from shirley's cottage

Christmas Past

The other day my daughter called with the usual, "Just checking in," call. She was decorating her tree. She got to thinking about Christmases when they were kids. One childhood memory led to another Until she had to call, "Mom, thanks for giving us such a great childhood." Do you say it or hear it with a dry eye? Nope. Not in our family. .

The very same day I was talking to my neighbor. He said he enjoyed reading my column. "It reminds me of when I was raising my six kids." It was a nice compliment, especially from a man. It’s nice to know there are also men who share my column with me.
Christmas. So much of a "great childhood," and the memories of "raising six kids". Christmas. Always memorable. Not always merry. Not always happy. Like the last one we had Gram with us.

We knew it would be her last Christmas with us. She was sitting in the old rocker, tree lights reflecting on her glasses. The sparkle in her brown eyes never went out. We miss her.

And we miss Dad. He loved Christmas Eve. Family and friends would stop in for just a few minutes or stick around for the whole evening. Then our the whole family would spend the night, staying up most of it, sitting in front of the fireplace, talking, remembering, enjoying.
I would sleep be in front of the fireplace. I had to be there when Santa came to tell him what went in each stocking. Ted, Sr. would get the couch. He didn’t have to move when everyone got up to see what Santa left.

It’s hard to believe another year has gone by, and it’s here again. The best time for making memories, keep traditions alive, and making new ones.

This year the whole family will be together again. It doesn’t get better than that.

This season calls for food, and lots of it. In my case, lots of easy recipes. Kelly’s best friend, Elaine, who lives in Stoughton, gave me this recipe. I take her word for it that it is good. I’m thinking it would be good for Christmas morning.

Elaine’s Mom’s Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
you will need
one package Pillsbury cinnamon rolls with frosting (not grande)
one cup frozen blueberries mixed with
one cup blueberry or blackberry jam
stir in one T lemon rind, grated
2 T cream to thin frosting
muffin tins for 16 muffiins
cut the eight cinnamon rolls horizontally in half to make 16
place in well greased muffin tins (Pam with flour is good)
put one T berry and jam mixture in center of each roll
bake according to cinnamon roll directions
drizzle thinned frosting over rolls
Eat while warm and enjoy!

P.S. My family will be all together because Kelly and her family from Idaho will be here. I took her to breakfast the other day. She asked me to write a snippet about the Inn and Pub. We went in at 10:30. They did not serve breakfast, but as we went to leave, they called us back and made us a very good breakfast. She wanted to make sure we thanked them.

As long as I’m doing this, I have a snippet, too. Lane, at NAPA did his usual: caring enough to help.. He gave me the name of someone I could call for my electrical woes. That led to Buck Holley who came right over on a week-end. What a guy. I want to make sure I thank them.