All is quiet in the land of the putz. This year, we have big plans for Christmas.

We are going on an adventure and it will be during Christmas!

The thing is, my husband, who works in a college setting, can only take vacations when school is not in session. So that leaves us Christmas and the summer.

This year is also a sentinel birthday. The big 5-0 for me and the big 5-1 for him. We need to do something special. So we are packing our bags and are off for the holidays. One clue: we will use our passports!

I think it is only fitting that we travel at Christmas. When I asked the children what they got for Christmas last year, they could not tell me. Seriously, they could not name one thing Santa brought them. 😳.

Then, I asked them about our drive to Canada this summer. They could tell me ALL about Quebec. What they saw, what they ate, simple phrases in French. The covered bus tour of Vieux-Québec, the funicula, the campground we stayed at- all of it in great detail. It solidified my plan that it’s not what you get but what you do and who you spend the holidays with, that are memorable.

Here has been our holiday thus far, focusing on the simple things before our great adventure.

We started the Thanksgiving season with a giant snow fall. In fact, it was the greatest November snowfall on record in PA history (8 or 9 inches depending on your source).

Thanksgiving was a hit. I swear the children consumed no eggnog.

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Then Friday after Thanksgiving, I refer to as, “black stock day.” I take my aunt’s two giant, kosher turkeys and turn them into 8 gallons of stock for the coming months. (this is only one tiny bit that was loaded into the freezer). I smell like carrots and celery for days after this…

After Thanksgiving, we got busy building gingerbread houses with the cousins. I thought I was doing well by planning ahead and using melting white chocolate for mortar. That is until my white chocolate seized! So we melted chocolate chips and got them together ( with only a minimum of cursing on my part). The big kids (8 year olds) worked on one house and the little (6 and 5.5 year olds) worked together. I think they look rather impressive and I’m trying to overlook the bits of candy that disappear from the houses daily.

December brought Chanukah and a visit from older family members.

My 8 year olds had their first ever holiday concert. I was caught flat footed in that I hadn’t planned any special outfits. So I found the ONLY Christmas fabric I had in my stash and turned it into ties.

The children made earrings for their grandmother for a present:

They are made out of polymer clay and stenciled. I think they cost $.50 to make ( don’t tell her).

My husband finished building wainscoating for our entryway and hall.

We have been busy making homemade gifts for my husband’s work exchange. They have a tradition of only making handmade gifts to exchange. This year, we made bath bombs and bath crystals. I also made my “fruitcake people actually like” with chopped apricots, almonds, raisins and dried pears. It is coated in apricot brandy.

Last but not least, I accompanied the boys’ third grade classes to the Putz.

We downsized our decorating this year to a little tree and a wreath on the door

This way our oldest will have a tree and holiday space to entertain while we are gone but not any work to do to maintain anything. ( He’s started a professional position and hasn’t yet accrued vacation time) to travel with us.

We are wishing you all a very festive holiday season!