What about Holiday Traditions?

This might be our last Christmas in this home.

And then again, it might not 😊 Two years ago we thought we might take advantage of the seller's market. We weeded through excess stuff and donated several trunkloads to local charities. We planned to downsize to a smaller place by the spring.

So we documented Christmas 2019 in great detail. As we gathered around Geoff's grandmother's antique table for what we thought would be the "last" Christmas Eve Vigil, we all photographed the feast for posterity.

RVing was not a blip on our radar. But then again, neither was a global pandemic.

A lot has changed in these past 24 months. Some good and some not-so good. However, all these combined experiences brought us to this point in time. We released our plans to travel around Europe in exchange for an American RV adventure. And we declare God is Good.

Totoro Holiday Traditions

Our family is steeped in holiday traditions. 

We begin Labor Day Weekend when I proclaim Christmas will be here before you know it. And, more times than not, I am right 😊

November 1st marks the official start to our holiday season. Christmas music plays non-stop at home and in the car. We purchase baking essentials and even prepare a few goodies in advance and put them in the freezer.

Thanksgiving Day starts with the Macy's Parade, Sausage Balls, and Monkey Bread... transitions into the Turkey feast with stuffing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie, then ends with putting up the family Christmas tree. 

Girls' Baking Day takes place sometime mid-December, although it is more difficult to gather as the girls grow and move away. While we occasionally add a new treat to the mix, the day always includes Angel Bites (puppy chow for the rest of the world) ... M&M cookies ... chocolate-covered pretzels ... and decorated sugar cookies.

Christmas Eve is the big event: The Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes, otherwise known as The Vigil. While we do not serve seven fish, we typically showcase five, including Pasta and Anchovy Sauce (Aioli), shrimp, crab, salmon, and baccala (salted cod). I am in the kitchen for the entire day and love every minute of it. 

While I won't go into all the details here, I did write a Food Memoir for my children so they would have the recipes for future reference. Italian Family Christmas is available for purchase if interested in reading more about this unique family meal.

Because all the children spend Christmas Eve with us, they spend Christmas Day with in-laws. I use the day to recover 😊 We then gather together again on the 26th for the Prime Rib dinner. A simple yet elegant meal to end the holiday season.

Travelin' Totoros Holiday Traditions

I don't know what next year's Christmas will look like. 

Will we still maintain this sticks-and-bricks home ... or will we become full-time RVers living life on the road?

Of course, no one is guaranteed tomorrow, but I do like to plan and ponder possibilities.

I've enjoyed looking at the RV Instagram community this month. I'm learning how to modify old traditions to fit new spaces. 

Decorating the coach (both inside and out) is strongly encouraged. Christmas trees, albeit smaller versions than our current 7 ft balsam pine, are a favorite decoration. As long as I can have twinkle lights, I'm willing to forego the ornaments. 

Toto does not have a fireplace, so we will need to pare down our mantle of stockings.

The microwave/convection oven will not support the variety of treats we make on Girls' Baking Day ... but then again, our diet should not include so many sweets.

The Italian abbodanza mentality on Christmas Eve will also need tweaking 😆 Rather than five fishes, perhaps we will stick with the Aioli pasta and crab.

And slow-cooked prime rib may give way to a nice rib-eye on the grill.

What's Really Important

As you can tell, Italian traditions are heavily steeped in food. 

Geoff has celebrated Christmas around The Vigil table for over 60 years. It's been a part of my life for 40+ years. 

When we gather around the table, we recall and honor those who came before us: Cora, Mary, Nana, and Poppy. We give thanks for the union of two families, so different genealogically, yet completely accepting of one another: Gram and Graddy graciously joined in.

But we know that food is not the real cause for celebration.

And we know that no matter where we are ... no matter who we are with ... we will find indescribable joy because of Christ's sacrifice for us.

We wish all of you, dear readers, a blessed Christmas 💚