Carole Knits

october zinnia
october zinnia
martinis with a view
martinis with a view
gettysburg fence for
gettysburg fence for
germinate shawl on rocks
germinate shawl on rocks
field of flags 2
field of flags 2
color affection with edge
color affection with edge
cedar leaf shawlette 2
cedar leaf shawlette 2
3_27_2014
3_27_2014
3_18_13
3_18_13
2_24_2014
2_24_2014
1_11_13
1_11_13
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Arthritis Ask Me Anything Birthdays Bloggers Books Buy More Yarn Charity Knitting Circular Sock Machine Contests Crochet Dyeing Epic Sock Blanket Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Joyful Wednesday Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday March Money Madness Memes Mittens Monday On My Mind Movies Museum of Me Mutterings My Backyard NaBloPoMo One Little Word Patterns Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Ravelry Read With Us Reenacting Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Sewing Show & Tell Sock Knitting Spinning Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on the Tenth Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

  • Home
  • Carole Julius Photography
You are here: Home / Think Write Thursday / Think Write Thursday: A Favorite Holiday Tradition

Think Write Thursday: A Favorite Holiday Tradition

December 8, 2016 By Carole

The Think Write Thursday prompt for this week is to write about a favorite holiday tradition. Why I love it, how it started, why it’s important to me.

You know, I came up with the prompt for this week. And it seemed like a great idea at the time. Kat said so, too. But now that I’m sitting down to write this post I’m wondering what the hell I was thinking. ONE single favorite holiday tradition? Only one?? I thought about making decorating the house as my favorite holiday tradition. Or perhaps watching Christmas movies. Or maybe even decorating the tree. And then I realized it really does all come down to one favorite tradition.

watercolor-wreath-for-carole-knits

Our Christmas Eve Open House.

I love that our house is full of friends and family. I love that they are eating delicious food and laughing and telling stories and making merry. I love that we sing together. And I love that this is something I have done for my whole life, first as a child, then as a young wife and mother, and now as a, hmmmmm, well-seasoned woman who loves to entertain.

As a small child we went to my grandparents on Christmas Eve and my Swedish grandmother served a traditional smorgasbord. We had Swedish meatballs and baked ham, korv and pickled herring, medwurst sandwiches, pickled beets, baked beans, rice pudding and glögg. Later, my mother took this over, but the menu remained pretty similar. Our house was packed with family and friends, we had a piano and I always played carols and everyone gathered around and sang. I remember loving it because everyone sang so loud that it didn’t matter if I made mistakes. Those memories are some of my favorites from my childhood.

And what we do now is very similar. The menu has changed slightly – I don’t make korv and rice pudding – and I’ve added things like finger sandwiches and baked macaroni and cheese – but I still serve many of those Swedish specialties. Meatballs and baked beans and glögg, medwurst sandwiches and pickled herring and baked ham. I’m sure many of our guests just think of it as party food but for Dale and I it’s a special way of honoring our Swedish heritage. I love serving those foods to my father-in-law, big Swedish elf that he is, and seeing him enjoy them, too.

It’s not all about the food, though. It’s about being together and celebrating – celebrating the birth of Jesus, celebrating the return of the light, celebrating another year on this earth. It’s about blending our voices (often not very harmoniously) in song, it’s about setting time apart to be human and feel loved, it’s about remembering all the other Christmas gatherings, thinking that our children and grandchildren will carry on these traditions, and recognizing that caring for people in our home, with hospitality and grace is one of the greatest blessings we have. It is, quite simply, one of the best things Dale and I do as a couple.

Speaking of Dale, I can picture him reading this and thinking to himself, whaaaaa? For a tradition she loves so much, Carole sure does complain about this party. And it’s true, I have been known to complain about the work associated with hosting Christmas Eve. But, work or not, I love it. And I’m trying, really trying, to focus on the joy of Christmas and the graciousness of opening my home to the people I love.

Our Christmas Eve Open House is my favorite Christmas tradition. What’s yours?

If you wrote a post for this week’s Think Write Thursday please click the button below to add your link before next Wednesday. If you want to subscribe to the Think Write Thursday weekly email (it’s the only way to get the weekly prompt) please click here.

An InLinkz Link-up


Related posts:

Default ThumbnailThink Write Thursday Default ThumbnailThink Write Thursday: Holiday Spirit Default ThumbnailThink Write Thursday: My Favorite Teacher Default ThumbnailThink Write Thursday: A Favorite Recipe
« Hudson Bay Baby Blanket
Eye Candy Friday »

Filed Under: Think Write Thursday

Comments

  1. Mary says

    December 8, 2016 at 6:50 am

    Oh Carole, that’s a wonderful tradition! It seems like a true extension of you – a warm and inviting gathering of friends and family, with delicious food and a nod to your heritage. Perfect!

  2. Robby says

    December 8, 2016 at 7:08 am

    My beloved gets overwhelmed by the flash & business that our culture tends to dress the holiday in. For us, the moment the lights slowly dim at the end of the Christmas Eve service and we sing Silent Night is one of the holiest moments of the year. There is a small glimpse of the awe & peace our relationship with Christ is meant to bring. It’s a fleeting moment, as I think it is supposed to be here on Earth, but a sweet one to inspire us to draw closer to Him and each other.

  3. AsKatKnits says

    December 8, 2016 at 7:25 am

    This is so beautiful, except – Carole complain? I do not believe it!

    However, I am with you – sometimes the amount of work increases the reward. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful and rich tradition!

  4. Kym says

    December 8, 2016 at 7:46 am

    It’s really hard work to be a good hostess! I’ll bet your friends and family also consider your Christmas Eve celebration one of THEIR favorite holiday traditions. Your hard work – at already very busy time of year – pays off in wonderful memories, excellent company, and the true spirit of the holiday. Party on!

  5. Bonny says

    December 8, 2016 at 7:52 am

    Your open house really sounds like the opening of your house and heart (not that it isn’t always open), and the delicious food a wonderful gift to all your friends and family. It sounds like a tradition that involves a Herculean effort but one you are glad you did all that work for when everyone is celebrating. Underbar!

  6. Kwizgiver says

    December 8, 2016 at 10:00 am

    First–I love your wreath painting!

    Second, your tradition is amazing!

    Third, I wrote about two traditions. 😉

  7. Jo says

    December 8, 2016 at 10:33 am

    Carole, I think you are all about JOY! We all need to,carp a little sweating away in the kitchen but we always know it’s,worth It!

  8. margene says

    December 8, 2016 at 10:42 am

    You are the very best host and everyone must be so thrilled to be part of your welcome celebration. You, dear friend, embody the Christmas spirit.

  9. Vicki says

    December 8, 2016 at 11:35 am

    It’s so cool that this is an event that’s happened your whole life!! I know the stress & work involved with a big party/gathering and I am not surprised at all that you complain! I also know that once it’s “show time” that all falls away and you relax into it… My mother would always remind me that “it’s” going to happen whether you’re ready or not (and if anything isn’t quite right or left undone, no one is going to even notice!).

  10. Patty says

    December 9, 2016 at 8:35 am

    This is a beautiful post! We’re entering our second year of hosting the family Christmas Eve, taking it over from my mother-in-law. It’s work but it’s such a fun evening. I’ll be thinking of you as I roll those Swedish meatballs myself!

  11. Lydia S says

    December 9, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    I’ve been to a couple holiday open houses, and they really seem to make the holiday special. The special attention to details and of course the food-always the food! So nice that you have this tradition. I’ll live vicariously through yours!

Archives

carole AT caroleknits DOT net
my read shelf:
Carole's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)

2021 Reading Challenge

2021 Reading Challenge
Carole has read 15 books toward her goal of 75 books.
hide
15 of 75 (20%)
view books

carolejuliusphoto

It’s wonderful to be home, reunited with the cat It’s wonderful to be home, reunited with the cats and all of our own stuff, but I miss this morning wake up call from the sun. #baysidemaine #sunrise #coastofmaine #mainesunrise #sunriseovertheocean #thewaylifeshouldbe #morningview
It’s been another exceptional week on the coast It’s been another exceptional week on the coast of Maine. I feel more myself here than anywhere, listening to the sound of the ocean, inhaling the salt air, and feeling the gentle sea breezes. This week means everything to me and I’m so grateful for the privilege of spending time here. #baysidemaine #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #rechargebytheocean #coastofmaine #thewaylifeshouldbe
Watching Gaslit with a view. It’s another beauti Watching Gaslit with a view. It’s another beautiful night in Bayside. #baysidemaine #gaslitstarz #alaptopwithaview #porchsitting #coastofmaine
A donut the size of my hand! This one is called Th A donut the size of my hand! This one is called The Homer 🤣 @theonlydoughnut.belfast #theonlydoughnut #belfastmaine #thewaylifeshouldbe #donutsforbreakfast
I can’t get enough of this view. #baysidemaine # I can’t get enough of this view. #baysidemaine #thewaylifeshouldbe #maine #theviewfromhere
Friday night snacks look better from here. And als Friday night snacks look better from here. And also, I’m not oblivious to today’s news, I’m devastated. I’m also extra grateful to (a) live in Massachusetts and (b) be privileged enough to ignore it for right now while on vacation. #fridaynightsnacks #martinitime #baysidemaine #cheeseandcrackers #myhappyplace
Pizza night. What can I say? Wednesday is the new Pizza night. What can I say? Wednesday is the new Friday. #oonipizzaoven @ooni.it #pizzanight #outdoorliving #margaritapizza #imadeitmyself #homemadeisbest
Happy FriYay, friends! #fridaynightsnacks #friyayn Happy FriYay, friends! #fridaynightsnacks #friyaynight #helloweekend #martinitime #cheeseandcrackers #charcuterie #outdoorliving
Happy Sunday from Fred and George! #sundaymorningv Happy Sunday from Fred and George! #sundaymorningvibes #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamesecats #fredandgeorge
Friday night is pizza night these days. And those Friday night is pizza night these days. And those napkins? They sum up the secret to our 25 (next Tuesday!) year marriage! #oonipizzaoven #fridaynightsnacks #peaceloveandcocktails
It’s a perfect June morning for Sunday brunch un It’s a perfect June morning for Sunday brunch under the pergola. #sundaybrunch #brunchalfresco #pergolaliving #outdoorliving #inmybackyard #juneismyfavoritemonth
My patriotism is sorely lacking at the moment. Sti My patriotism is sorely lacking at the moment. Still, I’m grateful to head into Memorial Day weekend focusing on the good, remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country, seeking common ground and (always) looking for hope. If all that fails, at least I’ve got a martini. And snacks. #fridaynightsnacks #memorialdayweekend2022 #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime
I love a hotel conference room with a view! #massl I love a hotel conference room with a view! #masslib2022 #libraryconference #aroomwithaview
Flower haul, day 2. #flowersaremagical #containerg Flower haul, day 2. #flowersaremagical #containergardening #timetoplant #givemealltheplants
It was a good day for plant shopping, my annual tr It was a good day for plant shopping, my annual tradition with my gardening bestie @doemack87 . I think we even left some plants behind … maybe. 🤣 #plantshopping #containergardening #plantsgalore #flowersaremagical
Pizza perfection tonight! Margherita for me and pe Pizza perfection tonight! Margherita for me and pepperoni for him. I’m loving our @oonihq pizza oven. #oonipizzaoven #ooni #margheritapizza #pepperonipizza #homemadeisbest #imadeitmyself #summernights
Fred has assured me that there is no pea under tha Fred has assured me that there is no pea under that pile of quilts. #fredandgeorge #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamesecat #princessandthepea #pileofquilts
First al fresco breakfast of the season, air fryer First al fresco breakfast of the season, air fryer hash browns with avocado and crispy fried eggs. Delicious! And so nice to enjoy under the pergola. #breakfastalfresco #inmybackyard #airfryerhashbrown
Fridays on the deck are the best Fridays of all. # Fridays on the deck are the best Fridays of all. #fridaynightsnacks #martinitime #cheeseandcrackers #happyhourathome #itsspringbutfeelslikesummer
Ranunculus season is short, gotta enjoy these beau Ranunculus season is short, gotta enjoy these beauties while we can. #ranunculus #flowersaremagical #springblooms #crossstreetflowerfarm
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Categories

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Birthdays Bloggers Books Charity Knitting Contests Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday Memes Monday On My Mind Movies One Little Word Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Read With Us Reenacting Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Show & Tell Sock Knitting Spinning Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

Copyright 2014 Carole Knits · Log in