I’ve been saying I’d get to this for a little while now and it’s finally happening! I’m updating this thing! Lot’s of pics to add from different things. Here we go…
First off, here are a couple of random things that I want to mention–check out the great light that my sister got for us in Turkey! We have it hanging over the dining room table 
that my sister got for us in Turkey--now hanging over the dining room table
Now to brag on myhusband–Robbie was awarded this medal from the Navy for his work on a project that they had. So proud of him!
And now to the festivities!
We had the pleasure of hosting our first Thanksgiving this year! My parents came to visit and we had our friends, Matt and MB over to join us for dinner. Later in the visit, we celebrated Robbie’s 33rd birthday (!) with my parents and then the Festival of Lights on the St. John’s River with Matt and MB…
Preparing Thanksgiving Dinner!
Beautiful bird
And it tasted great too!
Birthday Boy!
Festival of Lights on the St. John's
Festival of Lights
Festival of Lights
We also celebrated black friday by getting some new covers for the couches in the den! Our cat had done a number on the old covers and pillows in his younger days. Fortunately he’s calmed down a bit and we’ve been able to update the furniture nicely
New covers and pillows in the den!
posers!
Some more celebrating with Matt and MB. First it was Uba Xma–the great brass band Christmas concert at the Landing downtown…
ubaxma09
Santa at the Landing...maybe he's lost and consulting his map...
Uba Xma players
Christmas Tree at the Landing
And then there was our Lebanese Christmas banquet! Robbie and I contributed the drinks. There was, of course, eggnog. Then there were the lebanese finds. The Lebanese “White Coffee” which was delightful. And the Jallab. That one was…interesting. It was described as being good on a hot day. Maybe we’ll try it again this summer….
Lebanese White ‘Coffee’: (per serving) 2 oz. water; about 1 tsp. orange blossom water; sugar to taste. Pour 1 tsp. orange blossom water per demitasse cup. Bring water to boil. Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Pour water in demitasse cup and serve.
Jallab: (per serving) 2 T. jallab syrup; 6 oz. water; 1 C. crushed ice; 2 T. each pinenuts & golden raisins. Pour syrup in a tall glass. Add water and stir. Add crushed ice, sprinkle pinenuts and raisins on top and serve.
preparing the banquet--so yummy!
Jallab!
And we’ve been getting into the Christmas spirit ever since! Our first Christmas tree in Jacksonville, Christmas party at the Cooke’s house, cookie decorating, you name it!
Christmas party with friends
Christmas party
Reading the Jungle Book to my pal, Owen. This was the first night I'd dyed my hair with henna so it was RED. It's toned down a bit now...love it.
Our first Jacksonville Christmas tree!
We left our real stockings at my parent's house in Charleston last year so these little guys will have to do for now!
Luminaria!
Got to keep our tradition of making Christmas cookies with our friend, Amy
When the cookies came out, one of the gingerbread girls had a baby bump!! Gotta keep an eye on those cookies- Things really did get hot in that oven!
Looks like this is it for this particular post. I’ll update you on the rest of our Christmas festivities later. Have a very Merry Christmas!!
