Cinnamon Roll x 2

For the last two or three weeks when I'm driving for my 2nd job it seems like all I can think about is having a cinnamon roll.  I have no idea why and I try not to make a practice of eating stuff like that but today I decided to just go ahead and assuage my craving and be done with it!

So when it was time for a break I went searching for a donut shop.  Because if I'm going to be bad I wanted to do it up right.  

Before I could find the donut shop I happened onto a Market Street.  Those are fun little grocery stores and they have lots of great looking prepared food so I decided to find something a little healthier to eat since it was close to lunch anyway.  But as I walked through, eyeing all the goodies, guess what was the only thing I wanted!  Yep, a cinnamon roll!  Ugh!  But they had one.  It wasn't like what you get in a donut shop but I was running out of time so it would have to do.  After checking out I was leaving the store through a different door from the one I came in and noticed a little cafe/coffee type section and there it was!!!  The most beautiful and decadant looking cinnamon roll just taunting me and the sad one that I had in my hand.  

Before I could even stop myself I was telling the lady at the counter that THIS was the cinnamon roll I really wanted.  I must have looked pretty sad because she immediately said she'd trade it for me.  What a sweetie.  I put my rejected roll on the counter in preparation to receive the new and improved one and, listen to this, that lady said that I could just keep the first one and that she'd just give me this 2nd one!!!  (I don't think this lady will last too much longer if she keeps this up)  But who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?  I, like the obedient but greedy person that I am, took both rolls and scrammed!  

And both were delicious!!  Yes, I did!      

A View from the Crosswalk--Gifts

I don't get a lot of Christmas gifts from the kids that walk across the street and I like it that way.  I feel like those moms have enough to worry about (been there, done that!) at this time of year without thinking they have to get something for the crossing guard.  I like to think of myself as essential but unnoticed.  But I do get a few items of thanks at this time of year and this year I got a very special one.  In fact, it wasn't even given by a parent or a child.  An old friend from my former church stopped by my crosswalk on her way to work to share with me a product of her creative and thoughtful husband.  He'd made several of these for various people and blessed me with one.  Now that's what I call the spirit of Christmas.  Handmade, simple, and.....truth, all rolled in one! 

May all of you have a blessed and Christ filled Chrstmas!

The Santa Suit

photo by Kaylee Jacobs
Catch her latest venture at
http://myownwhitehouse.blogspot.com/

It looks like a small simple Santa suit but its history is one of family memories and tradition.

When my little brother, Kelly (the youngest of six children) was about five years old my mother made him this Santa suit.  I don’t know if there was a more official intent like a Christmas program at school or church, but ultimately he wore it for our family that year when my mom had him pass out gifts to each person.

When he grew out of it I’m sure the suit was packed away but when Kelly was ten, the first grandchild, Stephanie was born.  When she turned five, the suit, along with the job of handing out presents was passed to her.  So started the family tradition of the Santa suit.  Each of the twelve grandchildren has taken a turn at wearing the suit and passing out the presents.  And now the job has been cerimonially bestowed upon  the great grandchildren.

 

I’m sure when my mom stitched up the little suit she had no idea it would still be used after forty years.  But since she passed away a few years back, not only is the Santa suit assignment a sweet tradition but it’s a reminder of her and how much she loved all things Christmas.      

Cake, a Christmas tree, and Cary!

It's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here whether I like it or not!  I can often be somewhat of a grinch about Christmas and all the "trappings" but yesterday I was able to grab a little of the mood in spite of myself.  
 

The first item of the day was a SPAN lunch party.  SPAN is the little public transportation company I work part time for.  So I made a cake.  A punch bowl cake!  For you old fogies who remember the 70's and 80's, this was a popular "covered dish" item and it seemed to fit the occasion well.   It's festive and is really fun and easy to put together.  A great way to start this day of Christmas doings. 

Next was Christmas tree time.  A friend told me about a small tree farm in Shady Shores that was reasonably priced so that's what I decided to do.  I get really tired of dealing with dry trees every year and Kaylee refuses to let me get a fake tree (I guess that's what I get for raising her with my strict live Christmas tree rule!  It didn't occur to me then that I'd get old!)  So Kaylee, Bob, and I were able to enjoy the beautiful and sunshiney day and went hunting for the perfect tree!

And here's the end result!  Before the house redo there was never a good place for a Christmas tree but now the "new" living room has a perfect spot!                                             

Now you may be wondering how Cary fits in to this post but, of course, it's Cary Grant!  Sigh!!  Isn't he just the dreamiest?.............but I digress!  Cary stars in the movie, "The Bishop's Wife" and I'd never seen it, which is strange because I love all movies old, and especially those, Cary!  Anyway, I watched it and I'm definitely recommending if for a favorite Christmas movie!  I mean, there are plenty of theological flaws and some liberal thoughts thrown in for good measure but, for Hollywood, it was a pretty good rendition of what Christmas really means.  They even acknowledged that Christmas is about Jesus' birth.  Imagine that!!