Advent Calendar - Christmas Eve

     The Christmas Shuffle has begun; no it isn’t some kind of hoe-down dance. Not really, this is the dance that every parent does right before the paper shredding event takes place.

     First thing in the morning we quietly sneak in to grab a cup of coffee, it might be the only peace and quiet we have for two days. I love my kids don’t get me wrong, but we ALL seek silence in the house before the “Christmas Twister” hits. Once all the gift seeking sweethearts get up the Christmas tree attack begins, so to speak. You can catch each one of then sitting on the floor crisscross applesauce style, gazing at the gifts below the tree. The conversation will consist of many different points of interest for all parents to hear.

 

     ….”lets count how many presents are under the tree.”

     ….”that’s too heavy.”

     ….”this one makes sound when you shake it, hey mom this isn’t breakable is it?”

     ….”someone tricked me with this box.”

     ….”I know exactly what this is.”

     Once their legs go numb from sitting on the floor the number one question will be asked, not only once but multiple times, “When are we going to open the presents?”

     Once the kids are entertaining themselves we begin our Christmas Shuffle. Running around making sure we remember where we hid everything, it never fails something is always missing. Then we do a quick double check to make sure we didn’t leave anyone out, or short anyone I should say. We know how they like to count and compare.

 

     Quick kitchen run through making sure all of the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner ingredients are on hand. Prepare the sugar cookie station with icing and sprinkles, spread the wax paper out and lay out all of the cookies. Now it’s time for the decorating chefs to come in and create.  Mom and dad now have a few minutes to set back, watch, enjoy and remember our childhood past at our cookie stations.

 

     Our Christmas Eve consists of all the fun activities discussed, the tradition and activities continue on into the evening. Once the cookies are done it's time to make the homemade pizzas, that's right on Christmas Eve we have homemade pizza for our dinner, no were not Italian. Don't worry on Christmas Day it's the traditional prime rib with all the trimmings. The stomachs are full, dishes in the dishwasher and now it's time for the wrapping paper to fly.

 

     Ah, the smiling faces, giggles and joyful conversation are now taking place, while we, mom and dad, set back wondering what just happened. Then laugh and realize it was the "Christmas Twister". The evening has come to an end and now it's time for bed, they try real hard to get all snug in their beds and go to sleep for they know Santa Claus is on his way.

Advent Calendar - Christmas at School

 

I don’t ever recall being in a school Christmas pageant, oh no wait I think I do. I was a present, that’s right my mom wrapped a big box in Christmas paper then put a bow on it. I slipped into the box and stood on stage with all of the other kids in school singing Christmas carols. I can also remember, from second grade up there was some kind of classroom event celebrating Christmas. The homeroom mom would put together small crafts, games for the kids to play and we would make Christmas ornaments. Most of the moms would bring in baked goods and drinks for all of us to enjoy, we would also exchange small gifts.

     While in junior high and high school I played the flute in band and we would put on Christmas concerts. I remember my first Christmas concert outfit; my daughter would love it, just joking. It was a Red and green wool plaid skirt, white blouse, red sweater, black tights and my early Christmas present, clogs.  Mom and dad let me wear my Christmas present early that year, but after the concert they were wrapped and put back under the tree.   

Advent Calendar - Fruitcake - Friend or Foe?

     Fruitcake is a brick with solid colored marbles. Honestly, I tried once and only once, mainly because I was asked for the safety of all too please never make another one. Really I’m sure somewhere in that request love was behind it.

     I don’t really remember my grandmother ever making one. I do however remember a mason jar of strange goo with floating green and red balls sitting on my mom’s kitchen counter top. I don’t recall it ever being there but once, so I’m not really sure if that was a onetime shot. Who knows maybe she received the same loving request that I did.

     I’ve come to believe that the person who came up with this recipe was a sweet grandmotherly type. She found the holidays to be very hectic and could hardly find any time for herself so she invented the “confetti brick of love.” I envision her adding all of the ingredients into the mixing bowl and a few shots of rum in her tea. Maybe that’s where I went wrong I needed tea, just kidding. I’m sure somewhere out there someone is making great tasting fruitcakes. But I don’t recall anyone in my family ever making a blue ribbon winner. So for me it’s defiantly not a friend, more of a foe.

Taste so good.

     Well http://geneabloggers.com  did it again they listed a blog prompt that I couldn’t pass up on. This prompt was about traditional dishes or unusual dishes your family served during the holidays. The traditional turkey or ham didn’t enter my mind, something unusual did.

     During Christmas we would alternate between our home and my grandparent’s. If I remember correctly, this dish made its first appearance while we were at my grandparents. It was a side dish, a festive color of red with a soft, fluffy white topping. No it wasn’t a red velvet cake, remember I said side dish. It was cold with a crunch yet salt bottom crust topped with a rich red strawberry Jell-O and the final layer was a cool whip topping. I don’t remember what it was called but I thought it was the strangest dish I had ever seen. But oh…my…gosh… it was delicious and I’ve tried and tried to make it hoping to add it to my family’s traditional holiday dinner.  I haven’t got it down yet my pretzels seem to lose that crunch and become soggy pieces of pretzels. I’ll get the hang of it and if it looks yummy I’ll have to take a picture and write down the recipe.

     I just had another quick thought about writing down those recipes. I know we are always looking for the documents and letters. Even the family bibles and journals that hold our families secrets but one of the best secrets are those made in the kitchen. Let’s not forget those and remember to write down the ingredients of those special dishes you prepare this holiday season. Our children even or grandchildren might what to carry on that family tradition, dish.