From Kim Gibbons
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year! Most of my family memories are tied to good food and some kind of adventure (or misadventure as the case may be).
Those who know me, know I love good food. So, whenever I think about those in my family who could put together a great holiday meal, my mind automatically goes to my grandmother, Janet Buckley. Grandmother Buckley was an amazing lady who always looked sophisticated, whether at the opera, a community fundraiser, or riding four-wheelers out on the ranch. She always wore a great big smile and exuded love, and she was a pretty darn good cook! Her Cheesy Onions have been one of my favorite holiday dishes for years. It’s simple, but like my Grandmother Buckley, tastes pretty decadent (sophisticated). If you are looking for a yummy side dish for the upcoming holidays, give this one a try!
As a family, we try hard to build an adventure of some kind into our holiday each year, whether that is an amazing trip, conquering an escape room, or hiking in the snow in Colorado. For years, following a spirit of adventure, my daughter Piper has taken a Christmas day plunge. Granted we live in Texas where it doesn’t get too terribly cold, but the pool is still always super chilly. This is one of my favorite pics of her taking her annual plunge. I wonder if this year, at 17, she will keep up the tradition?!?!
As we approach this holiday season, we pray that you do so with a sense of adventure, whatever that may look like for you. Take care of yourself and those around you as you ring in the new year!
George, Kim, Meagan, Zac, and Piper Gibbons
Grandma Buckley’s Cheesy Onions
From Denise McDonald
Grandkids make amazing holiday pictures and my family is no different. My favorite holiday picture was taken in December 2020 during COVID. Children were allowed to sit in front of Santa for pictures. My granddaughter was happy to pose but since my grandson, age 2, did not understand who Santa was; he was not sure what was going on! If not for the hold by his sister, he would have bolted!
One of our favorite holiday snacks is Mushroom Puffs. A quick and easy snack or party food, I hope you enjoy them as much as we have over the years.
Enjoy the surprises and wonder of the season!
Denise McDonald and Family
From Tawnya Mitchell
When Michael asked us to find one of our favorite Holiday images, I knew I was in trouble! The holidays are MY time. Each year seems to be the best. So, this picture from 2023 is my favorite until we start taking pictures for 2024. In it you see my two amazing adult children and my husband of 40 years.
In 2023, we made some big changes. Clint and I sold the home we had lived in for 32 years, fought through the clutter of a lifetime, downsized, and made the move from the big city of Houston, Texas to the much smaller city of Tyler, Texas. After a lifetime in one place, it was a year of “firsts” again. We even started some new holiday traditions. In our picture, we are celebrating a new holiday experience, enjoying the lights after a small-town Christmas parade.
Last Christmas we also added a new recipe to our holiday table. In another one of our 2023 “firsts” we threw our own “Jingle and Mingle” party last year to meet the neighbors around us at the new house. We served a few appetizers and drinks. The Pig shots were the runaway favorite! They do take a little time, but they are worth it! Also easy to store and reheat for round two.
This year we hope you look for ways to celebrate your traditions and dare to try something different. We pray you and yours add a new page to your treasured memory book in 2024.
Hoping this Holiday Season will be YOUR favorite!
Clint and Tawnya Mitchell
From Kevin Johnson
I have so many “favorite” Christmas pictures, but this one is very special because it marks the first Christmas that we had as a complete family! To see the eyes of young toddlers light up with so much excitement is something that you’ll never forget. Then to see them eventually grow to their teenage years when they really understand the true meaning of Christmas and see their eyes light up with that same joy, not because of the gifts they receive, but rather for the gifts that they are able to give. It truly is a Christmas Miracle!
Another reason I love the Christmas season is because I love sweets. Don’t get me wrong, I love the meals that are prepared, but the quickest way to my heart is with a great assortment of cookies and other sweets. Sugar cookies, the seemingly endless different types of Hershey’s Kisses, or anything mint-flavored are all good in my book. But when you combine those things into a cookie with Andes mints melted onto the top of them, it’s time for the Girl Scouts to move over because there is a new sheriff in town! So give this recipe a try, your tastebuds won’t regret it!
From my family to yours, we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! May the season bring you much joy and great memories with family and friends!
Kevin, Jamie, Kaeden, Addisyn, and Graesen Johnson
Recipe for Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies
From Michael Curtis
One of my favorite holiday pictures is from circa 1991. I had just been promoted to Sergeant in the Air Force and we were getting dressed up for my first Christmas Party at the Commander’s Home. We were in Japan, starting a family, and living the dream.
My favorite Holiday recipe is from my Grandmother, Enna’s Louisiana Mud Cake. If you are from Mississippi, you will recognize it as a Mississippi Mud cake. My grandmother had a problem with “borrowing” recipes and making them her own. She made it for us every Christmas.
My prayer for each of you is that in a world full of chaos and challenges, you find some peace this holiday season. Take some time to be thankful for your blessings and lend a hand to those in need. Remember fondly those who are no longer with us and have fun and give thanks for those who are.
Happy Holidays everyone.
Patty and Michael Curtis
Recipe for Ena’s Mississippi Louisiana Mud Cake
From Tom Pearce
I grew up as the youngest of four boys in a small town in Western Pennsylvania, Grove City. Christmas morning was always a time of great joy for our family. A new ball glove, a new basketball, new building blocks, a Chemistry set, those were all highly anticipated and enjoyed. New clothes, not so much – especially when you are 8 years old.
A running joke in our family was that Santa was going to put a lump of coal in your stocking – this meant you had been a naughty boy, no toys for you. It never REALLY happened that Santa stiffed me or my brothers on Christmas morning, but he certainly could have.
Somewhere along the way, my brother Jim gave me a lump of coal in my stocking, which caused me great concern at the time, but has since turned into a long-running practical joke that we have shared over the past 60 years. He will gift it to me one year and I will give it back to him the next. Even though he lives in Seattle, and I live outside of Dallas, we still laugh about the exchange.
Hoping that your holiday season is full of great memories in the making! (And that Santa does not put a lump of coal in your stocking – although he probably could make the case . . . )
Missie and Tom Pearce
PS – Here is the recipe for Missie’s dessert, Missies Texas Tumbleweeds, which is a fan favorite at our Open Enrollment workshops. It is not super festive but always well received when she makes it.
