Welcome to Families First Monthly

From The Heart

Our family had our annual cookie day and it included 4 generations. My mom makes her specialty hot dogs for our lunch. The “special,” aside from mom making them, is there are slits cut in the center and cheddar cheese and cooked bacon is placed inside. We all enjoy them with a side of chips and some veggies. The cookies are always traditional sugar cookies. My mother has them all set to go when we walk in and as we are choosing our favorites, my sister helps with the frostings and there are always many colors. There are decorating condiments galore. This year I learned a trick with the butterscotch chips: I loved their color for my camel so I smashed some under my spoon into crumples, then I mixed them in with the white frosting. My camel had a rich texture and the frosting tasted a level above the rest. My loon cookie turned out nicely, and I saw a horse cookie that had no tail or ears so I turned it into an Okapi. I used a cell phone photo for reference. On their cookies, the littlest grandchildren put as many sprinkles, mini M&Ms, and chocolate chips as could fit with out falling off. They also ate as many cookies as they were allowed.

This issue has some Christmas stories and holiday stories in general. I really like “The Christmas Courier,” a fictional story by Jackie Bojarski. Stories on train travel and moving tips are also included in this issue.

There are ads throughout this issue to color in and send to us for a chance to win some wonderful prizes offered by our advertisers. See the list of prizes below. Have fun finding an ad to color.

Thank you for reading—

Have a happy Christmas and a merry New Year.

Laura Lee Kalchik

14 PRIZES TO BE AWARDED – $1,026 value:
Labadie’s Summer Place Casuals, Beulah • $250 Gift Certificate – 2020 Season
Nauti-Cat, TC • Cruise for 4, 2020 sailing season – $160 value
Riverside Canoe Trips, Honor • Tubing for 2 or Canoeing for 3 $55 value – 2 prizes
Oryana Community Co-op, Traverse City • $50 gift card – 2 prizes
Once Upon A Child in Traverse City • $85 gift card
L Saile Designer Jewelry –Cedar, * Sweetstone Earrings $65 value
Hazelnut Kids Online Store with Free TC pick up • $50 gift card
Korner Gem in Greilickville • $50 gift certificate
Tucker’s of Northport • Bowling for 4 and a Pizza- $50 value
The Cottage in Traverse City • Dining gift card $40
The State Theatre or The Bijou by the Bay • 4 movie passes $36 value
Dolls & More in Northport • $30 gift certificate