Meyermike, Why grow citrus? Many years ago my then girlfriend had unlimited access to citrus at Christmas. I ate lots of it and put several seeds in a potted plant. I think every seed sprouted. I was hooked. I gave them all away. Later I raised orange trees on purpose (for the challenge). They were left out and froze. Several years ago I received an orange tree as a gift. It has produced some fruit for three years. 1. For the challenge. 2. For the envy of those who are either unable or unwilling to grow them. 3. The one that I have produces the best tasting orange that I have ever eaten (in memory). 4. I have four grown children that covet my oranges. 5. I would like to have enough to share them with my 12 grandchildren also. 6. The aroma is so intense that we cannot keep it inside the house. We keep it in the attached garage in the winter. 7. There are too many reasons to list them all.

I had an aunt and uncle in Californis, both deceased now, who always sent us boxes of oranges from their trees at Christmas. They smelled so yummy, you could smell them even before you opened the box. Orange blossoms do have an incredible scent. I like the scent of lemon and lime blossoms too. We've been 'sharing' home-canned salsas, peppers, jams and jellies this fall by donating them to different local fundraisers for charity drives and volunteer fire department fundraising auctions. The Habanero Gold is always a huge hit here. And, oddly, one of our top-dollar sellers at our own VFD fundraiser was a container of simple apple-cinnamon muffins paired with a jar of homemade Apple Pie Jam. It sold for a ridiculously high price, and if I'd known someone was willing to spend that kind of money, I would have put 3 jars of jam in there instead of one. This is the time of year I get to be the Garden Santa Claus since much of the preserved harvest will be going to family members, friends and DH's and DS's coworkers in the form of edible Christmas gifts. Usually we receive a few jars of jelly or salsa from some of DH's and DS's coworkers, and lots of baked goodies as well. (So many baked goodies, usually, that I don't have to do much holiday baking any more.) The other firefighter wives and I always put lots of home-made goodies in the gift bags everyone gets at the VFD Christmas party too. Much of our Christmas dinner will come from the garden in the form of frozen veggies, but the only 'fresh' produce we'll have will be a few cherry tomatoes and small bell peppers from the overwintering container plants and sweet potatoes. I think one of the reasons I enjoy canning so much is that it gives us a way to share the harvest with so many other people during the holiday season. I really enjoy giving homemade gifts so much more than purchased ones.

Hi Ladies (and gent!) I hope that everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season as much as I am! I am exhausted today but thankfully, I have the day off. DeeMarie, I am glad that you did not find yourself in a dental emergency for the Holidays. DS informed me last night that his other 2 wisdom teth are causing him trouble and he thinks that he has a new cavity. Raeanne, I feel for you! You have been operating on 'way too little sleep and it is bound to catch up with you. I hope you get at least a little rest today... So you did a little "stress munching" while your MIL was around, who could blame you? Hi Gretchen! Hi Besh! Maddie, I hope that YOU were able to get some rest later in the day! I also hope that you fulfilled some nice holiday dreams when you got home.. Donna, I hope that your day went off as planned. I fell asleep on the couch late Christmas Eve and slept right through our Midnight church service! Hey, Bj. Are you freezing your tookas off up there? Only you would vacation in Alaska in the winter Lol! I am glad that you are enjoying your family time. DS' GF came down from San Francisco for Christmas Eve. She stayed w/ her sis but spent the evening with us. She gave me a lovely black bag that she brought back from India.I gave both she and my son matching dvds of Pete n' Pete that they can watch together over the phone ( long distance relationship) I also gave her a nice pewter frame and then took a Christmas portrait of the 2 of them in front of the tree. Christmas day was AWESOME! Everyone arrived mid afternoon and we had our dinner buffet style (not enough room here) and opened gifts. My kids got me a DVD/VHS player and 6 movies! As time goes on. DD and I are becoming closer and closer. We have always been close, but I sense a deepening of our relationship. Has anyone else noticed this with adult children? And my DS was awesome, too. I echo Raeanne,; everyone have a stress free, fun day! ( this means you too Raeanne!!!) Tikanas

I'm so sorry about your Mom - and about everyone else going through this. It is so wonderful though to have this Forum to talk about these things. When my DD passed, I didn't even know about "firsts", until someone told me that the anxious feelings I was having at certain times during that first year, was my feeling her loss. I called her a Holiday Baby because she was born on the first of the year of the US bicentennial, and died on the US birthday. I still get anxious around New Year's because I keep thinking I'm supposed to do something for her. Then I end up going to the cemetary on the 2nd. Seems as though I have that, "it wasn't so bad" feeling and can then go do what I have to do. It's been a lot of years now, and with each year, it gets so much better. I meet people like yourself that are still going through the "firsts", and I just feel blessed that I survived that. It is VERY important to continue the traditions - to continue the celebrations. As the years go by, they will tend to become ways to share your Mom's life to the generations that follow. They need to know her and family traditions are a great venue for doing just that. Talking about your Mom amongst the family is an important release as well. Hugs to you as you go through this. Have faith that Mom is still with you, and smiling that the family is still going strong.