Christmas Memories

I don't know about y'all, but Christmas has kind of snuck up on me this year. It seemed like just last month we were starting back to school and then bam, it's Christmas! I am so so so glad to be done shopping and wrapping I could just cry. I am usually done by October or earlier, but with the house and stuff this year I've been preoccupied. I would not get out into those crowds if you paid me. I cannot stand the traffic and the craziness and the crowds and lines, etc, etc.... So, even though there are people who actually enjoy all that mess, I like knowing that I can sit at home and watch Christmas movies with the girls and just do whatever. Next week the girls and I will be doing the Christmas baking, so I am already preparing for that. Seeing the Christmas movies on TV reminds me of a funny childhood Christmas experience. I thought I'd share it. I was about 6 years old and was at my grandparent's house for Christmas Eve. Their house was my favorite place to be at Christmas so my parents would drop me off early so I could enjoy being there before all of the family arrived. This particular year I was laying in the living room floor watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". One of my absolute favorite movies. I could smell my grandmother's cooking all over the house and I was starting to get hungry. I went into the dining room to see if there was anything to nibble on. I saw crackers (boring) , cheese, condiments, etc- stuff adults liked, but I really wanted something sweet. Then I spotted them. These beautiful iridescent looking candy balls in an antique dish right next to the silverware. They were so pretty and I just knew they would taste incredible. I snuck one out and hid it in my pocket and went back into the den to finish the movie. I laid on my belly in front of the TV and slid out my luscious candy. I put it in my mouth. Hmmm, didn't quite taste like I thought it would. Then the "skin" on it dissolved and one of the worst tastes I can ever remember just started pouring in. It was awful. I ran to the kitchen and spit it out in the trash, but the liquid just stuck to the inside of my mouth like glue. I was nauseated and coughing and gagging. My grandmother came in to see what all of the fuss was about and I fessed up about what I had done. She laughed so hard she cried. She said "Jessica, that's not candy, those are bubble bath gel balls." Y'all remember those things? I don't think they make them anymore, but I will never forget them. Good grief that was so nasty. That taste was in my mouth until the next morning. Taught me a lesson about sneaking stuff before dinner, though! I can't wait to start baking next week with the girls. Along with our traditional cookies, I am trying some new recipes from another blog friend this season and they look so good! I'll post pics of our "creations". I'm gonna have to wear elastic waistband pants for the rest of this year.......