Not Quite a White Christmas, but a Florida Christmas Will Do

I know I've been a little M.I.A. and I'm sorry... apparently the Holidays are CRAZY and stressful once you're a big girl!  


But I've left chilly NC for a warmer climate; now I'm in Naples, Florida visiting my Grandma Helen (my mom's mom).  I like to call her "Pocket Grandma" because she's so little--she's probably 4'8"ish with all the the shrinking that comes along with being a grandma!  

Christmas a few years ago - that's Helen in the middle making us look tall!

Tonight we decorated the little area outside her door this evening and went on a little Christmas lights tour for Grandma to see them.  Everything's a little more magical with Helen around, because she's so appreciative of everything since she doesn't get out much anymore.


My grandma is absolutely A-DOR-A-BLE!  I've been searching for the perfect tacky Christmas sweater for a long time and have been a little down that neither of my grandmothers ever had true tacky sweaters.  BUT today I found a tacky Christmas sweatshirt in her closet and 3 things happened: 1) she didn't even know she had it and asked if it was mine, 2) she thought it looked so darling on me, and 3) she told me I should have it, although it might be a little outdated!  Gotta love her.

My new tacky sweatshirt! And yes, those are sand dollars
on the bottom, not snowflakes!  SO Florida!

The food around the Holidays are always DE-lish; we have a Christmas Eve swordfish dinner planned (one of Helen's favorites) and then dinner in the "Dining Room" (the retirement community's dining room) on Christmas Day -- and it's a buffet!  Swordfish is certainly one of my dad's specialties and I will absolutely have to share some recipes from tomorrow and photos.  My mouth is already watering thinking about the BJBC I get to make tomorrow (for all of you that don't think in acronyms 24/7 because of your job like I do, that is a Baby Jesus Birthday Cake) to celebrate the real reason for Christmas!  It is a Southern tradition, similar to the New Orleans Mardi Gras King Cake, with a little twist from us.  I'm thinking an angel food layer cake with raspberry preserve center layer and fresh whipped cream for frosting, with a few fresh raspberries on top too!

The ORIGINAL BJBC (2 years ago)

Can't wait to share all of the holiday feasts (and failures) with you!

Happy Christmas Eve Eve!!