From Our Families to Yours…

On behalf of my Cole-Marriner family, some of the original 1600s settlers of New Jersey’s Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties, I would like to wish you Happy Holidays!

Speaking for my Watts-Stark family, early settlers of Virginia and South Carolina who, generations later, joined other pioneers venturing west, eventually settling in Cole, Moniteau, and Miller Counties, Missouri, I say Season’s Greetings!

Songs of the Season

I just love nights like this: sitting under a comfy cover in front of a lighted tree and savoring a couple of old family recipe baked goods while listening to my all-time favorite songs of the season (including some French songs that were faves of my Great-Grandma who always insisted that I speak “en français”).

The Year My Mom Canceled Christmas

With the last final taken and the last paper written for the semester, I packed my bags and headed home for the holidays. Although I only lived 20 minutes away from school, I rarely went home because of jobs, class load, and extracurricular activities. It had been too long. I was eagerly anticipating seeing my family again.

When I arrived at my mother’s house, I was greeted at the door by my youngest sister, who was five years old. With curls bouncing like springs, she bobbed up and down and shrieked, “You’re home, you’re home, you’re home!” before propelling herself into my arms.

After giving her a hug and kiss, I asked, “So, where is everyone?”

“Dunno,” she said. “Wanna play?”

“In a little bit, sweetie. I would like to say hi to everyone else first.”

‘Tis the Season?

Another Thanksgiving down, and another three to five meals made with leftover turkey left to go. Turkey Tetrazzini, anyone? What? No takers? I can’t imagine why not!  😉

Now that the day of thanksgiving has passed, it seems as if nearly everyone is talking about the day of gift-giving.  Airwaves and newspaper inserts have touted and shouted Black Friday sales. Cyber Monday deals have clogged the bandwidth. Everywhere I go, I hear conversations about great deals and where I can find the biggest and best for less. While deep discounts make some people drool, it just plain depresses me. Which is why, sadly, Christmas is NOT my favorite holiday.