Weiland home transforms into Christmas wonderland
MADISON – Elves, reindeer and the jolly ole soul himself take command in Peter and Lisa Weiland’s home at Christmas.
The work starts in November when Lisa’s sister, Laurie Leonard, visits from Georgia. “We just love to decorate. My sister worked in a flower shop and took decorating as a hobby. It caught on with me,” Lisa said. They enjoy mixing and matching, arranging items and finding the little accent that adds the pizzazz, she said.
They focus decorations on common areas that most people will see and then expand as times permits. “One year, we even did the backyard and pool area,” Lisa said.
Outside, decorations are simple and staid, heightening the effect inside. “We’re not out to compete with Clark Griswold,” Lisa said.
All four fireplace mantels receive new centerpieces each year. However, “some arrangements are proven winners and have become standard each year, almost like they’re expected to be there or it wouldn’t feel right,” she said.
Their 13-foot Christmas tree stands under vaulted ceilings and exposed beams, in a large room much like a lodge. “We decorate along the lines of what you would find in a cabin … wooden, cloth or natural ornaments with a woodsy or outdoor theme.” Colorful and travel-keepsake ornaments perk the nature theme.
In the kitchen, a tree holds a collection of ornaments from time in Germany and ones their children made in elementary school. “In Germany, we were newlyweds and loved going to the Weihnachtsmarkts (Christmas markets) in the center of about every town. Several ornaments remind us of these times when we were just starting out our lives together over 30 years ago,” Lisa said.
Their sons’ ornaments take the longest time to place. “We spend so much time appreciating them.”
Lisa’s avocation has launched an online store (southerngranddesigns.com and Facebook) featuring custom wreaths, unique seasonal accents and faux florals.
As a military family, they swapped Christmastime festivities between parents in South Carolina and Georgia. In recent years, the Weilands have stayed in Madison and have their families travel here. “The best time is when we can get the whole family together on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,” Lisa said. “We usually have a big breakfast and make pancakes using Santa- and reindeer-shaped molds. It’s also the one time we make Ebelskivers, a Danish pancake.”
Their traditional Christmas dinner features roasted turkey, both sweet potato and squash casseroles and a unique tradition of homemade noodles. “We make noodles three days in advance, cook them in chicken broth and eat plain,” she said. “No one knows why, but it has been a family tradition as far back as anybody can remember, and Grandma is 85.”
In late evening, the whole family plays Dirty Santa (whether they want to or not). Most items are gag gifts.
During the season, Lisa and friend Julie Carlyle host a Christmas Cookie Exchange. They take cookies to Downtown Rescue Mission, 305 8th Street adult residence, Morningside Assisted Living and Tut Fann State Veterans Home. They also host a Christmas party to collect toys for children at the rescue mission.
In 1996 the Weilands moved to Madison from Newport News, Virginia, with Peter’s assignment with NASA Langley Research Center. He retired from the THAAD Missile Program in 1999.
“Our oldest child was starting kindergarten when we moved here. Both boys have since graduated from Bob Jones, Auburn and have moved out,” she said. Their son Carter and wife Caitlin live in New Orleans. Their son Cooper lives in Augusta, Georgia.
Hailing from Lumpkin, Georgia, Lisa works as a speech pathologist at West Madison Elementary School. Peter is chief technical officer at Radiance Technology. He grew up in the Midwest before attending West Point.
The Weilands play USTA tennis at Huntsville Tennis Center. Peter holds membership in numerous business/technical organizations and is a board member and Space Camp Committee chair of Air, Space and Missile Defense Association.
