Mom was There

Everywhere I turned this Holiday season Mom was there.
It all started with Thanksgiving. Mike and I had no plans with our immediate family so Sharen invited us down to theirs.

We sat around the family dining table for one last time.  The same table that Mom used to heap with so much food when we were growing up. It's on it's last leg and Sharen is replacing it.
Carrie showed up with homemade rolls using Mom's recipe of course. Mom would love to know that she has inspired Carrie into an awesome cook.

 I only made 2 kinds of Christmas cookies this year. One being Mom's bird nest.

Brian and Stacy lost their maternal Grandmother in September. I offered to make them keepsake teddy bears out of her bathrobes. I also make one for Mike's ex-wife. Yes we are friends and yes I really do like her.

But it got me thinking about my Mom and her cardinal sheets that I still had setting in my closet.
It's been 5 years. I got them out and made me a lap quilt for Christmas. I really don't know why it took me so long. I heard you loud and clear Mom.

Instead of going out for our traditional Christmas Eve breakfast, Erica offered to host it (it was right at Averie's nap time). I got out Mom's cinnamon roll recipe. I haven't made them in way too long.

Just like Mom's they were a big hit.

I sat around and watched the confusion and destruction of all the present and remember the Christmas spent in the basement of Kirk Ave. I understand now Mom!

Then I opened one of my presents from Mary. She had taken one of my favorite recipe from Mom and made me a coaster/spoon rest/serving dish with it. Her buttercream frosting that I still use. Yup, that brought tears. It's in Mom's handwriting.

Just like Mom, I want my kids to be home on Christmas day and make family memories to last. Mike and I had the Dupplers down for a quiet ham dinner.

Sharen told me I made to much food - just like Mom.

She even showed up in the wine we drank. She drank a wine high ball once in a while, but she was NOT a drinker.

I had a pretty good holiday season this year - Thanks for coming Mom.