Hello friends. I belong to an awesome blog group called SITS. This is my first year participating in SITSmas, the kick off to holiday wishes!
Last night I made my first batch of caramels...an annual Christmas event. My grandparents started this tradition early in to their 60 year marriage. Homemade caramels and turtles and peanut clusters...OH MY! Several years ago my grandpa decided he was too old to do the annual candy making. I asked him if he would teach me how to make it so that I could carry on the tradition. He painstakingly showed me how to make the candy, repeating every detail so that I could memorize it. At the time I was annoyed that he was SO SLOOOOOOOOOW. I was even a bit rude, and acted as if I knew better than him and did a lot of mental eye rolling. And of course my candies NEVER turned out as good as his.
This is the first Christmas since my Grandfather's death this past May. The first year of me truly carrying on the family tradition without him. As I was stirring the cream in to the butter and sugar I felt a little teary eyed and wished that I had been more patient with my Grandpa. That I had cherished the times that we spend together rather than being impatient and impudent.
My Christmas wish this year is for love and compassion for all. That we will be reminded of our blessings and cherish our families. I hope my Grandpa knew how much I loved him even if I didn't show it enough.
Merry Christmas to all...and may you enjoy the peace that the holidays bring!
Bittersweet as it may be, I think it's wonderful you're keeping the tradition.
ReplyDeleteMerry SITSmas and Happy Holidays to you!
Oh.. those traditions certainly can tweak the heart. I grew up with oodles of them, but so many haven't be revived in my adulthood because I don't have children (yet?) and so many of them were family stuff - that and no one should each 40 batches of snickerdoodles and live to tell about it. ;)
ReplyDeleteA pleasure to meet another LDS lady - I was raised LDS, though not currently active. Dropping by from SITS!
oooh delish!!! Merry SITSmas
ReplyDeletehttp://energizerbunnysmommyreports.blogspot.com/2009/12/merry-sitsmas.html
Merry SITSmas! I've been baking up a storm also. Caramels? Maybe tomorrow! I lost my dad recently as well and it's always hard around the holidays. I hope you have a peaceful holiday season. :)
ReplyDeleteTurtles were my mother's annual treat. D'aw, y'went and got me all nostalgic, you! Merry sitsmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry SITSMas!Im totally loving this lol Hope your holidays are GREAT
ReplyDeletemmm candy canes... sorry, sidetracked by the blog how cute are your dogs?
ReplyDeleteMerry SITSmas!
Merry SITSmas
ReplyDeletefrom Cairo!
What a touching story! Those memories are so precious. I wish I had taken the time to learn some of the great things my grandmother did (like hand knit Christmas stockings) before she passed away.
ReplyDeleteMerry SITSmas!
What a sweet memory! Have a very Merry SITSmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry SITS-mas! I love traditions and hearing other memories. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss last year. I'm sure that your dear Grandpa knew you loved him very much.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very merry SITSmas!
I'm sure he knew. What a touching post...Merry SITS-mas :-)
ReplyDeleteYum - homemade caramels and what a touching story about your grandpa. Merry SITSmas!!!
ReplyDeleteYour post made me tear up... and made me miss my grampa, too. I wish I had a special tradition that helped me to remember him!
ReplyDelete~Elizabeth
http://confessionsfromaworkingmom.blogspot.com
Good for you, carrying on the family traditions! Merry SITSmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry SITSmas!
ReplyDeleteThat is very sweet and I think he did know how much you loved him! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the caramel tradition, for my family it is peanut brittle. Sorry I am late, but I am making my way through the entire SITSmas list, I want to visit everyone to wish everyone happy holidays! So Merry SITSmas!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the slow instructions. My dad was the same way and I'd always resent how when he'd explain something it seemed like he took so long telling me what I already knew.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice you were at least willing to learn so you could continue the tradition. I'm sure that meant more to him than you know!
Merry SITSmas!