Surname Saturday - Ancestor #33 - FNU LNU (wife of FNU Spurlock)

Ah, FNU LNU (first name unknown, last name unknown)! I am getting to some brick walls here.

Ancestor #33 would be the mother of my paternal 2nd great-grandfather Ransom Spurlock. There is some evidence that Ancestor #32, Ransom's father, may have been John Spurlock; however, I am not certain of that yet.

There is some thought that John Spurlock's wife was Sarah Avent/Avant. No marriage record has been found. There is evidence that the Avent/Avant family was in Washington County, Georgia, in the late 1700s to early 1800s. The given name Ransom is also found in the Avent/Avant family.

Not much to go on...

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Wordless Wednesday - Family Fun Time

Playing our favorite dice game!

Denise Spurlock, Rana Spurlock, Bonnie Sherrell, Chris Morris, and you can almost see Beaulah Yawman Spurlock on the far right!

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Wordless Wednesday - Beaulah, the Red-Nosed Grandma

Digital image. Original photograph held by Jennifer Spurlock, [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR
PRIVACY], Denton, TX, 2012.

Beaulah Belle Yawman Sherrell Spurlock

Circa 1980

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 18 - Christmas Stockings

“The stockings were hung by the chimney” didn’t really apply to our Christmas stockings because we never lived in a house with a fireplace! But we did have stockings, probably hung on a nail or with tape on the wall, like the one in this photo taken at my sister Jane’s home when her children were young:

It was always fun to get up on Christmas morning and see what Santa had left in your stocking. It was filled with little gifts: toys or games, a small book, pen or pencil, playing cards, jacks, candy. Santa always left breakfast in your stocking too: an apple, a banana, an orange stuffed down in the toe, and some unshelled nuts!

I don’t have my childhood Christmas stocking, having lost it in a hasty move as a young adult. I wish I had it: my parents bought it for me in Alaska, during one of those years when Daddy had been working steadily and had money to spend.

Here is a photo of one of my son’s Christmas stockings. This one was “just for show,” that is, Santa didn’t fill it with goodies on Christmas Eve. It was given to him by his Grandma Nettie.

Family tradition is that you only have a Christmas stocking until you are 18 or married. But I continue to fill stockings every year for my son, his wife, and my two grandchildren, even though all of them are beyond the mandated age! Each has a stocking with his or her initial on it that is filled with silly toys, sample-size toiletries, candy, socks, and other odds and ends. (My daughter-in-law Christina was shocked when she got her first stocking—she was concerned we were trying to tell her something by giving her deodorant, a toothbrush and sample-size toothpaste!)

It will be fun when I can add stockings for great-grandchildren to the fray!

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. This post was originally published in 2011.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 15 - Holiday Birthdays

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. This post was originally published in 2011.

None of my direct line ancestors were married on Christmas Day, but one of my paternal 2^nd great-grandfathers, James Forshee, was born on Christmas in 1810. And I do have two siblings with December birthdays!

My sister Deanna, born on December 15, and

 My brother Arny, born on Christmas Eve!

Wishing them both the best of birthdays!

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 14 - Fruitcake: Friend or Foe?

Definitely FOE! Fruitcake is one Christmas tradition I can do without. There are reasons that there are so many jokes about Christmas fruitcakes.

I’ve tried to like it. I even made fruitcake one year. It was a lighter cake than most traditional fruitcakes and it was at least edible. But I’ve since decided the thing that goes into fruitcakes that I don’t like is the citron.

Not everyone in my family dislikes fruitcake. My mom liked fruitcake. My oldest sister Jane liked fruitcake so much that on an emergency trip from her home in Oklahoma to Houston to get her passport we had to stop in Corsicana, Texas, so she get could a fruitcake at the Collin Street Bakery!

By Jonathunder (Own work)
[CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
or GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. This post was originally published in 2011.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Gram's Scrapbook - Christmas Greetings

Gram saved several photo Christmas cards, probably because of the photos, because she didn't save many greeting cards. My parents didn't have cards like these made, but here is a sampling with pictures of some of my cousins:

June (Bourne) and Charles McKinley with
Charles McKinley, II, 1958.

Digital image; original held by Cheryl Chaney Beaver, [ADDRESS
WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Lone Grove, Oklahoma. 2012.

Jack and Betty (Magee) West with children,
Jack, Susan, Charla and William, c1958.
Digital image; original held by Cheryl Chaney Beaver, [ADDRESS
WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Lone Grove, Oklahoma. 2012.

The Children of Charles and June (Bourne) McKinley:
Carl, Chris, Cindy, Charles, c1963.

Digital image; original held by Cheryl Chaney Beaver, [ADDRESS
WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Lone Grove, Oklahoma. 2012.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 13 - The Three Wise Men

My granduncle Walter Ivan Martindale (1883-1958) wrote poetry for special occasions. Here is a poem he penned on a Christmas theme.

The Three Wise Men

Tis Christmas, and again we read that story never old,
Of how the wise men from afar, brought frankincense and gold.
And laid them at the feet of Him who in a manger lay,
And worshipped there the newborn King, on that first Christmas Day.
 

When I first heard this story, in my childhood long ago,
It was told me by my mother, by the evening’s fireside glow,
And I believed that story, how wise men from afar,
Came unto Bethlehem’s manger, by following a star.
 

The wise men of all ages, have come to that manger fair,
And laid their wealth and talents, at the feet of the Master there.
But what of the poor and the lowly, and sinners such as we,
May we not go to the manger, and our Redeemer see?
 

How can I come to the manger, when I have lost my way,
In a world of sin and sorrow, and have wandered far astray,
Tell me again that the star yet shines as in the days of yore,
And will lead me again to that manger, to kneel at his feet once more.
 

What can I bring to the Master, when his dear face I see,
No wisdom, frankincense or gold, nor merit found in me.
A wasted life! My sinful soul! Nay herein my hope lies,
That a broken and a contrite heart, my God will not despise.
 

Yes tell me again that story, that I have loved so long,
It will take away all sadness and fill the heart with song.
For with loved ones up in heaven, those three wise men I’ll meet,
And with them I shall worship at the blessed Master’s feet.

W. I. Martindale

Houston, Texas

Nov. 22, 1952

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 12 - Angel Tree Project

I've never been involved in any volunteer or charitable work during the holidays, other than supporting the Salvation Army by dropping a few dollars in their collection buckets and donating toys through Toys for Tots.

But my sister Jane and her husband Dale were honored by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services for their work on behalf of the Angel Tree Project. The story that appeared in the June 25, 1997, edition of The Lone Grove Ledger included the following details

"Dale and Jane Chaney, Lone Grove, are owner/operators of Dale's Market. For the past 13 years they have been an important part of the Angel Project. They place an Angel Tree in their business and are a drop site for gifts. The Chaneys ensure that every child receives a gift and that the gifts are delivered in time for Christmas.

"They also coordinate with the local newspaper, First Community Bank and Kiwanis Club of Lone Grove. This year they placed a copy of the 'Legend of the Candy Cane' and a candy cane with each child's gift.

"In 1996, a total of 951 children received gifts in time for Christmas. Carter County DHS appreciates the Chaney's part in making the long running Angel Project a success." 

Both Jane and Dale have passed on now; I didn't even know about their involvement with Angel Tree until after their deaths. Knowing of their commitment to this program brings me joy, and I hope there are others who carry on in their stead. To learn more about Angel Tree, click here.

Dale and Jane Chaney with Joyce Wilson, Area II Director, DHS. 1997.
Digital image; original photograph held by Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS
WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Lomita, California, 2012.

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. 


© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Wordless Wednesday - A Gingerbread Masterpiece

Digital image. Original held by Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY], Lomita, California, 2012.

Krishawna Belle Morris-Escarra and Ravin Belle Cooper

Christmas 2002, Bakersfield, California

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 11 - Never Trust the Box!

Do you poke around the Christmas tree looking for gifts with your name on them? When you find one, do you pick it up and shake it, sniff it, listen to it? Most of us do, which is why we have family traditions related to the wrapping and labeling of gifts.

My earliest recollection is when I was about 8 years old and we were living in Fairbanks, Alaska. There was a good-sized gift for me under the tree. When I opened it, I was disappointed to find a case of Camp Fire Girl mints! Not that I don't like candy, but I had been selling these for a while and was tired of them. Mama and Daddy just smiled and suggested I open the box. Inside was a pair of beautiful white ice skates! Lesson learned: NEVER trust the box.

Some of the unusual ways presents have been disguised: 

• a stuffed Smurf with a can of refried beans in a shoebox.
• a skateboard wrapped up in a sleeping bag in a big box.
• an I-Pod wrapped and then put in another box, wrapped and put in another box, wrapped...you get the idea.
• a watch sealed up in a can. (In the early 80s, there were kiosks in the mall where you could have this done....where's the can opener?)

Anything you can do to disguise the size, shape, or weight of the box will cause the "snoopers" hours of frustration and much laughter on Christmas morning!

And when you've finished wrapping, you have to put a tag on the gift so it gets to the right person. But why would anyone in their right mind reveal the identity of the giver? Of course, there are gifts from Santa and Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, the elves. But it's the Sugar Plum Fairy (aka SPF) who brings the gifts that get opened on Christmas Eve (always new jammies so you will look your best on Christmas morn!). And an amazing variety of folks have delivered gifts to our home: George Burns, Johnny Depp's wife, Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jack Skellington, and any number of actors, directors, and musical artists.

If you remember a particular gift-wrapping technique or gift-giver, post it in the comments section!



The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. This post was originally published in 2010.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 10 - Christmas Gfits

Finding just the right gift for someone is part of the fun, as well as part of the frustration, of holiday shopping!

Courtesy of The Graphics Fairy.

When I was a child, my brother-in-law Dale worked for a grocery store chain here in Southern California; one of the "perks" of the job was all the premiums that manufacturers gave out. My sister collected these throughout the year and then wrapped them up and gave them to us for Christmas. The only thing I remember getting was a deck of playing cards with the Virginia Slims cigarette logo all over them! I didn't care. It was another gift to open. The precedent of having lots of little gifts to open was set, and we still buy lots of little things to go under the tree. (Wrapping is a nightmare!)

Of course, we still received gifts that were purchased just for Christmas...clothes or a new toy or a book that we especially wanted.

One of the rules for gift-giving is that you don't give someone a "washboard" as a gift. This was Marshall's rule; Marshall was my other brother-in-law.  He defined a washboard as something that was needed like a new toaster or a drill set. (He always bought my sister the most beautiful jewelry!) So there are no practical gifts under our tree!

Books or book money (Barnes & Noble gift cards) are at the top of almost everyone's wish list. Oh, and speaking of wish lists, I do require them....and I need them on Thanksgiving weekend! Never mind that I may buy something totally NOT on the list....I still need your list!

Since everyone in the family collects something, gift selection is sometimes a little easier and can lead to some interesting finds. My mother collected pigs and my sister Jennifer collects gargoyles so when I saw this little cutie I couldn't resist buying him as their gift!

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. This post was originally published in 2011.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 9 - The Nutcracker

Seeing a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker is one of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season. It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s the Bolshoi Ballet or a children’s theater production—I love them all!

About ten years ago I took my granddaughter Krishawna to see the Inland Pacific Ballet's production at the Bridges Auditorium in Claremont, California. It was (I think) her first experience with a live performance of the ballet. I don’t have any pictures of the show itself, but I do have this photo of her just after I gave her the ticket:

Digital image. Copyright Denise Spurlock. 2011.

In 2006 Kris appeared in the San Pedro City Ballet’s production at the Warner Grand Theatre. She wasn't cast as Clara, but I know she enjoyed being part of the show!

When money is tight, I’m happy to watch the Nutcracker on television. A few years ago one of the cable channels ran a marathon of different productions, and we watched as many as we could!

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. This post was originally published in 2011.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 8 - Christmas Cookies

Photo by bizzymomma
posted at allrecipes.com

This is the season of the cranberry and I love finding recipes for, and then baking, different kinds of cranberry cookies. This recipe is for “cookies-in-a-jar” that you can give as a gift. When I first found this recipe, I gave it as a present to my niece’s husband for Christmas, along with some Pillsbury dough boy potholders! Enjoy!

Cranberry Hootycreeks

In the jar:

½ c. and 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

½ c. rolled oats

½ c. all-purpose flour

½ tsp. baking soda

1/3 c. brown sugar

1/3 c. white sugar

½ c. dried cranberries

½ c. white chocolate chips

½ c. chopped pecans

Photo by Sweetpea
posted at allrecipes.com

Additional ingredients needed:

½ c. butter or margarine (softened)

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper. In medium bowl, cream together the butter, egg, and vanilla until fluffy. Add all other ingredients and mix together by hand until well blended. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges start to brown. Cook on baking sheets or remove to cool on wire racks.

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. This post was originally published in 2011.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 7 - Candies, Cookies and Pie! Oh, My!

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. This post was originally published in 2010 and has been edited slightly. It does not follow the suggested blog prompt for the day!

The post about holiday foods was just a warm-up. The only reason to eat all that good-for-you food is to get to the desserts!

By Evan-Amos
via Wikimedia Commons

Candy is a staple for the holidays. Up first - chocolate cherries! My niece Leah recently posted on her Facebook page that she was making chocolate cherries for the holidays. I admire her desire to create this delectable treat, but I will continue to buy mine at the local drugstore. Mama always made fudge and divinity for Christmas. Divinity has all but disappeared from the candy plate, but fudge is still a big favorite. My sister Deanna makes a traditional fudge, usually with walnuts, and Jennifer makes a creamy variety with a special ingredient. (No, I won't tell the secret.) In addition to chocolate cherries, my favorite store-bought Christmas candy is ribbon candy which is getting hard to find. Remember how you would suck on it until the ribbons were like little razors cutting the inside of your mouth?

By Lyn Lomasi (Own work) [CC0],
via Wikimedia Commons

Cookies were not such a big part of our holidays, but I needed the word to make the blog title work! I have had a love affair with cranberries for some years now and am always looking for a new cranberry cookie recipe. The current favorite is cranberry hootycreeks -- a cookie made with white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and nuts (sometimes pecans, sometimes macadamia nuts). In 2009 my granddaughter Krishawna and I spent an entire day baking cookies to give as gifts; we made chocolate chip, cranberry hootycreeks, peanut butter, sugar, gingersnaps, and a couple other kinds I can't remember right now.

My lemon meringue pie!

On to dessert number three - pie! Mama made her pumpkin pie using the recipe from the back of the pumpkin can, with an extra egg and TRIPLE the spices. Once you've eaten it, no other pumpkin pie can compare. The less traditional pie that Mama made and that I make for almost every special day (from the winter holidays to birthdays) is lemon meringue pie. A favorite for many of us, it makes your mouth pucker! I spent quite a bit of time on the internet looking for a recipe that replicates that wonderful tartness that Mama's pie always had.

I do believe that having a sweet tooth is an inherited condition!

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 6 - I Believe!

Of course, I believe in Santa Claus. Don’t you? Read this letter written by little Virginia O'Hanlon to the editor of the New York Sun and his response. You’ll believe, too!

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. This post was originally published in 2010.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Wordless Wednesday - Making Fruit Salad

Digital image. Original held by Denise Spurlock, [ADDRESS WITHHELD FOR PRIVACY],
Lomita, California 2012.

Beaulah Belle Yawman Sherrell Spurlock and 

Christopher Ridgeway Morris

December 1976, Ontario, California

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 5 - Outdoor Decorations

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. This post was originally published in 2011.

My family never had outside decorations for Christmas, except perhaps a wreath or other decoration on the front door.

But the sight of Christmas lights brings out the kid in me! I love going to see the neighborhoods where families go all out with the outdoor decorations. Here's a video of a home in Fountain Valley, California, with the light show set to some of my favorite holiday music. Enjoy!

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 4 - Christmas Cards

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com. This post was originally published in 2011.

My family didn’t send many Christmas cards—probably only to a few relatives and perhaps friends who lived out of state. Those we received were displayed by taping them to the wall as seen in this photo:

Cards on the wall left of the tree; my mom and I
enjoying the Christmas goodies!

Thanks to my mother keeping things in my baby book, I have two Christmas cards that I received on my first Christmas (not sure they qualify as heirlooms!):

From my Sissie

From Aunt Joyce

In my younger years, I spent Thanksgiving weekend hand-addressing the envelopes to send Christmas cards to family and friends and mailed them out on December 1^st. Every year now I think about sending Christmas cards, perhaps even buy some, and maybe get some mailed. In fact, it’s something I think I might work on this week! 

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 3 - Christmas Tree Ornaments

(Note: This post was originally published in 2011.)

My family’s Christmas tree was decorated mostly with inexpensive colored glass balls, lights, and strands of tinsel. My dad cut stars—large and small—from sheet metal and we covered them with glitter and hung them.

The piece-de-resistance was the tree topper—an angel made by my mother from a Barbie doll wrapped in angel hair with foil-covered wings! My mother made these angels for all of us girls. Regrettably I no longer have mine—I hope my sisters do.

Stringing popcorn and cranberries always seemed like a major chore to me although I think we tried it when my son was young!

For several years, I cross-stitched Christmas tree ornaments and gave them to friends and family as gifts. I know that my daughter-in-law hangs her ornaments on their tree every year. These are two of the ornaments:

I also made this star which tops my little tree:

I have begun a tradition of giving my son, his wife and each of my grandchildren an ornament each year based on their special interests. The ornaments have included Homer Simpson and tiny six-packs of beer for my son, cows for my daughter-in-law, dance and monkey ornaments for my granddaughter, and football helmets for my grandson.

At right is one of the more unique ornaments I own—received as a gift from a coworker!

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 2 - Holiday Foods

(Note: I originally posted this in 2011. Despite my hope that we might develop some new food traditions, it hasn't happened yet!)

Our family’s Christmas dinner menu was the same as at Thanksgiving:

• Roast turkey
• Stuffing
• Jellied cranberry sauce (yep, out of a can)
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Sweet potatoes
• Green beans
• Dinner rolls (if someone didn’t forget to put them in the oven!)
• Fruit salad (assembled as a group activity on Christmas Eve)
• Pumpkin pie

Public domain photo from
Wikimedia Commons.
(I only take pictures of pies!)

Nothing out-of-the-ordinary or unusual…and it hasn’t changed much since I was a kid!

We tried having roast beef once for Christmas, and it just didn’t seem right. My son and his wife like to have a ham as well as a turkey, and I bake a lemon meringue pie in addition to pumpkin pies.

One would think that our crazy mixed-up German-English-Cuban-Mexican-Tongan family would have more ethnic dishes on the menu! Maybe I’ll see if I can get some new traditions started.

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock

Advent Calendar - December 1 - Mom's Christmas Tree

Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes. 

This year, I am featuring Mom's tree of 1978 - the "Charlie Brown" variety!

Visit last year's post for photos of other Christmas trees my family has enjoyed!

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) gives you an opportunity to write about and share your family’s holiday history 24 different ways during 24 days in December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock