FYI: I had written my Monday post on Sunday when I was still in the post-Thanksgiving doldrums and pre-Christmas cheer. By Monday, I was a happy little camper again, since the hubster had put up the tree the previous night after I went to sleep. He's such a good guy--I'm allergic to dust and dang! those things get dusty!
But that didn't stop my long distance writing bud, Cyndi, from calling me out on it . . . literally. Cyndi called to give me a hard time about being Grinchy McScrooge and I have to admit that, yes, I was feeling a touch of the Grinch when I wrote the blog. And for anyone who bakes, cooks, knits, crochets or makes anything homemade, please, please, please give them your heart-felt thanks for their efforts, because it IS a lot of work, not counting the time and money involved.
So, on Tuesday, I pulled up my candy list and checked it twice, jotted down the ingredients I would need to make candy. So, yes, I will be making about 30-40 pounds of candy again this year. I love experimenting with truffle and caramel centers. I think my favorites are Lime Gimlet (lime and gin), Whisky Toffee (self-explanatory), and Bananas Foster Caramel. I might need to try a strawberry margarita one this year. Last year was the first time I made peanut brittle and it turned out well. Toffee and turtles are always on my to-do list.
While waiting for my chocolate to be delivered, I started putting out my Christmas stuff.
Now, I admit that I have a selfish Christmas tradition--I have to unwrap everything by myself. Ornaments, smokers, nutcrackers, etc. The reason is two-fold. One, I want to see if anything broke. Usually there are one or two needing some TLC. And two, I love remembering when and where I was when I bought them.
I could tell you about the smokers that I bought in 1987 when I backpacked around Germany and Austria after my brother's French wedding. A couple of them still have the East Germany stamp on them. And I'm always on the lookout for unique Christmas ornaments. One of them is a hand carved face with a potpourri of German spices tied under it. I have a small snowman painted gourd that I bought at Silver Dollar City three years ago. I have ornaments that I bought at Disney World over the last nine years. I've made ornaments with my daughter as craft projects.
Every item brings back memories, memories that I treasure each and every Christmas.
Do you have a tradition that you insist upon keeping every year?
I would say "Write on!", but I'm taking a small break to enjoy the holidays.
Happy Holidays!
We have favorite ornaments, but I noticed we tend to have a lot of cartoon characters. Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck. The trains from some cartoon movie. The Grinch. Betty Boop. We also have some great cat ornaments, of course.
ReplyDeleteMy FIL died in Feb. A couple months ago, the family--including the grandkids--went through the ornaments and took what they wanted. (You wouldn't believe how nice we were! No hard feelings.) My husband decided not to put up the ornaments we took home. Next year, he said. I know how he feels.
I don't 'do' the holidays, but I still have one holiday tradition that MUST be observed. I MUST sit down and watch "It's a Wonderful Life" when it shows on TV. Yes, even with all the commercials.
ReplyDeleteWatching it on DVD doesn't count. I like specifically planning the time, putting it aside and DOING it. I like telling people "no, I can't do (fill in the blank) tonight, I'm watching 'It's a Wonderful Life'." Generally I enjoy watching it by myself. It doesn't matter how many times I've watched it, it always makes me cry.
Margaret, I have been the lucky, lucky recipient of your home made chocolates before. If you ever decide to take a break from writing, you should open up a sweet shoppe!
I wish I lived closer to you. I would LOVE to make Christmas goodies with you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see McScrooge has been squashed. However, be aware, Grinchy McScrooge has moved to my house. Bah Humbug! :)
We used to really do it up big for Christmas. Since we moved here, we don't. I love seeing all the decorations. I just hate repacking all of it away! :)
I understand, Edie. It's too soon, but next year will be a good year to remember the good times.
ReplyDeleteI love watching "It's a Wonderful Life", Jods. :-) It makes me happy that the good guy wins, though I DO wish karma would bite the old man on the butt.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed my chocolate, J. I keep trying new versions of the fillings and new recipes, but if I opened a sweet shoppe, then that would be a four-letter word--WORK! Ugh!
I'd love to cook with you, Cyndi! We would have too much fun! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis year, I didn't put out as many silk flowers/evergreen accents as normal. Since I went off my allergy shots, my dust allergies have reared their ugly heads.
I'm having a hard time getting the house decorated--I've usually got things decked out.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, Margaret, as I have to unwrap everything, and the memories are the best part.
Sorry, Edie, about your FIL. This year we're missing our parents more than ever.
I love the look of Christmas, Meg. But I must confess that the boxes are still downstairs in the way even though everything is up.
ReplyDeleteMy hubster mentioned having a Christmas party at our house and I gave him a, "Whacha ya talking about, Willis." look and promptly asked him what he was smoking.
He quickly changed the topic.
I would be perfectly happy taking out all the ornaments, looking at them and remembering, then putting them all away again. That's the best part of the tree for me.
ReplyDeleteI also watch "It's a Wonderful Life" -- I prefer it on TV, too, Jody -- and "A Season for Miracles," natch. And listening to Harry Connick and Elvis and TransSiberian Orchestra.
Next week will be the first anniversary of Mom's death, so that makes it tougher. You miss 'em all the time, but the holidays . . . man.
{{hugs}} Marilyn. I'm sure your mom would want you to make her recipes and remember her, for the good times surely override the hard times.
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