Blogger: Mary Keeley
Location: Books & Such Midwest Office, IL
I was probably nine or ten the year my family—mom, dad,my sister and me—spent a rare Christmas Day with my mother’s relatives rather than our traditional dinner with my father’s relatives at our house. My great-aunt and uncle, Zella and Noble, owned a farm near Morris, Illinois. Three generations earlier, my maternal ancestors came from Norway and settled there. This rural community, situated on the Illinois River, was surrounded by farms operated by good, hard-working, God-fearing folk.
It was always a treat to visit the farm. Uncle Noble kept the white barn and out-buildings in perfect condition. Aunt Zella kept the cozy farmhouse equally neat and tidy. It makes me laugh now to realize that I appreciated those qualities even at that young age. I wish I could keep my house that orderly, but I tell myself life moves so much faster for our generation. In their day that was their life: caring for their farm and church.
Filled with happy anticipation, I remember looking out the car window at the new layer of sparkling snow as we drove up the long drive. It was like seeing a Currier and Ives scene on a Christmas card come to life. Aunt Zella—all 4 ft. 10 inches of her with her short permed dark hair—met us at the door. Taller, white-haired, rosy-cheeked Uncle Noble took our coats while Aunt Zella led my sister and me straight to the plate of kringlas she had made especially for us. She always made us kids feel like we were an important part of the group. I shared the recipe for these Norwegian cookies in a December blog last year, courtesy of Aunt Zella.
I’m sure life there wasn’t perfect. But farm life has always had a certain appeal to me. From my child’s perspective, I felt a special security and stability as everyone fit around the big dining table and enjoyed lively conversation and the scrumptious home-cooked Christmas meal on the good china she brought out for such special occasions.
Do you have a Currier and Ives memory? If you saw the recipe for kringlas last year, did you make them? What are your favorite Christmas cookies?
Cheryl Malandrinos
Oh, what a great memory. Thanks for sharing it.
One year, it snowed late at night and we knew the girls wouldn’t have school the next day. We went out and started making snow angels. Then the girls went into the backyard and I pushed them on the swings for a bit. As we were marching inside, faces rosy from the cold, our oldest daughter said, “This is the greatest night of my life!”
I’ve seen some of the photos my hubby took from that night. I would say they were Currier and Ives inspired.
Melissa K. Norris
Something about snow and the country just say Christmas. I remember when we had a lot of snow, it’s hit and miss in the Pacific NW, and my dad tied an upside down car hood to the back of the truck after feeding the cattle. All the neighborhood kids piled on and up and down the road and fields we went.
Christmas baking is something I enjoy and I always look forward to. Here’s my recipe for Molasses Sugar Cookies, that can easily be adapted for Gingerbread men as well.
http://melissaknorris.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/molasses-sugar-cookie-recipe-virtual-cookie-exchange/
Janet Ann Collins
Here’s a Currier and Ives memory from an unlikely place. When I was a really little tyke we lived in the inner city of Newark NJ. When it snowed my father would take me to the local park and we would go belly-whopping, riding my sled down the hill on our tummies, head first. (No helmets in those days, of course.) I could never figure out where the hill came from since it wasn’t in the park the rest of the year. Of course it was a pile of snow.
Mary Keeley
Cheryl, what a happy, special time to remember. Simple pleasures enjoyed together are still the best and a make for wonderful memories that last, don’t you think?
Melissa, what a great memory your dad gave the whole neighborhood! I would speculate that if you were able to ask each of them now, they would remember that day. And thanks for bringing up Christmas baking. Many happy Christmas memories revolve around baking our family favorite cookies. Molasses Sugar Cookies are now on my baking list!
Mary Keeley
Truly a precious Currier and Ives memory in the city, Janet! Thanks for sharing. Interesting isn’t it, the memories that stay with us?
Peter DeHaan
I have proclaimed my bride to be the “Queen of Desserts” because all the treats she makes are wonderfully delicious.
She will begin baking in earnest next week — and I will thoroughly enjoy everything she makes.
Mary Keeley
What a beautiful compliment to your wife, Peter. And you are the appreciative beneficiary of her Christmas tradition. Nice!
Rich Gerberding
I don’t remember the year, but about 12-14 years ago we had a blizzard a couple days after my wife’s cousin and his wife visited us in Central Illinois from California. She had never seen snow.
We were making cinnamon rolls, making snowmen, and a couple days later shoveling the drive way to get out.
We had power and amenities, but seeing a heavy snow through the eyes of someone for whom ANY snow was completely new made for a very memorable season.