Celebrating Family Traditions: Part Two

In my last entry, I talked a lot about my family’s Christmas traditions and how comforting they are to me. However, I did not go into detail about the almost 20 year tradition that the Klein family celebrates. As I stated yesterday, our family would descend upon Grandma and Grandpa Klein’s house on Christmas Day afternoon and stay through the 26^th. Grandma had a way of making large meals for all 20 plus family members, which usually meant LOTS of dishes. Once all of the dishes were cleaned and put away, it was time to start the next meal so that meant more dishes…a work intensive cycle ensued.  But no matter the quantity of dishes, the meals were excellent and every one of us walked away from the table uncomfortably full, and of course, there was always room for dessert.

Following the passing of my Grandpa Klein in January 1991, Grandma, my mom and the aunts decided to shake up our Christmas tradition and spice it up. It was also in hopes of sharing the cooking/cleaning duties for the Christmas dinner. Ultimately, they decided that our Christmas celebration and meal would revolve around a theme, specifically an ethnic theme. Starting with the Christmas of 1992, we celebrated an English Christmas with traditional fare such as beef wellington and an English trifle. We also try to incorporate certain customs of that country such as for the English Christmas we opened crackers, the festively wrapped tubes of cardboard that you pull apart and prizes fall out.

Each year at Thanksgiving, the master minds of our family pull out books and various recipes to select that year’s country. Sometimes the country is selected based on the food menu or based on the fact that it is from a region of the world we have not covered yet. But, to be very honest, most of our countries have been selected based on the beverage of choice, for example Mexican margaritas, Hawaiian or Caribbean daiquiris, French wine, German beer, or Scottish whiskey. What’s more fun than sampling those great beverages!!?? A few beverages do remain ethnically diverse though: Miller Lite, Bud Light, Hacker Pschorr, and A&W Root Beer…funny how that works.

The one Christmas that had a different theme than the others was the 2000 Christmas, which followed the passing of Grandma Klein. I am not sure how the theme changed…don’t know if it was due to lack of creativity, too much creativity, adjusting to change or just because. The 2000 Christmas theme was “Christmas-On-A-Stick,” and yes, everything was on a stick…beef kabobs, cheese on a stick, fruit kabobs, carrot sticks, etc. This Christmas also began the rotation of who would host Thanksgiving and Christmas each year. Mom and Dad had the pleasure of hosting “Christmas-On-A-Stick.”

One other tradition within this tradition is related to the dessert. Now, I cannot remember which country had this tradition, but it was one of the earlier ones. The custom in this country was to hide a ring in a cake, and whoever had the piece with the ring in it received a small gift or prize. So take caution when eating cake at our Christmas because you do not want to choke on a small ring. Since that year, we have hidden a ring in every dessert to have a little extra fun and excitement during the night. One additional rule of thumb is to select your winning slice of cake before Chris.

Here is our list of ethnic Christmas since 1992:

1992       English

1993       U.S. Southern

1994       Italian

1995       Mexican

1996       Hawaiian

1997       Chinese

1998       French

1999       German

2000       Christmas-On-A-Stick

2001       Greek

2002       Australian

2003       Brazilian

2004       Belgian

2005       Caribbean

2006       Swiss

2007       Scandinavian (Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish)

2008       Scottish

2009       Peruvian

2010       Egyptian

2011       Moroccan

As I look at this list, I feel like our family has covered a great deal of ethnics; while at the same time, I feel like we have just begun. Each year we have put together some great menus, delicious food and tasty cocktails. Some of which I have added to my every day menu. While, some have been a one-hit wonder because of the intense work that was involved or because they destroyed kitchen appliances (Kurt and Amy may have lost a blender or two to making a cheese ball).

One other thought comes to mind as I look at this list of ethnics we have celebrated. Grandma would be proud of us for continuing this tradition and would have loved our creativity to expand beyond our comfort levels. As we prepare for our 20^th year of ethnic Christmases in 2012, Dad will be hosting an Irish Christmas, and so far Jameson whiskey, Guinness beer and Irish stew are already being discussed as potential beverages and menu items. Stay tuned as we plan next year’s Christmas, which has already begun just days after our Moroccan Christmas.

Cheers to your family and your traditions! Hope they are unique and creative as ours or purely special and unique to your own family. Until next time, take care and talk to you soon!

Celebrating Family Traditions: Part One

There are many words or phrases one could use to describe my family – close-knit, loving, caring, fun/silly, kindred spirits, etc., etc. Of all the words or phrases that are used, one stands above the rest for me: tradition. (Ok, so who is singing Fiddler On The Roof’s “Tradition” right now?)Traditions are important to our family, and they create a strong foundation for all of us to stand on. No matter how far apart we are from one another or how long it has been since we have all seen each other, our traditions keep us forever bonded, connected and close. At the start of every new year, I can pull out my calendar and instantly begin mapping out my year of family activities…birthday parties, Brewer games, holidays and other get-togethers.

As our core family members have evolved over time from growing older while staying young at heart, to moving to different cities and states, to losing parents, and to adding new ones (Tyler and Baby Wenzlaff), our traditions have slightly evolved as well. However, they have remained a comforting constant in my life, which have allowed me to weather any storm and change. Of all the birthday party celebrations, graduation parties, weddings, reunions, Mother’s Day softball games (now spring Brewer games), Thanksgivings, and other get-togethers, our Christmas tradition is the one I cherish the most.

Originally, my Christmas celebration started on Christmas Eve with opening presents between Mom, Dad, Chris and me, then attending St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Franklin children’s recitation service in the gym, then going over to Grandma and Grandpa Selin’s house for dinner and more present opening. After present opening, we played trivia or cards games. Somehow Grandpa always won, especially at card games. Eventually it came time for us to go since it was rather late, and Chris and I would fall asleep in the van ride back to our house. Then on Christmas Day morning, we would play with presents for a little bit then pack and drive to Two Rivers to Grandma and Grandpa Klein’s house for more Christmas fun with the aunts, uncles and cousins. Once we said hello to everyone, the cousins and I would race upstairs to Uncle Gary’s bedroom and take over his TV and VCR so we could watch our favorite movies: The Goonies, Back to the Beach, and Clue (all classics, I know). During movie breaks, Chris and Andy would snoop around Grandma’s house and sniff out the extra tins of No Bake Bars she was hiding. Surprisingly enough, they always found them and consumed them…hope you got the quantity you wanted because those two boys knew how to inhale them. After filling up on No Bake Bars, a large dinner was served in the kitchen (picture the adult table and the kid table crammed in one small little kitchen), followed by present opening from youngest to oldest in the living room. After presents, game time followed with snacks and Brandy Alexanders (hopefully without spatula fragments). Bedtime for the cousins was a camp out with their sleeping bags in the living room to prepare for the next day of festivities. Then morning came, and this was always one of my favorite times at Grandma’s house. I would wake up, sneak into the kitchen, and watch Grandma make breakfast for all of us. While I would watch her, I got to have a little one-on-one time with her before everyone was up and ready for the day. Loved those moments.

Now that my grandparents and mom are angels watching over me, the pattern of my Christmas remains mostly the same: Christmas Eve with Dad and Chris at St. Paul’s and then dinner with presents to follow; Christmas Day is with the Klein family at whichever home is designated that year. Both days are still filled with wonderful family members, great fun, hearty laughs, large menus, and of course, No Bake Bars.

As you spend time with your family and think about your own family traditions this holiday season, I hope they are as fun, comforting and loving as mine are. Until next time, take care and talk to you soon.

Lighthouse Hop #4: Bailey’s Harbor

From Sturgeon Bay, I drove the east side of the Peninsula to Bailey’s Harbor. Suddenly I wished I had my puppy, Bailey, with me so I could take her to her harbor and get a picture of her under the town sign. But no such luck. Instead, I toured Bailey’s Harbor and stepped onto the beaches of Ridges Road County Park. The beautiful tan beach overlooks the harbor, marina and has several trails that lead to the Bailey’s Harbor Range Lights. As you walk along the winding trails and cross Ridges Road, you see 21 foot white, tower, which is the Bailey’s Harbor Front Range Light and the shortest lighthouse in Wisconsin. This range light has a four-sided base with an octagonal second story fitted with a small rectangular window that faces the harbor. 

Built in 1869, first lit in 1870, a red light beams out of the small window, which assists sailors when they line up this red light with the rear white light that shines from the rear range light. Located 950 feet from the front range light, a white, rear range light stands, resembling a small country church or schoolhouse.

A stunning yet daunting boardwalk paves the way between the two lights and is framed with evergreens, trees, and other brush. When you first begin walking down the boardwalk, you feel like you are never going to get to the schoolhouse/church lighthouse. But take your time, soak in the peaceful scenery and suddenly the lighthouse grows taller and more details of it become clearer. It is a white, red-roofed story and a half home with an inviting porch that has a cupola on the top that houses the lantern. I snapped a few photos and began the long walk back down the boardwalk to Ridges Road.

Once I got back to my truck, I followed Ridges Road to Old Bailey’s Harbor Lighthouse. This lighthouse seemed rather tricky to find especially as I ended up hiking through prairie grasses and brush to get close enough to photograph it. While I was hiking out there, I realized I may not have found the best access point, but I was already committed to my path so I continued. When I came to edge of the water, I stopped and snapped a few pictures of the lighthouse. The Old Bailey’s Harbor Lighthouse stands 52 feet high and is a conical stone structure with a birdcage lantern. The tower is connected to a small stone home; however, I was not able to see it because of my location. I mostly was able to see the deteriorating birdcage lantern. Old Bailey’s Harbor Lighthouse is one of a few surviving lighthouse with a birdcage lantern room. According to Wisconsin Lighthouses, there is one on Lake Ontario and two on Lake Michigan.

By the time I finished hiking back to the truck, my time was up in Bailey's Harbor, and I needed to make my way to Fish Creek to catch the sunset at Sunset Park. So unfortunately I was not able to make it over to the Cana Island Lighthouse on Friday…one short of my goal. However, I knew all was not lost because I still had Saturday and Sunday to get over to Cana Island. Finally my opportunity came on Sunday just before we left Door County, and yes, you guessed it, I made Dad, Chris and Cassie go with me. Chris and Cassie hung out by the van, while Dad and I hiked over the causeway and through the woods to get to Cana Island Lighthouse.As one emerges from the wooded trail, a beautiful white, steel, 89 feet tall, tower stands proud over the harbor dwarfing the yellow brick house below it. 

Originally the tower was made of the same brick as the house, Milwaukee Cream City brick, but was encased in steel to preserve the integrity of it. Inside the tower is a ninety-eight step spiral staircase (I’ll pass on climbing those). The house is a 1 ½ story dwelling, open for public tours, that provided enough space for the keeper, an assistant and their families to live. Dad and I were able to walk inside the home, tour both floors, read historical accounts of the lighthouse’s significance, and watched a video on its history.

Outside, surrounding the tower and house is a rocky beach that has trails which lead up to the buildings. I found the rocky beach to be quite beautiful and serene, a place I could have spent all day at watching the waves splash over the rocks.

However a light rain started to fall which cut my reveling of the scenery short. Luckily Dad and I got back to the van before it started to pour. The rain concluded my tours and picture taking of the Bailey’s Harbor Lighthouses. The Cana Island Lighthouse is definitely a new favorite…close tie with the Sherwood Point Lighthouse and the Rawley Point Lighthouse. I enjoy knowing that I have found some new favorite places to listen to the waves, take in beautiful scenery and find a little inner peace. Prior to these three locations, one of the only other places I go to experience the same peace and calm is at 7 Mile Lake in Eagle River, WI.

Surprisingly, I have one more lighthouse stop to share and then I have completed my lighthouse hop of Door County, minus the ones located on the islands…that’s next year’s project. So until next time, take care and I’ll talk to you soon.