I wasn’t sure, as 2018 drew to a close, if I’d be back here in 2019
and yet I am, returning with a
Just Jot It January #JusJoJan
edition of the
Ten Things of Thankful
list.
Holidays are all about memories, or rather mementos of a life. Here I go, jotting down the ones that most stood out for me this last holiday season, the previous year and into this new one.
I’m thankful for Prosecco. The popping of the cork was a bit of a production, but the resulting bubbly liquid was so worth it.
I’m thankful for little balls of chocolate that come wrapped in foil with a creamy centre.
I’m thankful for old toys that make a modern return to the lives of the children in the family, such as Lite-Brite and an Etch-A-Sketch. One I can use, but the other, not so much. Still, they are a backtracking from all the technology we’re now living with and they encourage creativity. I spelled out braille words with the coloured pegs, the light shining and flashing in behind.
I’m thankful for Christmas Eve spaghetti and meatballs.
I’m thankful for a family tradition of sprinkle cookies that my sister loves to make.
I’m thankful for my mom’s stuffing, which used to be my grandmother’s stuffing to go along with a turkey dinner.
I’m thankful for a holiday movie classic viewing, with my father, on Christmas Eve.
I’m thankful for KFPB or Kijewski family pancake breakfast, Ketchup on pancakes and my brother at the pan, trying hard to make them just like our Oma used to.
I’m thankful for photos I can’t see, of my nieces and nephews with Santa. Or the ones my brother takes during the celebrating.
I’m thankful for hugs, whether they be end-of-visit or a surprise hug at the start of our KFC festivities (Kijewski Family Christmas).
These are mementos, past and present tradition and pieces of something, of a family celebration that’s always a great great time every year.
Caption: Sophia’s birthday cookies. Hands with nails to paint.
Go here fore
January joy
and for more from the blogger who suggested memento as prompt word.
Her Headache 
Christmas Eve spaghetti and meatballs
What an excellent use of a ‘fun and still good-tasting’ choice of food for Xmas Eve!
(and, of course, the pancakes… alas, pancakes are one of the foods that are a casualty of adult seriousness. young, I would say, ‘When I’m grown up, I’ll have ice cream for dinner and eat as many pancakes as I want, whenever I want.’ But then we do grow up and leave some dream behind.)
Glad you are still here in the ‘sphere.
Saw your posting of scoring yet another published piece. Very cool.
Have a good ’19
Sad that adults don’t think they can enjoy a good pancake now and then. They are so important to our family, adults now, that we remember and we even use them in the name of our podcast.
Happy 2019 to you too Clark. Ice cream and pancakes for everyone!
I, too, am glad you returned here in 2019, and thanks for sharing your Christmas memories. I love how specifics can differ widely, but traditions help make families.
Traditions help make families. Ah, I like that. So true.
They are lovely things to be thankful for. Thanks for sharing those with us and for linking to my blog for Just Jot It January!
Thanks and thanks for the word to write around.
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