Day 12, 12 Days of Home for the Holdays

This has been an enriching, inspiring and enlightening 12 Days. Thank you to all of my guest bloggers that were kind enough to give of their time and talent in order to share their holiday traditions with us.

My first guest is someone you might have read about anywhere anyone asks me the questions “how did you get into scrapbooking?” Angie Schuster is that person that taught me scrapbooking and created a beginning of the passion I have today for papercrafting. Her faith is incredible and so real.

She says about her:
I’ve been scrapping for about 12 years but for the last year or so, I’ve been diving into digital scrapping and loving it! My most recent project has been Debby’s ‘All About You in 52” challenge. I’ve really been enjoying setting down MY childhood memories for my kids. You can see some of my digital layouts for Debby’s challenge on my blog, Much Ado About Nothing  or in my gallery at Scrapbook .com.  Another favorite hobby of mine is one that goes conveniently hand in hand with scrapping; photography. Feel free to visit my photo blog Angel Photography and leave comments. I love feedback!

Ms. Angie Schuster

My absolute favorite tradition is one we started only eight years ago. Although, in a manner of speaking, it’s been around since I was about thirteen years old. Growing up, my family spent every summer in the mountains of Tennessee along with many friends from our church. We would all rent cabins and spend a week swimming, kayaking, shopping, or just hanging out. It was such a wonderful way to grow up. It was even instrumental in my budding relationship with my husband.

These wonderful summers ended, however, not too long after I got married. We were sad that our children wouldn’t have that experience. Over the years we would reminisce about Roan Mountain and how cool it would be to spend a Christmas up there one year. We finally decided to make it happen and in 2001, my parents, my sisters, and our families, all spent our first Christmas at Roan Mountain together.

Having grown up in Florida, we had never had a real tree before, so on Christmas Eve we chopped down our first real tree ever. Then we spent the day stringing popcorn and cranberries and making our own homemade ornaments. (We did bring the lights, though!) It was so much fun! It snowed, too, something else we were not used to. We had such a wonderful time that we go back to Roan Mountain every year that my family is together for Christmas. Now our children have these precious memories, too! That first Christmas at Roan Mt., I announced my pregnancy with our third child. His name is Roan.

This page is about Roan Mt. and From All About You in 52 Dare Questions, #23 ‘’What family gathering brings you the most joy or refreshment?”

Thank you Angie
Merry Christmas, Dean, Angie, Alyssa, Kai and Roan

My wonderful firend and co-hort, Ms. Sudie Alexander. We were Pea’s before we were friends. As great of friends we’ve become we have never scrapbooked together! Sudie has a great love for her family and for her craft. Her daughters are like my grandchildren. 

You can find Sudie at
Personal Blog, Simply Sudie
unKit, owner  an unconvential unKit non-club for scrapbookers
JumpCreate, owner
unKit Live, Monday night live interactive broadcast.
Facebook
Follow her on Twitter @unkit.

Sudie works for Scrapbook Royalty and has currently been tapped to hold a position to head up a charitable endeavor involving youth in the state of South Carolina.

Ms. Sudie Alexander

The tree is such an important part of our Holiday. Growing up my sister and I, along with Mama and Daddy decorated the Christmas tree together as a family.

It all began with Daddy stringing the lights. He did this with military precision. Nothing started until every strand was hung equitable. Nothing.

Next, the family spent one evening listening to Christmas music while hanging the ornaments that had been either handed down, or handcrafted. My sister literally threw them on, while I agonized over each sparkly placement. When we were finished, Mama would let us enjoy hot chocolate and Grandmama’s pinwheel cookies.

In 2004 we began a new tree tradition. Our sweet daughter was part of the Angel Tree ballet. This was the start of a new tradition for our own family.

Thank you Sudie and Merry Christmas Dave, Sudie, Audry and Meme

Ruth is my mentor and my friend. I can’t begin to describe how much she means in my life. You will often find her on my Gratitude Lists. Ruth is a Bible teacher, Mentor and Artist. Ruth has no blog or website, but the fruit of her love for God is found in the hearts and minds of the women she works with and with her family. Ruth as chaired the Columbia Artists Guild and has won numerous awards and recognition for her art.

Ms. Ruth Adam

One of the most memorable moments of Christmas for my twin brother and me was the baking of the Christmas cookies. We were excited to help with the decorating of each cookie, trying to get the sprinkles on the cookie and not the pan. The favorites were a spritz butter cookie and, of course, a peanut
butter. My mom rarely baked so we couldn't wait to eat them, but Mom would put them in tins to store away for the big day. The ones we got to taste before Christmas were the burnt ones.

Now the tradition that is followed today is that I manage to burn a batch of cookies (not to black, but overdone!) because I really developed a taste for burnt cookies!!

My favorite time at Christmas is the telling of the birth of Jesus and all that means to my precious grandchildren.

Ms. Ruth created this mirror for her youngest granddaughter Macy.

“The dogwood flowers were pressed in the spring from the tree in our woods. The mirror has goldleaf (real) on the turnings with fringe added on the bottom.”













Ruth you are truly incredible. I love ya!

Merry Christmas Dave and Ruth!












Thank you everyone for join me for the 12 Days of Home for the Holidays. Registration is still open for 52 weeks of Homemade Families. I’ll be sharing more information very soon.

Gratitude List
1. Debby’s Dare blog readers
2. friends who example God’s love to me
3. creative fun
4. God’s provision for my family
5. Smiles and Laughter, without it what would I do