A CAPITAL CHRISTMAS – CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON, DC
A CAPITAL CHRISTMAS – CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON, DC
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Did you have a wild and crazy New Year’s Eve? I spent mine on an airplane.
We just returned from Washington, DC where we celebrated Christmas at my son & daughter-in-law’s home. They wanted to host Christmas for the very first time in their beautiful new abode.
It was my Granddaughter’s 1st Christmas, so it was only fitting that we have it at her house……
so things like her first little red wagon……
and her new chair……
and her life-size, hugging Elmo didn’t have to be shipped to California and back.
The gifts I had shipped arrived safe and sound and were placed under the tree, bows nicely fluffed:)
And the house could not have been more festive and beautiful!
So it seems the torch is being passed to a new generation. And new traditions are being forged, while old ones are being remembered.
The other special thing about celebrating Christmas in DC was that it became an extended family Christmas, with my daughter-in-law’s parents joining us. It was decided that Christmas Eve would be celebrated southern-style, enjoying the Williams family traditions, (they are from Alabama) and Christmas Day would be celebrated Becker style.
My son, Nathan, replaced Brad as Bartender……
and served delicious Elderberry Flower Martinis with southern-style pecan cheese crackers.
The table was set to perfection for the Williams Family Christmas Eve Feast.
Our meal started with a delicious Creamy Potato Soup (which I failed to photograph), followed by a refreshing Ambrosia. I am working on getting the “Secret-Williams-Family-Heirloom-Ambrosia Recipe” and hope to share it with you soon.
The main course was a beautiful Cornish Game Hen served with Wild Rice, Marinated Broccoli and Roasted Butternut Squash. It could not have been more delicious. The best part was that I didn’t lift a finger, something I am not accustomed to at Christmas. It was particularly delightful to have someone else do all the cooking and then simply sit down and be served such a wonderful feast. I’m likin’ these new traditions!
Dessert was a scrumptious Southern Strawberry Trifle, served with Champagne.
Christmas “Poppers” were popped that contained golden crowns and some surprisingly nice gifts were inside, along with fun games to play.
And my Granddaughter opened up her Christmas pajamas.
Finally, we observed a new tradition for the Becker family: the lighting of advent candles. My daughter-in-law’s mother, Julia, read from the advent book and explained the meaning of each candle.
The evening concluded with a reading by Grandpa Williams of “The Night Before Christmas” to our Grand-baby. Right about now, I am wishing I had a time machine that would take me right back to DC for a repeat performance of this wonderful and memorable Christmas Eve.
I hope you enjoyed a very Merry Holiday Season with your family. Happy 2014!
So there you have it: A CAPITAL CHRISTMAS – CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON, DC
All opinions expressed in this post are my own. All photos are the original property of Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com and may not be reproduced without specific permission.
