Merry Christmas, everyone! Frohe Weihnachten!
We had a great Christmas this year.
Our fabulous tree has been reminding us that Christmas was approaching since we put it up at the beginning of December (thanks to a coupon and some friends who helped us schlepp it home in their car! thanks guys!)
During December we had friends over for a Christmas cookie baking session! What did we make, you ask? Well, for starters tons of peanut butter cookies thanks to Caitlin, bunches of sugar cookies (fabulously decorated thanks to Julia and Cait) and also a good amount of rum balls (thanks, Anne!) - whew! Here are some pictures of all that sugary fun we created!
(Notice all the great aprons we have on hand - Lisa, rest assured, these suckers get plenty of use around here!!)
Then in good ol' Zillinger style, the evening evolved into a cozy film night complete with friends, our freshly baked goodies, some hot sandwiches to offset the sugar intake and a great Christmas movie!
The great thing about us both coming from different cultures is that we have twice as many Christmas traditions to share!! I'm really grateful to have a hubby who enjoys my American version of Christmas almost as much as he enjoys his own Austrian customs. Not only do we put up the tree WAAY earlier than Austrians (we opt for ASAP versus waiting til Christmas Eve), but we also choose to celebrate a la Austria on the 24th and then a la America on the 25th! Works out great for both of us.So on the 24th we went to our church for the afternoon service. I had the honor of pounding out some Christmas carols on the piano and Thomas had 'beamer Dienst' which means 'projector duty.' I still find it funny that they call 'projectors' 'beamers' here, as if we could use a BMW to show slides!! :) Then we had punch and talked to friends and exchanged gifts before everyone scurried off to celebrate in their homes with family. The past few years we've had the privilege of being invited to celebrate with friends - be it with our dear friends the Strunks, or last year with Mex and Iris. But this year we decided to celebrate at home with just the two of us. Together we whipped up a real feast - cornish hens, (or at least the Styrian version), mashed potatoes, cranberry and apple stuffing, gravy... Then we did the Austrian 'Bescherung' which includes lighting up the tree (yes, there is real fire involved and usually a bucket of water on the side, just in case!) and then opening presents. It might be hard to tell from our pics, but there are before, during and after we lit the sparklers on the tree!
 |
| Christmas 2011 the 24th (Click to View Album!) |
Curious to see what the Christmas midnight mass is like, we wandered down to a big catholic church nearby (Herz Jesu Kirche) and were astounded at the turnout! It was OVERLY packed and though we didn't get a seat, it didn't take long til we decided it was easier that way since we didn't have to worry about when to stand or sit. ;) After the service there was a brass horn group playing Christmas music in front of the church as we exited and made our way to see the Nativity Scene.
Then we had our dessert - baked apples filled with nuts and berries (and before you start thinking we're health nuts...) with a nice side of ice cream! We settled down and watched the movie 'The Nativity Story.' If you haven't seen this movie, WATCH IT!!! We were both really moved by it, and I was particularly impressed to see how Joseph truly shines as an amazing man of character. And it's so incredible to see how God divinely worked out so many details surrounding Jesus' birth. It's a movie that's really worth while and well done.
The morning of the 25th we had Monkey Bread and scrambled eggs for breakfast - yum! Then we got down to business and finished opening up presents!! Thanks to everyone for thinking of us and for your generous gifts! We were thrilled to use my new iPhone to talk to the Perrecas with Face to Face. How fun!! And we were glad to talk to all our nieces and nephews - what cute little kidos!!
 |
| Christmas 2011 Morning of the 25th (Click to View Album) |
Next big event is New Year's and then my trip to ICELAND!! :)
