Backroads mom

The best thing for me besides family at Christmas, is the family traditions I have memories of. It’s fun, recalling those times and amazing, what triggers those warm and fuzzy memories.

Growing up my dad would awaken us every Christmas morning with a Christmas song. Back then you couldn’t just tell Alexa what song to play or, hit a button on your phone to play a Christmas play list! However, my dad would wait and sit patiently until his favorite holiday song came on. Then he would turn the volume up very loud and awaken us to the sound of Bruce Springsting singing “Santa Claus is coming to town!” or his other favorite “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley. My brothers and I would barrel down the stairs as fast as we could to see the tree and stockings!

My mom would be making coffee, the aroma poignant and warming. Her smile infectious as if she held a secret. My dad stoking the wood stove adding to the ambiance of the morning. The tree would be lit up and all the presents wrapped and under the tree. Stockings were hung all proud, they were moms specialty. She loved filling those hand knitted stockings while we slept. There is just something about unwrapping small thoughtful gifts. It’s always been my favorite. I really loved those stockings overflowing with candy and books.

It was such a happy time! Believing as we did in the magic of the holiday! I remember thinking even back then how wonderful it all was. How in that one moment we all were together happy and excited.

Years have gone by and I have my own family to make traditions with. I now wake my kiddos up with Christmas music and have the coffee ready to go! We make homemade hot chocolate for the kids to warm their bellies. The night before we string popcorn for the cedar trees feeding all the wildlife. And every season mom and I continue the family tradition of making Gammies fudge, candy and cookies to share.

I hope that my children feel the magic like I did as a child, and they too, have fond memories to look back on when age waves it’s magic wand.

What are your Christmas traditions?

• Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
  Properties: volatile oil, flavonoids, Valerianic acid, coumarins, tannins, glycosides, salicylate Values: antispasmodic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, bitters, anti-septic, anti-bacterial, prevents vomiting. There are many varieties of chamomile, but only two are used medicinally. — Roman chamomile, a perennial and German chamomile an annual. Chamomile tea helps with muscle aches, strains, arthritic pain, and menstrual cramps. Chamomile reduces… Read more: Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
• Lemon balm
  Lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis) A delicious lemony mint family plant. It has an uplifting and relaxing effect on the mood and body. It can aid and improve memory and attention span. It is aromatic cooling and mildly astringent. It can be useful in colds, flu and digestive upset. It is antiviral, used topically on… Read more: Lemon balm
• Lavender ( lavandula officinalis)
  This is perhaps one of my all time favorite herbs to grow, harvest, smell, and make products with. It’s a hardy perennial with a heady smell and the pollinators love it as well. Lavender is quite easy to grow in zones 5-8, however it does need a sunny , warm location with well drained soil.… Read more: Lavender ( lavandula officinalis)
• Herbal favorites!
  As the weather warms up and spring is headed this way I started thinking about the garden. I’m sure I’m not the only one excited to get out there and get my hands dirty! I have decided to do an herbal series in my blog. It’s what I’m most passionate about. Gardening, holistic health and… Read more: Herbal favorites!
• Crockpot apple cider
  It’s the season for all things spicy and warm. Apple cider is one of those things that elicits warm and fuzzy fall vibes. Store bought apple cider isn’t healthy with all the additives! So I decided to compile a delicious homemade alternative! This recipe is quick and simple. It’s a great way to use up… Read more: Crockpot apple cider

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