Ins and Outs of December

At My Front Door...

In come the Carolers...Feliz Navidad! I love when my amiga, Nohemi, brings the Spanish Speaking Carolers to my door step. This is a highlight of every December. Gracias!

Out My Front Door...

For my Bishop and friend, One of his famous sayings is now framed for his every day enjoyment. If you have ever attended Church Services in my Ward (Congregation), then you know this was the ideal gift for a Bishop who reminds us every week that we are enjoying another beautiful day in paradise!

In My Kitchen...

Cookies with my children and their friends. I always forget how easy Spritz cookies are to make with a cookie press. The kids did most of the work all on their own. I would rather make pretty Spritz Butter Cookies with a cookie press any day than Cut Out Sugar Cookies with icing....

In My Opinion...

When it comes to Cut Out Sugar Cookies, call me the Little Red Hen. I would rather eat the delicious end product than: Make the dough, chill the dough, roll out the dough, cut each individual cookie, place them on a sheet, bake them, cool them, make the icing, ice the cookies, decorate the cookies, etc. JUST TOO MANY STEPS...thank goodness they are delicious in the end. I only make cut out cookies TWICE per year...Christmas and Valentines.

I love the Ins and Outs of December!

Every In and Out celebrates Christmas and creates memories!

Why Did I Start This?

Christmas Traditions...
Starting a Christmas Tradition 28 years ago, I set myself up for some bittersweet tears.
Each year, I add a new ornament to our tree for each child and one for our family.
The tree is loaded with memories and tells a story that is unique to our family and the many Christmas celebrations we have enjoyed together.
The plan as always been, upon marrying, each child receives their ornaments for their own tree.
Ahhh, you are saying, how nice. Well it is nice, until.....the children get married and you actually have to part with all of those memories. Two years ago, Curt received his ornaments and this year, Jeffrey will receive his. Yesterday, Jeffrey's ornaments did not go on the family Christmas tree. (read... a few tears were shed) Instead, they were set aside and will be delivered to him and Alison on Thanksgiving Day.
It is bittersweet to pass on these precious family memories. Thankfully Curt and Jeffrey married women who will appreciate and care for these ornaments. Andrew...no pressure, but you had better do the same (not soon, though, please!)
Would I start this tradition again if I had known how difficult it is to pass on the memories...YES! I just wish someone had warned me about how a few pieces of my heart would break when I parted with the ornament memories.
If you have this tradition, or are contemplating it...consider yourself warned... and then do it anyway!