HEARTH AND HOME CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD APRON

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. How could it not be, I'm married to a traditionalist. My wife, LaRee, begins Christmas preparations about now, at about the same time as firewood is being piled against the house for a cold Canadian winter: The cozy family warmth of hearth and home: That is LaRee's specialty. 

For more than 43 years of marriage, I have looked forward to each Christmas -- the aroma of gingerbread and shortbread baking in the oven, the smell of pine bows spread along the fireplace mantle, the sound of crackling wood burning in the fireplace. It may be cold outside but our home and hearts are warm and snug. As the snow comes down, we settle into a gentle time of comforters, sweaters and piping hot chocolate.

LaRee is an artisan par excellence! She has started spending more time in her sewing room creating unique gift offerings for an upcoming Christmas Fair.  For example, last night she sewed a matching apron set for a little child and her doll.  (LaRee has the heart of a mother/grandmother.) There will be little children wearing their 'gingerbread apron' to help parents or grandparents bake Christmas goodies. Indeed, every little girl needs an apron for herself and her favorite doll in the kitchen.