Mary Emma Allen
COUNTRY KITCHEN
THE JOY OF THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE
"It's time to get the Christmas tree," we children exclaimed each year
when I was growing up on the farm. Then Father hitched up the horses to
the sleigh, and we rode to the woodland behind the barn to find our
tree. For me this was one of the most enjoyable activities of Christmas.
This ritual was almost as much fun as putting up the tree and decorating
it.
Traditions Change.
Getting the Christmas tree evolves into a tradition in many families
whether it's from a tree farm, your own woods, a parking lot at the
supermarket, or from a mail order catalog. Yes, you even can order your
tree via a catalog or web site nowadays.
Amazingly our grandchildren look forward to checking through the catalog
with their grandfather for just the right tree. "Papa, it's time to
order the tree," they exclaim toward the end of November. When it
arrives, bundled in netting inside a long cardboard box, they help cut
the wrapping and watch the tree unfurl.
Then so they capture a bit of my childhood and my daughter's (when we
alternated between getting a tree from her uncle's woods and a tree
lot), we'll go find a small tree to set upon our deck for the birds.
Trees of My Childhood
I'll also tell them the story of getting the tree in my childhood and
those rides over the snow to the woods in the sleigh Father used for
hauling firewood from the forest.
We four children and Mother piled onto the sleigh, sitting on empty
grain bags, with the bear robe pulled over our legs. Shep ran beside the
sleigh. Father called, "Geddy-up, geddy-up" to Dick and Nellie. We rode
over the glistening snow and heard it crunch under the heavy wooden
sleigh runners.
Our voices sang out the carols we loved, and Mother told about the
Christmas trees of her childhood. We hardly noticed that the air was
frosty and our noses were nipped from the wind.
When we finally had the tree home, Mother made hot cocoa. While we
sipped it and munched on cookies, we talked about the decorating
we'd do that evening.
After Father got a tractor, he used it for hauling the sleigh.
Occasionally when the snow was too deep, we snowshoed all the way to the
woods.
No matter which method we used, the family activity of getting the tree
from the back woodland was one of the high spots of the Christmas
season...one I look back on with fondness and remember how close it
seemed to bring the family.
The Christmas tree tradition constitutes a special time for families,
one which creates memories for years to come.
Tree Trimming Goodies
Often during tree trimming time, families serve festive goodies which
might include a special meal or simply hot cider, hot chocolate, spiced
tea and cookies or a special cake.
RAISIN NUT KRUMBLES is a cousin's favorite.
Boil together 1 cup water
and 2 cups raisins for 5 minutes. Cool and stir in 1 teaspoon baking
soda.
Cream together 1 cup shortening and 1 1/2 cups sugar; add 3 eggs, 1
teaspoon vanilla, and stir in the raisin mixture; stir well.
Sift together 4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon nutmeg,
1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt. Add to other ingredients. Stir in
1 cup chopped walnuts.
Drop by teaspoon on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 10
minutes.
(c)2002 Mary Emma Allen
(Mary Emma Allen writes family stories and teaches workshops so others
can record their memories, too. Her stories have been included in books
such as Heartwarmers of Spirit, Finding the Joy in Alzheimer's, Let Us
Not Forget, and God Allows U-Turns - American Memories. Visit her web
site:
http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea
This article provided by the Family Content Archives at:
www.Family-Content.com
