The Cozy Mystery List Blog

I hope that you are all having a wonderful, happy Christmas day. 

 

A few weeks ago, Alfred posted a great comment that I thought would be ideal to post during the week before Christmas. (Thanks, Alfred!) Here is Alfred’s comment:

“Danna – Just a quick note. How about since it is coming up Christmas time – Do the readers have any family traditions or special foods they like to get or make for Christmas time. Thought it might be a good column for future.“

Alfred, I totally agree>>> This is a great entry idea!

We have a family tradition that has sort of come out of “necessity.” Since our Riverwalk is so beautifully decorated during the holidays, we make our way down there every year. But, because the traffic is so absolutely atrocious during the holiday season, we don’t go down with the rest of the crowds. We wait until Christmas Eve to go take in the beautiful lights.

As for food, it is the only time of year when I actually bake cookies from scratch. I don’t know if that qualifies as a special food, though. Oh, and also, since all four of us have been able to spend the holiday seasons together, I make a meal that all of us love during the week either before or after Christmas: Mary Bass’s Tacoritos. Love them! And one more thing, I am going to try to make some felt ornaments (copied from some that my grandmother made years and years ago) so that I can sort of share the tradition of hanging her hand-made ornaments with my family. I know my sister would especially love them.

Do any of you have special family traditions that you keep alive during the holiday season? How about special foods?

Happy Hanukkah!

May you have a blessed and joyous Hanukkah.

 

My daughter will be flying in from Massachusetts later on today, and I know that she is hoping that our warm and muggy days hold out during her visit. The weather out east has been an eye-opening experience for her.

Yesterday we were wearing elbow-length shirts, but today is supposed to only get up to 63*… Not as bad as Cambridge winters, but certainly not as good as our previous 70* days.

Every once in a while my husband and I talk about where we would like to retire – when he finally retires. He comes from Ohio, and I have such fond memories of my grandmother’s home in northern Iowa >>> Those two states come up a lot. We had a little bit of a cold snap two weeks ago (I think it got down in the 40s) and my husband again said we should scrap those two states off of the list of possible retirement destinations…

I have to admit, although I miss the beauty of the four seasons… autumns with the beautiful leaf colors and winters with the pristine snowfalls. I also remember driving on black ice, doing a 180* unintended circle on a bridge (thank goodness there were no other cars present before I was able to straighten up… and also, that my car stopped before going over the side of the bridge!)

Getting back to the original point of my entry… My daughter is flying in for the holidays, and I am in the midst of trying to get the house cleaned. (When did she start taking on a “guest” status to me?!?) We are so fortunate to have our son still living here in town, so it will be the four of us for the holidays.

It seems my housework break is up… I have a few more things to get done before picking her up at the airport…