31 year old daughter Jamie commented with  "I can't wait! thanks for always making Christmas special." That simple sentence, brought me to tears! My efforts did not go un-noticed! she appreciated it me ...it was all worth it.

I'll be the first to admit. I took for granted, that my mom would have our traditional foods for the holidays, I'd have presents, and it would always feel like Christmas. I'm sure I said how good it all was and thanks, but not sure if I ever said "thanks for always making Christmas special"...... 

So... it's important, to let those people know, how you appreciate them and their efforts  for your happy holidays.

...... This is what you get from me at 4:17 a.m. .... a poorly written editorial. lol.. but I'm sure you get the message. : )