Holiday Time

Holiday Time

 Hi. Welcome to the continuation of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.  Just 4 questions to get you thinking, talking and visiting other bloggers.

This week it might be nice to focus on December and it's traditions.

It's time again for Tuesday 4 hosted by Anne from Cottage by the sea. Published each week in memory of Toni Taddeo, it's original author.We keep Toni Taddeo's original idea alive here with 4 questions each week

1.   The 7th is Pearl Harbor Day when a terrible sneak attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii destroyed many ships in the American fleet and convinced Congress to declare war.    

President Roosevelt said,  "Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."    Yes, it should be infamous forever.    How do you honor the memory of the men who died in this cowardly attack? Do you put out your flag on that day to remember the service men killed ? I have it in mind, and think of those who lost their lives, and I didn't have any family members that I know of serving at the time. We don't have a flag at our home. 

2.  Many people begin baking, buying gifts, decorating for the upcoming holidays of Chanukah and Christmas.    Do you bake or buy? Bake. In fact on the 10th my girls and I will be baking together in my new kitchen and I'm so excited. I've been really looking forward to this.  What cookies and cakes are your favorite this time of year? Italian sprinkle cookies, biscotti, caramel corn....others if I have time. I love all kinds of desserts. we're also making Peanut butter fudge. When I wasn't working as much, I spent more time baking.   Got a recipe to share? I have many others on my "From my Kitchen" Tab. They are categorized. 

3.   December 15 is Bill of Rights day. The 18th begins Chanukah the Festival of Lights during which the light was rekindled in the desecrated temple in Jerusalem.  The temple was cleansed and the light reentered it.  The 21st is the Winter Solstice or first day of winter.    What traditions, days, etc. have meaning for you in December? December 9th is my birthday. We have a tradition on Christmas eve of coming to our house and having clam chowder. Christmas morning we do cinnamon rolls at our house and open presents before going down to my inlaws for the main meal and open more presents.  How about advent.. does it hold meaning for you? I've never really celebrated advent but I did get an advent book this year that I'm excited to read. 

4.  Christmas music is being played in stores during these December days.  Does it play in your home? How excited are you for the upcoming holidays? I LOVE Christmas music...and I can't wait to listen to it. I usually wait til Thanksgiving Day to listen to it. I have a HUGE Spotify list and I add to it every year. I am a music lover. For me music is healing, it's energizing, it's contemplative, it's restorative. I like the traditional Christmas songs, but I also like songs that have deeper meanings. Sometime the holidays are hard and filled with mixed emotions. I've lost both parents now. This will be my second Christmas without my dad. My grandma passed away 2 years ago and my relationship with my sister is strained. Sometimes there are moments that are sad, but I love the holidays and my mom did too so I choose to celebrate, to enjoy, to bask in the meaning of this season. I take every emotion and feeling as it comes.

I love Christmas movies, songs, foods you find this time of year. I love giving gifts. It rarely snows here in December but if it does, I love it.

It's our busy time at work and while it's crazy, it's also festive, our customers and mailbox holders are kind and generous and it offsets the grumpy people. Many of our boxholders bring us lots of goodies to enjoy. 

I'm mostly done decorating our house. I need a bow for the top of my tree and just a few minor things. I'm getting ready to buy all my ingredients for our Christmas baking. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin