We had a fantastic weekend full of Singing Christmas Tree performances. We had one performance on Friday night, two on Saturday, and two on Sunday. Each performance blessed me in a different way and I would find myself nearly forgetting to sing as I got caught up in the drama or the dancing. I’m already excited about doing it next year, but will definitely enjoy the break from standing so high up in the air on a tiny little step.
I stood on the end of the fourth row from the top. I was so lucky to be on the end- especially during dress rehearsal when I felt light-headed and dizzy. There were medical and fire personnel underneath the tree with fans keeping us cool and coming to our rescue if anyone went down.
But the music, the drama, the dancing, and the voices were absolutely amazing. And the lighting on that tree. I still don’t fully understand how it was done, but it was perfectly timed to the music and the colors were just incredible. The experience blessed me in so many ways this year, but the best part was definitely getting to know so many wonderful people better. When you spend that much time together, having fun is a big bonus and we did have a lot of fun.
Today I’m addressing Christmas cards, wrapping presents for Hudson, doing a little bit of decorating on my tree, and baking something sweet for our ornament exchange tonight. A little girl time will be a great way to unwind tonight. I may even sneak Hudson to the party with me!
I think I’m going to make Snickerdoodles from the River Road Recipes cookbook. (River Road Recipes is the Junior League of Baton Rouge’s cookbook)
1 cup soft shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups sifted flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Set oven at 400 degrees. Mix shortening, sugar and eggs together thoroughly. Sift flour, cream of tartar, soda, and salt together and add to above mixture. Chill dough. Roll into balls the size of small walnuts. Roll in mixture of 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Place about two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned, but still soft. (These cookies puff up at first then flatten out with crinkled tops.) Makes about five dozen 2-inch cookies.
Don’t forget you can order any of the Junior League cookbooks (and many other selections) from The Cookbook Marketplace for 50% off until the end of December. These books make the best gifts because they have the absolute best recipes that have been tried by the best cooks over the years.
Just visit The Cookbook Marketplace and enter the code BEB-Holiday at checkout.
seriously, what a fun holiday treat! both the singing and the cookies 🙂
So fun and the singing Christmas performances are always SO beautiful!!! 🙂
I so wish I would have been able to see this in person, it sounds breathtaking! I sure hope you can do it next year, I’d defenitely come out for that 🙂 I hope you’re having a joyful, joyful holiday season!
xoxo
I thought that the tree was fake! It cracked me up that it was actual people in it! I love it! I SO would have loved to seen it if I was in SC.
Oh my goodness, that tree is big! I know you have been tweeting about it, but it so much more than I was expecting. I think I would have been scared!
I grew up going to Shandon Baptist and always LOVED the Singing Christmas Tree. I was in the production when I was in elementary/middle school but was too young to be a part of the tree 🙂 I hate that I didn’t get to go see it this year!
that tree is amazing!! I miss doing musical things at Christmas time! I’m going to try those cookies out today!
My mom sang in a Living Christmas Tree in the town where I grew up. I always loved it, and as a kid, never considered how taxing it was on their bodies to be standing in confined spaces that long. She also said it got sooo hot because of the lights. Again, as a kid, never thought about that, but ALWAYS thought it was cool.
I think I’d be way too claustrophobic to do it, and if I did it, I’d want to be on the end, not too high up. But they probably don’t let you pick where you stand, huh?
I just had to comment on your post. I purchased the River Road cookbook when we traveled with our daughter’s softball team to Baton Rouge to play college softball. We were out to lunch and went to Barnes & Noble where I purchased the cookbook. I tried to purchase a cookbook from the different cities or states when we were traveling. I found the River Road cookbook to be most interesting cookbook that I have. You were very brave to be up in the singing christmas tree!!!
WOW! That tree is AMAZING!
that tree is so cool!
I’ve never seen a Christmas tree performance like that, but I’m sure it would be beautiful. It’s great that you were able to be involved in what I’m sure is a great community ministry! Thanks for the recipe. I love Snickerdoodles, so I’m going to have to try these out!
oh my gosh that tree is amazing!! do you have any video? i’d love to see it!! i had no idea what it was when you mentioned it before, what a fun thing that must have been to do and see!! i also might need to pick your brain about a few other things if you have time…will work on an email:)
PS – thanks for the reminder about the cookbook discount – ordering one for my mother in law! PERFECT!!!
I LOVE the tree! How amazing is that! Do you have a video of it?
I want to make those cookies! How amazing!!!
I miss you!!!
Wow, those cookies sound amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe, I may have to try those.
The Christmas tree performance looks spectacular.
I LOVE reading your blog! I feel like we have a lot in common haha. The Snickerdoodles sound amazing! Good luck with baby # 2
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Wow! That is a singing tree! You were up there pretty darn high! Glad you had so much fun!
Hi Erin,
I’m visiting from Katie’s blog. Love that tree – what a fun idea! It makes for a great visual AND sound. 🙂