Fruit Filled Shoes

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Bob and I actually stayed up this year

to ring in the new year.

That is a big accomplishment for us now. LOL

Since spending time with my mom lately,

she spoke more of her Christmas in the cabin. 

She told me that grandpa B would go out in the woods,

and cut down a cedar tree..because those lasted longer 

than the spruces and pines.

There was no electricity in the cabin.

Their ornaments were those handed down 
from my gramma's family.

These were Polish glass blown very fragile ones.
{I noticed my mom still has a few that 
were gently placed on her own tree}

My mom and aunt would make paper garlands.

They also strung popcorn garland.

No lights or candles. 

Candy canes and homemade cookies were also added.
A simple but very festive tree in its own right.

Christmas presents
 were homemade clothes that gramma made. 
Since they did not have a fireplace,

they placed their shoes next to the cook stove.

My mom and aunt slept together.

They were tucked into bed underneath

a handmade goose feather ticking pillow...

the size of their bed.

{we call them feather beds}

Goose down feathers filled their pillows.

Christmas day they would find presents from 

Santa under the tree,

and fruit and nuts in their shoes.

{Decided to replicate their fruit filled treasures
using my stone fruit in some old shoes I have.} 

Christmas dinner was homemade
kielbasa and sauerkraut.
Roast duck with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Cooked vegetables from their garden.
Homemade chicken noodle soup with potato dumplings.
Dessert would have been angel wings.
{A cookie with powdered sugar on them}
[I miss these homemade sweets by gramma B]
Gramma also made bread with fresh churned butter. 

They were not wealthy...
but were rich in love and blessed with health.

W zdrowym ciele, zdrowy duch 
Healthy soul in a healthy body
[Polish Proverb]

Again I am reminded (by mom)
that sometimes we take life for granted.
I have been bad at replying to your comments.
I so appreciate that you all
 take the time to visit and comment.
This year I am going to change how I do my blog a bit.

With me working full time and also
since many that comment on my blog
come into my email as no reply bloggers...
going forward I will reply 
to your comments right on my blog.

Because I do work full time,
I will reply as soon as I am able to.
So be sure to check back and see my replies.

Until next time.

Fruit Filled Blessings To All!
Janice