Holiday Traditions & Meal Planning Monday


Our Family tradition has been the same for 13 years.......On Christmas Eve....I make brunch and Scott and I have my parents over...we watch some TV and just enjoy the morning.....that evening we go to mama's house and have HEAVY appetizers and a couple of drinks.....and open presents while we listen to Christmas music.....On Christmas Madison has always had us up at the crack o dawn....this is a child who we have drag out of bed for school but on this morning she is up by 5am....so we stumble to the coffee pot and have our Santa Christmas......it will be loads of fun this year with lil Miller. We always have to be at Scott's mom's house for Christmas morning Breakfast by 10am.....and stay there until 1pm....then we go to my mom's again at 2pm......and stay there until around 6pm.....we eat a BIG Christmas Dinner watching movies and napping. When do we cook you ask????? We always cook on the 23rd and the rest on Christmas......cakes and pies get made on the 23rd.....my family is pretty traditional....we enjoy being together most of all. I always go to the mall on Christmas Eve around 2 in the afternoon grab me a coffee from Starbucks and watch the crazy people running around looking for that last minute gift....quite humorous......try it sometime. Scott joins me.....we really enjoy this.....now I start making candy on December 1st...you heard me....and make something sweet every week until New Years....candy, cakes, pies, all of it. I have so much fun giving homemade gifts...I have already gotten my tins, jars, fabric for jars, and plates.....
For more Christmas Traditions go on over ad see my dear friend Sandra.....she makes you feel at home....










Now for Meal Plan Monday......

Monday................Chicken Tetrazzini, salad, and Homemade Bread

Tuesday........Pinto Beans in the crock pot, cornbread

Wednesday......Church Supper

Thursday........Laura's Hearty Hash brown Bake, fruit (she posted it last week)

Friday......Leftovers

Saturday.....Progressive Dinner with Sunday School

Sunday........Eating out....Olive Garden with girlfriends

For more Meal Plan Monday go on over to my sweet friend Laura.......

You all come back to see me tomorrow...it's my 100th post.......I'm so excited....Happy Monday!

Comments

Tina Leigh said…
I WANT TO GO TO OLIVE GARDEN!!!!! Oh man that sounds sooo good!! I am so jealous!! Christmas time sounds wonderful in your neck of the woods. At my house, well it's all about PECANS!!! We just dont get to enjoy the season.
Laura said…
Wow you lucky girl eating out three times this week...wish it were me! Your traditions sound nice. I know I'm excited for this Christmas with a little one running around too! Well except for the part where he will try to pull the tree down but hopefully we nip that behaviour in the bud early...lol. I can't wait for your 100th post tomorrow!!! Laura
Your Christmas tradition sounds so lovely. I must admit, I am so impressed that you are able to get such an early start on things. I start my shopping just after Thanksgiving. I am not one of those people running around on Christmas Eve trying to finish up. I think your idea of sitting at Starbucks and soaking in the chaos sounds like quite an amusing way to spend an hour! *LOL*
Sandra said…
Thanks for playing again Jen :)

I LOVE your christmas traditions and I'm glad I'm getting a second chance to read all about them :)

LOVE your menu this week, especially that Olive Garden part LOL I LOVE Olive Garden :)

Have a wonderful week...btw I got your addy, thank you, can't wait to send you a card :)

Hugs,
Sandra
someone else said…
This sounds like wonderful family time together. I'm glad Sandra did this again today so more folks could join in.
Susanne said…
That is hilarious that you sit and enjoy watching all the last minute panicked people with a cup of Starbucks. I'll have to give it a try. In years past you probably would have seen my hubby run past ya! :v)
He has gotten better over the years though and usually shops early in December.

Lovely traditions!
Carole Burant said…
So I'm not the only one who watches people going stir crazy on Christmas Eve??? LOL I so enjoyed reading your Christmas Traditions...certainly wouldn't be the same without our family!! Take care:-)
*~*Cece*~* said…
Your traditions sound awesome! Reading posts like yours have really helped to get me in the mood! Thanks!
Barb said…
You crack me up, Jen, going to the mall to watch all the crazy people. That would be fun, though, if I didn't do my big dinner on Christmas Eve night.

Oh lucky you, going to the Olive Garden with your girlfriends. I love love the Olive Garden.

Your traditions are so nice. All this talk about making candy and goodies is making me want to get busy and it's too soon!

(Tomorrow's your big day - I'll be back!)
Pamela said…
What a wonderful close family you must have. You guys sound like us, in that, we try to share Christmas with both sides of the family.

How sweet that you all get started so early with breakfast. I think that just sounds so smart cause then you have a little more time with everyone! :)
Ms. Kathleen said…
I think I need to try that mall on the 24th think. I'll bet it is amusing. I was just at the Olive Garden yesterday with my dear hubby. It was so yummy!

Thanks for sharing :)
Your traditions sound just wonderful, so warm and homey and family-oriented :)

Ooh, have fun at the progressive dinner and at Olive Garden with the girls, both sound like a lot of fun!

How do you do the pinto beans in the crockpot? With any kind of meat, from dried beans, etc?! :)

Have a great day and a wonderful week!!!
Mike said…
Stopping by the mall, drinking coffee and watching people run like crazy? That sounds fun. I'm definitely going to try that.

Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/
Christina said…
It sounds like a nice time enjoying your families on Christmas day. It must be fun to have appetizers and drinks on Chrismas eve while listening to music and opening gifts. This is one thing we miss living so far from our homes.

BTW I am one of those crazy people running around on Christmas eve. Now you know why I am always getting my cards out late.
Michelle said…
Thanks for your comment on my holiday traditions post; I'm finally getting around to reading everyone else's! How wonderful that you're able to spend so much time with each set of family! Sounds like a wonderful tradition to go to one house and then the other - to spend time with loved ones and lots of good food!