Blue Jean Chef

I tasted Christmas this morning – first time this year. I had a Clementine. It was juicy and delicious and made me think of pine needles, candy canes, foil bows, and Christmas stockings. I always find it amazing how a particular food item, like music, can transport you to a time or place in your memory. It is truly one of the pleasures of eating.

Every Christmas, I always had to wait until everyone in my family was, not only up and out of bed, but showered and fed breakfast, before I was allowed to open any Christmas presents. It was a cruel and unusual punishment. To compensate for this, however, my stocking was fair game as soon as I opened my eyes. I always found it at the foot of my bed when I woke up, and every year I explored its contents on my own before anyone else was awake. Then I would take it into my parents’ room to show them what I had received, not realizing that they probably had a good idea of that already.

I always found a Clementine in my stocking.
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