Christmas Lights Still Up...And I Love It!

Around 2002 - 2003 my sister and her husband built a house on a hill. When finished the house offered an amazing view of the valley below, and because you can see so much from above, those of us below can see the house they built.

Especially at night when bright lights burn in the windows.

My sister moved and sold the house. It's been bought and sold several times since. The current owners moved in a few years ago. They've a wonderful family with a couple of beautiful dogs that visit us from time to time. 

And they still have their outdoor Christmas lights and Christmas tree up.

I love it.

When I lived in Europe, I can't exactly remember when Christmas lights and decorations went up. At that time they didn't celebrate Halloween (I think that's changed since...) and they definitely didn't celebrate the American Thanksgiving as we do, so they're free to put up Christmas decorations earlier. There's few things as beautiful as Christmas decorations adorning the streets and homes of Denmark.

But, as with all things, when the time comes the lights and things are put away, to rest for three seasons.

Our neighbor isn't the only one to keep the holiday lights up, but it's the closest one to us and every night we can see the colors and white tree shine from above. I don't know now long they'll keep the lights and tree up, but I'm glad they have. After all, is there a better time of year than Christmas?

Apparently...All Good Things Must Come To An End

It was that kind of day, the kind of day you spend resting, resting from the previous week, resting to re-charge to take on the upcoming week, resting just to rest. It's also the kind of day when you may meander about the house and find yourself in the kitchen looking for a little nibble of food to satisfy that  hunger that can only be satisfied by something sugary. It's what the Danes call lækker sulton, which roughly translated mean, "hungry for something delicious."

It's also the kind of day, because of the time of the year, when your search for something delicious and loaded with calories is unsuccessful. All the yummy treats we've come to rely on during the holidays are gone...all gone. 

Of course, we've done it to ourselves. We've trained our bodies--and minds--in a short period of time to expect treats whenever we want. They're just waiting for us in the kitchen, in the fridge, in the freezer, to snatch them up and gobble them down. And I think it's even subconscious--even when we're not thinking about snacks our bodies are and that's what they want.

Last year and this year we bought one of those big tins of Danish butter cookies (even thought I'm not 100% sure they're made in Denmark...). You open them up and you're not sure just how many layers of deliciousness there are inside. Is it four, or maybe five? Well, there's only one way to find out.

And so we do. We  dig into the tin, remove the empty paper cups that once held several cookies and causally toss the cup into the bin. After all, there's lots more.

And then, there's not so much more.

But, that's okay, because we still have cookies and some other holiday offerings here and there. Time goes by and the six people living in house do damage to the cache of cookies--no matter how many were in the tin to begin with, they're no match for five adults and one teenager. 

Now, the cookies are gone and only the tin remains. We went shopping Saturday and I found a package of Ghirardelli Holiday Baking Peppermint Chunks sold only during the holiday season. I bought them and now they're my last remnant of the goodness that previously spread lovingly over the entire kitchen counter but are now just a delicious memory of the season that once was.

Proof that all good things must come to an end...

At least, until next fall.

Gave Kids The Resources...And They Built A Gingerbread Jail

Last year our family began a new tradition--we let the kids build a structure made of gingerbread for Christmas and on New Years Eve, we use fireworks to blow it up.

What a blast!

Last year we had a lot of fun both in the construction and deconstruction of the edible building. So, we made plans to do it again. We bought all the construction materials--graham crackers for the walls, floors, and ceiling, chocolate snowmen, candy canes, licorice, M&Ms, Nerds, gummy bears, and a big chocolate Santa for the accents. Christmas afternoon we dumped them all on the counter and let the kids go to town.

The first thing they realized was many of the graham crackers were cracked. Any dream of a multi-storied building was dashed. But because our kids are resourceful, they quickly decided on another type of building they could build.

They chose to construct a prison.

Yeah...a prison.

I'm not sure why they came up with that, but, hey--you raise your kids then turn them loose.

They found enough undamaged pieces to build a guard tower. They also gave Santa red M&Ms for eyes and shackled him up in black licorice, to make sure he won't escape the graham prison in which he's held.

Last year, the kids built a castle. They built it so well the fireworks we used didn't do too much damage. This year's structure presents another pyrotechnical issue. Short of putting the entire thing atop some gunpowder, I don't know how much damage the gingerbread prison will sustain.

Still, we'll try. We'll learn from this year's edition, and endeavor to make next year's holiday food-building experience even better.

A Tale Of A Christmas Fox, A Scarf...And Chocolate

Three days after Christmas I found a story of a fox and a scarf, and had I paid more attention, I would have discovered the story on December 1st.

You see, the story was printed on the Advent Calendar we picked up at Trader Joe's--didn't expect I'd be treated to a tale of discovery...and advertising. Last year we picked up Advent Calendars. I took mine to work and every day I opened the little paper door, thus earning my chocolate prize left exposed. This year, I set mine on the chest of drawers and basically forgot about it.

Until tonight, that is.

It was then I noticed there was more to this box of chocolates than I first thought. Each of our calendars were different. The kids chose theirs and I got what was left. My calendar showed an adventure of a "Fearless Fox and His Tangled-Up Scarf." As the calendar owner follows the scarf's trail, they would open up another window each day, gobbling up the chocolate, and moving the Fearless Fox one step closer to the end of the scarf, where it will naturally meet up with a turtle.

I had a coupe of thoughts as I looked at the adventure presented before me. It's not very Christmasy. I don't associate foxes and turtles (or even scarfs, for that matter...) with Christmas. It does say there are "24 chocolate days 'til Christmas," but that's it. Also, I found out this particular fearsome fox loves Trader Joe's more than his scarf and that he also loves Trader Joe's World's puffiest white cheddar corn puffs. I've gone my whole life not knowing these interesting bits of nature trivia. And once the fox passes beyond the twenty-fourth day, the turtle exclaims, "You did it!! Now, it's off to Trader Joe's!" I suppose eating all the chocolate is not reward enough--they get to go to Trader Joe's.

As far as adventures go, the fearsome fox tale is not very exciting. It lacks an adequate (or meaningful...) beginning, middle, and/or ending. I suppose it might be different for a child--you know, its intended audience. To be honest, I only wish it had more to do with Christmas. The chocolate pieces were shaped in Christmas themes, stars, drums, bells, and the like.

Funny, there were no chocolate foxes or turtles. I guess we'll just have to go back to Trader Joe's.

So, Now What Do They Do...With All Those Gingerbread Houses?

So, we're shopping at Walmart last week and the first thing I see (after saying, "hello" to the greeter...) are gingerbread house kits. There's a display with several dozen of them. We had already made plans for our own gingerbread creation, so we didn't need to buy one. 

Usually, I don't notice things like this, especially at Christmas where there are holiday-themed items all over the store. But, we take ten steps and what do I see? Another several dozen gingerbread house kits.

We go another ten paces, and there it is again--more kits.

We turn down another aisle, another display. All in all I counted six displays in the front corner of the store and there may have been more that I missed.

It got me thinking...just how many of these kits do they sell, anyway? I know the store moves an unbelievable amount of product every single day. In fact, I'd probably be blown away if I saw the actual numbers of what the store beings in. There's a lot of people that shop at this Walmart, and not every family will buy one of those kits. Plus, it was fairly close to Christmas so there were limited days to shop.

I'm sure the employees who order the kids have a good idea of how many they'll need and how many they'll sell. It would be interesting to know how many of these things were still on the shelves when the store closed for Christmas. I hope they guessed right and everyone who wanted one got one and they had hardly any remaining. But if not, I wonder what happens to the gingerbread houses that nobody wanted.

A Few Things I Saw...Christmas Eve...2018

I've explained before that when you write a daily blog, you have to think ahead and "store up" ideas that are somewhat interesting. Christmas is a fantastic time to generate blog post ideas. I have several I could write about for today's post (which I'm sure you'll see in the coming days...), but I decided to share some of the things I saw this Christmas Eve, 2018.

First off, it was a wonderful day! I spent time with family (and those at the grocery store...). What could be better than that? I began the day by getting up and walking to work. It's easy when you work in the basement of your house. As I walked I glanced across the street and saw the home where I lived for almost three decades. Even though I see the house everyday, it's not everyday I'm triggered by memories, but it happened this morning. Each year the new owners wisely place their Christmas tree in the same spot as we did, all those many years.

A tradition in our neighborhood (and many others, I'm sure...) is sending yummy treats to those who live close by. This was from our wonderful neighbors to the east, who also have a couple of dogs that have become friends to our puppy.

 I had planned on working the entire day, but the big boss closed all state offices at noon so once 12 o'clock hit I was done. I did snap a picture of two with a Beanie Baby Santa. I see only a slight resemblance.

Of course, the season would not be complete without watching It's a Wonderful Life, again, memories of doing a live stage version two years ago came flooding back. What a wonderful story!

And as watching George Bailey overcome his demons is tradition, so it seems is visiting the local grocery store. We needed rolls.

On the way to the store, I passed yet another lighted home. This one's special for not only does it have colorful twinkling lights, it's the only time I've seen Cthulhu used as a Christmas decoration. Personally, it's something I'd like to see more.

Why was I sent to fetch rolls? For the family party, of course! I have two siblings and thankfully, they were able to come and bring some of their family along for soup, treats, and visiting with each other. It's not every year we are able to get together, but we did this year and it was fun.

Once the family left, those who call our address home opened our presents of pajamas, dimmed the lights, fired up the DVD player, dusted off Muppets Christmas Carol and watched another Jule classic.

The kids--and animals--are headed off to bed. Yes, there's only one more sleep til Christmas. May you and yours have a wonderful day full of love and friendship. God bless us everyone!

Dropping Off The Christmas Bread...

Some traditions are long-standing, others, not so much. There's one that we observe that's been going for the past ten or so years.

In involves a loaf of bread.

In years past, we used to bake our own bread, we even had three bread makers going several times a week to make the bread our family consumed. Eventually, we stopped eating so much bread and now the bread makers are residing somewhere in the basement. Back when we did make several loaves a week, we gave out freshly baked loaves of bread as Christmas gifts to friends and neighbors.

That tradition ended years ago.

Except for one loaf, one solitary loaf.

We still give out gifts of goodies--we haven't stopped that tradition. But there's one neighbor who gets the bread. Years ago my son and I were assigned to visit their house every month as part of a church calling. Last night I took the bread my wife picked up at the store (I said we no longer make it ourselves...) over to their house and dropped it off. Like the rest of us, they're getting ready for Christmas. They have a youngster and they're looking forward to experiencing the magic of the holiday with him and with family. 

Some traditions are long-standing, others, not so much. This one, I'll keep doing as long as they'll let me.

More Lights For Elora...

Last week my wife and I stopped at a beautiful decorated light at a park in our home town. Last night we took the family and saw all the other lights in the display.

Elora's Lights

The rest of the lights were not as elaborate or decorative as the Tree of Hope. Mostly they were inflatables and dancing lights. They were fun and whimsical, but couldn't hold a candle to the tree. We loaded up the van--puppy included--and went for a walk. The displays and lights were on the edge of the park, just on the other side of the fence that separated a city park from homes.

There were glowing Minions, Disney castles and characters, Star Wars villains and heroes, and a couple of dragons, among other things. My kids were a little older than the intended age group, but they had fun. I have no idea what the puppy thought of the illuminated bags of air.

As we walked and took it all in, I asked my wife just how long Elora's Light had been in existence. We have no idea. Of course, the display was no where near the lights on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, or even the fun display put on by Layton City. But it was a nice way to get everyone outside in chilled December Utah air and to appreciate the work put in to honor Elora. She must have been someone very special.

An Unexpected...And Beautifully Touching Gift

It's the season for giving, and receiving, gifts. For us, it started before Thanksgiving, but a better gift I can hardly imagine.

My wife lost her father this past summer. He had been in poor health for years and the end came relatively quick. When a person has declined for so long and they pass away, we can take some comfort in knowing they're no longer in pain, that their ailing body no longer incarcerates their soul.

There are many things that remind me of my father-in-law. My oldest drives his Ford Taurus to school, work, and on dates. I moved his desk into the basement and work there from home, and now that it's turning cold, I wear his winter coats. Last week I found myself thinking of him, his wonderfully dry humor, his kind nature, and I found myself missing him.

Then, the package arrived.

Most packages we get are addressed to my son--he's the one who orders most things in our house. But this package was addressed to my wife and me. We opened it up and discovered it came from my wife's oldest sister and her husband. They sent a box from the Western Nut Company. It's a local business that has been delicious nut concoctions for decades. The second we opened the box, I thought of Blaine. He loved Western Nut Company and their goods. He always ordered a box for the holidays--it was tradition.

I showed my wife the box, and when we read the accompanying card, we both got misty. It will be the family's first Christmas without their patriarch. The incredibly thoughtful gift made us realize what a fine man he was and what we're going to be missing. It also made us realize that, in some small way, he'll be with us after all.