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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Fragrance (10/24/05)
In the quiet hillside snow covered cottage, Carrie and her daughter Tina, made the usual Christmas party preparations. The red tableware was a perfect compliment to the red and white table cloth and napkins. Red rimmed wine glasses, sat perfectly above the holiday silverware. The centerpiece was a beautifully decorated bouquet of pine branches and holly berries wrapped around a white three wick candle, with the fragrance of pine filling the air.

“Mom!” Tina called out from the kitchen, “Can you please come in here? I need you to look at this.”

“What is it?” Carrie asked. “I’m trying to get the last minute stuff picked up.”

Tina walked into the living room where Carrie was busy shoving her magazines in the drawer. “I need you to look at the roast beef and the potato casserole. Also, it’s time to start the cookies! They shouldn’t take very long, but I need your help.”

“I know, the guests won’t arrive for a couple more hours. The fresh baked cookies smelling up the house will be a wonderful touch for the party. I’m glad that we have most of them already finished. The Special Sugar Cookies are the easiest and biggest hit and Grampa’s favorite.

“How do you think the house looks, Honey?” Carrie asked, as she lit several candles through out the living room.

“Mom, I think it looks and it smells great! Let’s turn on some Christmas music and start the cookies. This is my favorite time of the year and my favorite time with you.” Tina’s eyes filled with tears. “I remember when Gramma used to host the party. I’ll never forget the fragrance of her perfume, her big costume jewelry earrings and the baby Jesus Christmas brooch she wore. The best part of the night was when she would stand by Grampa after she served his cookies and kissed him on the top of his head, after he read the Christmas story to the family..” Tina reminisced to her mother as they walked to the kitchen.

“I know, I miss her so much. Grampa does too. Let’s do something special for him this year, shall we? Hand me that bowl and grab that flour; did you remember to bring the special ingredient?” Carrie asked.

“Yes, Mom, these cookies would not be the same without the Mexican Vanilla. I’ve tried it with the regular and it just isn’t the same. I brought some new cookie cutters too. Check these out.” Tina excitedly reached over and pulled out the nativity set of cookie cutters, including the animals. “Aren’t these the coolest! I thought these would just be perfect for the party. I couldn’t wait to show you! When Grampa tells the Christmas story while we have coffee and cookies, it will be more meaningful to have cookies made out of the story.” Tina suggested.

“How fun and very thoughtful. You just started another family tradition,”
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This article has been read 1018 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
dub W
11/02/05
Nice rememberance, A couple of things, limit your use of exclamation points - ! indicates a very high level, hard to go anywhere from there but down. Also, and elipsis is three dots... Otherwise, I could smell the cookies in your writing ;)
blessings - dub
Jan Ackerson
11/02/05
Lovely, a nice look at how traditions start. I'm sure you didn't mean to end with a comma. Don't you wish there was an "uh-oh" button?
Garnet Miller 
11/02/05
It's fun to create new holiday traditions. It keeps everyone involved. Nice story:)
Nina Phillips
11/03/05
That was interesting, and went right along with the title. Me, like Jan--wish there was an uh-oh button. Nice story! God bless ya, littlelight
Alexandra Wilkin
11/03/05
Now I'm starting to feel all christmassy! The first sentance is a little bit awkward - something like 'the little snow covered cottage on the hillside' might read more easily. Otherwise, very warm and sweet piece. God bless.