Tag Archives: christmas
My grown kids surprised me at Christmas. It was a wow moment, a tear-jerker, a really cool surprise. Y’all may remember that back during the summer, I told y’all about an awesome template that helps you to produce a very special biography. It’s called “Where I’m From.” I loved the exercise so much that I shared it with friends and family, immediate and extended, and did everything in my power to encourage everyone to sit down and compose their own. My enthusiastic efforts were met with minimal response, or so I thought. This Christmas our grown children presented their father and me with a frame containing their own “Where I’m From” poems. Tears were shed as it was read aloud. Word is the daughter had to hound the son to make it happen, but he did it, bless his heart. Phillip turned his homework in to Jessica just in time for her to print it, stick them in a frame and bring them to Louisiana. Right now, my sweet daughter-in-law, Carey, is taking over and converting the files into jpgs that will be screen printed on large canvases for the dining room. To say I’m excited about that is quite the understatement. I just had to share it with y’all! I hope you enjoy and it leads you to compose your own. From my daughter, Jessica Maher Tomlinson I am from mom’s home-made vanity, a daddy’s crafted dollhouse and small town backyard six flags. From two red lights, sinking cane poles and buckets of shucked corn. I am from cypress lined banks cut from rich delta farmland and the spills of harvest scattered alongside two lane roads. I am from a rusty old wooden swing and the climbing branches of a single sycamore tree, sweet honeysuckles hanging low and brick red shutters. I am from steaming tins filled with tamales and pitchers of ice cold lemonade, from grease stained black hands and everyone stops for a story… I am from Rushings and Tomlinsons and from proud veterans, from quintessential belles and hard-working farmers. I am from Walters, Heaven’s Treasures, Larche Farms and All Things Southern. From Sunday church lunches and late night water checks. I am from the farmer waiting for the precious fruit of the earth-being patient, from never-ending oyster crackers, secret recipe trash and the sweet aroma of spiced tea. I am from a ragged dock, spinning tubes, oil soaked visqueen and talent shows. From a red brick Transylvania home filled with selfless love and giving and from dedicated coaches, a heart-pouring spiritual role-model and a silent steady man of God. I am from the last shot, the last ending, the last point and the last quarter. I am from the moments of one more game of horse, dove chocolate stained hands, heartbreaks, heartaches and survival. I am from I will always be your little girl and as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be. And my son, Phillip Tomlinson I am from a sleepy neighborhood where boys can be boys,…
Hey y’all! I just heard that today was International Regifting Day– which, of course, brought to mind a helpful guideline I wrote on the subject in my last book, Sue Ellen’s Girl Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy. In the event that you haven’t read that book, (and I will forgive you if this is so), I offer you those thoughts here as a little Merry Christmas post! Belle Rules of Regifting This may surprise you, but honestly, I don’t think regifting is necessarily synonymous with bad manners. The gift that keeps on giving can be quite thoughtful, if not downright entertaining, especially if all involved have a funny bone. Consider the porcher whose father-in-law once received a jogging suit from her brother and sister-in-law. The next year they found it in his closet, still in the box with the tissue paper and promptly gave it to him again! Poor man was clueless until the family filled him in. The suit has since continued to make a yearly appearance. Leslie says it’s in its second decade and it’s almost back in style, in a retro kind of way. Still, because not all regifting stories turn out so well, and some of you are bound to get desperate as the big day closes in, I, Belle of All Things Southern, feel compelled to offer four easy guidelines to help make shopping at home as socially acceptable as it is financially rewarding. Number 4: Consider expiration dates. Items predating the current season will mark you as a tacky regifter. Say no to pet rocks and lava lamps. Number 3: Monitor the monograms. Initials really should match unless you’re confident you can keep a straight face while trying to sell the recipient on it being an acronym, as in, “I swanee, it stands for Peachy Good Friend! Really!” Number 2: Don’t regift in the same circles. Regifting his family gifts to yours may work, and vice versa, but remember, your mama, her mama, her sister, and her sister’s sister know what who got whom ten years ago. It’s their job and they’re good at it. And the #1 and most obvious Rule of Regifting: Don’t regift the gifter— which reminds me of another similar Christmas faux paux— reusing crumpled gift bags! My own son, who’s apparently allergic to wrapping, has been known to open your gift to him and disappear, only to return with his gift to you in the same bag. (I’m looking at you, Phillip.) You must be very charming to pull this off, and you may very well be. I’ll leave you to make that call Hugs, Shellie As we say around here, “Tell the truth and stay in church.” Are you a regifter?
Mary’s miracle didn’t stay all nice and tidy. Neither will ours. This link will take you to this week’s three minute Southern Comfort radio segment: Mary’s Messy Miracle is Ours Merry Christmas, friends.
Oh, boy, the first batch of No Fail Christmas Fudge is ready! Seriously, it doesn’t get easier. How about a one, two, three? One: Stir 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, one can of sweetened condensed milk, and a scant teaspoon salt in saucepan. Heat on stove top just until chips melt, remove. Two: Stir in one teaspoon of vanilla and one cup of chopped pecans. Three: Pour into a square baking pan that’s lined with foil and refrigerate. Once it sets (hour and a half or so), turn the foil over onto a cutting board and slice into squares. Voila! Share and share alike. Hugs, Shellie This is the last week of our gratitude drive! Could you show yours by following the donate button? This year the funds go to Make Way Partners, an organization that rescues women and children from the evils of human trafficking — and then provides shelter, medical help, and education to help them move into a new future. If you aren’t familiar with the drive, you can get up to speed here. Hugs, Shellie What’s your all time favorite Christmas candy?
