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Little Noah, which is my great nephew's name, learned from his Great Grandma the joy of baking in last night's story, "Tradition!"
Personally, I love to bake at Christmas as it brings those who we have lost in our family closer at this most special time of year. As I bake recipes from my Grandma, Mom or Aunts I get a chance to reminisce about special moments with each of them. Recipes can be an everlasting legacy if passed down from generation to generation. When my Publisher asked why I included recipes with each story my answer was that they were and are an integral part of Christmas for my family.
In addition to recipes, learning one's heritage and family stories is so important for children. I was blessed to have had my family history shared with me while growing up. I often wonder that if more folks took the time to document and share this with the next generation, would companies that trace family backgrounds be necessary? There are even DNA tests one can take now to give you your cultural heritage and TV shows dedicated to tracing the roots of family life. I always feel for these folks that have lost the knowledge along the way.
Just last month I had the boyfriend of a distant relative reach out to me after Googling our last name. He was trying to research this girl's background. I was able to give him the history as I knew it going back to my Grandfather and his three brothers that came to Canada in 1907. In addition, I had my cousin send him a copy of the family tree his Mom had done. He and his girlfriend are going to share all this with her family over the Holidays. I knew we were related because the small town in Manitoba where this girl came from was one of the town's where my Dad hit the "jackpot!" You see, my Dad would take the time to look through the phone book in any hotel room he was in while in different city. If he saw anyone with our last name, he would call them up and introduce himself. We used to laugh at him as kids but watching him do that helped reinforce the message that family is important.
This fall, while doing all the Christmas craft shows, I came to realize that most people do not take the time to bake anymore. When I see hoards of people buying a loaf of fruit cake for $25.00 or a half for $16.00 I shake my head. The vendor selling these makes 8000 fruit cakes a year and sells them all over a 12 week show cycle. Do the math. It is crazy! Even if her costs are 50% for supplies and to run a commercial kitchen, she is laughing her way to Hawaii for six months each winter.
Then there were the tart vendors selling 6 tarts for $11.00. As everyone was carrying a bag of these pumpkin tarts my sister Kathy and I bought a pack at the show in Red Deer to see what all the fuss was about. Let me tell you - they were nothing special ... just a plain old pumpkin pie filling.
If you know firsthand the joy baking can bring (and yes, sometimes there are frustrations with it), especially at this time of year, then you can relate to the calm this can bring into your life in the midst of this hectic time of year. For me, there is nothing like working with cool flour in your hands, the smell of spices and the joy of sharing your results with those you love!
Shine on!
-K
Personally, I love to bake at Christmas as it brings those who we have lost in our family closer at this most special time of year. As I bake recipes from my Grandma, Mom or Aunts I get a chance to reminisce about special moments with each of them. Recipes can be an everlasting legacy if passed down from generation to generation. When my Publisher asked why I included recipes with each story my answer was that they were and are an integral part of Christmas for my family.
In addition to recipes, learning one's heritage and family stories is so important for children. I was blessed to have had my family history shared with me while growing up. I often wonder that if more folks took the time to document and share this with the next generation, would companies that trace family backgrounds be necessary? There are even DNA tests one can take now to give you your cultural heritage and TV shows dedicated to tracing the roots of family life. I always feel for these folks that have lost the knowledge along the way.
Just last month I had the boyfriend of a distant relative reach out to me after Googling our last name. He was trying to research this girl's background. I was able to give him the history as I knew it going back to my Grandfather and his three brothers that came to Canada in 1907. In addition, I had my cousin send him a copy of the family tree his Mom had done. He and his girlfriend are going to share all this with her family over the Holidays. I knew we were related because the small town in Manitoba where this girl came from was one of the town's where my Dad hit the "jackpot!" You see, my Dad would take the time to look through the phone book in any hotel room he was in while in different city. If he saw anyone with our last name, he would call them up and introduce himself. We used to laugh at him as kids but watching him do that helped reinforce the message that family is important.
This fall, while doing all the Christmas craft shows, I came to realize that most people do not take the time to bake anymore. When I see hoards of people buying a loaf of fruit cake for $25.00 or a half for $16.00 I shake my head. The vendor selling these makes 8000 fruit cakes a year and sells them all over a 12 week show cycle. Do the math. It is crazy! Even if her costs are 50% for supplies and to run a commercial kitchen, she is laughing her way to Hawaii for six months each winter.
Then there were the tart vendors selling 6 tarts for $11.00. As everyone was carrying a bag of these pumpkin tarts my sister Kathy and I bought a pack at the show in Red Deer to see what all the fuss was about. Let me tell you - they were nothing special ... just a plain old pumpkin pie filling.
If you know firsthand the joy baking can bring (and yes, sometimes there are frustrations with it), especially at this time of year, then you can relate to the calm this can bring into your life in the midst of this hectic time of year. For me, there is nothing like working with cool flour in your hands, the smell of spices and the joy of sharing your results with those you love!
Shine on!
-K