special ornaments

Hello everyone! I've been absent from my blog for a few months now, and I have tried to get back to it a few times. I think what keeps me from writing, is that I am too conscious of what I THINK others want to read about and look at.  And that's just silly. So, I'm going to start again....and try to relax about it a little more. Enough said....onwards and upwards! Yay!

We put up our Christmas tree this past weekend. My youngest son, who is 12, kept asking to do it since December 1st. I hadn't been motivated yet...but finally, we got to it on December 8th.  My youngest son and I rearranged the furniture and brought the tree up from the basement while my hubby was at work for a few hours Saturday morning. 

He assembled the tree by himself and tested all of the lights. Him and I also did the not-so-fun task of putting the lights on the tree...no one here seems to like that part much...and no we don't have one of those pre-lit trees...this tree came to us before pre-lit. So, the best part.....hanging the ornaments...all of the stories that came out about each ornament....when we bought them, where we bought them, who bought them, who made them...lots of "oooooh, I remember this one"....and "here Dad, this one is yours, you put it on the tree". 

I have a few ornaments the boys made in grade school...not a lot...I don't know why other people have so many more than I do. I think  it depends on who you get for a teacher...(I guess). Anyhow, I really love the ones with their school photo....just to die for. Sooooo sweet! 

I'm sure my boys don't think these are sooooo sweet...probably roll their eyes...haha! ...but these ornaments warm my heart so much. I miss "them" so much. What I mean by "them" is their little tiny kindergarten selves. So sweet...so tiny...their little voices, little hands, little noses, sweet little smiles....oh my goodness....the best, just the best! Of course they are still so sweet and adorable...as they will ALWAYS be my babies!!

Most every year, after we put up the tree...we make a special shopping trip where we each pick out a special ornament. Tonight we are going to Pier 1 Imports...they always have awesome ornaments! We also need a new star for the top of our tree. Pier 1 is right near Starbucks...and my youngest son Easton is now in love with the hot apple cider. My hubby brought one home last weekend after doing some trail running in 20 degree weather! yikes! Easton tasted it and LOVED it! So, why do I have this feeling that after we stop at Pier 1, someone, or two, is going to be pointing at Starbucks and pleading! Oh my! We have created a monster! haha! Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all enjoy putting up your tree this year and having a lot of fond memories with each special ornament that's hung!!

The Popcorn Ball Incident

Autumn is slowly moving into winter. It's rainy and cold, and I've been in the mood to make some sweet treats for my boys.  A couple of days ago, in honor of Halloween, I made popcorn balls {recipe link for popcorn balls below}and candy apples. Both recipes turned out fantastic!

While making the popcorn  balls, I was fondly reminded of a Trick or Treat night long ago.  It was  Halloween night, many, many years ago.  I was trick or treating with my little sister and my friends. We were all about or 8 years old, give or take. We were escorted by two of my friends' older brother and sister. At one of the houses, they were handing out homemade popcorn balls! We all screeched in delight! This was a real treat! In my opinion, getting a popcorn ball for Trick or Treat was the best thing you could get!!

Huddled 'round the front door, reaching up as high as our little arms would stretch,  we held open our  pillowcase candy sack. The popcorn balls were dropped into the sacks one by one. I remember small talk and laughter between the home owner and our teen escorts. Everyone was happy. Everyone but one. One little girl who did not get her popcorn ball.

That little girl was me.

I knew I was accidentally overlooked, but I was too shy to say anything! I wanted desperately to say something but I just couldn't!

I was devastated!

Oh, I fancied Cracker Jacks, Reese's Cups and Clark bars...but a popcorn ball!! It was the CROWN JEWEL of Trick or Treat!!

As I stood there with a lump forming in my throat, I prayed silently that they would SOMEHOW notice my misfortune. Good-byes and good-nights were warmly exchanged, and we wandered back into the night. As we walked away, toward home....down the dark street lit by the white glow of street lights....I hung my head low.

Finally I spoke up.  "I didn't get one." My friend's big brother Steve said, "What?! You didn't get one?!" He reached inside his bag and pulled out his popcorn ball. "Here, you can have mine." Shocked and absolutely delighted, I was dumbfounded that anyone would actually GIVE UP a  popcorn ball...willingly!!

I was thrilled! I took his popcorn ball for my own and dropped it down into my pillowcase...all nestled between the Sugar Babies, Mallow Cups and Hershey Bars.

Wow, what an incredible, kind gesture from a teenage boy! How selfless! His parents raised him well. I can only hope that either one of my son's would do the same for a small child in a similar situation.

Recently, I have been reunited with my childhood friend. Her older brother is the one who gave me the popcorn ball. I mentioned the cherished memory to her, and she asked him if he remembered. No....he doesn't remember...but that's ok.
I remember!!
And to this day, I love popcorn balls!
It's one of my favorite Halloween treats!

The end!

*recipe for popcorn balls found here: justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com

  

I've been out of town!

Momma has been busy! Momma left the nest for 5 days... Momma went to NYC by herself! Momma stayed with her sister Elaine, on Long Island! Momma ate some food....Momma took some photos. Momma rode the subway... Momma walked her butt off! Momma is tired,  but Momma is happy! Momma will be back to tell you more!  :)

Memory Lane Monday

November...my mind automatically goes to Thanksgiving. I wanted to share with you my childhood memories of how we celebrated Thanksgiving in my house.

Every single Thanksgiving, without fail, I awoke to the smell of celery and onion sauteing in butter. My mom was preparing stuffing and this was the first step. The smell was absolutely heaven. I remember feeling very cozy and warm inside as I would stumble dreary eyed into the kitchen for breakfast because I knew that this would be a special day. We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade as my Mom would continue to prepare the big meal. I loved the parade. In my mind, I feel like I watched every minute, but being a child maybe I ran around playing half the time...but that parade was on the TV until it was over. As the parade went on, the smells from the kitchen kept getting better and better. As we got closer to meal time, my Mom would ask me to set the table. I was excited about setting the table because I would get to make it look fancy...the gravy boat, the extra salt and pepper shakers, the glass plate for the cranberry sauce from a can (the only thing my mom didn't make from scratch)and the cloth napkins. My dad was at every Thanksgiving meal, but I can't remember him being in the house until it was time to eat. Knowing him, he was probably out in the garage working on something...yes, the meal was entirely up to my mother...but that didn't seem odd, that was normal for us. As far as I can remember, my father worked so much, but the one thing we could count on...he would not work on Thanksgiving, or other major holidays like Christmas and Easter. I remember feeling like "Wow, Dad's not working today, this must be a REALLY special day." We never had relatives over on Thanksgiving, but I do remember we would call Grandma and Grand Pap, Uncle Leo, Aunt Jeanie and my cousins to see how their Thanksgiving was. It was always just us...my Mom and Dad and whatever kids hadn't moved out yet. There were six of us and by the time I was 10, four of my brothers and sisters had already grown up and left the nest. The meal was perfectly delicious...the mashed potatoes and gravy...oh my gosh...I loved that gravy so much. As far back as I remember, our Thanksgiving meal consistently included the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, sweet potatoes, jelled cranberry sauce shaped exactly like the can it came in...grooves and all, white sliced bread, butter...and pumpkin pie. It was a pretty simple day, but so special none the less. Nowadays, the very first thing I do when I wake up Thanksgiving morning is saute the onion and celery in butter...and turn on the Macy's Day Parade. I, now, cook the traditional meal for my Mom and Dad at my house. My sister Karen comes to join the meal as well. My oldest son Everest says the prayer before our meal. I am impressed. My youngest son...well, he's up to his usual shenanigans...and my hubby, he carves the turkey!