It looks like we may get a tiny amount of snow in Chicago for Christmas for a hint of a white Christmas.
Last night, I made our traditional Cioppino soup — a tradition started by my late father, Jack Turley. I hated the soup as a kid so fate has left this tradition to me. I am now as addicted to the soup as my father was. It was a great meal after a day with the family at the Museum of Science and Industry. (The day before we went to the wonderful Art Institute and the day before that we went to the Chicago Historical Museum with its exhibit on magic).
On Christmas Eve, we then went to Midnight mass at St. Mary’s of the Lake to hear my 85 year old mother sing in the choir. Today, I am cooking the beef as well as the Yorkshire pudding, horseradish. and gravy. We will have the entire family clan over to the house.
Waiting For Santa were notes from the kids and peppermint bark with milk. The notes this year were intriguing.
Aidan (10), for example, wrote Santa a note that said that he is “thankful for you, but there is a problem with the watching thing for me. I am fine with the “he knows if you are good or bad and he know when you’re awake. But the “he sees you want your sleeping” is a bit obsessive. I mean all you need to know is if I was bad or good and it gets a bit creepy when you keep searching for us when we sleep. Well, Merry Christmas, Your thankful/questioning, Aidan.”
Jack took an even more novel approach. On his relatively short list for Santa, he asked for “information.” He then followed with a questionnaire and a requested essay from Santa. The ten questions included such queries as “how many gallons/pounds of milk and cookies do you inject every Christmas?” and “How do you work off the milk and cookies?” He also asks for Mrs. Clauses’ first name and “do you ever use a different hairdo/suit/color and if so, what?”
He then asks Santa to fill in a blank sheet with an essay but gave him the choice to two subjects: “what is it like on a regular day at the workshop? or “what is delivering presents like?”
Madie (7) simply did an elaborate picture attached to a five page, single spaced wish list.
Well, it is 1 am in Chicago and Santa’s little helpers are dead on their feet.
The Turley family wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday. I will be toasting our blog family tonight and give thanks for the wonderful community we have created at this site.
Best wishes,
Jonathan Turley