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Merry Christmas

The whitest Christmas of my life was the winter of ’68-69. That was the winter I learned to bake. I was nine years old. The house was warm and fragrant and Gram and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. It was my job to roll the Snickerdoodle balls in cinnamon and sugar. I got to make the crisscross pattern on the peanut butter cookies with a sugar coated spoon. I rolled the dough and cut the cinnamon rolls into perfect rounds with a piece of white cotton thread. I very much enjoyed making those treats — I would have enjoyed eating them, too — except Gram kept packaging them up and giving them away.

That particular winter lives in my memory for many reasons. And even though I was often wet and cold from playing outside, for some reason my memories of that time are as warm as hot chocolate and melty marshmellows. See for yourself:

At, The Grownups Wanted Us Dead ….
… walk atop frozen snow.
… ride on a cardboard sled.

At, Matthew 28:19 …
… enjoy a little Good News

Quilly is the pseudonym of Charlene L. Amsden, who lives on The Big Island in Hawaii. When she is not hanging out with Amoeba, she is likely teaching or sewing. Or she could be cooking, taking photographs, or even writing. But if she's not doing any of that, she's probably on Facebook or tinkering with her blog.

36 Comments

  3. Quilly-Sister, I,too,am filled with memories of warmth and home whenever I make Snickerdoodles.

    P.S. Really, really cute Christmas picture, little sister! xoxoxox

  4. Lori — so do I!

    Charlie — thank you, and thank you.

    Jackie — Sncikerdoodles make me homesick … And I’m glad you liked the pic. My friend Tina did the Christmas background.

  7. Merry Christmas Quilly

    Wishing you a Peaceful Joyous Christmas for you and your Family.

    I got your email, I will reply soon.

    Loved the story of you and your Gram making the cookies. This is Christmas for me, a traditional Christmas with the family and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. The Birth of Jesus.

    God Bless you my friend

    Bill

  9. Bill — the email was supposed to be your blog cvomment, but Blogger wouldn’t let me post!

    That pic was actually taken at my desk at work. My friend, Tina, did the fancy photsoshop Christmas stuff.

  10. Quilly

    Have you noticed that Blogger is being hateful now. And any day without notice they will be getting you to convert to the new version as it is no longer in Beta.

    Please try to post later, sometimes Blogger has a memory dump and will let old blogger accounts comment on the new version.

    Bill

    PS

    This is the third attempt of posting this comment

  12. Merry Christmas Quilly, its so nice to “meet” YOU! Go Tell It on the Mountain, I listened to it twice for all the lovely memories it conjured of my childhood Southern Baptist Church. Christmas Eve cantatas followed by raucous renditions of Christmas caroles in the fellowship hall over egg nogg and cookies. Santa was the last thing on our mind in this room filled with hugs, song and sweets. Thank you.

  15. Cindra, you lifted the glare from my glasses, then Tina added Christmas stripes. Where would I be without my friends and family?

    You know, I just had dinner with LB, so I’m thinking of rephrasing that ….

  20. Cindra, every day I visit Tom’s blog. I have not left a comment, I just pause and say a prayer for him and for you. Today I will send Christmas greetings.

  23. Hi Quill, merry christmas to you……i suppose baking always reminds me of my Grandma also….I know the smell of baked bread sure does. She lived with us and did most of the baking because Mom worked. I would love to spend a day back in Grandma’s kitchen…watching her bake was an experience.

  25. Merry Christmas, you beautiful Quilldancer, you! lovelovelove this post *and* reading of such a warm and happy memory.

    baking used to be a source of comfort for me, as well — and apparently for my kids. both remember “back in the day” when our home was filled with the aroma of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and/or cinnamon coffee cake. these days i try to avoid such temptations — but they do elicit warm — albeit fattening memories.

    this was lovely. oh… and SO are you, my friend! Hope your Christmas is wonderful, and filled with an abundance of Love and Joy that follow you right in to the upcoming New Year! xox

  26. Neva, thank you. And I don’t do so much baking these days, either. In fact, this year NONE, because my oven is broke. Just as well, or I’d have to double my trips to the gym! Merry Christmas to you!

  29. Snay — if the story of how you got your name is true, you always have snow … Merry Christmas!

    Doug — my cats are somewhat suspicious about a guy who calls himself Dawg wishing them a happy anything. Still, they wish you a Merry Christmas, as do I.

  33. Merry Christmas!

    Go Tell it on the Mountain… I remember a deep, booming bass voice singing my version as a child. Backed up by a full gospel choir- I tried to find that version this year to share with my young women’s group but I couldn’t!
    Love that one…

    Come visit me for your Christmas Alpaca Story!
    hugs and Christmas candy for you.
    Hay! I gotta share it with someone, or I’ll be as big as a house by New Years!
    Slainte~
    Rachelle

  36. Ok, better late than never. Finally a picture to put to those scribblings. Thank You and I remember my first baking experiences as well, the scnets and smell and the way dough kept sticking to my hands. Lovely writing, as usual.

    A belated Christmas and a premature happy new year. This way…I am rigth on time đŸ˜‰

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