Turning Grinchy McScrooge into Festive Cheer

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!