Oh, what a wonder-filled memory! Thank you! we treasure our memories of Christmases past while we anticipate the next one coming! One of MY treasured memories concerning MY father....He was a WW 2 veteran and a civil engineer. Every Christmas, Dad "made" the antipasto for our Christmas feast! Mom bought all the ingredients, roasted the red peppers, marinated them with garlic and cured black olives, and brought it all to the kitchen on Christmas day with the Christmas china platter. Prosciutto, mortadella, capicola, salami, pickled green peppers, cherry peppers, many types of Italian cheeses, steamed artichokes NOT from a can, fresh green Sicilian olives with garlic, and Dad's favorite: Italian tuna in olive oil....Dad went to work, making a glorious display of all the ingredients. With his precision mind and his artistic flair, it was a visual masterpiece! When we sat down to the feast, we always thanked Dad for "making" the antipasto!
There is something about a Christmas Tree that makes a house a home each Holiday. My family was very radical. Our Jewish household always had a Christmas tree in the living room, and the Menorah in the kitchen. My dad enjoyed the tree, but never even hung an ornament. It was up to my brother, me and our mother. I continued that tradition when I had my own family with variations...I was in charge of stringing the lights and finding the dead light(s) till the whole strand was aglow. Everyone else did the rest and took credit for a marvelous looking tree. The kids are gone from home, but the memories of a home filled with laughter, excitement and love remain vivid.
So much love shines through in your special Santa story. I can’t help but think about how important it is to make & honor special memories with our loved one’s like your Dad’s tree.
Ed, great story of your dad's tree. I can just see him getting excited every year to repeat "that Santa is as old as you." Something very worth of being repeated.
A great Christmas story! My dad would put a beautiful village under the Christmas tree, he would take a door screen then covered it with all white cotton looking like a mountain of snow! All the little houses would have a bulb with different colors in each of them! I have one small piece left that I put on my bookshelf every year, and a picture of it there also! He did this through his early 80’s! My dad was Jack Prior!!! I enjoy all your stories Dr Ed! Wishing you and your family a Happy, Healthy New Year!
Love your Christmas story, such wonderful memories. Your dad would be so happy and so proud to see that you have carried on his wonderful traditions. Merry Christmas.
A beautiful story about Santa and your family, Christmas was surely celebrated at your home and dad had the spirit and warmth of Christmas. Merry Christmas to all.
The Stonehenge Story
https://apnews.com/article/winter-solstice-stonehenge-f85dd1e06b4496788e3fb5b669cd8b80?ck_subscriber_id=3495303895&utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The%20power%20in%20a%20year-end%20clean%20-%2020154633
Oh, what a wonder-filled memory! Thank you! we treasure our memories of Christmases past while we anticipate the next one coming! One of MY treasured memories concerning MY father....He was a WW 2 veteran and a civil engineer. Every Christmas, Dad "made" the antipasto for our Christmas feast! Mom bought all the ingredients, roasted the red peppers, marinated them with garlic and cured black olives, and brought it all to the kitchen on Christmas day with the Christmas china platter. Prosciutto, mortadella, capicola, salami, pickled green peppers, cherry peppers, many types of Italian cheeses, steamed artichokes NOT from a can, fresh green Sicilian olives with garlic, and Dad's favorite: Italian tuna in olive oil....Dad went to work, making a glorious display of all the ingredients. With his precision mind and his artistic flair, it was a visual masterpiece! When we sat down to the feast, we always thanked Dad for "making" the antipasto!
Genova Brand?
Since I was not allowed to help, I can't say. BUT Genova is what I use now!
Wow, I'll say it was a masterpiece. And I'll bet it did a quick magic act and disappeared. Merry Christmas, Elsie. Thanks for all your nice comments.
What a wonderful Christmas story!! Joyful Christmas memories!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you, Rosemary
Merry Christmas
There is something about a Christmas Tree that makes a house a home each Holiday. My family was very radical. Our Jewish household always had a Christmas tree in the living room, and the Menorah in the kitchen. My dad enjoyed the tree, but never even hung an ornament. It was up to my brother, me and our mother. I continued that tradition when I had my own family with variations...I was in charge of stringing the lights and finding the dead light(s) till the whole strand was aglow. Everyone else did the rest and took credit for a marvelous looking tree. The kids are gone from home, but the memories of a home filled with laughter, excitement and love remain vivid.
Great memories, Larry. And unique. It's about hope, love, and spirituality, not religion. I love it.
Always love this story! Thanks for sharing!
As a little boy in Ireland they didn’t have Christmas lights or trees. We children made little minature Nativity Scenes instead.
The gift I remember most when I was just five the year we came to America was an Orange!
My grandma ((Nonnie) surprised me with it! No one had ever seen or tasted one before and everyone wanted to touch and smell it!
Lovely. A gift to be cherished, Jim. A metaphor of hope in America.
So much love shines through in your special Santa story. I can’t help but think about how important it is to make & honor special memories with our loved one’s like your Dad’s tree.
Happy, Healthy Christmas 2025
Thank you, Nancy. Merry Christmas
Love this story. I read it every year. Merry Christmas to all your family
Thanks, Mike. Merry Christmas and Happy Healthy New Year to You, Sharon, and Family. Safe travels.
Ed, great story of your dad's tree. I can just see him getting excited every year to repeat "that Santa is as old as you." Something very worth of being repeated.
Yes, he was excited, Mike. And proud. As am I. Happy Healthy New Year
A great Christmas story! My dad would put a beautiful village under the Christmas tree, he would take a door screen then covered it with all white cotton looking like a mountain of snow! All the little houses would have a bulb with different colors in each of them! I have one small piece left that I put on my bookshelf every year, and a picture of it there also! He did this through his early 80’s! My dad was Jack Prior!!! I enjoy all your stories Dr Ed! Wishing you and your family a Happy, Healthy New Year!
Best,
Maureen Prior Sciolto
Lovely story, Maureen. Thanks for sharing. Happy Healthy New Year to you and Yours.
Such a beautiful story Dr Ed. Merry Christmas 💖
Thanks, Deb. Happy Healthy New Year
Dr. Ed:
Your writing is a gift that you share; not all gifts come in wrapped packages.
Merry Christmas
I LOVE this, Lora. Thank you.
Merry Christmas.
Well done, Ed. That tree looks very familiar!
Thank you, David
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Love your Christmas story, such wonderful memories. Your dad would be so happy and so proud to see that you have carried on his wonderful traditions. Merry Christmas.
Thanks, Ed. Merry Christmas
A beautiful story about Santa and your family, Christmas was surely celebrated at your home and dad had the spirit and warmth of Christmas. Merry Christmas to all.
Yes, it was joy for so many years. Nostalgia lives. Merry Christmas.
Beautiful. I love candles also