Tomatoes make marinara hearty and healthy. Simmering them down all day with garlic and spices, filling the house with a delectable aroma is what makes the marinara something loved ones are willing to travel hundreds of miles to enjoy again.
Traditions are the garlic and spices of the holidays. We all have our holiday traditions, some are carried forward from childhood and some are born anew out of creativity, ingenuity, or necessity. Regardless of the history or longevity of our individual traditions, they are what make us nostalgic for the holidays, home, family, and friends. Here are five of our traditions. If you are in need of a new tradition, feel free to borrow any that appeal to you.
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| I began hanging candy canes on our Christmas tree when our boys were little. Everyone in the household and all friends, neighbors, and family who visit our home throughout the season are allowed to indulge in the candy canes. I keep a couple of boxes on hand to replenish the tree as needed. |
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| My mom used to get our boys an Advent calendar. Back then, they did not have chocolate surprises behind each date. The year I bought chocolate filled Advent calendars for the younger nieces and nephews in the family was the year we had to bring this tradition back into our household. Turns out, 17-year-olds don't mind counting down to Christmas if chocolate is involved. |
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| One year we spent Thanksgiving at the beach. That's the year I found these cool Christmas lightbulb viewing glasses. They're like 3D glasses, only they turn the little lights on the tree or hanging in the windows into candy canes, snowmen, or other fun shapes. They were so much fun the first year that we have to put them out every year now. |
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| The ceramic snow house was Mom's. She used to put it out every year when she decorated for Christmas. When they "downsized" after we all had families of our own, she asked if I wanted it. "Of course!" was my reply. Hubby and I have been filling it with candy ever since. Like the candy canes, the snow house candy is for anyone who wants to sweeten their day. And like the candy canes, I keep extra to replenish the snow house as needed. |
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| Most folks indulge in this tradition. However, unlike other parents do when their children outgrow the tradition, we kept it going. Our boys, one of their very close friends, whom we also consider one of our boys, and Grams all have stockings that are still filled by Santa. Someday, our children-in-law and grandchildren will also have stockings, because Santa never misses our house! |
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Copyright 2014 Michele Bare
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