Prettiest church in the diocese, especially at Christmas

I'm partial and quite one-sided when it comes to which church is the prettiest in the city. Hands down, Our Lady of Peace!

Not only are the aesthetics phenomenal, coupled with the Christmas decorations, but add in the heart and soul of the parishioners, and you gain perfection!

Though I had a hard time getting the Christmas spirit this year, it all came together in the end.


I'm not going to lie. Not having Mom or Uncle Bill is horrendous. It's not getting easier, only harder for me.


But this was always our favorite time of the year (still is for me), and by golly, I'm never ever going to let it pass without realizing what the season means and enjoying it to its full extent.


There were many miracles from Heaven this season, especially last week. I still had no tree....and 2 very good friends surprised me by leaving a tree in my front vestibule while I was at work. Shocked. Amazed. Felt like I was in some movie not believing the generosity of their hearts and what they had done for me.

Then my Aunt and Sister put the lights on the tree the following night....


From that moment, the season kicked into high gear and the Christmas Cheer meter was on the rise.





I was a baking fiend cooking dozens and dozens of cookies non-stop for a week. I made our traditional butter balls, pizelles, and gucci daddi's (I honestly have no idea how to spell it, but they are my favorites!).





Many years ago I wrote a poem on how people should act as if everyday is Christmas. I still believe that. Mom, too, was a firm believer in that philosophy which is why we kept a few Christmas knick knacks (the kneeling Santa, a small nativity scene, etc.) out year round.


This year's Christmas letter is the only thing that will be late. I don't know when I will have the time to finish it, but I WILL complete it and will eventually send it out, even if it's actually a New Year's or Valentine's letter!

We kept up all of our traditions including St. Nick, Chrismas Eve at my house, attending Mass together (well, I'm at all of them singing)....spending Christmas all together.....and remembering the reason for the season and enjoying it to the max!

A very merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

Dumplings & Sauerkraut

Tradition.

It would not be New Year's Day without eating and making dumplings and sauerkraut.

I hope this tradition lasts forever, or at least for me, through my lifetime....but a great tribute to our ancestors if it continues to be passed on from generation to generation.

When all was said and done, we'd made 40 pounds of potatoes!

At first, we made just over 30 pounds but my stubborn determination got the best of me and I eventually finished off the rest....

Half of the fun truly is gathering early, putting on the sauerkraut, letting it simmer as the rich aroma swirls throughout the house as we attempt to make the potato dumplings.

Mom was the Queen. She had the touch. We came close this year but it was definitely not the same. However, I'm sure we all did her proud.

As for me, never fails, after I place the final dumpling into the pot of boiling water, I am covered in flour and must change before we sit down to eat.

I would not have it any other way!

And to those who are not familiar with this ritual, they cringe and make the oddest of faces as we tell them we encourage slathering the hot grease which the pork was cooking in all over our dumplings, sauerkraut and pork.

Come on, one day out of the year, we indulge. And do we!

Happy Birthday, Sara!

I'm sensing the end of another tradition.

We used to go out for a special dinner for every one's birthday.

Honestly, with every one's busy schedules, that seemed to be the only time we all could gather each month, and it was nice.

Now, people feel that text messaging, tweeting, or leaving a greeting on Facebook is appropriate. Oh, how times are a changin'!

Well, today is my oldest niece's birthday and nothing has been planned.

She said she is helping someone move and had other plans all weekend long.

It's too bad. Mom really misses seeing all the kids. I hate to see the sadness and tears in her eyes each night as another day passes....

Hopefully one day soon Sara's schedule will clear out because Mom and I can not let a birthday go by without remembering and we have a special 'birthday bag' just waiting to be busted open!

Love, Us xoxo

A blessed Easter to you all!

Happy Easter!

I'd love to share a little insight into our family Easter traditions!

CLICK HERE for a ride down Easter memory lane...

And have a Blessed and Happy Easter to you and yours!

Beneath the pomp and circumstance and flowers and candy is the real reason for the season.

Savor it.