Sparklers Magazine

Traditions

Sunday, December 06, 2015

Tradition, tradition. TRADITION!!!

This time of year especially, we tend to engage in and celebrate family traditions.

We like to incorporate family heritage traditions into this time of year. One of those is bringing a small part of our Dutch heritage into our traditional Christmas traditions.

Dutch tradition is that Sinterklaas (pictured above)

(who according to the Dutch people is VERY different from Santa Claus)

arrives in the Netherlands the first Saturday after November 11th via steam ship into a local port riding his white horse Amerigo and accompanied by his helper Swarte Piet.

He spends his time visiting hospitals and childrens homes and doing good works. Then on December 5, Sinterklass Eve, we leave out our shoes filled with carrots for his horse.

(pictured below)

Our shoes are traditional Dutch wooden shoes that my grandparents purchased on a trip they took to the Netherlands.

(I repainted them though because they had become weathered over the years, they are at least 50 years old now, and a piece of heritage that I love and cherish)

Traditions and Heritage are such an important connection. They help keep a family connected through time and also distance.

Traditions passed down within a family may get tweaked over the years, but they are usually handed down from generation to generation and cherished by each new family member that experiences it. They hold a special significance within the family.

Traditions, big or small are different from a routine or habit, in that they are done with a specific purpose and meaning. It seems to bring a spirit of excitement and connection. Often stirring a strong feeling of belonging, and cherished memories of a beloved family member.

Traditions are an important and integral part of a families history. They often tell the families story, giving insight to who we are and where we came from. They can tell a story of the history of our heritage. They connect us to loved ones that we may have never even met.

Traditions can help create a strong connection with family members and create a bond, a feeling of being a part of something unique and special.

In a society that has become fast-paced and sometimes a bit impersonal with all the technology that we have come to rely on so heavily this days. In a world that is ever-changing and uncertain, it can be so comforting to have constants in our lives that tie us to family.

Family traditions are an important tool we can use to help instill and reinforce our family unity and values.

By passing on family traditions, we can help our children learn about our family's heritage, culture and religious history.

Traditions also play an important role in showing children the importance of their ancestors, especially that of the role of grandparents. We truly believe that the positive influence of grandparents in the life of our children is paramount to their emotional and behavioral well-being. Bonus, a grandparents involvement in the lives of our children can also help take some of the stress of us parents, we have someone to help share with us the responsibility of nurturing and loving these tiny humans we have been blessed with and help mold them into giving and caring people.

Traditions create positive childhood memories and may help our children grow up happier and into kind and generous adults.

We truly believe that creating and maintaining meaningful traditions for our families, whether big or small is so important.

What traditions do you and your family enjoy?

We would love to hear about them.

celebrate

Christmas Printable

Wednesday, December 02, 2015

celebrate

Thanksgiving Printables

Friday, November 20, 2015

recipes

Zuppa Toscana Soup

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

recipes

Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

I don't know about you, but when the weather gets cooler, my family craves bread, rolls and biscuits with dinner. In fact, they want them for after school snacks too! My family LOVES bread! I could take it or leave it, but with this cinnamon honey butter, I usually choose to take it.

There is just something so comforting about a nice warm dinner bread. During the majority of the year, I have to admit, we are not the best about gathering around the dinner table for dinner. We are a busy family of five, and we aren't always all together for dinner, so we end up eating at the counter, by the T.V., in my bed (yes, sometimes I just need a break and I'll go upstairs and eat in my bed and watch netflix!) Usually we the only day I can count on for family dinners at the table, is Sunday.

BUT in the fall! Everything slows down this time a year a bit. My hubby doesn't work as many long hours, the kids don't have as many soccer games or practices, we aren't tired from spending the day at Lagoon, we aren't rushing here and there. It gets darker earlier, and I feel like making dinner more often. In the fall, we gather around the table more. We talk about our day, and we butter a few rolls!

Let me tell you,....you need this recipe! It's not only delicious but it's a family togetherness conductor! (I don't know if that's a real thing, but it sounds good!) Your kids will want to linger around the table a little longer, talking, laughing, sharing and eating yummy rolls with cinnamon honey butter.

It's also a fantastic neighbor gift! I made some for the girls I visit teach and brought it to them this month. It's easy, affordable, yummy AND a thoughtful gift! So here's the recipe:

Ingredients

2 sticks butter, room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

Whip all ingredients together until smooth. (I used my stand alone mixer, but you can whip by hand too.)
Put in cute jars.
Store however you store your butter. If you refrigerate your butter, pull out about a half hour before serving to soften. .