Saturday 24 December 2011

Christmas traditions

I am up early this morning, Christmas Eve, enjoying a cup of tea and the cool morning air.  Relishing this moment of peace and quiet before the busyness of the day begins.  I know that today is going to be a hectic day and probably not all that pleasant as DH has hurt his back and is in a lot of pain, which naturally enough makes him short-tempered and a bit grumpy.  And as we are having visitors tonight to celebrate Christmas Eve and drink egg nog, he probably won't get enough time to rest it properly.  Also, unfortunately, whenever someone is unwell my DFIL (an 85 year old Sicilian) who lives with us feels the need to be sicker and worse off than anybody else - so he has already started with "I have a lump as big as  an orange in my stomach and a sore leg" - literally moans and groans all day. Plus, of course, I have a million and one errands to run and it is going to be a hot and humid 32 degrees today!


So, I am visiting my stitchy friends and I was checking out Shirlee's blog, Farmhouse Ponderings and she was displaying her latest finishings and mentioned that she filled it with walnut shells.  This made me think about nuts and reminded me of one of the traditions we had when I was young.

When I was a child I always knew it was Christmas because my mother would put out a big bowl of nuts in their shells - brazil nuts, walnuts, almonds, etc and the nutcracker. We used to love cracking the nuts - nobody seems to do that anymore.  Everyone just buys fancy flavoured nuts now.


So, I was wondering, what traditions did you used to have as a child?  I would love to hear if you have time to post today or tomorrow.


Merry Christmas everyone, 


love Kaye xoxox


Later in the day.... errands all run (only took five and a half hours!!!!) and now back to some blogging as we wait for our Christmas Eve guests to arrive.  I have just joined up to 12 Days of Christmas in Blogland - check out the link on my sidebar.  This is being hosted by the lovely Evalina.  Thank you for such a great idea.


K xoxox

14 comments:

Linda said...

Hi Kaye. I had forgotten that little tid bit that my mom use to do. She did the same thing - a big bowl of nuts and the nutcracker. Thanks for the memory.

Linda

DreamzAngel said...

Hi Kaye,
I was raised with that same tradition, and if you visit my grandparent's home, that nut bowl,(the same bowl has been used since their first Christmas) is on the table. We also knew it was Christmas when all the women in my family would get together the week before Christmas and make the cookies and candy for our big family Christmas dinner.

Nicola said...

We still have our nuts in a bowl with the nutcracker, dates as well. We like to roast chestnuts. Hope your husband's back is better soon.

Trace4J said...

Merry Christmas Kaye!
Welcome to my blog. I look forward to getting to know you new friend.
Love & Joy to you
Trace

www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

Shirlee said...

Merry Christmas Kaye! My mother always put out the nut bowl filled with various kinds of nuts, a nutcracker, & 4 or 5 little scraper things that would help you get the nut meat out of the shells. Definitely reminds me of Christmas : ) Growing up we always decorated the tree 2 weeks before Christmas & it always seemed the Lawrence Welk Christmas Show was on TV at the same time to accompany us. We buffed the wood floors & got together with my aunt & cousin to make cookies. Nice memories : ) Blessings, Shirlee

Nancy said...

Hi Kaye, My mother has the nut bowl also. But one tradition I am doing this year is she would always have stuffed dates on Christmas Eve. She would pit the dates and add peanut butter in them. Then she would roll them in sugar. Mmmmm They are so good. I hope you Hubby feels better soon. Tell him to ice that back of his for about 10 - 15 minutes. It should feel better. If he wants to after about 1/2 to an hour he could use heat on his back. But do the ice first!! Have a wonderful Christmas. Oh and the ice treatment would work for DFIL too. LOL

gracie said...

Oh I do hope your hubby feels better real soon. I have a family member like you DFIL...I do my best to ignore her! For me it is easier...she lives far away....
I still buy the nut assortment and love to shell them! My dad was in charge of that when I was a child.
Sant will be visiting with you before me, so I hope you don't keep him too long as I will be waiting.
Merry Christmas!

Southpaw Stitcher said...

Hi Kaye,
We had a bowl full of nuts in the shell plus a nutcracker, too. In addition, my mother would save the cards from the previous Christmas, then we'd cut them into strips and make a paper chain which we'd use as a garland. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Stitching Noni said...

Hi Kaye, I do hope that hubby and DFIL get better soon!

The main tradition that I remember from when I was a kid was the carrots for the reindeer and the biscuits and a beer for Santa! That tradition has now been passed on down the line to my nieces and nephews!

Have a wonderful day tomorrow. All the best for Christmas and the New Year
Hugs xx
http://firefliescatsinthegarden.blogspot.com/

Stitchabilities said...

Yes we used to have nuts in shells, and nutcrackers although I always had to ask my dad to open mine LOL

I hope you have a lovely Christmas (hugs)

Wagapapa said...

I still buy nuts in shells and have a nutcracker (that I often use) on my kitchen.

Merry Christmas! Hope you have a good night and a better Christmas day and I also wish your DH back gets well.

Lots of hugs.

EvalinaMaria said...

You must live on the other side of the globe!

Merry Christmas to you and yours and happy New Yer!

♥ love and hugs ♥

Gill - That British Woman said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family,

Gill in Canada

cucki said...

merry christmas to you too deary...
hugs cucki xx

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