We are spending Christmas with my family this year in good ol’ Alamosa, Colorado. Heard of it? I didn’t think so. It’s two hours from any major city and shopping mall, and four hours from a major airport. It will most likely be 10 below zero, snowing, and windy. Jealous? I didn’t think so. Yes, I grew up there and yes, I loved it. And I love going home for the holidays. It’s relaxing, all about seeing family and friends, and enjoying our Christmas traditions together.
For as long as I can remember, my grandparents have been at our house Christmas morning to open presents with us. They’d be there for our grand entrance into the living room to see what Santa brought us. After opening presents, my grandma (with the help of my mom) would make us the best fried pork chops, with biscuits and gravy, hot cocoa and grapefruit. Everyone in my family has always looked forward to it.
Well, it is just my grandma now. She is 84 and still comes over Christmas morning and makes her fried pork chops. I’m more excited about spending another Christmas with her and embracing the tradition she has given our family, than the actual pork chops themselves. For years she has put so much meaning and love into our Christmas breakfast. It’s a tradition I want to continue for her. And you better believe my husband is on board. He loves him some fried chops.
What does this have to do with muffins? Well, I’m thinking this Christmas I’ll pop these muffins into the oven before everyone wakes up. I like the idea of waking up to the smell of fresh muffins and enjoying a warm one while opening presents. (We wake up around six or seven and the big breakfast ends up being more of a brunch around 11am, so we might need a little something to hold us over.)
I know Alamosa! It’s near the Great Sand Dunes National Park. I haven’t been there in a long time though. Have fun on your trip.
These muffins look and sound delicious!! Love molasses:) Hope all goes well in the middle of “nowhere” lol!! 😉 Love the Christmas morning story!
Kristy, My dad was born and raised in Alamosa!!! I’ve totally been there! How random is that?
Those muffins look so good, and I’m sure will smell amazing. I hope you have so much fun with your family! I love traditions.
p.s. thanks for making me feel better about snowy morning fail yesterday. I am sorry your keys were locked in your car 🙁 that is SUPER annoying!
i am going to demand a fried pork chop this year! that sounds amazing!!
hope you have a great Christmas and an amazing time with your family- stay warm!
You’re one of the lucky ones in Colorado. I’ve been living here since the third grade and I’m now a junior and never once has it not snowed at least 10 times before Christmas and now…NADA! It’s only snowed here twice! (If you can call it snow – more like a light dusting…) It makes me sad. Well, anyway, these look absolutely amazing and I’m now considering making them for my own Christmas morning breakfast!
I know exactly where Alamosa is 🙂 Have a wonderful time and tell your family hi. Sounds like a tasty breakfast, too!
WOW those muffins look amazing! I can’t believe how cold it is there…I do love small towns though:) Your hubby played for BYU that is incredible…I bet he really loves your cooking!
Our last name is Smith…I realize that doesn’t help much. My dad just went back there for his highschool reunion this summer. Maybe you recognize some peeps from these pics??
http://thesmithclan20.blogspot.com/2010/09/ahs-reunion.html
I’ll have to ask him who he still knows around there. What is your maiden name??
Mmmmm….fried pork chop….