traditions

me and my creation--okay, so it is a little long and tall for a christmas tree...but it was my first time.

i need to roll it out to be a little fatter of a tree next time.

remember the song "traditions" from "Fiddler on the Roof"? Well, its running through my head as I type this blog.

something about the season and it being the first christmas being married has instinctively made me remember and act out all the traditions that i have ever known as a child.

one very important tradition in our house was the tradition of the "christmas tree bread". ever year my dad would get out his dad's infamous receipe and every year during the christmas season my dad would spend countless hours making his special bread. this receipe was passed down from his father and allegedly from his. we would all gather around as dad made the dough but usually gave up on the process until the bread was finished and we could decorate it with frosting and sprinkles. seriously, our whole dinning room was covered with foil-wrapped christmas tree bread ready for delivery. the delivery was also a tradition in itself. we would make a list (and check it twice) and set out on christmas eve to houses of my parents friends. dad would always make us sing "we wish you a merry christmas" as the friends answered the door. (this was cute when we were younger and it was "we wish you a mewwry chwistmas" but then when we reached the teenage years it was a bit awkward and usually sung half-hearted.) the bread itself is really cinnamon rolls shaped and decorated into a christmas tree. we would tell our friends to heat up and enjoy it for breakfast on christmas morning before present time.

so, to carry on tradition, i made all by myself my first batch of "christmas tree bread". it took 4 hours to make but it was quite good. i had wished my dad was here making it with me especially when it was time to knead the dough--thats the hardest part. i was quite proud of myself and daniel and i had to dig in and taste the first one out of the oven.