In fact, we have loved holidays so much, we have even invented a few of our own, like this Southern Snow Day to combat the post-Christmas, holiday-break blues.
And marvelled at the new life springing up around us.
We have gathered around the Thanksgiving table to share traditional menu staples. And we have mixed it up, too, with new twists on holiday classics, like this turkey-cranberry panini.
And we've watched these turkey cupcakes waddle off the platter to be gobbled up by hungry little pilgrims.
Oh, the fun we have had with Christmas!
You got up early with me on the morning of son Christian's fourth-grade play to encourage him to break a leg (or a candy cane) as Elf #6 with a surprise elf breakfast.
We have lingered over a cup of tea on a lovely December afternoon to talk about some of the favorite books we read this year.
We swapped books at our Book Club Christmas Party and were charmed to learn how to make handmade jeweled bookmarks to send home with our guests.
On the first day of Christmas vacation, we channeled the children's boundless excitement into a Christmas party tradition to kick off the holiday break.
Painting holiday canvases at our Christmas P-art-y was great fun, and our artwork gives us a lasting memento of the memories made that day.
From one holiday to the next, we've watched the children grow. And looking back through the photos, we realize how quickly the years are passing.
This gives us all the more reason to fill our days with celebration, like this surprise Wizard of Oz party after we dressed up as our favorite characters for our congregation's Trunk-or-Treat.
Throughout it all, we've looked for opportunities to welcome others to our table -- or deliver holiday cheer to them. Because holidays are about drawing people closer and showing others how much we love them.
I hope you will help me put Heart into the Holidays.
While I was visiting my sister over the weekend, her husband, Dave, helped me put together a video to enter Taste of Home Magazine's search for a holiday ambassador. Voting takes place on Facebook. To enter, visit the Taste of Home page, click the Mrs. Holiday link, and like the page. This will allow you to watch videos and vote for your favorite. My submission is among the newest today, but as others enter, you can find me by searching for my name. I did not realize until watching the completed video how very southern I sound! You can vote once per day, and I hope you will help me in this quest to share the holiday spirit.
Please look for me here. If this link doesn't work, you can find me through Mrs. Holiday Search tab on the Taste of Home Facebook page here. Thank you for your support!
