CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Christmas is right around the corner. By now, my decorations would be up, the smell of the tree making a sweet fragrance throughout the house. This year none of those things have happened. It’s not because I’m behind schedule, but because we’re spending this year in Florida with my in-laws. My parents live on island, but my husband’s commute between Florida and North Carolina. This means alternating Christmases. One year in Cayman and the other in the US.

I love it, because it gives me a break every other year.  My mother-in-law is highly organized, so everything is usually done by the time we get there. The only thing to do is cook dinner, bake cookies, and make a ginger bread house; my favorite things.

Growing up in Cayman, my Christmas was a lot different than it is now. We put up decorations on our fake tree with horrifying, pain in the butt, tinsel. We didn’t bake cookies, but had what we call heavy cakes (cake made from cassava and yam) or fruit cake. YUCK! Instead of turkey, we had local beef with coleslaw, rice and beans, baked macaroni and cheese and potato salad. For entertainment, we visited family and friends, and went to various houses on island where their Christmas lights was an event. Santa, food, the works. 

When my mom married my step-father we started to make some of our own traditions. In came the turkey, stuffing and steamed veggies. I started to bake cookies, tarts, and sugar balls. (Get your mind out of the gutters ladies. You know who you are.) That was a tradition I picked up from my best friend, Katie.

When my son was old enough we tried a new cookie recipe each year (along with the easy bake ones from the supermarket) specifically ones that were kid friendly and easy to make. After I got married, more traditions came and with the birth of my daughter, I’m sure there will be more again. Some of the original traditions remain, while others fell by the way side for one reason or another.

What about you? What are your Christmas traditions? Have they changed over the years or remained the same.

All I want for Christmas Giveaway # 3

Welcome to day three of our Christmas Giveaway. Today I'll be talking about Christmas Holidays. Those two words can strike fear into people's heart or warm them to their toes. They bring about memories of spending time with family sharing stories or trudging through airports trying to catch a plane ride home or to visit family, giving us Thanksgiving flashbacks.

Because I live in the Cayman Islands our holidays are always filled with sunshine and our "Christmas weather" is the temperature dropping to the 70's with wonderful cool breezes.

Until last year neither my son nor I had seen snow, so we were excited to visit family in North Carolina. It was in the 50's when we got there which for us was cold, but lovely. On Christmas day we woke up early (my son is seven), and opened presents. Shortly after, it started snowing. We couldn't have planned it more perfectly.

(Had to include this picture of my cutie)

My son rushed outside in a hoody and shorts before I could convince him he needed more clothing. Thankfully five minutes later he ran back inside to put on pants, thicker socks, gloves and a proper jacket. We stayed outside eating the snow that had fallen on the front step staircase and sliding down the driveway in a makeshift sled. By ten o'clock there was eighteen inches of snow and when we drove to town later there were snowmen by every house. It snowed the whole time we were there and my son, husband and I were outside everyday having snowball fights and sledding down the driveway. It was to date the best Christmas vacation we've ever had.

My giveaway today is the famous Cayman Islands Tortuga Rum Cake. For a chance to win this tasty treat tell us about your favorite Christmas vacation and don't forget to leave your email information.