Christmas means getting my crafty on until 3:30 in the morning, y'all.

And as such, an already prepared Christmas questionnaire sounds like the perfect idea for a blog post today.

1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? Venti Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks, please.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa is a freaking rockstar and leaves gorgeously filled stocking and the big gifts artistically displayed around the tree in such a way that creates the most magic.

3. Multi-colored lights on the tree or white? Oh lord, we had this debate three years ago in our house. I've been converted to white lights, but I reserve the right to go back to multi-colored whenever the mood strikes.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Like I need an excuse to make out with my husband...

5. When do you put your decorations up? Despite the pressure that corporate America is putting on all of us, my decorations go up after Thanksgiving and NO EARLIER.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? The Cruise Family Secret Recipe Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sweet Potato Casserole, Jason's pork tenderloin, PW's Cinnamon Rolls, my mom's Breakfast Goulash. Don't make me pick just one, it's not possible. I'm southern.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Every year since I was born, Mom has given me an angel ornament. Every year I would anticipate the new angel ornament (and Allie's new Santa ornament) because Mom did such a good job picking ones that fit our personality or interests or things that were going on that year. It's still one of my favorite things about Christmas!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was in 4th grade and looking at some pictures that Mom had recently gotten developed from Christmas morning. In one of them, everything was set up just like Santa had left it on Christmas morning but I noticed that the TV was on and an episode of "The Dick Van Dyke" show was playing on Nick at Nite. Right then, I realized that Santa wasn't real. Don't worry, though, I was happy to play along as long as I still got loads of presents under the tree. Greedy little punk...

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We never did when I was growing up, but Jason and I do now.

10. How do you decorate your christmas tree? A strand of white lights around the trunk of the tree so it illuminates from the inside out and shows off the ornaments. White lights around the outer branches (for now, see Question #3) and the vast ornament collection that's been handed down, given to and gathered by me over the years. Simple, sweet and full of meaning on every branch.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? I love snow as long as I have my husband, tomato soup and cinnamon rolls in the house.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, and one of my favorite birthdays from my 20's was an ice skating party. Random, sorry.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? One of my absolute favorites was when I was eight years old. My Aunt Joann had drawn my name that year in our gift exchange and she gave my bookwormy little self an entire box full of brand spankin' new Nancy Drew mysteries.

I was pretty jazzed. Also, try to contain your jealousy and not covet my suh-weet Coke sweatshirt and Swatch watch.

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? After several rough Christmases at the start of our marriage, the most important thing to me now is that I get to celebrate with Jason and that at some point we celebrate with one of our families.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? See Question #6

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? In the tradition of my annual angel ornament, Jason and I exchange ornaments as well. We give each other an ornament that is symbolic of something in the past year. You can see some of those here and here.

17. What tops your tree? The angel of courage!

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? I looooooove to give gifts. I'm filled with a giddy joy every year as I plot and plan what to make or buy folks, what will make them especially happy or be something that is especially unique. I've been especially crafty for the last few Christmases and I think Jason is mourning losing me to the craft room this time of year.

19. Candy canes, yuck or yum? Eh. I wouldn't turn one down, but I'm not grief stricken if I go an entire Christmas without eating one.

20. Favorite Christmas movie? Hands down, without a doubt, absolute favorite Christmas movie that I quote (along with Jason, his family and mine) all the ding dang year- "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." I watched it with Mom and Allie at Thanksgiving. Jason and I watched it with a group of our Chatt friends a couple of weeks ago. I just need to sit down and watch it with my in-laws and I will have hit the trifecta.

{Want to see my absolute favorite part that makes me cry laughing? Go watch this. Sorry about the language, but it's just so funny!}

21. Saddest Christmas song? Justin Bieber, "Mistletoe." Actually, you know what? Any Christmas song sung by Justin Bieber is the saddest Christmas song.

22. What is your favorite Christmas song? "In the First Light" by Travis Cottrell. There aren't words. Just watch, or even better, close your eyes and listen. And then when you're done, go to iTunes and buy his Christmas album "Ring the Bells." I promise you won't regret it.



But the song that makes me happy and nostalgic and reminds me of pure joy in Christmas? It would be staring at this album cover and listening to this song. The part at 0:36 is my FAVORITE.



{When Animal starts hollerin' "WON'T GO! WON'T GO!"...oh my word, I giggle so hard I can't breathe...}

I Brag Freely About This Skill

What's that you say? You need a surefire way to make people ooh and aah over your cooking prowess this Christmas? Look no further, I have just what you're looking for! It's a recipe you might have heard of, I've seen it at least ten times on Pinterest in the last month and it is guaranteed to please. Trust me, I know this.

Ladies and gentleman ('cause we all know a good man can throw his weight around in the baking department, am I right?), it is the one and only Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls.

Now, I know that these little lovelies might have the reputation for being difficult to make, but that's why I'm writing this post. Do they take a little time and intentionality? Yes, it's true. But what good thing doesn't require that? And believe me, y'all, these are Very Good Things. With a little time and practice, you'll be whipping up a half batch of these suckers in no time. This recipe is my go-to for when we have company, when I need to take something to a breakfast or when I just want to have four pans of goodness sitting in my freezer just waiting for Saturday morning. 

Ree's recipe is for a full batch which makes a LOT of cinnamon rolls (8-9 round pans, to be exact). I've only needed that many at once on a few occasions, so I like to go for the half batch. I made some this week for our Chapel Department Christmas Breakfast and took pics while I did. I thought I'd walk you through the process so you can see just how doable it is.

I am on a mission, y'all. Your people need these cinnamon rolls.

For the dough starter:

- 2 cups whole milk (Don't skimp, buy the good stuff. There's no lowfat in cinnamon rolls, m'kay?)

- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil

- 1/2 cup of sugar

Combine these in a pot that is large enough so you can add 4 1/2 cups of flour in the next step. Our large saucepan is big enough for me when I'm making a half batch. Stir the milk, oil and sugar together and set over medium to medium-high heat. You're going to "scald" this mixture, which just means heat it up until you see that it's just on the verge of boiling. I wait until I see the little boiling bubbles just starting to form, but DON'T let it boil. 

Once it's reached that point, take it off the stove and set it aside. Let it cool until the side of your pan is just warm to the touch, which means the mixture is likely lukewarm. That usually takes about forty-five minutes. I took Knox to the field to run around while this was happening. See? Multi-tasking.

Here's what you'll need for the next step:

- 1 packet (0.25 oz) of Active Dry Yeast

- 4 cups of all-purpose flour

Once the mixture is lukewarm, sprinkle the packet of yeast on top and let it sit for one minute. Then, add the four cups of flour and mix it all together gently (I use a wooden spoon) until it's combined. It will look mushy and that's just right. Cover your pot/pan with a clean towel and set this in a warm place for at least an hour to rise. I've discovered that if I turn our oven on to 200 degrees and sit the pan in the middle of the stove top, it is just the right amount of warmth to get the dough to rise. While I waited for it to rise, I went upstairs and worked on our Christmas cards. I think the ability to multi-task while I make this recipe is probably the root of my pride. And I'm ok with that.

To finish the dough, you will need:

- 1/2 cup of flour

- 1/2 heaping teaspoon of Baking Powder

- 1/2 scant teaspoon of Baking Soda

- 1/2 heaping Tablespoon of Salt

Add these to the dough and mix gently and well. Now, at this point I had to go to book club. So I put the lid on the saucepan and stuck the dough in the fridge. That's the beauty of this dough- you can use it right away or stick it in the fridge for a day or two until you have time to do the next steps. If you do put it in the fridge, just make sure you take it out about 30 minutes before you plan to use it so it will be pliable and rollable. 

I went to book club, ate some amazing goodies, drank hot chocolate, and worked on some knitting while we discussed Tina Fey's "Bossypants" and other sundry topics I won't divulge here. Came home, took my dough out of the fridge, let it sit for about 20 minutes and voila!

Isn't it pretty? I love a good dough. Make sure you sprinkle your countertop with plenty of flour before you plop your dough onto it. Something about the half batch dough is that it ends up being a little more tacky than the full batch. I've found that the flour on counter and flour on my rolling pin takes care of that and makes it easy to work with and roll out. Knead the dough just a bit using the flour on the counter to eliminate the residual tackiness. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle that is about 20 inches from left to right and 12 inches from top to bottom. Be careful not to roll it out too thin, as that can get problematic once you load it up with the next group of ingredients.

Here's what you'll need for the absolutely amazing filling:

- 2 sticks of butter, melted

- Sugar

- Light or dark brown sugar 

- Cinnamon

Pour the butter over the rectangle of dough and spread it around with the back of a spoon. Next, sprinkle the entire surface with sugar. I use about a cup, I guess. I don't really know, I just sprinkle until the butter no longer has a sheen to it. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon over the sugar. Now, Ree doesn't call for brown sugar but I've found it adds a rich flavor to the filling that I really love. I don't use as much brown sugar because, um, hello? There's already sugar on there. So, I just dot the entire surface with it. 

At this point, it's good to just step back and take it all in. I like to think this is what Monet would have painted if he had been acquainted with Ree and Paula Deen.

You're ready to roll! No, seriously. You're ready to roll up the dough. Starting at the top of the rectangle, roll the dough towards you keeping it pretty tight. I like to sort of lift my dough as I roll it, so it comes up over the buttery sugary goodness instead of squishing it forward. Does that make sense? Roll, roll, roll, until you have one long cinnamon roll log. 

Now you need to get your four pans ready. I buy the aluminum cake pans (NOT pie pans). They are the perfect size for this recipe and it makes it so much easier to give them away, if that's your goal. If you're keeping them for yourself, these pans work just fine for eating an entire pan in one sitting and then throwing the evidence away. Not that I've ever done that before....

Ree says to spread butter around in the pans, but I just spray them with olive oil spray. You know, because I'm so health-conscious. Using a sharp knive, cut 1 inch slices and place them in the pans. I alternate cutting slices off the cinnamon roll log from opposite ends AND distribute them into the four pans at once (instead of filling up one pan, then the next, etc.) so that there's a more even distribution to the pans. I usually end up with eight to nine slices in each pan.

The next thing is to cover the rolls and let them rise for 20 minutes. Again, I sit them on my stove top while the oven preheats to 375. While they rise, I clean off my counter and wash any dishes I've used. After you've let them rise, pop them in the oven (four pans fit nicely all at once, by the way) and let them bake for 15 to 17 minutes. 

While your rolls are baking, go ahead and make the icing. My experience with the half batch is that you do NOT want to halve the icing recipe. I've actually found that what Ree lists in her recipe is enough (with a little left over) for a half batch, and I need to double it for a whole batch. Trust me on this, one of the beautiful things about these cinnamon rolls is the icing to dough ratio. It's perfection. Don't mess with it.

For the icing you will need:

- 1/4 cup melted butter (I just melt a whole stick, because you'll definitely need more)

- 1/2 cup of whole milk (I end up using more, but start with that)

- 1/4 cup of strong coffee (I keep Starbucks VIA on hand so I can make a single cup, again you'll probably end up using more than 1/4 cup)

- 2 pound bag of powdered sugar

- 2 teaspoons Maple or Vanilla flavoring. Ree calls for maple, but I don't care for it so I use vanilla.

In a large mixing bowl, dump in the powdered sugar and mix in 1/4 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of coffee and 2 teaspoons of your chosen flavoring. Using a large whisk, mix it together really well. At this point, my icing is still too thick so I add smaller amounts of each of the wet ingredients until it tastes right and is a slightly thick and pourable (BUT NOT TOO RUNNY) consistency. Oh yes, you've GOT to taste test it as you go. I always make sure I can taste a hint of coffee and that the powdered sugar isn't the first taste that hits my tongue. That's when I know I've got it just right.

In the meantime, keep an eye on the rolls in the oven. Ree suggests baking them for 15-17 minutes, but your oven may need longer like mine. I take them out when they're lightly golden brown on top and I can tell that the center roll is baked through and not too mushy. Like this...

Give the rolls a couple of minutes to sit and then using a 1 cup measuring cup, generously pour it over the rolls while they are still good and warm. You want icing to fill up every crevice and even fill up the little spots in the pan that are empty. I usually pour one cup over each pan, let it soak in for a minute and then pour another half cup or so over each pan. You'll wind up with this breathtaking sight...

I know that looks like a WHOLE lot of icing, but those darling little rolls are going to soak it all up and be so delicious. You've got a couple of options at this point:

A.) Grab a fork and chow down. Whether or not you invite others to join you is up to your discretion.

B.) Let them cool for a bit, cover with foil and pop them in the fridge if you know you'll eat them/take them to a party/give them away in the next few days.

C.) Let them cool completely, cover them with foil, place each pan in a gallon freezer bag and stick them in the freezer. When you're ready to eat them, take out however many pans you need and warm them in a 275 oven for 20-25 minutes (foil off).

And there you have it! I know this post is insanely long and you might think it would take a long time to make these. I started this batch at 5:30 and was done by 11, and don't forget all the stuff I was able to accomplish in between. 

So, go forth! Make cinnamon rolls! The world will be a better, happier, more delicious place for it. 

Oh, hi!

That's what my sweet niece, Moriah, says when she sees someone she loves. No matter if you've been gone for five minutes or a week, she looks up with a bright smile and wide eyes to greet you with those two words.

Only, truly, it sounds more like, "Ohhhh, hiiiiii!"

After being on a few extended trips with her and her family, you can't help but adopt the saying yourself. All of us Petrees do it now. And I think, like Moriah, what we're really saying is "I am so happy to see you! You really matter to me and I'm glad you're here."

So. Two months later.

Oh, hi!

It's December, my friends. December! That means Christmas! I love me some Christmas and I feel all bear-huggy about this one. Yup, bear-huggy.

I kicked it off down in Macon where I spent Thanksgiving with Mom and Allie. Jason was supposed to be there too, but God love 'im, he ended up sick and we decided he should just stay put. So, a girls only Thanksgiving it was! I basically stayed in my pj's the entire time and it was GLORIOUS. However, I did make my 2nd Annual Black Friday Jo-Ann Fabrics Trip and came away loaded with all the supplies I need to make this another Crafty Christmas.

Oh, yes, it needs to be capitalized. Crafty. Christmas. Bring it.

Jason surprised me this week with a date night, free dinner at Outback Steakhouse (thanks generous homeowner clients!) and then our annual picking of the Christmas tree. Kickoff to Christmas Date Night? Don't mind if I do! We ran into a handsome fellow at Lowe's...

...then it was on to peruse our options.

{Seriously, how cute is my husband? Totes adorbs. Be still my heart....}

Y'all, no joke, we ended up with the very first tree Jason picked up. It was everything you want in a Christmas tree. Tall, destined to be full but not too full, a perfect gap here and there for those larger ornaments, a nice tall topper for the angel...divine. Climb into the back of the truck, tree! You're coming home with us.

And it did.

I shocked Jason by not decorating the tree that very night, but I just wasn't feeling it. What's this? A break from Christmas decorum? Yes, but I plan to give that tree all sorts of Christmas accessories this weekend so it ends up looking a little something like this...

Don't you worry, darling tree. You're going to be gorgeous and loved and admired by all who enter here. I give you my solemn word as the Queen of Christmas.*

More December Delights were to be found this week in the form of OH MY WORD, I WON FREE CONCERT TICKETS FROM A FACEBOOK CONTEST. There's a new music venue in Chattanooga called Track 29 that is bringing in some of the major artists that cities like Nashville and Atlanta tend to attract. Jars of Clay and Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors are playing their Christmas show there tonight and Track 29 was giving away a pair of tickets every day this week.

Um, hello? Social media competition with minimal entries? Oh, I am ALL over this. So I liked the status, made the poster my profile pic, commented and shared it on my wall. I may or may not have even kept track of all the given entries on a day so that I could figure out what percentage would be mine. But that would be weird, right? Well, weird sometimes pays off because my friend Lexi and I will be singing along at the show tonight!

Live Christmas music + Christmas craftiness + Yuletide decorating = my delightful weekend to come.

And stay tuned! Next week, I'll be hosting a giveaway for a fabulous print created by one of my dearest friends in Texas. Her shop is going to help you with your Christmas shopping list, I promise.

In the meantime, please do remember that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loudly for all to hear. So go do it. What are you waiting for? It's December!

*I've found that giving yourself a title for holidays increases your seasonal joy tenfold. Won't you make yourself a queen or king or duke or duchess today? You won't regret it.

Catching Up

If you've been reading this blog for the last year, GOD BLESS YOU. I realize just how inconsistent I've been in writing but I think that maybe, just maybe, the blogging mojo is making a comeback. Back in December, I had every intention of the Joy project being what brought me back to my little spot of the internet that I love so much. Then there was a...detour. A speed bump. A road diverged.

And I had to take the one I have never traveled by.

Lordamercy, do I ever hope it makes all the difference.

Two days before Christmas, I resigned from my teaching position. It wasn't something I had anticipated doing, but sometimes life throws you a curveball and you have to stick the landing while you make the jump shot and roll with the punches or else you'll never sink the putt. Or something like that. Anyhow, I'm very proud of the work I did in that classroom and so grateful for the support I have continued to receive from so many of the parents, kids and teachers there. I'm not sure what comes next. It's been difficult emotionally having to process this new place. I have an amazing husband and support system {y'all included!} and I'm anxious to see what will end up filling this next chapter of my story.

In the meantime, let's get back to the joy, shall we? Brace yourself, my friends, there's a lot of pictures in this post. Let's start back where I left off, the trip down to Florida for Christmas with Mom and Allie...

Knox is the best traveler. Without fail, about fifteen minutes into any road trip he settles into a nap. His sweet freckled nose tucked into that fraggle of a tail? {16} Bliss.

It was McDonald's coffee {17}, BUT IT WAS COFFEE.

I don't remember who introduced me to the joy that is dipping a salty fry into a sweet Frosty {18}, but I can't eat one without doing so. Viva la Frosty!

It was a looooong trip down to Allie's new place near Palm Beach. Did you know Florida is really flat? Very. Nothing too terribly interesting to look at until you finally get close to the coast. Anytime I'm heading to a beach, I savor that first glimpse of the water {19}. A golden sunset over a glimmering gulf is always soothing.

I know the Carhartt overalls + my husband has already been mentioned {5}, but who says joys can't be repeated? {Let me say for the record, I asked him to pose this way {20}. But, seriously. Love. This. Man.}

My love of the magic of dusk and twilight is well documented {take a peek here and here}. So imagine my joy at a dusk shot through with purples and pinks and oranges {21}. Throw in a palm tree and you have the perfect recipe for peace.

Me, my Marmee and my Allie. {22} We have the same smile, we know each other backwards and forwards and we never get tired of making each other laugh {or laughing at each other}. 

It wasn't until I reached into Allie's pantry and realized that were no mini marshmallows that I knew the childlike joy of putting giant marshmallows {23} into my hot chocolate on Christmas morning.

Joy looks like weaving my love's Christmas morning traditions {24} into mine. 

And joy looks like my sister whipping out these lovelies {25} for a new Christmas morning tradition. Mi-more mimosas, please!

We missed the first big snow in Chatt while we were down in Florida. It was surreal to leave sunny and balmy Florida and drive back into a winter wonderland. But look! More freckles! {26} Only made of snow!

Jason and I got all gussied up and headed to one of our favorite spots in Chatt, The Terminal {27}, for a New Year's Eve dinner. I don't think I'll ever get tired of sitting across from my husband, enjoying really good local food and some spectacular brews.

He's slept in this position {28} since he was a wee pup and it never gets old. Never.

This dog. Eight inches of snow. Romping. {29}

Chattanooga was covered in one more big snow which actually kept us housebound for a week. Thank goodness I had stocked up for the quintessential snow day meal {30}. {Yes, that's a Muppets glass, the kind they used to sell at Pizza Hut back in the day. If you run across more of these, will you buy them for me? Pay you back, thanks!}

My dear friend and sister of my heart, Carlye {she's the one in the fantastic skirt and sassy boots}, is pursuing her joy and it is a thrill to watch her live out her calling as an artist {31}. Joy is contagious and joy was palpable as I watched her host her first art show reception down in Birmingham. She was amazing and I am inspired just watching her.

One of my {unspoken until now} New Year's resolutions was to read more, at least one novel a month. I felt like I was indulging the twelve year old bookworm in me {32} as I cozied up at a coffee shop and finished this fantastic book. If you have reading suggestions for me, I'd love to hear them!

This sculpture makes me giddy {33}. It reminds me of Jackie O and all things feminine.

There is joy in big hair {right, Amy Beth?} and there is joy getting all prettified for a night on the town {34}. I love being a girl.

Have you seen these? Fruit Loops in Cheerio form {35}. So, essentially healthy Fruit Loops. Awesome.

We're not really big on making a deal out of Valentine's Day. This year we opted for dinner at home {Jason cooked. SWOON.} and a quiet evening on the couch. Repurposing a Christmas ornament {made by the one and only Robin Plemmons} for our Valentine's Day decorations {36}? Ooh la la and lovey dovey.

So, there we are. Caught up. Onward....

Joy Has Dawned…

Joy has dawned upon the world,
Promised from creation—
God’s salvation now unfurled,
Hope for ev’ry nation.
Not with fanfares from above,
Not with scenes of glory,
But a humble gift of love—
Jesus born of Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place,
Shaped the earth in darkness,
Cling now to a mother’s breast,
Vuln’rable and helpless.

Shepherds bow before the Lamb,
Gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story.
Gold—a King is born today,
Incense—God is with us,
Myrrh—His death will make a way,
And by His blood He’ll win us.

Son of Adam, Son of heaven,
Given as a ransom;
Reconciling God and man,
Christ, our mighty champion!
What a Savior! What a Friend!
What a glorious myst’ry!
Once a babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of hist’ry.

And for all these years, I though Wassail was some sort of cider.

For the last sixty-three years, the Cruise sisters, their husbands and children have gathered together to celebrate Christmas. Every Christmas morning, each sister and her family would celebrate at their own house and then travel to Durham to Grandmother and Grandaddy’s house for an evening family gathering. About a week or so prior to this, we would all gather at Melba and Randall’s house to Christmas carol around their neighborhood, eat a ridiculously delicious southern meal and then engage in a rousing round of Yankee Swap {or White Elephant or Dirty Santa or whatever else you may prefer to call it}.

Every year this would happen like clockwork. I have precious and laughter-filled memories of caroling through the cold streets of Roxboro, finally at 16 being old enough to participate in my rooky round of Yankee Swap and anxiously anticipating seeing all my cousins so that I could boss them around in Grandmother and Grandaddy’s basement.
But then all of us grandkids started getting married and having kid
s of our own and in-laws to go see at Christmas. The two separate gatherings became harder and harder to coordinate so we simply combined both events into one and held it the weekend before Christmas. Voila! Cruise Family Christmas lives on. And this year has been no different…

C’mon everybody! Let’s go caroling!

The Hamiltons, our fine hosts, decked out even the car.

A flatbed trailer to carry us this year! We’re caroling in style…

Caroling from dusk into night…

 

Each year, the hosts {this year, Aunt Betsy and Uncle Todd} alert their neighbors to the fact that we’ll be coming around and caroling for them. This year, the weather being what it was {freaking freezing!} there wasn’t the…shall we say…generous spirit of caroling for all the neighbors no matter how long it took. After over an hour of riding around and singing in the just above freezing temps, several of our group were ready to head back home. But as we passed one brightly lit home, we saw several young children throw their front door open and run onto the porch. Clearly, they had been anticipating our arrival.

But it was cold.

And we were freezing.

And I was really having a hard time feeling my fingers or toes which was invoking repeated thoughts of one of the greatest Christmas movie lines, “Clark, Audrey’s frozen from the waist down.” {If you don’t know to what movie I am referring, just don’t tell me. But get thee to Blockbuster and rent “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, STAT.}

Still, when small children are standing in their front yard watching you drive away, it tugs on your frozen heartstrings. Well, it does for some of us. For one aunt who shall remain nameless it did not hold the same power it did for the rest of us. “I don’t care if it’s the three wise men, I am not singing for anyone else tonight!”

Ahem.

We made a pit stop back at Betsy and Todd’s house to drop off the weary and cold, then headed back for one last caroling visit. And it’s a good thing we did, because the mom had already loaded her kids in the car and was headed towards us so we could sing for them. I’m not saying that we were all that brilliant sounding but, clearly, if you promise caroling you better deliver the goods.

Happy wassailing, my friends!

And so it begins

Amidst slush and sleet and snow and ice…

which nearly caused the whole thing to be called off.

After three serious runners…

took a joyful three mile run.

It’s time for The Cruise Family Christmas! Stay tuned for more….

I promise this time I really will post.