Thank you, thank you, thank you for the I Love Lucy Christopher Radko ornament you gave me this year! It is right up there with the bone china tea set you left for me in 1973 and the stereo with 8 track you sent in 1980! You always seem to know that special gift that will bring me joy all year long.
And thank you for giving me your correct address of One Snowy Lane. I knew that there had to be more to your address than just “The North Pole” in this day and age. I’m surprised that USPS hasn’t insisted on the use of a zip code too. It’s a comfort to know that our Christmas letters will be sent right to your house and not waylaid by the elves at their cabin next door.
I want you to know I have watched all your movies and I am a big fan. I have a friend who doesn’t like A Christmas Story even though I have “triple dogged dared” her to give it another try. I do like Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and the classic It’s a Wonderful Life but I have to say my favorite is Miracle on 34th Street, both the first and the remake done in 1994 with Mara Wilson.
My daughter Zoe was 1 when that movie came out and we’ve watched it 100 times together over the years as we wrapped gifts together or snuggled on the couch. I must say you looked especially good in that movie. (Let’s be honest…they just don’t do you justice in animation.)
You guessed correctly that I do love I Love Lucy. I was so happy when her shows finally came out in color so we could all see Lucy’s beautiful red hair. I grew up with a neighbor man that reminded me of grouchy old Fred. (You know the type, gruff on the outside and a marshmallow on the inside.) I don’t have a favorite episode like some people do but I think it’s funny to see modern shows like Drake and Josh copy the I Love Lucy episodes. They did the one where Lucy and Ethel were working at the candy factory, only it was Drake and Josh at a sushi factory! It’s great to see comedy done right, a combination of great dialog and slapstick humor.
I’m not a big fan of cursing and bathroom humor, but hey, that’s just me, Adam Sandler has made a fortune so what do I know.
My new I Love Lucy ornament took center stage on the tree right by my desk so I was reminded of your kind heart and thoughtfulness this holiday season. Be sure to thank Mrs. Claus for me as well. I’m sharing three of my favorite Christmas cookies for you to try. Wishing you great joy, Santa! Much Love to you, Sandy
One of the things I learned the hard way
was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged.
Keeping busy and making optimism a way
of life can restore your faith in yourself.
Lucille Ball
Taste of Home columnist Sandy (Anderson) Holthaus lives on a farm in South Haven, MN with her husband, Michael, and their children Zoe, Jack and Ben. Her heart remains on the North Shore where she grew up with her parents, Art and LaVonne Anderson of Schroeder. She enjoys writing about her childhood and mixes memories with delicious helpings of home-style recipes.
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