Those Family Christmas Traditions

Those family Christmas traditions--some we love, and others we've modified over the years . . . .

With generations of family living in Northern Virginia, our tradition centered around copious meals and visits with grandparents, aunts and uncles and lots of cousins. We picked out a live tree every year from the family woods outside of Culpeper and made our list for Santa based on the FAO Schwarz catalog.

But families have dispersed. I now use a potted tree rather than a cut tree, which my son described as a "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree. But are we ever too old for toys?

We have abandoned the Christmas morning breakfast (bacon, eggs, toast), which kept the cook in the kitchen while everyone else opened presents. Now, anything goes. Mom started the tradition of ice cream sandwiches, which seem to be popular with the kids. We have not abandoned the early morning wake-up call to open presents. My sister called at 7:15 this morning. I really think it's pay-back for all those years my kids woke her at 5 or 6 a.m. . . .



We've abandoned the tradition of copious holiday meals (turkey and ham, dressing, gravies and sauces or way too many vegetables) and hours slaving in the kitchen on Christmas Day. Now, the Christmas Eve meal is potluck (which means friends slave in the kitchen) and caters to varied tastes (vegan, vegetarian and traditional). This year, we had salmon, sweet potato enchiladas, roasted vegetables and several desserts . . . . Other years, we have had sushi.

For years, I tried to incorporate a few French traditions--a late-night meal, numerous dishes, each of which required a change of plates, numerous wines and the bûche de noël. I have abandoned fois gras because of what the goose has to endure. Given that many dishes are purchased at the French deli or bakery, these require living in France.

In terms of decor, my clay figurines (known as santons) used in Provencal nativity scenes have lost legs or heads. I do hope to start a tradition of one nice ornament each year.

I still watch my favorite Christmas specials on TV. And I usually go to the "Christmas Carol" performed at the Hippodrome. At least one actor has been in each performance for the last 34 years. Others have appeared regularly. For me, this play signals the beginning of the holiday season.

Some traditions, I hope to revive such as having friends over to paint ornaments.




Do you have old or new traditions you can share?

9 Principles. . . .of living sustainably--Florida-Friendly Landscapes

Who would have thought I would work as an information specialist in sustainable landscaping. After all, I am just as likely to use invasives as natives, and many of my plants have died. . . . But here I am, nearly 18 months later and a little more knowledgeable about plants and the connection between landscaping practices and water quality.


Too many nutrients from lawn fertilizers lead to the growth of algae and eventual death of marine life in waterways.

This combined with our excessive use of water--as much as one-third of our water use goes to residential lawn watering, particularly of plants that are not suited to the Florida environment.

The goal of sustainable landscaping (where I work) is to reduce pollution by advocating right plant, right place (principle #1). By designing a landscape addressing the other eight principles, we use less water, fertilizer and pesticides and provide a better habitat for wildlife and pollinators. By incorporating aspects of low impact development, such as with swales, berms or pervious pavers, we reduce stormwater runoff.

Right plant, right place. . . by checking our soil type and zone, even those of us who do not remember botanical names can select plants appropriate for our Florida environment.

For more information, check out Florida-Friendly Landscapes (affiliated with cooperative extension and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection). Major regional programs exist for the Great Lakes and the Chesapeake Bay.


All of us can find ways to use more sustainable practices in residential lawns. Let me know what you are doing!

Check out these links:

Florida-Friendly Landscapes - http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/

Chesapeake Bay - http://www.chesapeakebay.net/

Great Lakes - http://www.greatlakesforever.org/

That growing holiday angst

Excitement about the holidays is starting to grow, but so is that angst about finding the perfect gift for special friends and family. Additionally, my son and fiancée and daughter, along with her cat and boyfriend, will travel great distances to get here. That means, the gifts have to be small and fit in a suitcase. I asked my Facebook friends for advice.

My daughter suggested getting Christmas sweaters for everyone.

--Seriously? But wouldn't they be. . .too bulky (if nothing else)?


But here is what my other friends wrote.

TK - "Jars of preserves, boozy fruit (not sure about that for the suitcase), small ornaments (specific like sushi, a violin, something they like), little photo book of your favorite pictures, or chocolates.”

--Love these ideas and the boozy fruit is great for delayed flights. . . .

LJDV – “It is not easy to buy for ‘certain people.’ Scarves are always a great idea (for the certain people) that do not live in Florida :-)....if not, gift cards are also a good choice :-).”

--My son nixed the idea of gift cards. . . . Years ago he said, in all seriousness, that he wanted everyone to battle hoards of shoppers at department stores just like he would. However, if anyone is trying to find something for me, I really like the idea of a Sephora gift card. . . .

CS – “I've given away lots of frames this year.”

--And I have stacks of unframed photos. But we are not talking about me!

TB has shopped for cooking items.

--No one has enough bowls, spoons or coffee scoops. . . . . I wonder if my friends need these things as much as I do. . . .

JL – “I'm making a calendar for folks. One year I did it from the photos I took in Paris. This year, just some of my favorite sayings.”

--Wish I had talked with JL a little earlier and gotten photos of pets or drawings organized. . . . Next year!

JC - "Prints. Hee hee."

--She's laughing because she is an artist. But what a great idea--prints or photography for our small walls.

HE - "I tried to buy local, but no one would wait on me! Back to the mall! LOL"

--This is like a déjà vu when we resolve to patronize and encourage artisans, and then . . .

MRT - "Didn't you go to the mall."

--My sister blew my cover. It was an act of desperation. . . .

I am still shopping, but I’ve made pretty good headway with a few ornaments, a couple cool coffee scoops, key chains, ponytail scarves and warm shawls. But no, no Christmas sweaters unless I get one for my daughter. If she is not reading this blog, then it will be a surprise!

How is your shopping?

Note--My thanks to SL for suggesting this blog and to all my FB friends for helping.

Recycled! New dimensions of couture. . . .

Because our goal is zero waste, we recycle as much as possible—glass bottles, plastics, paper products. But not pizza boxes because of the grease. Many of these products are transformed into something new—office paper, fence posts or benches, martini glasses or jewelry. Fashion seems to be a more recent outlet.

Couture, often a symbol of extravagance, seems synonymous with unaffordable (and sometimes uncomfortable) garments of expensive materials shown on the runway. In contrast, the Recycle Runway Collection of eco-couture focuses clothing made from recycled products.

The Atlanta airport’s International Concourse E showcases fashion by Nancy Judd, a Santa Fe (New Mexico) artist and educator. Here, we learn about the transformation of waste--glass, aluminum cans and even cassette tapes—into something beautiful. Take this evening gown, which required 12,000 pieces of recycled glass and 400 hours to create. The origami gown is made of junk mail shaped like small fans.

The Florida Museum of Natural History (Gainesville, Fla.) is hosting the 13th Annual “Trashformations” (through Dec. 4, 2011) as a means of encouraging the use of recycled materials into works of art. A dog-like figure is made of aluminum cans, a whale out of plastic bags, a heart and dresses from Target bags as well as newspapers, coffee filters and cupcake papers.

All entries are composted of at least 70 percent recycled materials. Surprisingly, in this university town, no one tried to make anything out of a clean pizza box.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Exhibit, presented by the City of Atlanta Department of Aviation Art Program, runs through April 2012.

For more information, visit http://www.atlanta-airport.com/passenger/art%20program/frmPassengerInformation_ArtProgram_ConcourseE.aspx