When I was a little girl, Christmastime was magical! I loved all the snow the North East would get, and I remember we'd stay outside all day, only to come in and warm up our toes, fingers and noses and then it was back outside for more snow day fun.
Mellow dressed for winter
with a handful of treats!
My sisters and I would make snow forts (<---try to, anyway) and snow men and snow angels.
Our favorite treat on snow days was Snow Cream. (Sandy's old fashion recipe is how we made ours!) Now a days, I don't like to walk from my car to the building in the cold!!!
Christmas Eve was exciting and fun too. I remember my Grandma Carrie used to make Christmas decorations, they were beautiful. We'd decorate the Tree with multi-colored lights and then sit with our heads directly under the tree, squint our eyes and marvel at the illuminant glow the lights would cast on the ceiling. Our living room took up the whole front of our ranch-style home, and the hallway ran straight down the middle. If we poked our heads out our room at the end of the hallway we could see that beautiful tree standing there staring right back at us! I used to peek out after everyone had gone to bed when all the lights were out and the silhouette of the tree casting shadows used to scare me. I didn't dare walk down that dark hallway let alone go the the bathroom by myself! But to sneak a peek at the tree skirted with presents gave us all sleepless nights-from the grown-ups who wrapped presents, decorated and played Santa and partied till the early morn; to us kids who hung onto every word and whisper, song, and smell of candy, fruit and cookies being left for Santa! We couldn't sleep! By 5 am we were up and ready to open our gifts-by now we had made several trips to "The Tree" sneaking by our parents door, watching our every step (even plotting a path the night before on where to actually step so the floor wouldn't squeak!) and using different methods just to see how many gifts were under the tree...(The Red Ball) LOL!!!
How big is Sissy?
Dig the plastic chair!
Our home was a gathering place for friends and family and we always had parties and good food flowing. The scents that bring back memories of the holidays for me are cloves, oranges, apples, onions, celery, turkey, breads, cinnamon, paint, and pine!
A Groovy New Years Eve!
I love this time of year. Even with all the hustle and bustle, it's still my favorite time of year.
Shopping is fun but can get a bit frustrating with rude people and crowded conditions.
Sissy on Black Friday
I try to stay out of the stores on weekends, but if I must get out there,
I try to start out knowing that it will be h
ectic, and take it all in stride.
ectic, and take it all in stride.Sometimes, it's even funny...
Miss S doin' some
serious shopping...
...in her fave store!
A bird in WallyWorld...
...doin' some serious shopping!
We make our own memories now, my family and I. We try to instill the true meaning of the season, helping those in need, praying for others and keep focus on Christ and His second coming by celebrating the Advent season. I apply that excitement and anticipation to the season just as I anticipated when I was a child waiting for Santa. Remembering this keeps me grounded, rooted, and happy all season long.
I hope and pray that you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy good family and friends and always remember to...
...Let Memories Inspire YOU!
