Innehållsförteckning för December 2017 - January 2018 från Country

THERE’S AN ELF IN MY HOUSE. He’s 5 years old, and he began eyeing Christmas decorations in October. He can’t wait to put up the tree and hang an ornament from every branch (less isn’t more, in his opinion). And before the first snow falls, he’s ready to help his dad string lights around the pine trees in our front yard. My oldest definitely has the Christmas spirit, and he’s helped guide many of the traditions our family has adopted to celebrate the holidays. This issue is full of readers sharing traditions of their own. On page 10, Helen Callaghan and her family start the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving by trekking out to the country in search of the perfect Christmas tree. Shirley Barberic teams up with…

1 Let the Snowflakes Fly My family goes snowshoeing each winter in Alta, Utah. We had over 600 inches of snow in the mountains last year. Snowshoeing is our absolute favorite activity—and definitely much safer and less crowded than skiing! All you need are some snowshoes and poles—they’re optional—and you’re set. No special skills needed, just bundle up and go. ANNIE THOMSON Provo, Utah 2 Decorate Inside and Out Putting up the tree inside is always special, but then we head outdoors to decorate a Christmas tree for wildlife. The kids smear peanut butter on pine cones and roll them in birdseed, then place strands of popcorn over the branches. After stomping the snow off our boots, we trample back into the warm house. FIELD EDITOR MANDI WOOD…

Find all sorts of extras from Country readers on Facebook, rd.com and Instagram. If you aren’t following us regularly on social media or visiting rd.com, here’s what you’re missing: If Only They Could Talk: We asked our Facebook friends, “What do you believe Christine Gitz’s cat, Lucky, is thinking?” Our favorite response: “I will steak my claim,” wrote Loni Kirklin. facebook.com/ countrymagazine We posted this beautiful image of a farm in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. Thank you, Carol Jacobs Norwood, for sharing the photo. instagram.com/country. magazine Visit rd.com/nicestplaces and read heartwarming stories about people doing good things in their communities.…

I READ A STORY in the December/ January 2015 issue of Country about a Christmas ornament that broke while the daughter was putting up her parents’ tree. When the bulb broke, the family found a small note inside. It was from the girl’s father to her mother and simply stated, “I love you.” I, too, had a glass ornament that my mother-in-law had given to me a few years before she passed away. It made a sound when I shook it, but I never thought about why. Upon reading this story, I found that the ornament had a small note inside that read, “May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness pass through your door.” Inspired by the article, I asked my parents, now in…

If you attend services at Pine Grove Community Church in Watson, you had best be on time. The church’s unique design makes it impossible to sneak in unnoticed. Completed in 1896, the church’s interior was built to resemble a little theater that the architect and builder, Lucian Rumble, had seen on his travels. Parishioners walked from the entry at the front of the building along a central corridor, directly to the altar at the back of the building. Upon reaching the altar, they turned right or left to face the front of the building and walked up a steeply sloping floor toward a choir loft. First, Methodists held services in the church. Later, Mennonites worshipped and gathered children for vacation Bible school. Classes were held in the basement, in tents…

In most homes, holiday traditions include singing Christmas carols, watching A Charlie Brown Christmas or just having a large meal. We did those things except for the singing, and that was a good thing. But the tradition I loved most started the first Christmas after I moved out of my parents’ house. I was in my early 20s and ready to be on my own. I was the youngest of six, and I’m sure it was difficult for my mom when her baby moved out. But if she was upset, she never let it show. She just said with a smile that if I needed to come back home there’d be a room waiting for me. Ma, as we called her, always bought five gifts for each child. Don’t ask…

FRESH AIR Grab a camera and turn on your creativity. We want to know how Country readers embrace the changing seasons. Please send us your heartwarming words and beautiful images of nature, animals, and people of all ages enjoying rural life. GENERATIONS Country folks love to pass on tried-and-true methods and words of wisdom. We can learn so much from those who lived before us. Tell us about the role your grandparents or parents played in your life, or how you want to help inspire the next generation. SPRING FORWARD We all welcome the season of renewal and its colorful blooms, nesting birds, baby animals and lush greenery. Show us why you love spring with stories and photos of seasonal activities such as planting, collecting Easter eggs and looking for…

A couple of years ago my then 4-year-old son wanted to help me shop for Angel Tree gifts for some less fortunate children. I thought he was old enough to understand the importance of helping others, so we picked our angels and went shopping. He put a lot of thought into the perfect gift for a boy his age and a girl his sister’s age (she was 4 months old). But then he became a little down about not getting any toys himself. He found a tube of Minion lip balm and insisted on getting it. I told him to put it in the cart. After we got home, he frantically searched for his lip balm in all the bags. It was nowhere to be found. I checked the receipt,…

December 1 The International Festival of Lights continues through Dec. 31, dazzling visitors to Battle Creek, Michigan. The Twelve Days of Christmas is featured along the river, and the old railroad depot is the backdrop for sparkling displays. Add the gently falling snow and it all translates to magic. battlecreekmich.com SUSAN TERRY Battle Creek, Michigan WEDNESDAY 12/6 St. Nicholas Day Here’s a tradition to honor the patron saint of children: Have your little ones put their shoes outside the bedroom door the night before. Fill them with simple treats (oranges, candy canes). December 12 Hanukkah begins at sundown. 7th OF DECEMBER PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE 12.13.17 Geminids meteor shower, the best and brightest of them all, puts on a stellar show from evening until the early morning. Dec. 25th…

In 1952, my daddy traveled with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He worked on a very large dredge vessel, and he went where it went. This meant he spent a lot of time away from our North Carolina home. As Christmas approached, he called from Galveston, Texas. Daddy explained to my mother why he would not be celebrating the holiday with us. Money was tight and he didn’t have a way to get back to his family. Disappointed as she was, Mother knew he was right. She also knew we would be upset, so she told my two sisters, brother and me right away. The news hit me very hard. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without Daddy. I knew he had tried his best. Still, I went to…

Our family had felt like something was missing since we lost our beloved dog, Annie. And so a few weeks before Christmas in 2012, I looked at our local Humane Society's website to see what dogs were up for adoption. I’m a vet tech, and I was careful about researching what kind of dog would be good for us. Plus my sister, Megan, was working at the shelter, so I knew she could give me the inside scoop. I showed my mom, Kathy, two dogs online, and we decided that Petey, an 11-year-old pit bull mix, was worth checking into. However, I was disappointed when my dad, Dave, said no way to meeting Petey. Mom tried to talk him into it, but he wasn’t budging. Since I had moved back…

WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE My daughter, Addy, is a true country girl who loves animals. In winter, she and our dogs are always eager to get out the sled. SHERRY PEDERSON Homer, Alaska SPECIAL DELIVERY Our youngest son, Payton, was so excited to help bring the Christmas tree up to the house. TRISHA GOETTLE Avon, Montana WINTER VISITORS My friend’s daughter, Malia, shared a sweet moment with Princess at her grandparents’ Wisconsin home. WENDY LATUFF Hastings, Minnesota YOU BETTER NOT POUT My grandsons had different feelings about Santa. Kash (left) wasn’t happy to see the man in the red suit again, Acen (center) wanted no part of it, but Ryder smiled because he knows this jolly elf brings goodies on Christmas! MELISSA ZWEYGARDT St.…

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