Read about our favorite ways to celebrate the holidays in ways that bring joy and happiness.
Valentine’s Day is on its way! While some reject the idea of a holiday for love and romance, Valentine’s Day has long been celebrated as a day to acknowledge love in all its forms. Valentine’s Day Legend & Lore Its roots lie in the legend of St. Valentine, who some stories say was a priest… more
Cookie Break Holidays can be a hectic time. Between the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, and spreading holiday cheer, who doesn’t deserve a cookie break? But with everything going on, spending hours in the kitchen cooking batch after batch of all your favorite holiday cookies just sounds exhausting. If you’d rather spend your time decking… more
Create Memories with Family Pajamas! Open a family photo album from times gone by and you’re bound to find photos of the children wearing matching Christmas pajamas. The PJs were often the first gift they could open on Christmas Eve. The kids were delighted to open a present, and Moms rationalized the indulgence as being… more
Scents of the Holidays… There are certain aromas that become inextricably linked to the holidays. The fresh, sharp smell of a fir tree decorated with care. The spicy, sweet scent of gingerbread men cooling on the counter, waiting to be frosted. The warm, inviting fragrance of mulled apple cider, ready and waiting to thaw winter… more
More than boxes and bows… Amid the search to find the perfect holiday gifts, it’s easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. We secretly hope that each perfectly wrapped present will contain the spirit of the season. We try to capture the wonder and delight of children, the sense of community in… more
Why is it that some Christmas foods… have become beloved traditions while others have fallen out of favor and landed on the Isle of Misfit…Recipes? Take mincemeat pie, figgy pudding, and fruitcake for example. Despite heated debates over fruitcake in particular, these earthy, spiced desserts show up on dessert tables around the world. And if… more
Charming History There’s a certain charm that only old-fashioned vintage Christmas decorations seem to possess. And when we say “vintage” we’re not only talking about the very precious (and sometimes very valuable) ornaments that date back generations. Rather, we mean those handmade and dime store ornaments from yesteryear that hold a special place in your… more
Although seen traditionally as an accompaniment for roast beef, popovers are a versatile alternative to breads and rolls at mealtime and they’re easy to make. When you’re pinched for time putting together Thanksgiving dinner, let popovers be your secret weapon. Mix up a batch quickly and put them in the oven, which will give you… more
United in the Spirit of Giving Nestled between Landgrove to the north and Bromley Mountain to the south, the village of Peru, Vermont, has a population of 363 and one small, lovely Congregational church. Inside the church is a hand-painted mural of local meadows and rolling hills in shades of verdant summer green. It brings… more
Among the treasured Christmas ornaments that come out of the box each year are some real antiques: blown-glass teardrops from the turn of the century, Victorian-style glass icicles, and lithographed tin ornaments depicting Santa and his reindeer. Some are so delicate, it’s a miracle they remain intact! But for most of us, the greater treasures… more
