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Unconventional Family Traditions

1/17/2022

13 Comments

 
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           It is Martin Luther King Weekend.  It is always great to have this long weekend after throwing ourselves back into reality when the holidays are over.  This weekend always stirs up memories of one of our family traditions from when our kids were young.  If there was snow in Flagstaff, AZ, we would always go up and play in it on MLK Day.  
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This great photo is from Flagstaff, AZ's page. Good info there.
      We would often go to a park in the middle of town, just down from the Lowell Observatory, The kids would play in the snow, and behind the park was a steep hill that we could all slide down for a really long distance! Some people even skied down it!  I guess people were getting hurt there or something, because now that hill has barricades to keep you from sliding down it.  It was fun while it lasted.  We found other places to go sledding after that.  
        I know that some of you just need to open your front door to "go to the snow".  But, here in Phoenix, we have to drive a couple of hours to get to it.  This was a highly anticipated outing for our family.  We would pull out our tub of sundry snow clothes and  mittens  and see what fit whom that year and what we needed to find as far as  boots, scarves and  beanies.  We had some misfit outfits, but when you only go to the snow once a year, you don't invest in chic. Since we were going after Christmas, we could usually find some good clearance  items at the sporting good stores.
          After a couple of hours of playing, everyone would be cold and worn out. We would pile back into the car, change into dry socks and pants and whatever if necessary, and head home.  But, one of the things everyone looked forward to the most was stopping at a restaurant on the way out of town and getting a mug of hot chocolate, piled high with whipped cream.  
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        This was the kind of tradition that has stories that we tell and retell and laugh about.  Sometimes other families went with us and added to the fun, but usually it was just us. 
          Many people have expressed surprise and curiosity when we have told them about our MLK Day tradition.  Some of them have adopted our tradition or created a similar one of their own.  I love that!
            My roommate from college, Debbie, told me that her family never had traditional Thanksgiving Dinner.  Her family always went skiing on Thanksgiving and ate turkey sandwiches!  What a great memory!
              Does your family have any a little bit off the wall traditions that are not the norm for everyone else?  I would love to hear about them!  
                 Now that our kids are grown and we don't do the MLK Day tradition anymore, I don't really miss going up to the cold and all of the prep work, I have gotten a little too old for the sledding.  ( The last time we went it took my husband and I a month to recover!)  But, I cherish the memories and I still love a good cup of hot cocoa!  Maybe that is what inspired us to come up with Hot Cocoa Bombs!  
               
13 Comments
Kim link
1/15/2017 08:30:05 pm

Great post share. Thank you so much

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Helen Reynolds link
1/15/2017 09:43:30 pm

Thanks! Glad you like it.

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justsayingmum link
1/17/2017 01:20:21 am

Oh what a gorgeous tradition! Snow always makes for the best family time doesn't it? I don't think we have traditions like that but I'm going to go make some before it's too late! #TwinklyTuesday

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Helen Reynolds
1/17/2017 05:37:29 am

I do think some of the best traditions are the ones your own family comes up with that fit just you! Thank you so much for stopping by.

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Fiona Cambouropoulos link
1/17/2017 01:49:21 am

I'm all for a few off the wall traditions, despite living in Cornwall UK while our Turkey cooks on Christmas day we go surfing int he sea, I love every minute of having my family together at the beach and the dinner doesn't take too long to finish after while everyone washes wetsuits. #TwinklyTuesday

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Helen Reynolds
1/17/2017 05:41:17 am

That sounds like so much fun and like you are making some wonderful memories! I would love living near the beach. Thanks so much for stopping by.

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Brooke of Passport Couture link
1/17/2017 08:46:39 pm

For Christmas, my family always had homemade ravioli and sauce. It sounds strange given most people have the traditional turkey, but we always loved it. We also eat sticky buns on Christmas morning no matter what!

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Helen Reynolds
1/17/2017 11:08:37 pm

Raviolis sound delicious! I am so glad you stopped by! Thanks!

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Morgan @ The Messy Bun Mama link
1/17/2017 10:19:08 pm

What fun! By the way, that hot chocolate picture looks delicious lol.
<a href="http://www.themessybunmama.com">The Messy Bun Mama</a>

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Helen Reynolds
1/17/2017 11:10:32 pm

I know, right? Are you the one who makes those crocheted messy bun headbands? I need to check out your blog.

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Lisa (mummascribbles link
1/21/2017 06:15:52 am

What gorgeous fun. It sounds just fab and I always love an excuse for a hot chocolate! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

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April J Harris link
1/23/2017 06:32:52 am

Sounds like you created some wonderful family memories on those MLK Days gone by! It is nice to have unconventional family traditions that are unique to your family - it helps to create a feeling of togetherness. I like the one about skiing on Thanksgiving and then eating turkey sandwiches. I love a good turkey sandwich! Thank you for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul. Sharing on our Hearth and Soul Facebook page.

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Helen Reynolds
1/23/2017 08:48:09 am

Thanks so much for the share, April.

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    Creators of Hot Cocoa Bombs!  (copyrighted)
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    Helen Reynolds: Mother of six children , grandmother to fifteen!  I love to cook, craft and create things and I especially love doing that with my family, So, when my lawyer daughter, Lindsey, my artist daughter, Madalynn, and I came up with the idea of Hot Cocoa Bombs, this blog was born.  Then, one more daughter, with her technical and science skills, plus creativity has joined in to round us out!  Read more about us here!
        

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