Sublime Morning Memories: LOH #62 challenge

My father used to make us breakfast before school every morning that I can remember. I'm sure my mom also made breakfast - but my dad is the one that stands out. Why? Because he could make a mean easy over egg with buttered toast. Why also? Because he was LOUD. EXTREMELY LOUD.

One of his favorite sayings to this day is: If I'm up? Everyone is up.

And it was oh-so-true. LOL Now, don't get me wrong! I'm a morning person. I'm actually a nightowl too. LOL I am pretty much awake and cheery 20 hours out of the day. hahahaha But when he would wake, he would literally walk around the house, banging pots and pans, slapping drawers closed, clanging cabinets shut, making random exclamations, and singing. SINGING. SO. LOUD.

---

I married a sleeper.

I have always been pretty protective of that wake-up time. (um, except for right now when my keyboard is clicking - but shhhhhh. That's different and he's used to it. hahahahahaha)
When my children were born, I MADE CERTAIN to preserve that silence and sweet space to welcome them into the new day. I would be awake before them - (yes, only sleeping 4 hours a day allows this to be a very simple task hahaha) and I'd sit gently on their bed, rub their backs, talk softly to them until their little bodies would roll over and smile at me.

This is one of the things that delights me most as a mom. I have always given them a sweet, relaxing beginning to their day from the time they were born. I love this. I hope they continue that for their families because I truly believe it starts each day out on the right foot.

So all the ladies of Hive are probably thinking right now,,, "Did you misread the question? What does this have to do with a favorite holiday food? hahahaha"

I was giving you the contrast first! LOL

Now let me share the memories of my mom waking up first and cooking in the kitchen.

As I said, my dad usually did this - but on occasion, my mom would wake and cook. This was usually during the holidays when she wasn't working, and had a day of cooking before her. She would wake early because she would make the most ornate holiday meals! She was, and still is, an amazing cook! Some people just have that innate skill! They don't need recipes or directions - they go by the taste and feel and scent of things.

This is how she is! Now, she's a tornado in the kitchen! You don't want to be assigned to clean up after her! hahahahaa But if you get to eat her food... mmmmm, you are just in for a treat!

On holiday mornings, she would make noise also - but it was a different kind of noise.

It was the kind of noise that would wake you up with the promise of a day of decadence. The pots and pans might have been just as loud as when my father would cook, but it didn't seem that way. It seemed that the blender was calling me to start wondering what was spinning inside. The mixer paddles would occasionally clink the glass of the bowl and alert me that a feast was coming. But - the creak of the oven door would let the most divine scent seep out. It would find me in my room and cause me to lazily roll over, untangle my legs from the warm blankets and stretch my body luxuriously, awaiting the Cinnamon Rocks.

---

As I said, my mom was (and still is) a very, very good cook. But these particular treats were a recipe "mishap" that ended up being better than the original. Go figure! Only she could pull this off!

One year, tiny little cinnamon croissants had been missing a certain ingredient, and what was delivered to us that day was a flaky, crispy, crunchy, buttery burst of cinnamony goodness! The recipe was a HIT and ever since, we have never had ANYTHING but that pastry for Christmas morning. We would settle in for opening presents around the tree, hot cocoa in one hand, and the other diving into the plate of "Cinnamon rocks" before they were all gone.

We were all addicted and it was a shame, because though we TRIED to have a selfless attitude during Christmas - that did NOT apply to Cinnamon Rocks! hahaha Siblings fighting over the last few cookies was common, and greed STUFFED our silly bellies until we thought we would burst. The best part was seeing my mother's satisfied expression - knowing that her gift of cooking was so fully appreciated.

I won't be with my parents or siblings this year for Christmas, and I also haven't had the opportunity to eat wheat in YEARS. But after writing this, I'm tempted to try my hand at a gluten free version of these this year, and see if I can match my mom's culinary wizardry to continue the tradition for my family.

How about you? What's your favorite holiday food?
Does it come with a special memory attached?

If you'd like to join in (and yep - men are allowed too! hehe) Check out this LADIES OF HIVE CHALLENGE #62. You'll even earn some LOH tokens for your entry! hehehe I would love to invite @itsostylish to this challenge and also @liftslikealady . If you join in, please tag me ladies! I'd love to read your entries! hehehehe

This post was entered into the #sublimesunday community, started by #c0ff33a because this memory brought up the most sublime feelings, and cinnamon rocks also go really great with coffee. hahahahahahaha Thanks for making a beautiful community where people can post anything on their heart, @c0ff33a!!!! 😍

---

Image source
Image source
Image source