Traditions | Old & New

I have to chuckle a little when I hear the word tradition, so I'm thinking I should share why.  We were living in Ft. Leavenworth, KS--a lovely town, by the way--where our Sam was in preschool at St. Paul's. It must have been just before the holiday season as they were discussing family traditions in class.  When I picked him up from school one afternoon, his teacher asked if I could hang around for a bit.  Oh dear, what on earth has he done is surely what I was thinking at the time.  Anyway, she explained that they were sharing their family traditions for the holidays and that Sam had said ours was to 'clean the house and light smelly candles when people came to visit'.  HA!!  Mrs. B thought I might get a kick out of hearing his response, the teachers thought it was hilarious.  Most kids had said they go to Grandma's, have a turkey dinner, open one present Christmas Eve, etc.  Not Sam.  He had considered our protocol when having company, any time of year, as our family tradition.  I suppose he's right, as it's probably the one thing we consistently do to this day.  As my mother-in-law would say, 'out of the mouths of babes'!

So, what are our traditions?  Over the years they've varied greatly, mostly depending on where we live at the time.  For years, soon after we married, we lived in Germany and our tradition was to spend the holidays at home as it was too expensive to travel overseas.  There was always space-available travel, but we had no desire to potentially be stuck in airports with little ones the entire time, still worlds away from family with no guarantee of ever arriving at the destination.  UGH!!!  We loved our Christmas' in Europe though, so much so that I often catch myself wishing we could go back.

On Christmas Eve Gregg makes his signature chili--no recipe, just a lot of this and that--and we attend a candlelight church service wherever we are.  Then, we spend the rest of the night wrapping the last-minute gifts before falling asleep with tape in our hair.  We're awoken in the morning by the smell of coffee--brewed using the timer setting, learned that from experience--and at least two of the kids pleading with us to get up, Santa has come.  Stockings are opened first, then a break to put the pigs-in-a-blanket in the oven, finishing with presents one person at a time.  Our Christmas dinner also varies based on location.  If we're close enough to drive, we share the meal with family and exchange gifts after.  If not, we keep our meal very basic--ham, potatoes, something green and dessert.

Puzzles.  I think this is something we do no matter where we are.  We call it the 'Christmas puzzle', and I will stay up all night to finish once it's been poured on the table.  If I do happen to go to bed before it's done, you can bet I won't leave the house we're visiting until it's complete.  And if I do, then I'll be back at Spring Break to finish it up--Judy will attest to that!!

This year we changed it up a little.  To start, the boys didn't shop for each other.  Instead, they went shopping together, purchasing items for 2 children on The Giving Tree rather than spending so much on one another.  The 24th was spent much the same way, except Gregg did the grocery shopping and all the last-minute gift purchases--hallelujah!!  He also followed a new recipe for loaded baked potato soup, instead of chili.  It was fantastic!!  We went to the 11pm candlelight service at the  church I grew up in, rather than the one we attend now.  I caught up with a few friends that I haven't seen in years and my family got a glimpse at one of my childhood traditions.  The biggest difference this year, and I mean BIG, is that we got to sleep past 7am before being dog-piled awake to open presents.  It was one of those 'you know you're getting older' moments we had only dreamed of!  We've yet to do a puzzle, but the holiday isn't over so I probably shouldn't write that one off.

I don't know if the last couple of days will define how we do things next year, or the year after, but it really felt good to live in the moment and not be stuck doing something just because that's what we've always done. While I love a good tradition, I'm all about exploring new ones.  Look out 2014!!!

What are your favorite traditions?

*disclaimer--I did clean the house and light smelly candles this week for our one-and-only visitor, the jolly 'ol guy wearing his red suit.  Some traditions are hard to break!

Paying It Forward

Last night I was so happy to be sitting on my couch, watching TV and doing absolutely nothing.  I know you know where I'm headed with this.  It was 7:41pm when my phone rang, a friend that lives up the street calling.  She asked if I was busy, and I thankfully said no, then told me that she and her daughter were parked outside and wondered if I had anything to make sugar cookies with.  Her little girl needed a dozen or so for school today, the commissary was closed and Walmart is an hour there and back from our homes.  I knew I did, had the ingredients anyway, and told them to come on in.  It didn't take me long to figure out that she wasn't quite sure how to make them either.

Hmmm...my wheels started turning and I offered to call my son, who works near Walmart, and ask him to pick up a roll of dough--the slice and bake type.  I suggested that this was probably the easiest option at that time of night.  Well, Sam didn't answer as he was working, so I quickly went into 'what-to-do mode'.  I knew what to do and didn't even hesitate to say, "we'll make them here, give me a few minutes to clean up the dishes from our hall party and we'll knock it out".  I could see the relief on their faces, which told me I had made the right decision.

They headed back up the hill so B could eat and shower, she had been to gymnastics, and I could get my itty-bitty kitchen in order.  By the time they got back to my house, the dough was made and board floured for her to start rolling.  I used my mom's recipe, but halved it since it makes A LOT, and we truly did knock-out 3 or more dozen cookies in no time.  The last batch she sprinkled with colored sugar to share with her big brother at home.  I think they left a little after 9:00, and I was back on the couch, with my feet up at 9:20.

While I was tempted, at one point, to give them what they needed to make the cookies, I felt it was more important to go the extra mile.  All week I've gotten help from others for one task or another, and helped some in return. As tired as I was, it was one of those times that I knew I would get back so much more than I was giving.  And, I did.  We talked and laughed for over an hour, I got to teach someone something new and do one of my favorite things--baking cookies--at the same time.

PLATTER of chocolate-dipped pretzels I made to help a friend yesterday afternoon

Tea rings my friend was making for gifts

Christmas in Germany

As you've probably read from previous posts, it's been busy around here.  I'm sure it's no different in your homes as well, because once again, 'tis the season, right?!  For several days, a few of us from Gregg's office, spouses included, have been working on table decorations for a holiday hall party at the MP School.  Each organization tied to the school was given a table, or four, to decorate however they chose.  We decided upon a Christkindlmarkt, or Christmas Market in Germany theme.  It's a tradition many of us military folks are fond of, visiting as many as we can from the end of November to Christmas Eve, while living in Europe.

A typical Christkindlmarkt has rows and rows of little huts that sell anything from candy and sweets to ornaments and handmade wares.  The favorite of most is the Gluhwein, mulled wine, stand.  As it's usually quite chilly this time of year, warm wine makes it much more bearable to be standing in the cold temps to partake in this tradition.  There is a non-alcoholic version called Kinderpunsch, which needs no translation I'm sure, that I made for our table yesterday. When you buy a glass of either drink at a market, you get it in a mug that is printed for that town specifically, the year included.  A deposit is given at the time you purchase your beverage, and given back when you return the cup.  We, as did most tourists, kept ours from time to time.  I pull them out at the holidays as yet another reminder of our 8 years and countless trips to market.

If you saw my last post, then you probably noticed some of the cookies I decorated had holes for ribbon, German phrases or funny shapes to them.  That particular batch was used to adorn our tables backdrop, created to resemble one of the little stalls found at a Christkindlmarkt.  There were hearts with 'CDID', Army speak for where Gregg works; trees that said 'Frohes Fest', German for 'Merry Celebration'; and crossed pistols, which represent the MP Corps.  We also used nutcracker soldiers, a Santa and lebkuchen(gingerbread) tin for props, all from my collection.

As good as our decorating skills were, our food donations were even better.  Somehow, our theme carried on in our dishes too.  We had brats(Nurnberger) with crusty rolls (brotchen), German potato salad, green salad with oranges and pomegranates, maple-bacon scones, fudge, tea cakes, a huge assortment of candies and mulled punch.  What an AMAZING turnout from people as busy as me!!  And did I mention we took 3rd place??  Even better than that though, I got to meet and work with a group of great people that I'm so grateful to know!!

A little blurry, but you get the idea...

If you ever find yourself in Germany at Christmas, don't miss one of these fabulous markets.  Some of the smaller, more quaint villages are even better than the huge, more famous ones in the cities.

Cookies & More Cookies

Next week can't come soon enough!  Somehow all of our holiday parties are in one week, which means on the off-day that there isn't an event, we're getting ready for one.  Here's a look at some of the things we've been making at our house...

Homemade Gingerbread

This was my favorite!!

So, that's what I did last night and this morning.  What are you all baking in your homes for the holidays?

What's Been Going On

We've had a busy few months, eight actually, since my break with blogging.  I'm not sure why I was away for so long, maybe this post will shed some light on the matter.  Looking back, I should have shared so much of that time.  Maybe I'll pick some of the events and build posts on those later, but for now here is what we did from March-December.

2013 in Review

*hosted college friends for weekend *skied/snowboarded near St. Louis *took the train to Glenwood Springs, CO for ski/boarding/mineral spring vacation *celebrated 16th birthday *got a shelter puppy *went to Pella, IA for tulip time *planted flowers *lego robotics camp at MU *trip to NE *heart procedure *car accident *July 4th *outdoor movie nights *trip to PA *made a quilt *cooking class *wood floors re-finished *painted 1st floor *celebrated 20th anniversary *celebrated 19th birthday *trip to England & France *bought new truck *Halloween Party *re-decorated bedroom *created Church directory *trip to Nashville, TN *Thanksgiving in Glasgow, MO *decorated for Christmas *got loads of snow/ice *celebrated 13th birthday *made tons of cookies *participating in Church pageant...and the years not over folks!!!

Sugar and spice...

...that's what little girls are made of!  So the rhyme goes anyway.  Coming from a household full of boys, pink and flowery are two adjectives seldom used in sentences around our dinner table.  Don't get me wrong, I love all things feminine--clothes, shoes, nail polish, pillows, duvet covers...--but I'm on my own in that.  And of course we have three nephews, so no dresses and bows being purchased for Birthdays or Christmas either.  Most of our friends have sons, and the few babies we know being born are boys as well.  Hmmm....

As I said in my previous post, the only other one I've composed, we recently moved to a new duty station with the Army.  Imagine my surprise after unpacking and finally getting around to meet neighbors, there are more girls than boys on the street.  Little girls, dressed in "the" cutest little outfits, toting stuffed animals while running up and down the street screaming.  Ahhhh, heaven on lower Totten St.  The best part being that I can get my fix by chatting about ponies and purple and come back inside to soccer and calm.  

Since moving in, one family has had a parent deploy--mom.  They have three little ones, and dad--retired military--stays home with them.   On occasion the two girls come over to bake with me, something they miss doing with their mom.   I absolutely love it!  And I love hearing them tell me their favorite things to bake with her and what they'll make when she returns.  

Boxed and ready to go

Yesterday was the middle daughters birthday--she turned 6--and I decided to take them cupcakes.  I've been wanting to try this recipe from Magnolia Bakery,  so what better reason.  Of course they were frosted in pink and sprinkled with candy flowers.  We kept a few for us, and delivered two boxes and a bundle of pretty balloons to them before dinner.  They were so excited to see us, so much so that the youngest disappeared around the corner and returned with a piece of construction paper clad in foam letters and pirate stickers.  Did I say Heaven already??  As promised, it now resides on our fridge, where I haven't had child art in some time.   Melt....

I tried my best to create the frosting "swirl" that sets Magnolia cupcakes apart, but after watching the video twice, I just don't have 40 extra hours.  Be sure and let me know if you master it!!!

Dessert for us