The holiday magic of Santa and why I still believe

 

 

 

One word often describes the holiday season: magic. Even though most of us find

ourselves running fast in an effort to keep up with the increased activities,

entertainments, and events we want to believe in magic. Maybe it dates back to

our childhoods when the sparkle of Christmas lights strung on the tree or the

appearance of Santa Claus made magic come alive.

 

I suppose most American kids believe in Santa at one point in their life.

although I’ve known a few parents who wouldn’t let the legend live for their

broods. My own belief in the jolly old elf exceeded the basic expectations but

then I have a very good reason for Santa Claus was my uncle.

My Uncle Bill Puett put aside his everyday life as a delivery route man for

Just-Rite Dairy in my hometown of St. Joseph, Missouri each December. Since he

happened to be a large man year-round, he fit the physical description to

perfection and his demeanor happened to be both cheerful and giving. He started

out playing Santa for some dairy promotions back in the day when Just-Rite

featured special ice cream novelties for the holidays. Their individual serving

size Christmas trees, Santa faces, and big ice cream cakes were a hit in

northern Missouri and Uncle Bill promoted them well.

He enjoyed the role so much he bought his own Santa Claus suit and before long,

he filled those black boots like the real deal. I bought into the entire Santa

thing with a whole heart as a young child. Why wouldn’t I when on a routine trip

to a local supermarket Santa Claus himself approached me and called me by name?

Or how about the Christmas Eve evening visit from my Aunt Janet who just

happened to run across Santa Claus out on the walk and invite him to come in

with her?

During the ordinary season of the year, my uncle and aunt showered me with gifts

for no occasion at all. I still have a huge stuffed blue dog which my cousin

actually delivered to me from my late grandmothers attic this past summer

larger than I was at the time. They bought me my first bikini when I was  

four, binoculars to rival those of any bird watcher, and so much more. With

such a giving heart, Uncle Bill brought Santa to life so well I couldn’t tell the

difference.

That wasn’t the case for other would-be Santa figures. At the local discount

department store in downtown St. Joseph, Missouri, my Granny’s neighbor played

Santa but he was too skinny and too sour. Besides, when my Granny would say,

This is him, Lee Ann, the real Santa Claus so tell him what you want for

Christmas but above my head greet him with “Hello, Faye, how’s the Missus? Tell

her I said hello,” it diminished the plausibility. At an early age I decided

most of those store Santa Claus guys and the ones who rang bells for donations.

on street corners, must be the Santa’s helpers but the Santa Claus who knew

my name, at home and out in public, well he was real.

After my uncle and aunt produced their children, Aunt Janet even offered  

photographic evidence pictures of Santa placing packages beneath their tree.

 I grew up believing in Santa, hanging onto the mystery and magic a little

longer than most kids probably do. And even when I learned the story of Santa

Claus embodies the spirit of love and giving, I still believe in the magic if not the man.

 

For more on Santa, check out my latest release, The Scarred Santa, from The Wild Rose Press, available in both eBook and paperback wherever books are sold (even Walmart online)

Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Scarred-Santa-Lee-Sontheimer-Murphy-ebook/dp/B0CHG2JPKX/

https://www.amazon.com/Scarred-Santa-Lee-Sontheimer-Murphy/dp/1509250794/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scarred-santa-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/1125124434?

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scarred-santa-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/1125124434?

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-scarred-santa-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/20608875

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-scarred-santa_lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/39813897/

https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Scarred-Santa-Paperback-9781509250790/5030690654

https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-scarred-santa/id6464521881

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-scarred-santa/lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/9781509250790

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-scarred-santa

https://www.ibs.it/scarred-santa-ebook-inglese-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/e/9781509250783

 

 

 

Chili Sontheimer Style

It took three generations to perfect Chili Sontheimer Style but the story began during World War I when my grandfather, Otto Sontheimer, was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas. While there, he developed a taste for chili and once he came home, he tried to recreate the dish. A candymaker by trade, he was no stranger to cooking so he tinkered with his version until his death.

My dad, Jerry Sontheimer, and my uncle, Ott Sontheimer, took their turn at creating chili.

On the night my younger brother was born in 1965, my dad was making chili when my mom’s water broke. That chili was far from the final version.

Over the decades, through trial and error, he developed his recipe. Before he passed in 2009, I had him tell me how to make his chili because he’d never written it down.

I did.

Now that the weather is cold, I’m ready to make a big pot of chili and this is the way I’ll do it!

 

 

 Chili Sontheimer Style

2 big onions (chopped)

4 med. celery stalks (washed and chopped)

2-3 garlic toes, chopped

4lbs. ground beef

Salt ; to taste

Pepper; to taste

 3/4 cup to a full cup Williams® chili seasoning

3-4 cans red beans

4 c water

Optional additional chili powder to taste

optional red pepper to drop into chili while it simmers to add more heat

1.       Get big pan

2.       Spray pan w/ cooking spray

3.       Pour canola oil in pan, enough to just coat bottom of pan.

4.       Turn pan on to med. heat

5.       Chop celery finely (use food processer if available)

6.       Chop onions w/ the garlic

7.       Add/ Cook the onions, celery, and garlic

8.       Add meat, chunk meat

9.       Add pepper and salt

10.   Brown the meat; then drain fat

11.   Add Williams® chili seasoning and opt. chili powder

12.   Add 4c water

13.   Add beans

Cook chili to preferred consistency ( watery, dry etc.)

Cool, then cover and put in fridge

Reheat and eat next day for maximum flavor

 

© Sontheimer-Murphy Family™

 

 

Reflections on Thanksgiving

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my childhood, Thanksgiving was a quiet time to gather with family around one table or another.  I’ve celebrated the day at one time or another at each of my grandmother’s tables, many times at my mother’s, at my aunt and uncle’s, my mother-in-law’s home, and at my house.  I’ve cooked more turkeys than I can count and eaten many more.  I’ve had homemade dressing, boxed stuffing, and oyster dressing.  I’ve often made the famous green bean casserole that seems to have become a staple on many Thanksgiving Day menus.  I’ve baked pumpkin pies and an alternative dessert called pumpkin pie cake.  I’ve enjoyed mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, corn, homemade hot rolls, relish trays and other delights as part of the feast.  I know these days everyone isn’t as traditional as I am.  Many enjoy ham or pork roast or pizza or a dozen other entrees but I’m still fond of turkey as the centerpiece of the feast.

 

 

                I’ve watched as holidays have grown more commercial over the decades.  I can remember when Sunday was a quiet day when few stores were open and those who were had limits on what could be sold.  While I’ll admit I enjoy being able to head off to shop on Sunday as much as anyone else, there are times when I miss the old, slow pace of the Sabbath. 

                Although the supermarkets bustle right up until the night before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day has remained quiet.  Some stores are open for those last-minute forgotten items but they’re not crowded or haven’t been.  Sometimes our family ventures out for a drive after our feast and I always enjoy the empty streets, the homes ringed with cars as families gather, and the peace. 

                I don’t join in the Black Friday sales and don’t plan to participate this year.  Nor will I move up my Christmas shopping schedule to begin on Thanksgiving Day or evening.  To me, it’s just one more attack against tradition and another way to pull families in different directions rather than together.  I’ll be snug at home when the crowds hit the sales, enjoying a few leftovers and a lazy day.  I may do a little online shopping but I won’t brave the bargain hunting frenzy.

                And, although I’ve watched Christmas decorations go up around town, at some of my neighbors, and seen many photographs of already decorated Christmas trees on Facebook, my tree won’t be going up for a little while.  Growing up, we put up the tree around the middle of December and I still enjoy the traditional way.  If I put it up too early, it’s easy to get tired of the glitter long before the day so I prefer to wait, then enjoy Christmas with the proper anticipation.

                For now, though, my focus is on Thanksgiving.  Here’s a wish from me for a wonderful holiday filled with good food and good times, a pleasant interlude from the business of life, and the chance to list all the things you’re thankful for.  Happy thanksgiving!

 

Scenes from long ago Thanksgivings!