Wednesday 11 December 2013

Day 11 of the Advent Calendar Blog Hop

 Oh boy, it's that time of year again, Jo @ Serendipitous Stitching is having her annual Advent Blog Hop and I'm Day 11!

Now I know I'm supposed to show you something I've stitched, but I wanted to honour my Mom and show you what she stitched before her rheumatoid arthritis ruined her beautiful hands.  My Dad has these hanging up in the house all year round, as well as the ones I have made them.
 



As for my festive food story, I've got nothing!  Well, maybe a hodgepodge of some small stuff... 
Growing up, we ALWAYS had turkey for Christmas dinner.  One year my brother was home from boarding school and wanted another turkey after we finished the first one.  I think we ended up having three or four total - can you say turkey overload?!  Since I've been married, every Christmas dinner is different.  DH gets to choose our main meal and we work the sides around it.  We've had steak, lasagna, Swedish meatballs, pork loin, just to name a few.  He'd better get thinking for this year, I've got to start planning.
As for the sweets, there's always iced sugar cookies for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve.  It's his favourite at our house!  My Mother used to make these awesome German hazelnut cookies, but it's been years since she's made them.  She gave me the recipe and this year I'm going to attempt to recreate them, wish me luck!
I normally bake bread as gifts - zucchini, lemon, and/or cranberry orange.  I've made banana bread in a jar before for teachers and I'm planning on making some this year.  On Boxing Day at my parents house, we always have Christmas Pudding with brandied whipped cream.  Or should I say my parents and I always have it, DH and the boys don't like it very much!  Oh well, more for us.

Thanks again, Jo, for organising this!  It's always fun to see everyone's stitching and maybe get some new ideas. 

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and an Amazing New Year!

18 comments:

Justine said...

Those pictures of your Mum's are amazing! Are they cross stitch or embroidery? They look like paintings they are so detailed!

Rai Rai's Stitches said...

Those are stunning, Astrid. Your mom was truly talented!

Julie said...

Your mum was a very talented stitcher Astrid, its such a shame when an illness makes it impossible to continue with a much loved hobby.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Thanks for taking part and sharing those amazing pictures. They really do look like paintings.
The food at your place sounds great too!

Vickie said...

We have turkey throughout the year, we love it!!
Awesome work of your mother's!!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet thought of your Mom..She did beautiful work..Sounds like you always have something good to eat..Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Annie said...

Lovely personalized post. Your Mom's work is beautiful and so sweet of you to feature it!

Shebafudge said...

Your mum's work is amazing!!!

Emma/Itzy said...

Beautiful projects - no wonder they hung up all year round! x

stitchersanon said...

I loved seeing your mum's work. It is gorgeous and far too nice to be hidden away. Lovely traditions..I like the idea of changing the Christmas meal...banana bread in a jar? Sounds intriguing xxxxx

Unknown said...

Beautiful...I'd be tempted to keep them hanging up all year also!

Jan Gartlan said...

What amazing stitching your mother did. They are precious! Love your foodie stories too. I'm struggling to come up with Xmas food story too - I had better think fast as I am posting on the 13th!

Kaisievic said...

Those three stitched pieces are just amazing! Your mother was so talented, you must take after her! Merry Xmas.

cheryl said...

Your Mother's stitched pieces are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Happy Holidays!

EvalinaMaria said...

Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Aurelia Eglantine said...

Your Mom is an amazing stitcher, I'm so sorry to hear that she's suffering with RA now. All three designs are lovely, but the second one that looks like a box full of ornaments is so cute! Good luck with your hazelnut cookies :)

Gillie said...

How can they not like Christmas pudding, lol? Gorgeous stitching by your mum!

geeky Heather said...

Mmmmm...I love those German hazelnut cookies, too...at least if they are the ones I am thinking of! One day I hope to have a real Christmas pudding. We don't make those in the States...not anything remotely like...and I can't imagine what they taste like!