CHRISTMAS IN THE BACK COUNTRY!

Cobb’s Christmas 1985

Many wonder how one can enjoy Christmas in the bush country.  Probably much different from most in the city.  Ours was simple and basic with most things made for each other rather than going to a store or shopping til you drop!  although there were some years that I did go to a catalog and order as the younguns got older and harder to fill their needs during the holidays.  Plus there were years that we did special deeds of goodwill for each other or others in need rather than presents.  Along the way you find different and exciting ways to celebrate His birth.  One neat one was in the manger connected with the straw to add when each did a good deed.  Sooo many good ideas out there to think of others and cheer up the holidays for all concerned.

Usually during December, we made cards to send to loved ones. Decorated the home with handmade designs to hang around home and tree, then made decorations to hang on the tree.  One of our special treats during this time was going out to cut our tree for the special moment and glory of Christmas in the house.  Seems nature always had that special tree just ready for us! It was usually a family thing but once in a while Les would go with the boys while us gals prepared the area.  Our tree was around 5 to 6 feet tall; just right for the one room cabins front room.  The cabin would come alive with the smell of spruce!  While we anticipated the fun of making all the goodies to hang upon it.

What could we possibly make for our tree?  Let’s see, the kiddos would create special cuttings from construction paper, glue, colors, scraps to hang on it.  Plus we either made the running streamer with popcorn or with construction paper circles that inter-locked.  These we circled the tree beautifully setting the tone for the tree.  Remember we didn’t have electricity for many years so we didn’t put lights up.  That we missed as one always loves to see the tree alive at night with glowing lights.  Although a few years before we got electricity, we did have a small generator that we used several times a week so we could see the lights.  That would depend on if we had enough fuel for such a luxury!  Plus santa did drop into the valley some years on our roof for the thrill and delight of our Cobb clan.  That raised quite a havoc of excitement!!!

Throughout the weeks we put whatever the kids created for this special tree.  Some years I had bought special crafting kits that helped us make very  glittery items while other years we made cookies and candies to hang on the tree.  No matter what we crafted to hang up, the kids were always proud of what they had created themselves to beautify according to their age at the time.  Somehow the tree was always full of special effects they dreamed of or had saved for the tree.  Believe me, there were some odd items over the years.

After we would get our tree in order, we would then tackle the christmas cards we wanted to send to loved ones.  Some years they painted them while other years they cut them out.  My kids always made fun of me recycling past cards from loved ones but they came in handy when we created our own cards by cutting out what we wanted to create new ones.  I often used the recycled ones for on top of my packages also.  In the woods, you utilized everything you can to make things work & recycling was a key.  The kids loved making up their own poems & verses for the new cards to send so they were just special for that family or loved one.  For many years we had even made them for the prisoners we wrote.  I think they had much satisfaction in making all these special items and creations to bring happiness and cheer to others.

Our next big endeavor would be to make those special Christmas cookies, candies, breads, etc to give away amongst the area local travelers through our valley during the winter time at Christmas.  Many travelled through our valley whether by mushing or snowgo. Not only would we have goodies to cheer and warm them up during their stay but we loved making them special boxes with the goodies to take home to their families.  We would come up with some crazy ideas for the boxes so they could use them again.  Let’s see, what type of goodies did we make to eat?  Of course, fudge was at the top of the list!  Plus peanut brittle, divinity, brownies, cookies that we decorated with sprinkled goodies with colors & glitters.  Plus their favorite to make was pulled taffy.  That was always quite the rambunctious fun!  One Christmas I burned my hand badly while pouring out the peanut brittle onto the sheet to dry.  Ugh!!!  How painful was that.  although for weeks I got out of working because of it.  Heh, heh  Method in my madness!!  No really it put a shadow over our preparations and goings on.

All I can say is, I know my children and I have many fond memories of the unusual but happy times spent enjoying the love of family and Christ in our little valley.  Over the later years, I have even presented each with many of the decorations that we made as a family.  My hope was to instill those past memories into their new lives and families while they celebrated His love together.  Isn’t that what Christmas is about–memories, love, gatherings, family and friends, food with Christ among us!!!!

May each of you have a very blessed, healthy and happy Christmas and New Years that lasts your life thru!!