Welcome to my open house blog style. Please read all the way to the bottom for a special treat. I thought I'd share a bit about our beloved holiday traditions. Our tree is decorated in no particular theme, but every ornament has a story. Each one was a gift, or handmade by a loved one, or purchased on a vacation. Some have been with us since we were small children. They are all special and sentimental and together make a beautiful tree. At least it's beautiful in my eyes.
We go to the fireman's bonfire and donate toys and eat hot dogs and listen to Christmas music each year. It's corny and small community and so much fun. We also have the world's shortest Christmas parade here in Blue Jay. We missed it this year, but try to get to it every year. Again, small community fun here on the mountain.
We travel down to Knott's Merry Farm early in December each year. It is the real kick off to the holiday season. We ride roller coasters, listen to carolers and see snoopy on ice. Love it, and oh the grand finale is Mrs. Knott's famous fried chicken dinner.
On Christmas Eve, we travel off the mountain to my parents home. We all share a delicious ham dinner and open gifts to each other. This night is for family and friends and the cast has changed from year to year. All are welcome and it's such a fun time of love and laughter.
Christmas morning is a smaller affair. Just the three of us in jammies sharing our gifts to each other and zipping downstairs to see what Santa brought. We all have stockings, even the dogs. That's the last part of gift opening. We usually get some hot beverages rolling along with the gifts followed by a late breakfast. The rest of the day is a quiet day of playing games and reading the newest books we received. Sometimes my parents visit later in the day if the roads are clear. That isn't going to happen this year since we are still covered in snow and more expected on Christmas Day.
And now as a thank you for visiting my blog, I have a gift for you. My sweet hubby spent the afternoon helping me make my first video tutorial. It is the same technique I used to make this ATC. We have much to learn, but hope you will enjoy Painting with Alcohol Inks.
Next stop for the Open House Around the World:
Cindi in Maine
18 comments:
Merry Christmas Tami! I loved seeing your tree and reading your plans!
HOLEY BUCKETS your VIDEO tutorial is awesome! You have me wanted to try this! I seen at the stamp show that I went to that you can use copic refills for this too!
I love seeing your tree and hearing about all your neat "traditions". I also love the tutorial and I would like to ask if your DH will show me how to do one too. LOL Merry Christmas! Sherri
Wowsiers your video is fantastic!!!
I can't believe this is your first--it looks very professional. Congratulations to both you and DH for a terrific job!
I all so love the stories of you holiday traditions!...many thanks for participating!...Jan
Merry Christmas, Tami!
Congratulations on your venture into YouTube! Your video came out perfect and you have a very relaxin voice. :)
Tami, what a lovely time I've had at your Open House. And, the video is fabulous, great job. Your voice is beautiful, I loved listening to you. Thanks for sharing.
I love your traditions. Small town is so much fun! Your video is as professional as it gets. I loved hearing your voice. Very soothing.
I love reading about your small town holiday traditions. Those are great memories. Thanks for the tour and the tutorial. I didn't get to see it until today so I didn't really have a comment about your voice in the chat room yesterday. Now, I can tell you that your voice does sound a little different in the video, especially in the beginning.
Merry Christmas. We are getting a lot of rain which I'm sure means that you are getting a lot of snow. Enjoy your white Christmas.
Thankyou Tami for sharing another way of how to use my alcohol inks.. and Also thanks for sharing you christmas traditons with us.
Hi Tami!
Loved reading your blog and learning about your Christmas traditions. I REALLY LOVED your video. I have two floral stained glass window stamps that would be perfect for this technique. Thank you so much for making this video and sharing it!
I hope you have a safe, healthy and Merry Christmas.........and a Happy New Year!
Great tutorial, I'm going to have to give it a try! Happy Holidays!
mahodgman
Tami, I was so excited to hear about your tradition with the Christmas tree. I too have tons of ornaments (hand made and store bought) with family stories. Some have been passed down from my Grandmother to my mom and now me. One of the oldest ornaments I have is now 115 years old. It was hand blown and painted and given to my grandmother on her first Christmas as a new bride. Thanks for taking me down memory lane.
I also loved your tutorial. You make it look so easy. I'm going to give it a try.
Wishing you and yours all the best in the New Year.
Amy (scraphappy908)
Tami, thanks for sharing your video with me, it was awesome.
I love your tree, it's nice to have ornaments from your childhood, it makes every Christmas even more special.
thanks Tami for sharing your Christmas traditons with us..and I LOVED the aI tutorial!! fab job there!
Merry Christmas
:)
Tami,
I had sooo much fun at your Open House! First of all, our tree is much like yours -- every ornament has a story and we retell the story each and every year. I can't imagine buying a BOX of ornaments!
Your tutorial is fantastic, you did a super job! Your card is lovely and you've inspired me to try this technique.
Lastly, your voice sounds like ME!
Have a very Merry Christmas, and thank you for sharing your holiday with all of us.
Nancy
Awesome tutorial, thank you!!!
What a FABULOUS tutorial Tami!! Thanks for taking the time to do that, it's terrific :)
Love the tutorial! Love the site, we may not know each other but I know I love what I see and will check back often!
Tami, you and your husband did a fantastic job on your video. I learned a couple new tricks from it and look forward to your next video.
Happy New Year, my friend!
Cheers!
Jennifer
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