Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

 In December Kim at Exquisitely Unremarkable shared about her white ceramic Christmas tree.

She mentioned the green ceramic Christmas trees in her post. I shared with her about my special ceramic Christmas tree.

My little green ceramic Christmas tree is also a music box.

 My grandpa and grandma gave me this tree, when I was young. I kept it in a safe place during my years of growing up. As I moved into being an adult, it moved with me.

 My tree has special bulbs on it, birds, butterflies, flowers and the regular bulbs.

 I have lost a few of the bulbs over the years.

 Backward, turn backward, O Time in your flight; Make me a child again just for tonight.

Elizabeth Akers Allen

My tree came with Santa too.

Over the years each Christmas brings excitement of putting up our real Christmas tree. Decorating it with all our family ornaments. It is a special time to get the house all decorated.

When the boys help me put up my ceramic Christmas tree, I will share a story or two about the special relationship I had with my grandpa. My grandpa Sam and I were very close. Our first born son is named in his honor.

Then when the house is all quite at night, I will wind up the music box. I will remember special times with my family growing up. Christmas as a child, the excitement of having family come to stay with us. My cousin Kris coming to stay with my grandma and grandpa with her dog Toby.

Christmas evening dinner. All the adults are drinking Old Fashion's while us kids steal the cherries.

Opening presents! My grandma would have the presents hiding in the porch, they would be so cold when she brought them out. 

Laughing with family. Sharing stories of my parents and grandparents Christmas. Christmas hugs and the excitement that we will get to do this again next year.

Oh Ceramic Christmas Tree

Thank you for the memories

 

♫♪

Baby it is Cold Outside ~ Hey, it is the first Hodgepodge of 2018!

When you run out of room in the fridge during the holidays.

Welcome to the first Hodgepodge of 2018.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. It's that time of year again...time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words (or phrases) they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, or genera uselessness) in 2018. You can read more about the decision making process and word meaning here, but this year's top vote getters are-

unpack, dish (as in dish out the latest rumor), pre-owned, onboarding/offboarding, nothingburger, let that sink in, let me ask you this, impactful, Cofefe, drill down, fake news, hot water heater (hot water doesn't need to be heated), and gig economy

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

I would say dish can go, in the way that it is used here.

For me, profanity can be added. I must live in the area of the USA that the Fword is taught in all households. Maybe it is me, I might just be what some call old fashioned. I honestly think a person should be able to have some control. While I am waiting at the check out at a local store this weekend. "It is F'n cold out." "I could not get my F'n car started." and the worse of it is when I hear a mother in the grocery store yell at her kid, "just pick out a F'n cereal." 
 I am doing all I can to keep my boys from using. And you will not catch me using it. 
Honestly!!! Why?

Dare to be different, I say!

2. What's something you need to get rid of in the new year?
 

I have four closets that I did not get to in 2017. 

I also have a garden shed that needs a good cleaning.

 3. Where do you feel stuck?

 Not enough snow for skiing yet.

Ice and negative temps making outdoor activities non-existent.

Feeling stuck inside the house!

4. January is National Soup Month. When did you last have a bowl of soup? Was it made from scratch or from a can? Your favorite canned soup? Your favorite soup to make from scratch on a cold winter's day?

We had one more squash to use from the garden. I made a wonderful squash soup Saturday night. It was a new recipe.  It called for cinnamon. Oh, did it taste wonderful.

My all time favorite soup is Chicken Dumpling.

 5. Tell us one thing you're looking forward to in 2018.

Our oldest son will graduate from high school and will start college in August 2018. He is very excited about his career path. I am excited for him to spread his wings.

I would be lying if I did not share that I have some other feelings floating around in me about him spreading his wings as well. My husband and I are blessed to have been given our two boys. To watch our first one venture out on his own, well ...  

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

This photo was taken back in 2013. We participated in a Blue Jean Ski Race.

Dreaming of warmer temperatures so it will snow. Yep, that is true, it has been too cold to snow.

Did you catch a Reindeer?

 Happy New Year

Here is to a great 2018!

Ring out the Old! Ring in the New!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. We traveled to my parents farm and spent time with family.  It was a special Christmas as we celebrated my dad's good health. He has recovered well from his heart attack in April 2017. We let off fireworks on Christmas Eve and Christmas night to celebrate all that Christmas gives us.

My last post I shared our Reindeer Bait recipe.

Did you have any luck?

As you can see we did. We even caught a few interesting reindeer. Three eyed!! (boys decorating)

 

Looking forward to sharing another year with you, right here at The River.

 ♥

Carla

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.

  Pamela Vaull Starr