Because of numerous factors, we scheduled Sunday, the 7th, as our caroling evening. Anna Marie volunteered to bake all of the Poppy Seed Loaves that Friday. We girls had made the caroling cards earlier too.
At five o’clock Sunday evening, we loaded the van (aka the Poppy Seed Transport) and then discovered it was raining. Who wants to carol in the rain? We decided to brave it, and it added a new dimension to our caroling. The little girls certainly enjoyed their umbrellas.
Before long, the rain blew over, and the mild temperatures made it easy to have the little ones out. It seemed that almost every place we stopped people were home. Since caroling is our yearly tradition, our neighbors tell us they look forward it! Our family is expanding, so we make quite the parade. We love to bring joy to others. Maybe you could start a new tradition in your family.
Serving Jesus,
Sarah
Poppy Seed Loaf
3 cups flour
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/8 cups oil
1 1/2 Tablespoons Poppy Seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoons almond flavoring
1 1/2 teaspoons butter flavoring
Mix all ingredients for 1-2 minutes. Pour into 2 large, lightly greased loaf pans (in our case, we bought foil pans from the store and divided each batch into three loaves). Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees or until toothpick comes out clean.
Glaze
1/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring
Cool cake 5 minutes. Then, pour glaze over cake. While warm, remove from pan.
First, a few pictures from our card-making time.
Now onto caroling. 
This is a classic Aunt Anna photo!
For those to who care to know, the coats Melanie and Anna Marie are wearing is called a Suse’s Kinder Coat. 
Our neighbor’s dog was a big hit with the girls.
Anna Marie worked so hard and made us lots of Christmas treats for an after-caroling party.
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14
I would love to see a close-up of the card you all made. I’m thinking Elissa is really enjoying being initiated into all of the Maxwell traditions. God Bless You All!! We had our family Christmas party here at our house on the 6th so we are getting started early as well. Celebrations seem to last all month now because we have begun to add traditions each year as well. Have a fun December!!
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I’ll see if I have a close up I can e-mail to you ;).
Love your red coat, Sarah! And the picture moms wearing the babies is beyond precious!! 🙂 Y’all have been blessed and are definitely spreading the blessings to others!!
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Thanks. Yes, the Lord has abundantly blessed us.
Looks lovely! I’m feeling inspired, and this is always something my husband has wanted to do! How do you decide how many houses you go to, and how many songs do you sing? I’m stumbling working the logistics in my head! Thank you kindly for the advice. Have a blessed Christmas and new year to come!
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Usually we can visit over thirty houses in the time we have. Normally, we sing a carol and then the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” We are sensitive to how cold it is in case they step outside or if they seem awkward. We love it and wouldn’t miss it. Go for it!
Love those coats! If the Lord chooses to give us any more little bundles of joy, that coat will be stored in my memory!
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The sister-in-laws have enjoyed those coats.
Hello Maxwell’s!
Beautiful family caroling ~ so lovely to see and what a blessing to the neighbors. Your lemon poppyseed loaf has become a favorite among my immediate and extended family! 🙂 Thank you!!
God bless you all ~
Margaret
This is my favorite post! I can’t wait to read the caroling post every year and sometimes go back during the year and read them again.
I love seeing all the fun things you do to bless others. Great photos!
I always enjoy reading about your caroling and seeing the photos each year! 🙂 How wonderful you all do this and I’m sure you’re a blessing to your neighbors. So glad the rain didn’t continue!
I think this is my favorite yearly post! Thank you for sharing!!
Those coats are really cute! 🙂
I would love to find a coat like that. We do a lot of baby wearing here!
I too always love your caroling post, and this year, did a double=take when you shared your poppy seed bread recipe. I have been making that exact same recipe for over 20 years, and have never run across anyone who has the same recipe!!
Think I’ll whip up a batch this weekend:)
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Everyone loves it!
What a nice family tradition!