Mount Vernon, candle light, and pardoned turkeys.

This is when the Christmas season fully starts for me.

I realized that part of the excitement of moving to a new area is coming up with accidental traditions and learning what a new area has to offer.

That is exactly what Saturday night is all about.

I love learning about what the area has to offer and new places to discover.  Who ever let U. Mike and I know about the Mount Vernon Candle Light Christmas Tour definitely hit it on the mark.  Mount Vernon, one of the best places to tour, in my opinion, has night tours during the month of December leading up to Christmas.  The whole grounds go back, as if back in the late 1700's.  Character Actors act out different people who associated with the General and Mrs. Washington.  From foot man and house slaves, to associates, grand children, and of course the Mrs Washington herself.  In the entrance/gathering hall has Christmas Trees and musicians.  A card is given to each guest upon arrival for a group to tour the house with.  When the is called it is moved outside to tents for cider and Christmas cookies and more singing.  Also is the Christmas Camel (yes, George Washington paid handsomely for a camel a long time ago) and the pardoned turkey at Thanksgiving.  Once the group is called again, they get a short tour leading up to the house explaining a little about the house and what to expect.  Once inside the house the show begins.

Mount Vernon, the back of the house overlooking the Potomac

Mrs. Washington meets the guests in the dinning room.  She makes the tour.  The last 5 years I always look forward to seeing her.  She just embodies what Mrs. Washington was to be.  The rooms are grand it is is a sight to see the house lit up, as if it were the late 1700's.

As in prior years, the garden house holds dancing to learn 4, 4 counts of dancing.  This year they actually has the majority of the room line up.  In years past is was a few dancers showing the count and maybe 1-2 people joining in.  This year it was almost the entire group. 

The front of Mount Vernon, and as an added bonus.
 the creepy fog flecks...

There was a father with his 3 children who made up 1 square and a dancer stood behind to help.  The oldest could not have been more than 10.  It was absolutely adorable.  They caught on quickly and they were quite serious.  Their countenance showed how hard the children were concentrating.  At the end of the dance (they completed the 4, 4 counts twice) they were all grins and smiles.  Seriously, the best part of the night.

Thank you U. Mike for another amazing evening and a fun tradition.  It is the best way to start the holiday season!