Another Christmas Put to Bed

I met my husband and his family just over 21 years ago.  They welcomed me and my son with open arms, and we were allowed inside their circle to celebrate Christmas.

That first Christmas we spent together, we numbered eight--including hubby's siblings and parents.

Yesterday, a total of 20 of us gathered to partake in the traditional meal of chili and oyster stew and open presents.  In the last 21 years, the siblings have married and multiplied which makes getting us all together and sitting down at one time to open presents nothing short of a miracle.

Yesterday's gathering concluded the four planned holiday get-togethers for me for this year.  Now there are no more presents left under our tree, and we have to start thinking about the New Year's Eve plans and my birthday which are both just over a week away.

This time of year goes so fast, and then it practically comes to a halt waiting for the long, bleak winter to subside.

So as the sun sets on another Christmas season, I look around me thankful for the many blessings in my life and strive to hold onto this feeling through the cold months ahead.

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 25:CHRISTMAS

My First Christmas...

       My first Christmas since MY first Christmas without my mom.

              My first Christmas in a very long time just staying home the entire day.

                       My first Christmas EVER waking up with a migraine.

Indeed it was a Christmas filled with firsts.  The night before Christmas, my hubby and I and the kids sat together in the glow of candlelight singing carols a capella and listening to my son recite "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."

Santa finally filled the stockings about 5:30 a.m., but the opening of gifts didn't commence for another five hours.

Just before the gift giving, I was in the kitchen for a cup of coffee when I noticed a light shining on the wall illuminating all the Willow Tree Angels my mom has given me the last few years which I have hanging above the light switch.  I stood and stared for a moment trying to figure out where the light was coming from.  I finally deduced that the sun was hitting a sparkly piece of the tree garland just at the right place to bounce the reflection into the room onto the angels.  A little angel love from my mama first thing Christmas morning was just what I needed.

The kids had had a great time selecting gifts and wrapping them, and my son even orchestrated a fun treasure hunt for the gift he had picked out for his sister.  It was a wonderful morning of fun surprises and relaxed joy.

For breakfast we had scones, eggnog, and bacon.  The eggnog was especially good, and we finished up the gathering at the table with a Christmas Tree mad lib, some games, and cutting out snowflakes. Santa had brought the game of Tenzi, and we enjoyed several frenzied rounds before individually (but together) dispersing to catch up on Facebook posts and do some quiet reading.

An amazing sunset illuminated the angel solar light in my backyard reminding me once more that mom will continue to remain in my thoughts and in my heart.

Supper was a collaborative effort of a cornbread stuffed Turducken, green bean casserole, party potatoes, lemon lime jello salad, and mini crescent rolls by candlelight.

Some TV watching and relaxing ended our first Christmas together of making new memories and remembering treasured times from years past.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 24:TRADITION

Is tradition built around Christmas or is Christmas built around tradition?  

A tradition is defined as a custom or belief passed on from one generation to the next.

In the case of my family, tradition seems to be defined as a certain food item being associated with specific times of year and passed around the table from one generation to the next.

Christmas morning was more than just presents and knowing that it was the one morning of the year when we would potentially all get along with each other for a few hours.  It was also the once a year Christmas Tree Bread, Eggnog, fresh squeezed orange juice, and bacon...a combination you have to taste to appreciate.  And we brought out the fancy glass plates with the cup ring built in upon which to dine.  

For years, the Christmas Tree Bread was a breakfast pastry that I tried to just get the trunk part of the tree that didn't have any of the fruited-nut filling and the majority of the frosting.  But as I got older, I became quite fond of the entire ensemble taking a larger fruit-filled piece that filled more of the leaf-shaped glass dish.

I did make the Christmas Tree Bread a couple different times after moving out on my own.  But since I was the only one that actually liked it, I have given that traditional food over for something we all enjoy like scones or caramel rolls to go with the eggnog and bacon.  

For our annual Doppa i Gryta event today, my cousin Janet makes a moist white cake in the shape of a Christmas Tree frosted with the richest, creamiest frosting and decorated with red and green m&m's.  The whole family looks forward to this once a year treat, and I even got to take some home!

Traditions will come and go and change over the years, but the breaking of bread with family should remain.

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 23:LAST MINUTE

The nominees for this season in the Outstanding "Last Minute" category are:

• Decorating
• Buying the gifts
• Making the gifts
• Baking
• Sending out Christmas cards, and
• Wrapping the gifts

And the award for "Last Minute" in the Holiday Category goes to...

MAKING THE GIFTS!

That's right!  The craft project that began with an idea I saw on Pinterest the end of last May (nearly seven months ago) is finally nearing completion.

The hooked rug star ornaments are definitely a labor of love with multiple steps and finishing touches that seem endless!

As with most craft projects, the meat of the work is my favorite part with the finishing being the most tedious and tiresome.

However, the results are well worth the effort!  I think they all turned out quite nice.  I even added a button which was not in the original pictures.

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 22:WRAPPING

That's a wrap!

I wrapped the last two gifts today.  I have been doing pretty well keeping up with the wrapping as the gifts were purchased so it wouldn't be so overwhelming at the last minute.  

Well, the last two personalized gifts arrived yesterday from the seller I found on Etsy, and they are wrapped and under the tree.

Wrapping, like food prep, is time consuming (if done correctly and with care); and just like eating, the unwrapping takes no time at all.

From a roll of gift wrap, to neatly encased packages, to crumples of paper strewn hastily on the floor--the whole process seems to be over in a flash every year.  

When we had a cat, the use of bows was dispensed as all the cat wanted to do was eat or play with the decorative ribbon.  

An amazing time saver was the invention of the gift bag.  A few strategically placed wads of tissue paper inside the top of the gift bag, and you have yourself a very classy looking gift in a fraction of the time it takes to wrap a box with pretty paper.  The odd-shaped boxes are especially good candidates for a gift bag.

I remember the year I decided to play Santa.  I think I was 14 years old and had my first job with my own spending money.  I used aluminum foil to wrap the gifts I bought.  

My brother-in-law's idea of gift wrapping was a brown paper grocery sack and some strategically placed staples.

On occasion, I have even used freezer paper and newspaper to wrap presents.

One year, I made my own gift tags with several layers of card stock and colored paper, a fancy zigzag stitch around the edge, and a button.

My mom's neighbor made and sold sets of gift tags using images cut from recycled Christmas cards, construction paper, and ribbon.

A cousin on my mom's side uses a different wrapping paper for each one of her grandchildren--that way they can quickly identify which (and how many) gifts are theirs underneath the tree.

My mom made certain that the wrapping paper used to conceal Santa gifts appeared no where else under the tree, and leftovers from the roll could never be discovered anywhere else in the house.  I tried to carry on with that tradition when I was a young mom playing Santa Claus.  Like Mom, I would even wrap the stocking stuffers with that special Santa gift wrap.

There are so many creative ways to wrap (and disguise) gifts.  The fact that the receiver wastes no time on the reveal just means it is better to pick up four to five rolls of gift wrap on an after Christmas sale and save some money on next year's wrapping.

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 21:ORNAMENT

An angel ornament on my tree is my reminder that my angel mom is with me everyday.

Lately, I have seen several Facebook posts accompanied by various images that have the following sentiment... 

"I don't need an angel on my Christmas tree.  I already have one in Heaven looking down on me."


I don't happen to agree.  I like the angel ornaments on my tree reminding me of the angel in heaven looking down on me.

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 20:STOCKING

Mom's vintage Christmas stocking was adorned with jingle bells, and unlike today's socks, the personalization was upside down...

It is actually more in the shape of a sock as well with a narrow ankle and foot part of the sock.  Not sure what Santa would've been able to stuff down into the toe except for maybe nuts...or coal?

The terrycloth top is dingy and yellowed, but it will forever be a reminder of mom's love of bringing Santa to life every Christmas.

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 19:PEACE

Let there be peace on earth 

And let it begin with me.

Joy to the World

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 18:CARD

My mom would send out over 100 cards with handwritten notes inside each year.  The more sparkles on the card, the better.  Since Mom's passing, I have had several friends and family tell me that her card was the first one they would receive every Christmas.  They are all missing her special seasons greetings this year.

A month or more before Christmas, Mom would have me start looking for that perfect selection of Christmas Cards.  I would try to tell her that she had so many cards left over from years before that she should use those first.  But she insisted that she needed new designs, as she didn't want to send the same card to someone on her list two years in a row.

As many varieties of Christmas stamps that were available had to be purchased and the multitude of Christmas seals from various charitable organizations were assembled so her card writing process could begin.

Then there was always the additional trip to the post office to mail those two to three Internationally-addressed cards to England, New Zealand, and Brazil.

As cards begin arriving, the proper check-in process (as I learned from Mom) is to make sure I have the person's address correct in my book, make a check mark in the "Received" column right next to the "Sent" check mark and then tape the colorful card to the door to admire for a month or more.

For many years I have sent the photo Christmas card, and I also enjoy receiving that photo card from others as it is a great way to measure the growth of friends' and family's children. I also usually come up with some kind of form letter as well to highlight my own family's events, job and school status, and travels throughout the year.

I must admit, though, that my actual mailing of the cards through the postal system has gone from 70+ to just 30 now, as I, like quite a few others, have gone to sending out primarily electronic greetings.

While I do enjoy the photo cards, I'm really starting to appreciate the traditional cards more and more...it's a shame since less and less people are mailing them out.  Maybe it's knowing how much my mother loved sending and receiving them that has me enjoying them more this year...I don't know.

To date, we have received about 20 cards in the mail...my door could use a few more :)

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 17:GINGERBREAD

Not being a fan of the Gingerbread cookies or ever having made a Gingerbread house, I have no photos of Gingerbread to accompany today's challenge.

I can, however, share my baking experience from last weekend...

The in-laws and I decided to plan a holiday goodie baking day.  We each brought recipes/ideas and ingredients to the table--literally.  The assembly line process worked well for those tedious, labor intensive items that required repeating the same steps over and over again, and the conversation and laughter made the day go by in a flash with a plethora of yummy treats we each took home by the end of the night.

The cut-out/sugar cookies part of the day was probably the most challenging in that we each had our own individual technique...from how much dough/flour to start with, how thin or thick to roll out the dough, how they were placed on the cookie sheet, to how long they were to be baked all varied with each one of us.  This was almost a too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen-spoil-the-stew moment, but it all worked out; and when the cookies had cooled, the kids had a great time decorating with frosting, sprinkles, and colorful decorations and then eating several of their creations.

All in all, I would have to say our family baking day was quite a success, and I look forward to making it an annual tradition.  Maybe someday I'll have to try gingerbread since while I was looking through Mom's recipe file, I came across the following vintage recipe card:

 I think the actual cookie cutter that accompanied this little man is long gone, but I'm sure I could make do with a substitute.

I did see a pretty hilarious image on Facebook the other day of a Redneck Gingerbread house...it was in the shape of mobile home!

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 16:COCOA

How do you like your hot chocolate?  

• with whipped topping?
• with marshmallows?
• with a peppermint stick?
• with cocoa or cinnamon sprinkled on top?

I remember going sledding or caroling with my church group and then warming up with a cup of hot chocolate.  

Whenever my kids would get done building a snowman outside, the expected treat when coming back inside was a steaming mug of cocoa.

When I go to my favorite coffee house, my hubby and my daughter usually partake in a Toasted Marshmallow flavored hot chocolate since they are not coffee drinkers.

The way the wind is howling outside this morning, I can't think of any better way to warm up than with some hot chocolate.  Excuse me while I go prepare a cup.  :)

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 15:CANDY CANE

Jesus Gentle Shepherd,
this cane of red and white
proclaims the sweet love story
born on Christmas night.

This cane, you see, when turned around
begins your name of Love,
and now becomes a symbol
of peace proclaimed above.

I had fun designing this necklace using my white upcycled denim beads and pony plastic red beads.

[This is from an excerpt first posted on my Casual Day Designs blog on Dec. 11, 2008]

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 14:GIFT

Mom left a special gift for me this Christmas.  It was full of the love and special remembrances that could only come from my Angel Mama's thoughtfulness.  

A couple days ago, I had gone to her house with a specific list of items I wanted to take back home with me.  I was in her master bedroom closet and noticed a gold box.  I lifted it from its spot on top of a cardboard box full of old photographs.  I'm not sure what compelled me to open it as I didn't remember what was in it, and it certainly didn't contain any of the things I had come to collect.

As I lifted the lid and unfolded the festive green tissue paper from around the contents inside, my breath caught in my chest.

Three unrelated but very meaningful Christmas ornaments were tucked inside...a purple butterfly, a tray of coffee, and a small box tied with a ribbon that had a poem attached.  Of course, my purple butterfly was Mom's way of saying she is okay, and the tray of coffee ornament had special meaning as Mom and I loved to enjoy lattes together.

But the note on the little gift box ornament brought me to my knees and reduced me to the all-too-familiar mixture of tears--tears of joy that Mom is still reaching out to me and showing me she is doing well, and tears of sadness because I miss her compassionate smile and her understanding eyes so very much.

The poem reads as follows:

This is a very special gift

That you can never see.

The reason it's so special is

It's just for you from me.

Whenever you are lonely

Or even feeling blue,

You only have to hold this gift

And know I think of you.

You never can unwrap it.

Please leave the ribbon tied.

Just hold the box close to your heart

It's filled with love inside.

For the last several years, I have had to do all of Mom's shopping for Christmas.  I have always known what she was giving me, but I would wrap it up anyway so I would have something to open from her on Christmas morning.  

This year, Mom surprised ME!  Not only did she surprise me, but I could not have chosen a better gift had I done the shopping myself.

Thanks, Angel Mama!!

Love you to the Moon and Back!

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 13:SHOPPING

12/13/14 -  Today is the last day this century when the date falls in numerical order.  This will not occur again until January 2, 2103...

This also means there are only 11 SHOPPING DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Women be shopping! 

To shop or not to shop...

     ...in line or online -- that is the question.

"Support Local and Independent Artists, Designers, and Crafters"

The big debate before Thanksgiving this year was whether or not stores should open on Thursday instead of waiting until Friday. There were still plenty of die-hard bargain shoppers that camped out in front of various stores a week before the Black Friday specials were to begin; and there were plenty of people with nothing better to do than make memes and post comments about how places like hospitals and nursing homes have to be open on Thanksgiving Day and those employees don't get the day off 'so what's the big deal about department store employees getting the day off or not'...really??  We are going to compare health care workers with retail jobs???  Here--I have an apple.  Would you like to compare your orange??

   *(steps down off soapbox)*

"It came without ribbons. It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes, or bags.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.  Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store.  Maybe Christmas...he thought...means a little bit more."

Seriously, though, shopping for Christmas presents has become all so superfluous...I am feeling more and more like Cindy Lou Who.  I would rather not fight the crowds of mean-spirited individuals who argue with the checkout clerk over why their door-buster special didn't ring up correctly, or yell profanities at their children, or nudge in front of me without even uttering an 'excuse me.'  I would have to conclude that shopping is probably my least favorite activity this time of year. I would much rather bake, decorate, write out cards, or make a homemade gift than shop!

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 12:SCARF

I am so fortunate to have both a sister and a sister-in-law who knits!  I have been gifted with some very colorful, one-of-a-kind scarves to keep my neck from freezing in the winter months.

When I was school age, I remember trying to learn crocheting and knitting at different times.  I never quite got the hang of either one.  Somehow I would always end up losing a row of the chain or not casting correctly.  The only article of clothing I ever finished was a scarf for my Barbie doll, and she wouldn't even wear it!

Scarves are so trendy now--even crafted from t-shirts with fringe.  The infinity scarf is stylish, and the tutorials on how to tie/wear a scarf are infinite!

Unfortunately, I spend so much time in front of the mirror trying to make the scarf look just right with whatever I'm wearing, that I end up leaving it at home and opting instead to accessorize with a necklace.  Invariably, I will be out somewhere and see someone wearing a scarf fashioned exactly the way I had fixed mine, but it looks so much better on the other person.

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 11:BOOTS

WARNING!  This post is laced with tongue in cheek punniness that will tickle you to your very sole!

Let's Kick It!

These boots are made for kickin' back and relaxin'

 Quite literally, these boots are not meant for a lot of walking.  I tried that one day, and it was not comfortable at all!  I had worn them for several winters before my father's girlfriend saw them and asked me if I knew that they were hooker boots.

Don't Tread on Me!

Inevitably, the first snowfall would occur before I would find out that my kids snow boots no longer fit.  We would have to make a quick run to the shoe store to get boots that fit or else they were not allowed to go outside for recess.


"Okay campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's coooold out there today!" ~Groundhog Day

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 10:SLED

My trusty sled is now my rusty sled...but oh what a slick decoration it makes!

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 9:ELF

Unfortunately, Elf on the Shelf posts have taken over the Facebook and Pinterest news feeds this time of year.

There were even two tabletop trees decorated with the mischievous little fellows at the Festival of Trees we attended last weekend.

My elf story begins in the 1800's with my great, great-grandparents, Charles and Sophia Nelson, who came over from Sweden bringing the tradition with them of Doppa i Grytta (meaning dip in the kettle). 

Due to a shortage of food, when the special meal was prepared for Christmas Eve, a combination of pork and beef were cooked together making a very tasty broth. To further stretch a meal of the two meats, the typical Swedish Limpa Rye bread was made and carefully dipped in the broth created by the meat combination. 

This hearty fare gave strength and sustenance to our ancestors. As the tradition grew within our family, other things were added to this feast such as macaroni and cheese and some sort of dessert. With additional family members--spouses and more children, other favorite foods were added by those attending. Goodies today range from broccoli corn casserole, cheesy potatoes, ham balls,tossed salad, layered jello salad, pimento salad, pasta salad, strawberry pretzel salad and a variety of desserts including Christmas Tree cake, chocolate sheet cake, date cake, butterscotch pecan bars, sugar cookies, peanut butter balls, and fudge. 

To begin the festivities, we all gather in the kitchen and the eldest member gives a prayer of thanks for family and we toast with homemade grape juice or tomato juice and then fill our plates. When new family members and guests are present, someone usually shows them the ropes of dipping the bread in the kettle so they are not embarrassed by leaving it in too long and having it fall apart in the juices. One year, we had apple cider brewing on the stove. I inadvertently dipped my bread in the apple cider instead of the meat broth--I thought it tasted pretty good.

After the meal, we used to exchange gifts when the dishes were cleaned. As a child, I remember dishes seeming to take forever before we were summoned to open presents. There is still some gift giving today by "Elves," but not as many as years ago. Another activity we've added is to play Christmas Trivia and word scramble games which has become a favorite tradition as well. Our traditional Doppa i Gryta clan has grown from 10 to 40 family members, but usually only about half are able to make it back for the day.

In celebration of our time-honored tradition, Charles the Elf decorated a tabletop tree with elf ornaments and had it waiting at the funeral home for the visitation.  I'm fairly certain I know which member of the family the elf is, but it does remain a mystery.  What I do know is that the elf tree was probably my favorite floral tribute given for mom's funeral.

Thank you Elf Charles.

Countdown to Christmas - Photo Challenge - Day 8:COOKIES

The cookies made at Christmas time are not only a tradition, but a necessity!

Molasses (Not Ginger Snaps--NO SNAP in these soft cookies).  This was a recipe from my paternal grandmother.

Mom made molasses cookies several times a year, but she especially liked to make them at Christmas time, too.  They made a great addition to the variety of treats for the holiday plates that mom would take around to our neighbors.  I always thought the holiday plates were such a friendly gesture, that I made up holiday plates for my own neighbors the first year I was away from home.  Apparently, the giving and receiving of the holiday plates was not considered a friendly gesture in all neighborhoods.  I remember being looked at like I was from outer space as I stood smiling on the porch steps of my neighbors, outstretched plate in hand.  I don't know if they thought I was trying to poison them or seek a favor.  Years later, I tried the plates of cheer in a totally different neighborhood, and still got the same strange looks.  Not only that, but several of them thought they needed to reciprocate.  One neighbor reciprocated with some cheap, tacky store bought cookies--YUCK!  I would rather keep my own yummy cookies and not get the disgusting rejects and the dirty looks.  I know that's not a very nice attitude for this time of year, but you didn't see all the looks I got when trying to deliver my delicious holiday cheer.

Spritz - With Almond Flavoring

The Spritz cookie experiences are many!  From the type of cookie press used to the many recipes and the different ways each family traditionally makes them.  My mother-in-law, for instance, divides the dough in half and colors half the dough green and the other half red (pink).  She does not use sprinkles, and instead of the almond flavoring my mom's recipe calls for, she uses vanilla flavoring as she is not a fan of the almond.  I continue to make mine the way my mom did--no food coloring added, almond flavoring, and topped with red and green sprinkles.

I remember my mom's cookie press was aluminum with a twisting-type plunger.  I purchased a press from Pampered Chef one year (which I had to exchange when the trigger quit working).  As much as I enjoy the flavor and look of the Spritz, I admit that I dread making them every year.  After the first batch goes on the cookie sheet (with small amounts of difficulty), I have a terrible time trying to make the dough release from the press consistently after that.

I have tried several different techniques--parchment paper, chilling the dough, a cool cookie sheet, swearing.  Nothing works!  Last year, when my son's attempts to help me produced similar results, we decided to change the name to splatz cookies. Instead of pushing the dough through the press, we threw balls of dough at the cookie sheet making a splat sound! It was fun, and they still tasted good.

Flourless, Organic Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

My son has become quite a good cookie baker of another variety.  He made a midnight batch of his organic flour-less cookies last night which we ate warm right out of the oven until we gave ourselves tummy aches...it was worth it.