What I Want For Christmas

So... it's getting that time of year again! It's the holiday season, and I'm in love. My favorite, favorite, favorite holiday of the whole year is Thanksgiving, as you may know. And I really enjoy Christmas shopping. I love finding that perfect gift for someone. You know, that thing that you know they'll love, use, and/or cherish. It's my favorite. So I've spent the last week, partially on my mom's behalf, talking to all my siblings, sussing out what they want, and what they need, and what they will cherish and I've loved every minute of it. So just now Mom sent me and email and was like "Well, now that you've gotten everyone else's wish list, what do YOU want for Christmas?"

I hadn't even thought about it. And the thing is, I'm pretty set for Stuff. I've upgraded all my furniture and kitchen tools, I'm pretty set in the clothing department, and I probably wouldn't let you pick something out for me anyway, I've got tons of books, and a library to access. And not only that, I'm going to be moving sometime next year, and so I'm actually looking to get rid of Stuff, not get more. So I thought about it for a while, and I finally figured out what I want.

I want your stories and your recipes.

I love hearing from other people the stories of their lives, the things that made them into who they are, and I would love having this super amazing compilation of all the stories of the people that I love, and that have influenced me. The stories about how they found their faith or how they lost it, the stories of the moments that shaped them and sent their lives on unexpected pathways. I think it would be extremely awesome.

I also am always on the lookout for delicious recipes. I keep them on postcards in a binder, and I think your recipes should be there too. Particularly the ones that you think of as "your" recipes. For example, my chili recipe (which yes, I did initially borrow, but which I put a Jules spin on) is a recipe that I think of as a "Jules" recipe, because it's one that I make and serve others regularly. And if you send it on a post card, twice as good.

So this year, you can skip the stores for me. I don't want Stuff, I want stories. And recipes.