Love learning about the tradition of Saint Nicholas and picturing you with your tea, beautiful cookies and tree lights at 3 a.m. (I know that hour well too!). Each new post is another shining light on the Christmas tree!
Speculates always remind me of my childhood. I make them each Christmas but a very plain looking version! One year I might actually use the molds I have! Another lovely post Jolene.
Another lovely post, Jolene. They are such a pleasure to read everyday. You're spoiling your readers by giving us a daily dose of Christmas and you. The pictures are wonderful and I enjoyed all the fun facts about Saint Nicholas. Hasta manana!
We're spending some of it here in Madrid and then meeting up with the children and Fabio's mother, sister, and nephews in Guadalara, Mexico. There should be a lot of Christmas color and festivities there.
No surprise that you feel behind on your reading, and maybe other things as well. These Advent posts require a lot of work! They are lovely and I hope they're worth the effort to you. They sure are for your fans.
Great post, Jolene! We celebrate St. Nicholas day. My kids love it so much! Shoes placed by the door just so. My youngest put his out yesterday morning, he was so excited! lol I will be sharing your writing with them. Thanks for this piece. I may have to try my hand at making those biscuits next year!! Looks delish!!
That’s really so sweet, Mary Beth, and I love that your youngest put them out early! 👞 👞 😊 Thank you so much, I ordered that cookie (ran out of time!) but I have a wooden mold, next year! 🎅
Gotta love those weird Chi-town highs and lows😄 Valpo is a bit chilly today. My kids are in a production of Junie B. Jingle Bells, Batman Smells downtown. So all the holiday feels will surely be being felt by many. Love this time of year, despite the cold. Definitely will welcome some warmth tomorrow!
My kids put their shoes by the fireplace. I fill them with chocolate coins and then a small present. This year I didn't manage to do a present, but they were still happy when they woke up this morning to chocolate (I mean, who isn't?)
So funny, Melanie, I just read something recently that said that it’s not a holiday movie, but it kinda is because of the time frame — and Christmas trees! And “After the Thin Man” I think of as a New Year’s movie! 🥂
I did the SAME thing, Jolene! Freezing here on the Chesapeake Bay and blowing a gale, so I'm having more tea now and reading this lovely post. Happy Saint Nicholas Day!
You had me at Hallmark movie…and the 3 am witching/writing hour 🤶🏻
I swear, Amie, I was the star of my own movie 😂 Yes, the witching hour, for sure!
It looks like a children’s story book.
It’s incredible.
❤️🎄🎅🍫
Loving this series
That’s so sweet, thank you! 🎄❤️
Love learning about the tradition of Saint Nicholas and picturing you with your tea, beautiful cookies and tree lights at 3 a.m. (I know that hour well too!). Each new post is another shining light on the Christmas tree!
Ruth, thank you! I’m learning from this post that I have company at 3am (Amie said she’s up then, too! 😆) 🎄✨❤️
Yes, you do! I’d say we should meet—except we’d never get any work done!😆🥂
Speculates always remind me of my childhood. I make them each Christmas but a very plain looking version! One year I might actually use the molds I have! Another lovely post Jolene.
Thank you, Julia! I have a mold but ordered them online cookie, I ran out of time to make! 😆 They are so delicious!
Another lovely post, Jolene. They are such a pleasure to read everyday. You're spoiling your readers by giving us a daily dose of Christmas and you. The pictures are wonderful and I enjoyed all the fun facts about Saint Nicholas. Hasta manana!
Thank you so much, Andrea, these are fun posts to do! 🎅 I need to catch up on my reading, are you spending holidays in Spain? Hope you’re well! ❤️
We're spending some of it here in Madrid and then meeting up with the children and Fabio's mother, sister, and nephews in Guadalara, Mexico. There should be a lot of Christmas color and festivities there.
No surprise that you feel behind on your reading, and maybe other things as well. These Advent posts require a lot of work! They are lovely and I hope they're worth the effort to you. They sure are for your fans.
Great post, Jolene! We celebrate St. Nicholas day. My kids love it so much! Shoes placed by the door just so. My youngest put his out yesterday morning, he was so excited! lol I will be sharing your writing with them. Thanks for this piece. I may have to try my hand at making those biscuits next year!! Looks delish!!
That’s really so sweet, Mary Beth, and I love that your youngest put them out early! 👞 👞 😊 Thank you so much, I ordered that cookie (ran out of time!) but I have a wooden mold, next year! 🎅
I’m gonna have to add that to my wish list for next year! How neat…a wooden mold!
P.S. I'm in Valparaiso, IN, your neighbor to the south. Brrrr, right?!!
Yes, but it’s going up to 50 Sunday! A little break 🥶 how is Valparaiso today?
Gotta love those weird Chi-town highs and lows😄 Valpo is a bit chilly today. My kids are in a production of Junie B. Jingle Bells, Batman Smells downtown. So all the holiday feels will surely be being felt by many. Love this time of year, despite the cold. Definitely will welcome some warmth tomorrow!
Nicely done. Thank you. I felt like I was nibbling on that Speculaas biscuit as I read your piece.
They are so good! 😊
My kids put their shoes by the fireplace. I fill them with chocolate coins and then a small present. This year I didn't manage to do a present, but they were still happy when they woke up this morning to chocolate (I mean, who isn't?)
Aah, that’s so sweet, Sarah! 👞 🍫 Is it still snowing 🌨️ ? It’s warmed up a little down here 🥶
Beautiful Christmas imagery! I assume that those delightful biscuits are made from a special mold.
Thank you, Vicki! Yes, made from (usually) wooden molds ! 🎅
This might be my favorite post yet, but I think that everyday! Where did you get the Saint Nicholas chocolates? 🎄
Aww, thanks Pam, I ordered them online, let me find the link! 🎅
The most beautiful place to experience Christmas is in Heidelberg, Germany
I envy you having been there, Matt!
I’m loving this festive journey, Jolene!
Thank you, Kate, next week we are going to “Pie Cottage” 🥧 😉❤️
Can’t wait to read it!
🤗
Thank you Jolene!
Now I need to make your Speculaas! Happy St. Nicholas, Sarah! 🎅 👞 👞 🍫
You too Jolene! I loved the photo you shared of the speculaas figure in your article. I hadn’t come across that brand before!
I’ve been nibbling and it’s delicious! I have a cookie mold of a pine cone, I’m going to make your recipe before Christmas! 🎄
Another wonderful post - and thanks for the Greek shout out! Also loved yesterdays and may add The Thin Man to the holiday movie roster.
Happy Saint Nicholas, Melanie and thank you! I think you’ll LOVE The Thin Man!
I haven't seen it in a while and never thought of it as a holiday film until you posted the Christmas party photo!
So funny, Melanie, I just read something recently that said that it’s not a holiday movie, but it kinda is because of the time frame — and Christmas trees! And “After the Thin Man” I think of as a New Year’s movie! 🥂
I did the SAME thing, Jolene! Freezing here on the Chesapeake Bay and blowing a gale, so I'm having more tea now and reading this lovely post. Happy Saint Nicholas Day!
Thank you so much, Daphne, enjoy your tea in this weather! 🥶