tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post5754152760125330373..comments2024-03-20T03:53:55.113-04:00Comments on Yankee-Belle Cafe: Christmas Eve Simmering Potpourri and Other TraditionsMissy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-44538396497393947342016-12-21T21:11:17.802-05:002016-12-21T21:11:17.802-05:00I'm going to have to try making this potpourri...I'm going to have to try making this potpourri. I can almost smell it by looking at the pictures. Donna Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08968546793655015486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-38421561465105573782016-12-21T21:10:57.034-05:002016-12-21T21:10:57.034-05:00I'm going to have to try making this potpourri...I'm going to have to try making this potpourri. I can almost smell it by looking at the pictures. Donna Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08968546793655015486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-49716581064603191572016-12-21T15:40:59.479-05:002016-12-21T15:40:59.479-05:00Isn't that fruity/spicy scent perfect for Chri...Isn't that fruity/spicy scent perfect for Christmas? I think I'm going to have to start mine early...like Saturday morning!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-24673984723859574962016-12-21T15:40:09.882-05:002016-12-21T15:40:09.882-05:00That sounds beautiful!That sounds beautiful!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-27170694373994457242016-12-20T05:56:41.512-05:002016-12-20T05:56:41.512-05:00That's such a neat story! Thanks for sharing t...That's such a neat story! Thanks for sharing that.Mary Jane Hathawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17996627730074514978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-1740178930469903672016-12-19T23:05:58.007-05:002016-12-19T23:05:58.007-05:00Ack! I can't believe this is the first chance ...Ack! I can't believe this is the first chance I've had to check in. Mmmmmm. I love the idea of your potpourri. I love to simmer orange peels to scent the house. This sounds wonderful.<br /><br />As for Christmas Eve, ever since my daughter began singing in the choir at Midnight Mass, that has pretty much taken over. Such a beautiful, peaceful service.Cate Nolanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10424872139114718902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-61424708401872396622016-12-19T22:42:41.060-05:002016-12-19T22:42:41.060-05:00It's funny you would share this, Jan! I plan t...It's funny you would share this, Jan! I plan to make a pot of spiced cider with fruit to help the house smell good for the holidays. :) Oh, and also for drinking.Missy Tippenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-41483064300227381072016-12-19T21:03:26.889-05:002016-12-19T21:03:26.889-05:00We love playing Christmas music, too! Thanks for s...We love playing Christmas music, too! Thanks for stopping by. :)Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-84517751649727232412016-12-19T19:17:41.233-05:002016-12-19T19:17:41.233-05:00Love reading about others traditions. My mom woul...Love reading about others traditions. My mom would play Christmas music while we decorated the tree. I continued that tradition when my children lived at home. We can sing just about every Christmas Carol there is!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09809172326971346218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-50850679378070000792016-12-19T10:09:59.472-05:002016-12-19T10:09:59.472-05:00A simple Christmas Eve supper. That sounds perfect...A simple Christmas Eve supper. That sounds perfect.<br /><br />And your tradition of decorating the trees at the park sounds like so much fun! What memories you made for yourself and those children! I wonder if any of them still do it?Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-55884990904619165812016-12-19T10:08:20.350-05:002016-12-19T10:08:20.350-05:00Traditions are the glue that hold families togethe...Traditions are the glue that hold families together. :)<br /><br />Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-57497025181157641442016-12-19T10:06:33.482-05:002016-12-19T10:06:33.482-05:00What a great triumph for your brother! Dyslexia is...What a great triumph for your brother! Dyslexia is such a hard thing to overcome. Congratulations to him for working so hard!<br /><br />We always read from Luke on Christmas morning. Of course, this year it will be Christmas afternoon. Those of us still living at home will have a quiet morning, then church, then the others will be here for Christmas dinner and presents in the afternoon.<br /><br />Can you tell we're in that stage between having little ones around??? Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-27033326894796451052016-12-19T09:40:03.141-05:002016-12-19T09:40:03.141-05:00I'm definitely making that potpourri. I've...I'm definitely making that potpourri. I've done it with just cinnamon sticks but this looks so much better. And it will add much needed humidity to my wee little house. :-)<br /><br />Christmas Eve traditions...a breakfast supper. I started that when money was so tight I needed to cut corners wherever I could. So we'd get into our jammies (new Christmas ones) early and have a simple supper in memory of Jesus' humble birth. My daughter still has porridge on Christmas Eve so that's one tradition that stuck. <br /><br />And in the afternoon we would make treats for the birds and squirrels and then take a nice hike around our neighbourhood park and decorate the trees. When my daughter was little I felt like the pied piper because all the neighbourhood kids would join in and I always had two dogs in tow and some of the babies I cared for. Great chaotic fun. Kavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719229222267994577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-50440469971286629662016-12-19T09:12:54.087-05:002016-12-19T09:12:54.087-05:00Thanks for sharing your traditions. How lovely. ...Thanks for sharing your traditions. How lovely. Aren't traditions marvelous? Sandra Leesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13911169281960710923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-68257143527012211092016-12-19T09:11:57.910-05:002016-12-19T09:11:57.910-05:00wow. that's a cool idea. my husband loves to b...wow. that's a cool idea. my husband loves to buy the smell goody Christmas scents for around the house. this sounds perhaps a bit more long lasting.<br /><br />our family tradition is opening gifts on Christmas Eve, but only after we go around the room and thank God for our favorite blessing of the past year and then read the Christmas story in Luke 2. My brother, who is severely dyslexic, wanted to read it every year because he used Christmas as a gauge of how much better he was getting at reading. (He called me the day he finished reading his first book all by himself @ the age of 40: proud day. he's since read several more)<br />Now with my family we still do the thanking and reading of the Christmas story on Christmas eve, go to midnight mass and little man sets out cookies for Santa and open gifts in the morning.<br />I think I'm going to go for this potpourri. We love the smells of Christmas.DebHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11685506948995225770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-71311947885156058702016-12-19T09:02:01.192-05:002016-12-19T09:02:01.192-05:00I remember that Christmas Eve proposal! :) So roma...I remember that Christmas Eve proposal! :) So romantic!!!! <br /><br />We've let our traditions evolve as our family has grown. I remember how hard it was to try and make so many people happy as a young bride and then a young mother... someone always felt slighted... so for our kids we swapped the holiday dates to a nearby weekend so they're not tugged in multiple directions because that's not fun with kids....<br /><br />And we do my family party on a weekend before Christmas and Dave's family on Christmas Eve.... And then whoever is on their own on Christmas is welcome to join us!<br /><br />And then our Christmas with kids and grandkids will be next Wednesday on the 28th... Luke and Zach will miss being home together by a day, but they see each other in NYC weekly so that's all right....<br /><br />It's a balancing act, this evolution thing... but it's also fun to stretch the season out a little rather than have everything in one weekend....<br /><br />We have snow today, just sifting down.... and cold but not bitter... and no bear tracks, LOL!<br /><br />:)<br /><br />Life is good!Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-652647223535935892016-12-19T08:46:48.808-05:002016-12-19T08:46:48.808-05:00Thank you, Marilyn!
And it is fun to watch our da...Thank you, Marilyn!<br /><br />And it is fun to watch our daughter and new son-in-law develop their own Christmas traditions.<br /><br />Alas! We may never see them on Christmas Eve, though. Last year, he proposed on Christmas Eve, so they're planning to celebrate in some romantic way that evening. If they make that a yearly tradition, we'll just have to be content with seeing them at church. :)Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-75735834177061341502016-12-19T08:44:05.937-05:002016-12-19T08:44:05.937-05:00Your Christmas Eve plans sound wonderful and chaot...Your Christmas Eve plans sound wonderful and chaotic! And how wonderful that your Bumble will be home!<br /><br />One thing I like about a potpourri like this is that the scent permeates everything without being too noticeable, lending a gentle touch to the festivities. :)<br /><br />Have a wonderful time with the family!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-12973214336626313662016-12-19T08:41:32.003-05:002016-12-19T08:41:32.003-05:00We got Wynter almost twelve years ago, in February...We got Wynter almost twelve years ago, in February 2005, from a shelter in Cynthiana, Kentucky. Because we knew she was between 6 and 8 weeks old, we chose December 21 as her birthday - the first day of winter.<br /><br />Around that same time, one of the TV weathermen had a daughter that they named Wynter - and being the fan-girl that she was, our daughter latched onto it. (She wasn't a fan of the weatherman, she was a fan of the weather. Still is. She briefly considered becoming a meteorologist.)<br /><br />So the name (and spelling) stuck!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-67795319684973521672016-12-19T08:37:06.138-05:002016-12-19T08:37:06.138-05:00It isn't sweetened at all, so if you wanted to...It isn't sweetened at all, so if you wanted to eat it (or drink the juice), you'd want to add some sugar or other sweetener. But all of the ingredients are edible!<br /><br />I keep this blend just for smelling. The great thing is that you can just keep adding water and keep it going for a couple days. :)<br /><br />We started our Christmas Tea when we moved so far away from our extended family that getting together for Christmas is too hard (miles and weather are the culprits). So this get together is just our little family...that's growing larger every year. :)Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-65445952765399319262016-12-19T08:33:05.739-05:002016-12-19T08:33:05.739-05:00That's a wonderful tradition, Wilani! It's...That's a wonderful tradition, Wilani! It's fun to see how different families celebrate His birth. :)Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-38763505842438570082016-12-19T06:55:44.813-05:002016-12-19T06:55:44.813-05:00Family traditions are special with children develo...Family traditions are special with children developing their own. I treausre family tradition from my childhood. I will have to try your potpourri. This recipe is a new one for me in regards to potpourri. I've made several through the years. Have a merry and joyous Christmas filled with God's gifts of love, joy, peace, and hope. Marilyn R. https://www.blogger.com/profile/05823250623223816968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-41767950699334241862016-12-19T04:16:13.654-05:002016-12-19T04:16:13.654-05:00Birthday cake for Jesus is a wonderful thing, Wila...Birthday cake for Jesus is a wonderful thing, Wilani!!!!Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-89801812197851618802016-12-19T04:15:47.842-05:002016-12-19T04:15:47.842-05:00I need to do the simmering potpourri for Christmas...I need to do the simmering potpourri for Christmas Eve this year... we have the Blodgett family (Dave's side) in on Christmas Eve. Some have gone to an evening Mass, others wait until Christmas day, but we tuck in a few hours of food, small children racing around, one Bumble (Our youngest son Luke will be home for Christmas Eve and Christmas day, and he's our resident "Bumble", the big abominable snowman from Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer)... and one Great-grandma... A lovely mixed bag of family. But I think the potpourri is a must, darling Jan!!!!Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7945786327884906788.post-35531033272609327182016-12-19T01:08:24.260-05:002016-12-19T01:08:24.260-05:00P.S. I love Wynter's name. Is there a story be...P.S. I love Wynter's name. Is there a story behind it and the spelling?Mary Jane Hathawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17996627730074514978noreply@blogger.com