Peppermint Lemon - A New Tradition

My daddy has a little bit of everything growing in his yard. However, Little Mister has always loved his little lemon tree. This year we brought a few home and decided to make a 'new' Christmas tradition around here.

First, we rolled the lemon and squeezed it to get the insides all juicy. My little guy really enjoyed this part!!

When I could talk him into giving me back the lemon, I cut a small X on one side. I carefully inserted a candy cane which, by the way, I had cut both ends off. [Cutting the cane allows the exposed porous ends to easily become a straw.]

The candy cane's  sweetness helps the "tang" of the lemon somewhat!

As you can see by the pictures, He really enjoyed it.

I saw this lemon straw somewhere but can't remember. If you have posted it before, feel free to contact me so I can link back to you!

Hope you are beyond blessed during this Christmas season!

That Orange Spikey Thing

 

*** Flash Back ***

I vividly remember making these in the first grade! At the time, we were living in Mt. Airy, NC; the town better known as Mayberry from the Andy Griffith Show. I loved it there, the schools, the snow, my neighbors, our fabulous yard with the greatest climbing trees! 

I recall a perfect slope on one side of the lawn that was great for sledding. There was also a grand basement with the spookiest coal room loved by all smallish visitors! 
We seemed to have company all the time which meant, all the cousins and I got to sleep on pallets in the living room! Popcorn and flashlights for all!

Somehow, the smell of oranges and cloves always takes me back to those grand and lovely days from my childhood!

Today, we live far away from any possibility of snow, however, I want my Little Mister to grow up with wonderful memories of his childhood. And perhaps, one day when he is a Big Mister, the smell of tangy oranges will bring back a flood of sweet memories to him as well!

I can only pray!

A bit of information:
The first pomanders were made from gold or silver. They were shaped like balls and hung
by a cord from the waist. They were filled with sweet smelling herbs and spices, and used
as perfume worn from the Middle Ages onward. They were also thought to keep one from getting sick. Today, pomanders are made from fresh fruits and are hung
in a closet to scent clothes and keep moths away or simply decorations.

Scarecrow Hunt

The greatest thing about living in a small town can be simple traditions! Every Fall merchants place themed scarecrows around town. They are amusing to see and many are just down right funny and cute! This year there are almost 100 scattered throughout town. Little Mister has loved seeing them as we drive around. One beautiful, cool day we decided to search for as many as we could find on foot! Of course, then we got in the car and found lots more. Here are a FEW of our favorites!

Pumpkin Seeds and Old Traditions

Today we visited a "roadside" pumpkin patch. 

I have been wanting to roast some pumpkin seeds so we stopped to check them out and explore.

When he found the perfect one, he hugged it and loudly proclaimed it cute! 

Yeah, we brought it home.

I've mentioned before that little Mister is kind of a neat freak for his age. I was wondering if he'd actually touch the 'guts' of the pumpkin. My guts were accurate . . . he wouldn't. He did however touch the seeds once they were in the bowl.

I have always enjoyed roasting pumpkin seeds. Wanna know why? 

When I was in the 1st grade we lived in Mt. Airy, NC. I LOVED going to school because I had the greatest teacher! That Fall, I vividly remember her bringing a toaster oven and a huge pumpkin to her classroom. She let everyone take turns digging in the pumpkin and pulling out the seeds. She read us fun stories about pumpkins while they cooked. She then gathered us in a big circle on the floor and passed around a bowl filled with the freshly made treats! It was a wonderful day.

We made some today using the recipe below. 

I wonder if anyone else has traditions they have started with their families that begun with a wonderful teacher in school?