By Johanne Fraser
I can remember waking up and looking out the window; frustrated that I had fallen asleep.
I was determined to stay awake all night to see Santa and his reindeers.
Every Christmas Eve I stood looking out the window watching the night sky until exhaustion overtook me from head to toe.
I would crawl under the covers and make sure I was facing the window and with all my might try to keep my eyes open so I could catch a glimpse of Santa.
This particular night I woke up and I was extremely disappointed because in the back of my mind I feared Santa wouldn’t come.
The past year had been difficult for my family, my parents had gone their separate ways and I had over-heard my mother telling my older sister that she wasn’t sure if Santa would make it this year.
The room was still very dark and I was unsure of the time but it still felt like it was in the middle of the night. I rolled over and looked out my doorway and saw this warm glow that illuminated my room.
“Maybe I wasn’t too late” I thought, “maybe Santa is here now.”
Slowly I swung my legs over the side of my bed and quietly while holding my breath walked from my room down the stairs into the living room. I stood amazed by what I saw; the tree was all lit up with beautiful blue lights, which made the room look enchanting and magical. I was looking at the angel at the top of the tree, working my way down when I realized Santa had already been to my house.
I had asked for Barbie and her camper and at the bottom of the tree all set up, and ready for me to play, was Barbie sitting in her camper.
I could barely contain myself from yelling out with excitement; instead I put my hand over my mouth to stifle any sound because I wanted time alone under the Christmas tree that illuminated such a warm glow. I walked over to the tree and sat on the floor to play, for what seemed like hours, before I heard any stirrings in the house.
Santa came through after all – my mother was wrong, Santa heard my wishes and made my Christmas magical.
Santa continues to give my children that magical tradition. He leaves his gifts all set up under a beautiful illuminated Christmas tree. As we all sit around the tree unwrapping family presents, we stuff ourselves with sweet breads and scones.
Below is a family favourite scone recipe that is made every year for Christmas morning:
Raspberry Scones
Scones
2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons chilled butter (cut into pieces)
1 large egg (lightly beaten)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup cream, plus
Berries
1 cup raspberries
Egg wash for tops
1 large egg (slightly beaten)
1 tablespoon cream
Directions:
1. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. With a pastry blended cut the butter in to look like coarse crumbs.
3. Gently fold the berries into the flour mixture.
4. In a small bowl combine the cream, beaten egg, and vanilla; mix well.
5. Add this to the flour mixture and stir till just combined; do not overmix.
6. Knead dough gently on a lightly floured board being careful of the
berries.
7. Roll or pat into a circle that is about 7" round and about 1 1/2" thick.
8. Cut the circle in half and each half into four pie-shaped wedges.
9. Place on a baking sheet; brush the tops with egg wash.
10 Bake in a 400-425 degree oven on the middle rack for about 20
minutes until nicely browned.
Recipe from www.food.com
If you have a favourite family recipe, holiday tradition or Christmas memory you'd like to share, contact us at newsroom@CloverdaleReporter.
– Johanne Fraser is a resident of Cloverdale. Her story, “Final Connection,” appears in Miraculous Messages From Heaven, a new installment of the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul book series.
