Family traditions fascinate me. I am curious about why certain practices carry staying power while others fall by the wayside with each generation. Holiday traditions, in particular, cause me to question. For example, our 12-foot tree sits in our current home in our entryway because this is the only ample space. However, due to sheer comfort, we enjoy opening our gifts in our living room, so our simple solution was to have the kids pile all the presents on a huge blanket and drag it from the entryway to the living room every Christmas morning. What began as a solution to a problem transformed into a tradition we carry out each year. No matter our location, they pile the gifts on a blanket and pull them over to the couch. It is the practice that must occur before the unwrapping can commence.
As I take in rows of colorful jars ornately decorating this bookshelf, I wholeheartedly agree. They are gorgeous and as significant as any piece of art. I zoom in on the picture to better see what was gathered and preserved when I think back to my grandmother’s house and the space she created to house all of the fruits of her gains from that season’s harvest.