Christmas Eve...

The children woke up and were quickly nestled into grandpa's arms for morning story time.  Grandma was up at 4 am (not kidding) prepping the days glorious food, and Trixie can't stop chasing Maggie the cat. 

 

The car battery died, the oven stopped working, and Jimmy the repair man is on his way to rescue the day...it's Christmas Eve!!!

 

My Christmas Eve memories are as follows.  Growing up we always went to grandma Rosie's house.  It always seemed to be dark and snowy and perfect. 

 

As I got older, it became a requirement for me to sing at midnight mass with the adult choir.  Always a special solo, The Virgin's Slumber song.  As my family would shimmy down on couches, full and tired from the feast, I would run upstairs to get ready and get to church before them.  A dark church, bright twinkling candles lighting the path to the Christ Child.

 

When we got home from mass, everyone was allowed to open one gift...our Christmas pj's.  We'll be going to four o'clock mass today, midnight is just too late for the kiddos, but we will still open our pj's before bed.

 

A sweet and Merry Christmas to you all!

 



Day #24, A Christmas Medley ;)

 

xoxo, e.

Oh Holy Night (and windy night!).

Winter entered the mitten with a vengeance today!  Coco and I had to go buy extra snuggly hats because the wind was whipping so!  

And so, the countdown begins.  Wrap up your packages with ribbons and bows, and frost those cookies...Christmas is coming!!

Day #21, Oh Holy Night

xoxo, e.

Edd and Edwina.

Today was one of my special gal's 97th birthday.  I packed her up some goodies, and Joe came along with me to chat on the back porch with her husband Edd while I sang to Edwina.  Their conversation ranged from fishing, to hunting, to gall stones.  Edd gave Joe a hat from his hat pile, and I searched for Edwina's dentures...which were hiding inside a pair of pantyhose underneath the bed (she didn't lose them, she put them someplace special ;).  Their little dog Meghan (who sports a severe under bite), sat on Edd's lap and got brushed...so content.  Things got really exciting when Edd reached behind the couch and started pulling out his hunting rifles - one, after another, after another after another...Joe was in hog heaven, and so was Edd to have someone to share it all with.  The house is heated with a wood stove, which Edd chops and stacks himself, so Joe and I filled the car with the scent of campfire as we left.

Cuddos to Jojo Buns, what a sweet way to spend a gloomy day in the mitten.

Day #20, Silent Night by the Zeglis and Cesarz Clan...enjoy!!

xoxo, e.

Just a Typical Night...

Joe:  "Did you know that Michael Buble' is Barbara Streisand's son?"

Me:  "No, he is not.  He is Canadian and Barbara Streisand is not."

Joe:  "Oh, I mean Josh Groban.  Josh Groban is Barbara's son."

Me:  "No, he also is not.  (quickly googling Josh Groban's parents on my tab) Here is a picture of Josh Groban's mother and that is not Barbara Streisand.

Joe:  "I don't understand, I saw them on TV singing together, and it was definitely Josh Groban, and she said "this is my son.""

Ok, in all fairness, Barbara Streisand son looks exactly like Josh Groban.  Point Joe.

Day #19, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree  ;)

xoxo, e.

My Little Star Coco...

I had good intentions of downloading a song for you tonight, but this little blurb of Coco at her Christmas concert took so darn long to download that I'm throwing in the towel for tonight.   The first graders of Coco's school put on a sweet little show for us...but no one has attitude like my little lady!  Enjoy!  (back at Christmas carols tomorrow ;)

xoxo, e.

Here We Go A Caroling.

My friend Allison suggested that we take the kids caroling at the local nursing home.  I called ahead, and they had little gatherings of folks waiting for us in each dining room.  My lord, there is nothing like watching senior citizens smile giddily at children (and Joe) singing carols and hymns.  The staff was so grateful that they brought us big styrofoam cups of grape juice (which tasted and looked suspiciously like prune juice).

We then came home and had a Polich feast that my mom sent with us yesterday...kielbasa, mom's homemade pierogi's, Joe's fresh horseradish... (my arteries are clogging as we speak, but it was well worth it).   Then we Christmas crafted out booties off.  The kids made candles for their teachers in mason jars, and then we all pitched in and made lip balm with my bees wax.  (I'll do a post on that later).

Thank you to Samantha and Austin for stepping up to the plate and singing

Day #17 of the Christmas Carol Blog Extravaganza!

This is truly lovely!

xoxo, e.

Christmas is Coming...

Joe has been full of good times lately.  We went to Old Navy this week.  I went in, and Joe stayed outside to have a smoke.  As I browsed the sweaters, I noticed the young sales girl, who had been forced to wear pajamas to work in an attempt to look festive, looking panicked by the front window.  

My husband, with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, had undone his belt buckle and was tucking in his shirt, using the window as a mirror in the bright reflective sun.  (and has no idea that someone is on the other side of the window).

Poor old Navy girl is waiting for him to drop trow under his dress coat, and calls for her co worker in a panic.

At which point I have to step in, mortified.  "He's with me, sorry girls."  

In walks Joe, oblivious, and I make him apologize to the girls, and of course he doesn't get it.  Come on, he was just tucking in his shirt!

Add in random customer shopping for Christmas sweaters.  She peeks her head out from behind the rack and says "Hey, I know how embarrassed you are, but please know that this is the highlight of my entire day.  I love you two."

Christmas day with Grandma and Grandpa ;)

And, Day #16 in the Christmas Carol Blog Spectacular...

Christmas is Coming...Take it away Joe and Coco...

xoxo, e.

Kitty Kat Craft.

Coco and I did a little laundry and Christmas crafting this morning, with the help of little Florence kitty.  I generally pick one thing to make for the boys (men) in my life, and one for the girls (women).  This years goodies are turning out awesome, but I can't post how to's until after Christmas when you all get your surprises ;).

Then, we went to see my good friend's daughter starring in her school's musical.  It's amazing to watch our little group of friend's children grow up.  I felt like proud mom watching her shine on stage, and felt even happier watching Coco's bright face throughout the performance.  A good Saturday indeed!

Day #15, Mele Kelikimaka (why?  no idea, but Coco has been obsessed with me learning the chords for her.)

xoxo, e.

Hold your babes close tonight....

I don't have much to say today.  I'm grateful that my babe is safe and sound in my arms, but so utterly and painfully aware that there are parent that don't have that pleasure tonight.  There was a dad at school pick up that scooped up his two little girls so fast and just kissed their faces off.  Amen to that.

Day #14, Coco's pick - Holly Jolly Christmas

Hold each other close and love on your family tonight!  Stare at your kids while they sleep and kiss their little faces off.  We are lucky and blessed indeed.  xoxo, e.

Under the Mistletoe (shorty with you)...

Believe you me, I am just as surprised as you are that Justin Bieber made our top 25 Christmas carols list....But what can I say?  I really like the Bieber Christmas album (and, more importantly, so does Coco).

Tonight we took Coco and her friend Sophia to the Stockbridge PTO Christmas festival at school.  There was a cake walk, crafts, and someone we affectionately call "the creepy Stockbridge Santa"  (he tries, but something is off about him).  But first, we had dinner at the Stockbridge diner.  I love a good diner, especially with Christmas flare in the front window!

Day #13, Under the Mistletoe, by Justin Bieber

I did not notice until I watched this video that we are dressed exactly alike....like momma like daughter ;).

xoxo, e.

Slip of the Tongue...

Apparently yesterday was a long day, and as I tried to rush through a blog post and a shop update, and be a perfect mother and wife, I made all kinds of blunders.  Luckily, I have people in my life who love me enough to point them out ;).

First, I ran a shop sale titled "Silver bells," but the word "Sliver bells" is what actually appeared before each item listing.  And, no one like a sliver.

Then, as I was sitting waiting for a patient this morning, I got an email from my mom title "Glitch."  Yesterday, I mentioned that some people couldn't see the videos due to a computer glitch.  I then titled the blog "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," but I actually sang you "We Three Kings."  In my head they are the same song sometimes because of this amazing version by the Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLaughlin, which is a mash up of the two.   The following email from my mother made me laugh so hard...I love dry sarcasm...

I think I have a glitch too.  Mine sounded an awful lot like "We Three Kings".

Love,

Momma

Day #12, Up on the Housetop!

And, as I was looking through Ann Taintor images, I came across my favorite one.  My sister got me this magnet one year for Christmas...I can't imagine why?  wink wink.

xoxo, e.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

After much procrastination, we finally cut down the Cesarz Family Christmas Tree.  We've cut down our tree since I was little.  I remember my grandparents hiking out with us, then my parents, and this year, just the three of us on a chilly December night.  The neighbors recommended Schwadek's Tree Farm over in the Waterloo Rec. area, and we were not disappointed.  Mr. Schwadek came out with us as the sun quickly set and was so sweet as he wrapped up our tree and helped shove it in the nurse car.  Highly recommended!

Coco and I were bundled up, Joe had on his dress coat and vintage derby hat (?)....never a dull moment.

Today, one of my patients sweetly said to me, "sing me a Christmas song that makes you happy, that will make me happy."  And so I sang her this...the chord progressions make me so happy!

*Side Note*  A few people can't see the videos (namely my sister and my best friend).  So, in case you think I'm crazy, there are actually videos at the end of each post - must be a computer glitch ;)

Day #11 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

xoxo, e.

The 25 Days of Christmas Carols Blog Spectacular

Recap (in case you are just tuning in)...

#1 It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

#2 Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

#3 Last Christmas

#4 All That I Want

#5 Jingle Bells

#6 Blue Christmas

#7 Santa Clause is Coming to Town

#8 Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

#9 Angels We Have Heard on High

#10 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Whose Woods Are These...

I think I know, His house is in the village though.

He will not see me stopping here, to watch his woods fill up with snow.

Robert Frost

Isn't it something that we remember things that we had to memorize in the fourth grade?

We went for a hike out back tonight.   And, while there is no snow, it was lovely and perfectly crisp.  Then we warmed up with hot chocolate and fleece pj's at 5:30pm...don't judge, we like to hunker.

Joe:  "So you got really excited and bought leg warmers that don't even match from the thrift store?"

Yep.

Coco was pretty sure she had too many layers on ;)

Day #9, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...wait for the photo bomb towards the end ;)

xoxo, e.

Hope - It's My Middle Name.

No really, it is.

On the second Sunday of Advent, we celebrate hope.  What a beautiful gift.   Hope.  The promise that there is always something waiting for us.   So sleep well tonight, with the hope of what tomorrow will bring!

Day #9, Angel's We Have Heard on High (featuring Coco on interpretive dance).

xoxo, e.

Metal. (and a song).

Tin Type.  So damn Cool.  (Drew is second from the right).

My brother-in-law Drew is a blacksmith...metal smith...makes a amazing things out of metal that involve a lot of heat and pounding.

Of course I'm not putting is job into words appropriately, but today we went to craft/art fair at his studio.  He works at Metal, a really swank little metal making-art studio-everything is metallic and industrial cool-kind of place.  Tiny Expo was yet another amazing craft fair with hip local artists and great gifts and goods.  Score.  One of the coolest vendors was Tin Types booth - taking actual tin type photos of you right then and there for your Christmas card.  SO cool!

We then had a birthday party, running around, dinner and haircuts with forever friends, and I'm finally in my pj's.  Jam packed lovely Saturday!

Day #8, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.  Let's get some hymns up in here folks!

xoxo, e.

He Sees You When You're Sleeping...

Meet Lila, our Elf on a Shelf.

She looks at you out of the corner of her eyes.  This morning while Coco was eating breakfast I caught her staring at it.  She looked at me and said, non-convincingly, "It's really not that creepy."

So, Elf on a Shelf.  In case you are not hip to this little phenomenon yet (or live under a rock), here is the low down.   The Elf literally sits on your shelf all day and watches your behavior.  At night, he or she (ours is a girl) flies back to Santa and gives a full report.  She flies back before we wake up, and the little one gets to run down in the morning and find where here tricky elf has perched herself for the next day.

So basically all we as parents have to do is move the little bugger every night.  

Unless you are these parents.  This blog post is worth 5 minutes and will have you crying laughing.  Click HERE.  There are apparently whole blogs dedicated to getting creative with your elf, and the aforementioned post highlights the doozies of said blogs.  Seriously, just read it.

Day #7, Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

*Please note* Lila the Elf is watching you real good from the shelf as you watch our video.  

You've been warned.

xoxo, e.

Jojo's Having a Blue Christmas...

So, today is the feast of St. Nicholas.   In catholic world, it's a time when we celebrate the man behind "Santa Clause," St. Nicholas.  He was born in the third century, and dedicated his life to giving to the needy.  He was known as the protector of children, and on the night of Dec. 5th each year, little boys and girls put their empty shoes outside of their bedroom doors before they go to bed, hoping that St.  Nick will leave them a treat.  

And he did!   Coco got her very own Elf on a Shelf!!  (more on that little elf tomorrow).

Tonight we had our dear neighbors, Al and Lois, over for dinner.  After a lovely meal and sweet conversation, we snuggled in on the couches and sang Christmas carols together and told stories.   What a really lovely evening!  We also love dinner night at Al and Lois' because they have a classic country karaoke set up.  We all get our own mics.  I'm just sayin.'

Day #6, Blue Christmas...Take it away JoJo and Coco!

xoxo, e.

And Then There Was Meatloaf...

Well, every day Coco asks "Can we do Jingle Bells today pleeeeease?"  So we'll just go ahead and get that out of the way today.

We recorded our song right after school/work, and my intent was to run some errands and then do a post and some shop listings...that was my intent anyway.

First, I had to drop something by my friend's house "real quickly"... but there was a fire in the hearth, and wine quickly in my hand...and the children disappeared and were content with each other's company - as were the adults.  There was also a four pound meatloaf in the oven, and there was bacon in that meatloaf....so chatting led to dinner, and dinner led to dessert, and dessert led to a coffee for the road with egg nog instead of half and half.

And so, here I sit.  So grateful for the beautiful people in my life.  So grateful for pure love and friendship.  Tis the season to enjoy each other - so please don't rush anything too quickly.  Sit by the fire.  Sip a glass of wine.  Let dinner lead to dessert and beyond.  Soak in every minute of this Christmas with those that you love!

Day #5, Bring it on Jingle Bells!!

xoxo, e.

p.s....Tomorrow is the Feast of St Nicholas, so put your shoesies out tonight kiddos and see what St. Nick brings you! (more on that tomorrow)

(and if that all sounds like gibberish to you non-catholics, see here)

All That I Want.

For the last six or seven years, my sister has made a Christmas mix CD.  She fills them with traditional favorites by Nat King Cole and Peggy Lee, and then she combs through i-tunes and adds in all of the hip new Christmas songs for that year by the likes of fun bands like the The Civil Wars and The Weepies.

The Who -ies?

Better known as "that song from the JC Penny commercial," The Weepies wrote All That I Want - one of my favorite sweet and simple carols.

It's lovely over here tonight.  There are Christmas lights peppered on throughout the house.  Joe just took a big batch of granola out of the oven, and put in baked chicken tenders.  It is easy on all of the senses at the Cesarz house, that's what I'm getting at.

Day #4, All That I Want.  (featuring Coco on the bells).

xoxo, e.

Last Christmas...

A nasty head cold set in today as I was singing to my patients.  I literally deteriorated in front of their eyes, sneezing, blowing my nose, just falling apart.  Nothing like being loved on and felt sorry for by a whole group of "grandma's" ;).

Anyway, I'm in fleece pj's already, and very grateful to Coco Rosie for taking over night three solo.

Day #3 of the Christmas Carol Blog Spectacular, Last Christmas!

xoxo, e.

Makin' Swag.

I kind of threw this in yesterday, but let me elaborate a bit.  This time of year is all about the music for me.  I sing Christmas carols all day for my patients, in the car with Coco, in church, etc. etc.  

So...Coco and I will be doing 25 days of Christmas in carols for you pretty people!  i.e. The Christmas Carol Blog Spectacular!  Sort of like a "Christmas carols" advent calendar.

Today was really mild outside, especially for December 2nd in the mitten state.  We went to the Waterloo Historical Farm Christmas, and ran into old and new friends.  Then we spent the afternoon working outside.  I got totally inspired by all of the homemade swags and garlands at the farm, so while Joe hung lights, I made swag.  After a beautiful family day, Coco and I whipped up a little ditty on the porch while Joe made black bean burgers for din din...enjoy!

Day #2, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree!

xoxo, e.