Saturday, December 12, 2009

Well, hello there

I've been hibernating.  This is one of my favorite times of year, plenty of evenings spent reading by the fire, lots of beautiful holiday decorations to admire, and the joy of spending time with family and friends.

Here are a few of my favorite holiday treats that I'd like to share with you...

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I read this book every year around Christmas.  Nothing gets me more in the holiday spirit than the story of little Sarah Crewe and her brave adventures.  My copy is from 1987 (cover image shown) and has held up amazingly well.  The pages are yellowed and the jacket shows lots of love.  Last year, I decided to start collecting copies of this book.  Any cover, any condition, any age.  But when December rolls around, I always pick up my original copy to read. 


Peppermint
Every fall, Ghirardelli makes their delicious Peppermint Bark chocolate.  It's got a milk chocolate bottom with a white chocolate topping, chock full of tiny peppermint pieces. Yum!  Another holiday favorite is Candy Cane Lane Tea from Celestial Seasonings.  Full confession - I scour the grocery stores in November and stock up on this tea so that I have it all year long.

Grand Illumination in Colonial Williamsburg
At least once in your lifetime, I recommend going to Colonial Williamsburg for Grand Illumination, which takes place the first Sunday in December.  Not only are you greeted by caroling colonials, hot apple cider, and hundreds of fun shops, there is also a huge fireworks display to celebrate the lighting of candles in the windows of Colonial Williamsburg's buildings, shops, and homes.


What are your favorite holiday traditions?

(images taken from Ghirardelli and Celestial Seasonings and about.com)

7 comments:

  1. Welcome back!

    I love peppermint bark! I usually get them at Trader Joe's, but I'll try Ghirardelli too!

    A Little Princess is one of my most favorite classic books! Sara is just the most angelic girl!

    Happy Holidays!

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  2. I just love rereading A Little Princess; I think you may have inspired me to go pick it up again!

    Favorite tradition...well, besides catching up on reading, I love watching old Disney movies over winter break :)

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  3. I love the sound of peppermint bark! Yum! My favourite holiday tradition if going to see a pantomime with my family on Christmas Eve.

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  4. Decorating a gingerbread house and the tree. It is nice to see you take some time from your hibernating!

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  5. That chocolate is to die for. Oh my goodness.

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  6. What wonderful traditions! I hope you got to enjoy them all again this year. I love to look at the lights and decorations all month. I have to read as many Christmas stories as possible as well. My favorite thing is to spend as much time as possible with family.

    I hope you had a very merry Christmas and have the best new year!

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  7. You should try the Celestial Seasonings Gingerbread Tea and Nutcracker Suite. They are also amazing.

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