MyHome

As is true for most days, I’m sitting at my computer while Buster, my chihuahua, is snoring under a pile of blankets next to my desk. I am the kind of person who likes consistency and Buster seems to feel the same way. If I don’t head up to the office by 9am, he’s standing by the stairway as if to say “uh, I don’t think you realize it’s time to get to work!”

With the holiday season well underway, I know two things for sure. First, the holiday experience is completely different than it was when the kids were little. My goodness, I have such great memories, but I know that there was a lot going on back then. Let’s just say there was more than one Christmas Eve when I was up till the wee hours wrapping presents.

Second, I know for sure that tradition matters so much. I’ll share some of my favorite traditions with you and I’d love to hear yours!

Every year when we put up our Christmas tree, my husband proudly hangs his Christmas tree ornament that he made when he was five. I always put it on top of the ornament box because as you can see it’s showing its age. We smile every year when we place it on the tree.

My favorite tradition is making cookies. My mom wasn’t really a cookie baker; she excelled at pies, but cookies weren’t her thing. I learned about holiday cookies from my mother-in-law Irene. My husband’s favorite childhood memory is the smell in the kitchen when his mom was making snickerdoodles. I remember being at her home and seeing her make tassies, which are kind of like a miniature pecan pie. They are delicious.

I had never seen the cookie-baking tradition before.  I loved watching Irene bake dozens of cookies, each baked with love.  I realized that this was a gift and one that would be appreciated more than anything that could be bought at a store.  

My cookie tradition begins every year with baking a batch of snickerdoodles.  Without fail, my husband will tell me the story about how much he loved the smell in the kitchen when his mom made them. I smile along with him and it feels like Christmas.

I remember her home so clearly at Christmas.  I can instantly recall Irene’s kitchen, her laughter and her baking.  I can still feel how much she loved her family.  Irene passed away several years ago while still in her sixties.  She is missed by all her knew her.  I talk about legacy in my book.  She left behind an amazing legacy.  

Sometimes we worry so much about what to buy someone, but those aren’t the gifts that really matter.  A simple cookie baked with love can mean so much to a family.  It does to mine.  

What are your traditions?  I’d really love to hear from you!