Dear Santa, it’s me, Dave — longtime believer, occasional rule-breaker, and certified good boy (pending your final review). I’m sending this letter early this year, before Alison finds a way to edit it.
I’ve been on my best behavior this year…mostly. I’ve learned that the turbo boost button in my car should only be used when Alison isn't in the passenger seat. I’ve learned to load the dishwasher correctly, and I’ve achieved inner peace at 4-way stops, even in Edmond, where many drivers base the rightof-way on car value. If these don't qualify me for the Nice List, please reconsider your grading system.
In the spirit of the season, I submit my humble Christmas list:
• More hair, if you have any in stock. I’m running low. If you don't have any, I’d be happy to receive more hats. Preferably, no flat bills, please. I’m an adult.
• An extra hour in every day labeled “Do Not Schedule.”
• Two invitations to Taylor and Travis’s wedding—or perhaps another Chiefs Super Bowl victory.
• More small dinner plates. With the household’s “no paper plates” policy remaining non-negotiable, they always seem to be in the sink or dishwasher.
• And most importantly, continued good health for my family and me — and our two dogs, Bailey and Redford.
Regarding gratitude, I appreciate the opportunity to work with the wonderful team at Back40 and Edmond Outlook—as well as our advertisers who make this magazine possible. I'm thankful for my ongoing remission, Alison, my friends, and AT&T dropping fiber in my neighborhood.
Merry Christmas, Santa. I’ll leave some cookies out, but please be careful with the plate. Remember, we’re running low on those.
Dave Miller Publisher & Back40 Design President
The Win That Wasn't A Championship
By Taylor Bollinger
Measured in Character
When the final buzzer sounded at the 2025 district championship game, The Academy girls basketball team erupted in celebration. It was a hard-fought battle against Apache High School but they had won by one – or so they thought.
Later that night, long after the gym had emptied, The Academy’s Coach, Brendan King, sat in his Edmond home replaying the game. Something about the score didn’t sit right. At one in the morning, and after numerous calculations, he realized his team had actually lost the game by a single point.
During the game, a scoring mix-up temporarily stopped play. The scoreboard showed The Academy trailing by four, but the official scorebook listed them trailing by two. According to the rules, the book takes precedence. The game resumed, and The Academy appeared to win by a single point.
trophy back,” he said. “I felt proud of them in a new way, not just for how they play, but for who they are.”
That evening, King called Apache’s coach to explain. The Academy also reported the mistake to the OSSAA, which confirmed the score and rescinded the win. Within hours, King and his wife were on the road, driving an hour and a half south to personally return the trophy to Apache’s team. “They were shocked,” he said. “When the game night had ended, Apache was preparing to enter the playoffs with a loss.”
I didn’t want to believe it.
Now in his fifth year of coaching, King says it was one of the proudest moments of his career. “A lot of my coaches and teachers growing up made a huge impact on me as mentors,” he said. “I see this role as my chance to pay it forward.”
“I didn’t want to believe it,” King said. “We’d already celebrated. But I knew we had to make it right.”
The following afternoon, he gathered his players. “We met after church, and they could tell something was wrong,” he said. “I told them I’d gone back through everything and we actually lost by one.”
Though tears and frustration might have been understandable, his team responded with the kind of sportsmanship coaches aim to foster in their players. “They all agreed it was the right thing to do to hand the
He appreciates the entire experience as a living lesson in sportsmanship. “One of our biggest themes is being honorable,” King said. “I tell my players, every time you wear that uniform, you represent yourself, your family, and your school.”
When The Academy returned to the court the following week, they played not as defending champions, but as something better: a team that chose integrity over glory. “The togetherness didn’t change,” King said. “We are every bit as united in a loss as we are in a win.”
Coach King (Center) Lila Adel, Ellie Cheng, Lily Payne, Audrey Highberger, Peyton Damron, Lydia Cawley, and Maya Beasley.
FROM THEIR KITCHEN TO YOUR TABLE
DONATOS PIZZA
Will and Matt McLain, Edmond natives and Donatos Pizza franchise partners, invite you to enjoy Donatos for your holiday parties or family gatherings. Try the thin crust with Edge-toEdge toppings, handtossed, thicker crust, or cauliflower crust pizza. They’re loaded with aged smoked provolone, Romano cheese, and your choice of homemade pepperoni, sausage, fresh veggies, or other toppings. Or go for oven-roasted wings, baked subs, crisp salads and more. Visit 1148 S. Bryant or 2929 NW 178th St., Edmond. Get 15% off orders of $50 or more (code 030), 20% off orders over $100 (code 197) and $50 off orders over $200 (code 542). Eat in, pick up, or get it delivered. Order at Donatos.com.
YOLKIZZ CAFE
Yolkizz Café is a local, family-owned breakfast spot serving up comfort and joy every morning from 7am to 2pm. This holiday season, they are offering Christmas Individual Take-Home Meals — a perfect, easy option for families to enjoy a homemadestyle feast without the stress. Follow them on social media for updates and preorder details. They also offer seasonal drinks like Peppermint Mochas and Salted Caramel Lattes, the perfect pairings for their hearty breakfast and brunch favorites. Let Yolkizz Café make your holidays brighter — one warm meal (and latte) at a time! Visit 737 W. Danforth Rd., Edmond, or yolkizzcafe.com, or call 405-562-3438.
BRICKTOWN BREWERY
By Laura Beam
Whether it’s a cozy dinner at home or a fun lunch out with friends, Bricktown Brewery has all the craveable tastes you love! Warm up with delicious apps like the Bricktown Sampler or Boom Boom Shrimp. Enjoy burgers, chicken sandwiches, and fantastic pizzas. Or try their famous go-to dishes like Big Mike’s Meatloaf and the Loaded Sweet Potato Fries–yum! Don’t forget their party platters featuring shareable portions of all your faves, Bricktown Brewery six packs for takeout, and holiday gift cards with a $5 bonus for every $25 gift card purchase through Dec. 31! Visit 1150 E. 2nd St., Edmond, or order online for takeout or delivery at bricktownbrewery.com.
TAO CHA CAFE
Tao Cha Café was born from a love of sharing authentic Asian comfort food and handcrafted drinks with the Edmond community. Every morning, this local, familyowned restaurant freshly brews their teas and cooks their boba pearls in-house for the perfect texture and flavor. Their signature rice boxes, fried rice, and lo mein are customer favorites — and their new soup dumplings have quickly become a local hit! Whether you’re craving a cozy meal or a refreshing milk tea, Tao Cha Café brings a taste of home to every bite. Mention this offer and receive 10% off your meal! Visit 331 S. Blackwelder Ave., Edmond, order online at taochacafeonline.com, or call 405-348-7777.
LAURA BEAM
Account Executive, editor, and writer with experience in radio, newspaper and magazines. Interested in what Outlook can do for your business? Email laura@edmondoutlook.com.
Full Steam Ahead Mike Morgan and Son Tanner’s Backyard Railroad
By Taylor Bollinger
Known for guiding Oklahomans through stormy skies, KFOR meteorologist Mike Morgan has spent the past fifteen years building something far more grounded: an intricate, working steam railroad on his family’s north Oklahoma City property. And he hasn’t done it alone. His son, Tanner Morgan, has been by his side at every curve.
The 27-year-old head band director at Edmond Memorial High School shared the story of how a father-and-son hobby transformed into a life-sized masterpiece. “Dad was a train fanatic growing up,” Tanner said. “When I came along, that love came roaring back. We started train chasing all over the place – Portland, St. Louis, even England – just to see these famous steam engines in action.”
Those adventures sparked an idea that would turn into a lifelong endeavor. When Tanner was 14, Mike purchased a 7.5-inch-gauge live steam locomotive from California. They embarked on the road trip, not realizing they were starting a 15-year journey of shoveling, grading, and learning on the fly.
“The engine was too big for any local tracks,” Tanner said. “So we decided to build our own. It’s about threequarters of a mile long now, with an 80-foot bridge and an engine house. It runs just like the full-size trains we used to chase.”
The Morgans laid every section of rail themselves, chiseling through bedrock and carving curves to precise specifications. “Steam engines don’t like tight turns,” Tanner said. “So every piece of track had to be placed just right.”
Through it all, father and son forged more than a railroad. “We worked on it through my entire teenage years,” Tanner said. “There were plenty of times we butted heads. I’d have one idea; Dad would have another. But that process of working hard together and figuring it out really strengthened our relationship.”
Today, the Morgans’ backyard railroad is a fully functional loop that connects their neighboring properties, complete with steam-hauled maintenance trains and multiple locomotives. Tanner now maintains the engines, fabricating parts and overseeing rebuilds,
The Morgans laid every section of rail themselves — about three-quarters of a mile long with an 80-foot bridge and an engine house.
while Mike keeps the track balanced and level. “This was really my dad’s vision,” Tanner said. “I’ve just been lucky enough to be part of it. He’s the best dad anyone could ever have.”
For Mike, the project has always been rooted in something deeper. “My wife Marla and I believe that family is the greatest gift God can give us on this earth,” he said. Whether reading the radar or riding the rails, Mike shared, “simply being present for my children is a privilege, a gift, and indeed an honor.”
Mike and Tanner Morgan
Ms. Christmas Making
Spirits Bright, One Home at a Time
By Taylor Bollinger
Known as Shell Meador for most of the year, the Edmond interior decorator takes on a new name each November: Ms. Christmas. For more than a decade, she’s brought sparkle and sanity to local homes and businesses through her white-glove holiday decorating service.
“I’ve always loved decorating for Christmas in particular,” she said. “I started just helping my interior design clients. By 2011, I was doing several houses, and by 2014, I was completely booked.”
“Booked” that year meant 25 clients. Now, Shell begins decorating on November 1 to keep up with demand. “This year I have ten clients celebrating their ten-year anniversaries with me,” she said proudly.
Word of her custom decorating services spread quickly among clients. Today, Shell’s schedule includes around ten commercial projects – banks, restaurants, even Capitol Grille – alongside dozens of homes. One full-time assistant and four part-time assistants work alongside Ms. Christmas herself to turn homes from ordinary to merry in a single day.
“We arrive around 8:30 in the morning, decorate, clean up, and by the time they’re home from work, their house has been transformed,” Shell said. “For a lot of families, Christmas decorating has turned into another chore. When we take care of it, they get to actually enjoy the season again.”
Shell’s process is a blend of artistry and empathy. She begins with her clients’ existing décor, asking for photos of how they’ve done it in the past. From there, she refreshes and refines – new ribbon every few years, updated floral arrangements, fresh lighting. At each takedown in January, she and her clients plan the next season while the ideas are still fresh.
“I think moms especially can get a little resentful of the workload,” she said. “Once they find someone to handle the decorating, they can do the fun stuff again, like bake cookies, drive around to see lights, and just enjoy their families.”
Her favorite part? Round-eyed reactions. “When clients walk in and see that tree we’ve spent hours on, their faces just light
up,” Shell said. “What would’ve taken them a week is done in a day, and they’re thrilled.”
From lavish 9-foot trees packed with ribbon and floral sprays to commercial lobbies trimmed in metallics and greenery, every job ends with hugs – and sometimes, happy tears. “Even in offices, people say, ‘It’s my favorite day of the year when Ms. Christmas comes!’”
Though her schedule fills quickly – 38 days of decorating magic – Shell insists there’s a larger message behind the glitter. “It’s okay to ask for help,” she said. “You don’t have to do everything yourself. There are people who can help bring back the joy of Christmas.”
You can find Shell on Facebook at Mschristmasdecorator.
Shell’s Five Quick Decorating Tips
1. Decorate by color on the tree. Work one color at a time so your tree looks balanced from top to bottom and front to back.
2. Fluff your tree skirt. Hide a few old pillows or blankets under the skirt to create soft mounds—it makes your tree look fuller and more elegant.
3. Treat your tree like a floral arrangement. Add sprigs, poinsettias, or glittery stems to fill gaps and create texture. Think of it as “arranging,” not just decorating.
4. Use ribbon generously. Wrap ribbon around the tree in circles or make big bows. Shell refreshes her clients’ ribbon every three years to keep things fresh.
5. Start early! Don’t wait until mid-December to unpack the boxes. “If you haven’t decorated yet,” Shell said, “this is your starting whistle.”
(Above) Shell Meador, Holiday Interior Designer, Ms. Christmas Interiors with Holiday Design Assistants Hillary Dominey and Brice Kerby
Living Small Marc Mead’s Big World of Miniatures
By Amy Dee Stephens
As a child, Marc Mead loved building houses out of cardboard boxes. Even his earliest attempts had an elevated level of technicality, with sliding balcony doors and a working elevator made from a mustard lid and a spool of thread.
“I made crude furniture out of bottles and scraps, scavenging pieces from my broken toys to save for future projects,” Marc said. “I dreamed in cardboard, envisioning magnificent floor plans.”
Marc explored miniature building off and on over the years, though his fascination with architecture remained constant. He experimented with building an elaborate kitchen with cabinets covered in contact paper and river rocks glued to the wall. When it came time to move to a new house, he made the conscious decision to “let it go,” even though he had spent so much time on it. Marc took photographs of the house, scavenged it for parts, and destroyed it.
“When you pour your creativity into a project for so long, it becomes part of you,” Marc said. “It was a bit like a funeral, but I have wonderful memories of dreaming it up and building it.”
The Beautiful Disaster
A decade passed. Marc’s scrap drawers filled with bits and pieces, waiting for new inspiration. His next big project was a two-story floor plan. “It was magnificent, but the roof seams and the windows failed, so I named it The Beautiful Disaster and set it aside for 15 years.”
Two local events propelled him to the next level. First, he visited The Miniature White House when it traveled to the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. Second, he was captivated by the 2001 Symphony Designer Show House with an elaborate domed ceiling and bay windows, with similarities to The Beautiful Disaster.
Building on his previous experience, he replicated the room, and then, Marc was inspired by a Parade of Homes project with a piano room, intricate tile flooring and stained-glass windows. Each element of the room became a complicated project within itself. Fortunately, Marc discovered the Oklahoma City Miniature Club. By attending monthly meetings and classes, he expanded his skills and networked with miniature experts all over the world.
“Anything full-sized can be made small-sized,” Marc said. “My specialties are buildings and furniture, but I barter with
other artisans for miniature pieces such as plants, people, clothing, or silver. There are even standout experts who craft tiny crystal decanters or one-inch paintings of museum-quality. I can’t afford to live in such opulent places, but when I’m building a miniature, I am living in it.”
Big Time Miniatures
Marc’s hobby skills have advanced to such a high level that he is now displaying his work at shows in Dallas. When his creations are photographed, it is almost impossible to distinguish his work from an actual building, including his most recent accomplishment — a 4-gallon working swimming pool!
Marc flexes his creative building skills at work as a sign builder for Vital Signs. He describes his workplace as a “wonderland” of tools. “I love my work. I get to be artistic at work, then go home and be artistic in a different way. I can’t think of a better life,” Marc said. “When I finish a project, I sit back and it feels so extremely satisfying. No, that isn’t a strong enough word to describe how it feels,” Marc pauses to think. “I think the word is…fulfilling.”
Follow Marc on Facebook and Instagram @marcmeadminiatures.
Cole "The Slaw" Harvey Dominates National Tournament
By Taylor Bollinger
Edmond teen Cole Harvey doesn’t spend much time on video games or social media. Most afternoons, you’ll find him barefoot on the mat at Pride Mixed Martial Arts training, teaching, and preparing for his next fight. That focus paid off in October when the 17-year-old, known in the ring as “The Slaw” – a more intimidating moniker than “Cole Slaw” – won the adult featherweight division at the prestigious TBA-SA Tournament of Champions in Des Moines, Iowa.
The annual event, sanctioned by the Thai Boxing Association Sanctioning Authority, is one of the most competitive amateur Muay Thai tournaments in the United States. For Harvey, it marked the first time competing as an adult in the advanced Class B bracket, a level reserved for fighters with several bouts under their belt. Cole didn’t just hold his own. He achieved a decisive victory, stopping his opponent in the second round after two standing eight-counts.
“It was surreal to win in my first adult bracket at such a major event,” said Harvey. “I’ve trained hard with my team at Pride MMA, and I’m excited to keep pushing forward.”
Harvey’s passion for Muay Thai started early. “My sister did cheer right across the street, and her friend had a brother who invited me to come check it out,” he said. “I just stuck with it.” That “sticking with it” has turned into 11 years of training, with Harvey spending six days a week at the gym.
“Cole is a remarkable young man,” said Jason Epps, Cole’s coach and the owner and head instructor at Pride
Mixed Martial Arts. “He’s dedicated, disciplined, and dangerous in the ring. He’s here from after school until evening, training, coaching the younger students, and leading by example. A lot of parents want their kids to model after him, and I can’t think of a higher compliment.”
Muay Thai, often called “the art of eight limbs,” uses punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. But for Harvey, it’s more than physical skill. It’s about respect and connection. “Muay Thai has taught me time management and respect,” he said. “It’s not just about fighting. It’s an art that honors Thai culture.”
Both coach and competitor agree: “Muay Thai builds respect not rivalries.”
Now a senior, Cole is already a three-time TBA World Classic champion and hopes to keep climbing the ranks. “Competing has been my dream for the last couple of years,” he said. “I want to go pro, keep fighting, and see how far I can go.”
With Muay Thai recently accepted into the Olympics, that goal may be closer than ever. But for now, Edmond’s own “Slaw” is staying grounded by training hard, helping others, and keeping his eyes on the next challenge.
“You’re gonna have days that feel terrible,” Harvey said. “But you can’t let that stop you. You just keep moving forward.”
You can find Cole on Instagram @cole_harveymma.
Cole Harvey
Cole Harvey with 2025 Tournament of Champions Belt, Men's Class B Featherweight submitted
ECEC Early Childhood Enrichment
At ECEC, Early Childhood Enrichment Center, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Step outside and you’ll find nearly half an acre of outdoor space filled with gardens, trees, and laughter. Children here grow flowers and vegetables, plan projects, and measure their progress in sunlight and soil rather than screen time.
“We’re not just growing plants,” says Director BreeAnna Curtis, who has led the program since graduating from UCO’s early childhood program. “We’re growing experiences, patience, and confidence.”
BreeAnna began her ECEC journey six years ago as a student teacher, working in every classroom before becoming
Assistant Director her senior year. Since taking the helm, she’s helped five teachers earn their Master Teacher credentials and has continued to care for families with an intentional, personal touch.
Her leadership is reflected in every part of the center’s vibrant outdoor environment. Children learn math through measuring garden rows, explore science through pollination and plant life cycles, and discover the value of delayed gratification when they finally harvest the vegetables they’ve nurtured. “It warms my heart when a nine-year-old stops a football game to come help pull radishes,” BreeAnna says. “That’s real learning–no screens, just life.”
Inside, creativity thrives through art and hands-on problem-solving. ECEC kids paint, build, and even take on unique projects like repairing furniture or learning strategy and sequencing with mahjong tiles. Social skills grow alongside curiosity through both structured academics and plenty of play.
ECEC also extends its lessons in kindness beyond the playground. Students volunteer at the food bank each school break, and the center recently hosted its first Fall Festival; complete with a petting zoo, games, food truck, and plenty of community spirit.
“Coming out of COVID, we focused on care and connection,” Curtis says.
“Problem-solving builds confidence, and confidence builds secure, happy kids.”
At ECEC, those lessons bloom everywhere; in the classroom, the garden, and every proud smile that comes with pulling up the season’s first radish.
To choose a more inspiring start for your child, call 405-562-1315. ECEC is located at 19000 N May Ave. You can check out their Facebook page at ECEC for more photos and activities.
To promote your business with a BIZLOOK feature, contact Laura at laura@edmondoutlook.com.
Dr. Martha Garzon Pediatric Dentist
For more than two decades, Dr. Martha Garzon has helped Edmond’s youngest residents achieve healthy, confident smiles. As the owner of Martha Garzon Caring and Friendly Pediatric Dentistry, she’s known for her gentle touch, personal attention, and commitment to treating every child as if they were her own.
Dr. Garzon opened her Edmond practice in December 2001 after moving from Boston when her husband joined the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Before launching her private practice, she worked in local pediatric dental practices. “Those experiences helped me get to know the community,” she says. “Choosing Edmond as the
place to live and work was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Her practice offers a full range of preventive and restorative services, including sealants, fillings, nitrous oxide, sedation, and general anesthesia. What sets Dr. Garzon and her caring team apart is the time they dedicate to ensure every visit is comfortable and positive, along with their strong emphasis on prevention and patient education. “We explain each step in a way children can understand and give them time to develop their strengths and preferences so they can feel confident and comfortable with dentistry. We teach families how to take care of their children’s teeth, make healthy food choices, and protect their smiles during play or sports.”
Dr. Garzon appreciates the freedom of private practice, where she can spend the time needed to truly get to know her patients. “Personal relationships and trust mean everything in pediatric care,” she says.
Dr. Garzon’s compassion extends beyond her office. She volunteers for organizations such as the Edmond Women’s Club and Latinas Win. She also teaches at the Pediatric Dentistry Department at the OU College of Dentistry.
Over the years, many of her patients have grown and gone off to college, but they still
return to her practice for their dental care; some even bring their own children. She is honored to meet parents or patients who share their gratitude and memories with her. For Dr. Garzon, those lasting relationships are the greatest reward, reflecting the heart of her practice: caring for Edmond’s children as they grow into healthy, confident adults who keep smiling for life.
Dr. Garzon is located at 870 South Kelly Avenue in Edmond and online at marthagarzondmd.com. You can also call the office at (405) 348-5757.
To promote your business with a BIZLOOK feature, contact Laura at laura@edmondoutlook.com.
Dr. Martha Garzon
The Musical Red House
By Amy Dee Stephens
A year ago, the Soltani Music School at Thatcher and Boulevard was not on Ali and Andrea’s radar. After years of performing professionally and giving private music lessons in their detached garage, however, the space had reached capacity. It was time to expand, but few businesses wanted to share real estate with such noisy neighbors.
“Last Christmas, I was driving our baby around in the middle of the night so he would fall asleep,” Ali said. “I drove by a house on the market. When I took Andrea to see it, she immediately said, ‘That’s it! That’s our music school.’”
The house captivated the Soltanis because it was so similar to their own historic home, an early 1900s Craftsman-style house. “It had the inviting family atmosphere we wanted to carry on in our new location,” Ali said.
A Colorful History
Historically, Craftsman homes had bright, bold colors, and Andrea felt strongly about returning the house to its American roots. Several houses in the area were already painted blue, so after scouring the Colonial Williamsburg paint collection, they narrowed it down to red.
“It reminded me of schoolhouse red, barn red, and the red color of our new logo,” Andrea said. “The further along we got, every decision started to become historically significant.”
As Andrea began the interior decorating process, she envisioned each teaching room in the house as a place to immerse students in important musical time periods. The end result spans three centuries of musicians, with rooms dedicated to Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, and The Beatles.
In selecting wall colors, light fixtures, and décor, Andrea studied each composer and the aesthetics of the homes, churches, and conservatories where they lived and worked.
The Beethoven Room, for example, includes an imitation of Beethoven’s famous composing desk, with an ink well and quill, a teacup, and crumpled-up staff paper. The Mozart Room has a harpsichord and a dress-up opportunity, complete with a white wig and a red coat.
“It’s not completely period accurate, but each room gives an impression of the time period, like a living history museum. I wanted to bring history to life for kids,” Andrea said. “Now, our students have a strong impression of what each time period is about.”
A Musical Home
When the Soltanis officially opened the music school in June, they had 150 students, aged three to 93 — but that quickly increased to 300. Ali, Andrea, and 16 hired instructors teach piano, guitar, ukulele, cello, violin, viola, and voice lessons.
“We hire good people who make the students feel comfortable, whether they are a beginner, a hobbyist, or an advanced player,” Ali said. “Every day, I see people come out of their lessons with smiles and hugs for their teachers.”
“We want students to have positive encounters with music so that it transforms their lives,” Andrea added. “Ultimately, everything we’ve built is for the students and families of the Edmond community, who’ve become part of our family. The house isn’t just our house anymore, it’s a public space.”
“Ultimately, we knew that history and music nerds would understand Andrea’s concept of creating a historic atmosphere for the school, but it’s been humbling to experience such a positive reaction at large,” Ali said. “I still feel like we are teaching from our home, but it’s not our living room rug anymore, it’s the Mozart Room rug.”
Visit SoltaniMusic.com to learn more.
Ali and Andrea Soltani
The Fragrance of Christmas
By Louise Tucker Jones
I share an online Bible study with several women, and the facilitator always asks a few ladies to tell about their favorite fragrance. I’m not a ready volunteer, but I’m thinking my favorite might be Christmas. Yep, Christmas definitely has a beautiful aroma!
I remember the pungent scent of cedar trees that Daddy would cut and carry into our little farm house for decorating. The smell of Mama’s cakes, pies and homemade rolls just out of the oven.
As an adult, I especially loved the smell of the breads and cookies I baked at Christmas. Gifting them to friends and neighbors. It’s still my passion! I once had a tiny, recipe book with Christmas foods
from around the world and tried several recipes, including miniature, Mexican cookies wrapped in colorful paper rolls. But my favorite was the Cream Puff Christmas Tree (French Croquembouche).
My husband and kids helped fill dozens of miniature cream puffs to stack into the shape of a Christmas tree then drizzle with green icing. Even our youngest, Jay, still in a high chair, was pulled up to the kitchen bar with his dad and brother and sister. It became a game as to who could fill and stack the most cream puffs, so our tree didn’t exactly match the recipe’s picture, but it was fun and tasty.
Then there were the Bourbon cookies I baked only at Christmas with our neighbor always supplying the Bourbon since we didn’t keep liquor on hand. It became a holiday tradition with our two families. And oh, the pure pleasure of cookie baking with my grandchildren as they cut out and decorated Christmas sugar cookies to their heart’s content. It was especially fun if their parents weren’t there, because Grammi-Lou would let them sample several goodies.
There’s just something unique about holiday scents. It’s the aroma of love. Being with family and friends. Sharing a
meal. Opening a gift. Honoring precious, loved ones who are spending Christmas in heaven. And what a blessed joy to gather at a Christmas Eve candlelight service and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
It’s the true fragrance of Christmas! Jones Family ~ 1983
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker & founder of Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows. LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.
a look back Christmas Downtown
In 1954, a festive Downtown Edmond is adorned with Christmas decorations hanging over Broadway Ave. Garlands and a “Merry Christmas” wreath are strung across the road. Classic cars line the street in front of familiar storefronts like Safeway and Anthony’s, capturing the small-town holiday spirit that filled Edmond’s downtown during the postwar years.
Photo provided by Edmond History Museum. edmondhistory.org
