Christmas in the City

 

 

We had a whirlwind Christmas in Michigan with four busy, but very fun days. A lot of family time, wonderful meals, cookies, good wine, martinis, music, games and safe travels from the east side of the state, to the west side and then back again. The majority of our visit was spent in Grand Rapids with our daughters, son in law and Megan's new in laws who have become both friends and family. We traveled quite a few miles by car and walked around the city even more. Coats, scarves and gloves were worn by this Florida resident, but the temperatures hovered right around freezing, so it wasn't too bad and the only snow we saw was (appropriately) a few pretty flakes on Christmas morning.

We usually spend our time in the suburbs, but this holiday, were able to experience a Christmas in the city (Grand Rapids) and it was very special. The decorations and lights were so beautiful to see, both walking around and from the 22nd floor condo we stayed in. It was a Merry Christmas indeed.

 

 

 

 

 

No photos of our Saturday night, welcome to Grand Rapids dinner at Wheelhouse Kitchen, but the next morning we went back to the location of Megan and Adam's wedding reception for brunch. The Grand Rapids Downtown Market was beautifully decorated for Christmas, but it also brought back so many wonderful memories of that joyful August day. There was a Bloody Mary bar at the restaurant ( Social Kitchen) and that always makes me a happy girl.

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve Brunch - my side of the family. My parents were able to come to my sister's home from the nearby assisted living facility were they reside, so that made the day even more special.

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve - music, Christmas lights, a good bottle of wine and a delicious prime rib dinner, all enjoyed overlooking the city views. And, there were (big) Godiva chocolate martinis involved, hence the silly photo.

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Day started with breakfast and presents in Grand Rapids and ended at a casual holiday gathering with my husband's side of the family, back in the Detroit area. It's always a fun time and as usual we played a game that got everyone involved and a little loud too.

As you read this, I am back in the sunshine and hoping the next time I see everyone will be when the spring time visits to Florida start happening soon.

Have a wonderful weekend and New Year's celebration.

 

Oh Christmas Tree (and Christmas Card)

 

 

 

 

 

 

After moving to Florida and all the work of downsizing, I fight against bringing too much into the house again. It is especially tempting at Christmas and I have to make myself not go to Hobby Lobby. So far, I think I've been able to achieve a pretty good balance and really concentrate on the tree and the most sentimental and favorite items. I still put out my snow globe collection, but only the most special to me. Our nativity was my husband's mothers and it will always have a place in my home. And because every thing old is new again, my ceramic Christmas tree that was a wedding gift in 1982, is now coveted by all the millennials. The big change is that it's outside on my lanai.

My tree is new and much smaller than the tree I had in Michigan, where it needed to have height and drama in my foyer with a two story ceiling. I find this smaller tree perfect for this downsized house and so simple to decorate. My tree will never be pinterest worthy, but every ornament has a memory and that's how we like it. My favorite new ornament is a gift from my daughter and new son in law. It's a clear glass ball with their wedding invitation cut in strips and placed inside. I know, right!?

I do make my tree pretty and sparkle a bit by adding red and gold glass balls and silver and gold garland. To give it a touch of the coastal decor I use in my Florida home, I added a large starfish at the top and other large starfish scattered throughout the branches. This year I also added some small tourquoise ornaments and next year will look to add some large glass balls in the same color.

 

 

This was a special year for our family and my Christmas card reflects the joy in our daughter's wedding. Merry Christmas to all you lovely readers and I'll see you after the holidays.

 

All Things Christmas In Photos

 

 

One of the best things about having to ship Christmas presents is that it forces you to get all your shopping and wrapping done early. So, I was free this past weekend to really relax and soak in all things Christmas. There was a little baking, a lot of Christmas music played, some pool time, but most of all, Christmas lights in various ways. I hope you all can finish your lists, wind down all the hustle and bustle and find the joy in the season too.

 

 

 

Christmas lights Florida style. This is the University Town Center area in Sarasota and this is just a small sample of the hundreds of palm trees lit for the season.

 

1st Annual Christmas Glow Ride in my neighborhood. I don't bike, but there is a riding group that is quite adventurous (they usually ride 30+ miles) and they had a lot of fun spreading Christmas cheer.

 

Some Cranberry Apple and Ginger Chutney has been in my fridge since Thanksgiving and I found this great muffin recipe to use it up. Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins are both genius and delicious.

 

Beautiful pool day on December 16th. I was pretty happy in my chair, reading Gone with the Wind for maybe the 6th or 7th time and enjoying the sunshine sparkling on the water and the palm trees swaying in the breeze.

 

 

Downtown Venice - Florida style Christmas lights, round 2. This was my view after mass Sunday night.

Happy Monday!

 

{ Linking with these friends}

Savvy Southern Style

Between Naps on the Porch

21 Rosemary Lane