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.

Plane Ride to Madrid

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.

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

It was my Granddaughter’s 1st Christmas, so it was only fitting that we have it at her house……

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

so things like her first little red wagon……

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

and her new chair……

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

and her life-size, hugging Elmo didn’t have to be shipped to California and back.

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

The gifts I had shipped arrived safe and sound and were placed under the tree, bows nicely fluffed:)

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

And the house could not have been more festive and beautiful!

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

So it seems the torch is being passed to a new generation.  And new traditions are being forged, while old ones are being remembered.

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

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.

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

My son, Nathan, replaced Brad as Bartender……

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

and served delicious Elderberry Flower Martinis with southern-style pecan cheese crackers.

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

The table was set to perfection for the Williams Family Christmas Eve Feast.

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

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.

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

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!

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

Dessert was a scrumptious Southern Strawberry Trifle, served with Champagne.

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

Christmas “Poppers” were popped that contained golden crowns and some surprisingly nice gifts were inside, along with fun games to play.

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

And my Granddaughter opened up her Christmas pajamas.

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.comChristmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

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.

Christmas in Washington, DC,www.AfterOrangeCounty.com

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.

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