The week of December 19th is one of my favorite weeks. One, because it’s one week from Christmas! Two, because the 19th is when I got engaged to my stud of a husband at my most favorite place ever at Christmastime.

You all know how much I LOVE Christmas lights. My husband knew this, and sixteen years ago took me over to Candy Cane Lane, got on one knee, and proposed to me on one of the coldest and busiest nights — Dec 19, 2004.

Last year I shared my story about the whole evening, and how magical it was. This year I wanted to think of a way to share my story again, but in a different way. This Saturday, we will go to the Olive Garden, and eat dinner just like it all started on that very night sixteen years ago. It’s tradition with our kids now, and we do the whole night over each year to remember that magical night. Stop at Dunkin Donuts for hot cocoa and walk Candy Cane Lane. We have never missed a year.

Folks, you really outdid yourself this year. So many of you have lights up all over town. It is awesome! And it’s a fact that lights bring people joy. Right now, more than ever, we need joy and happiness in our lives. We need things to do that we can feel safe doing during this Christmas season with so many things getting canceled. I want to give you a little joy. Something fun to do as a family. I call this the Candy Cane Lane Scavenger Hunt! Whether you walk or drive, I want you to get over to Summer Street, and really take in all the hard work they put in and the beauty on Summer and Spring Street. My scavenger hunt starts at the bottom of Summer Street all the way up, then takes a right onto Spring Street and goes up in the little loop at the top. There are twenty things to find! Have fun with it, and maybe we will see you Saturday night on Candy Cane Lane!

Go anytime, enjoy, and make some memories. I go up and down all the time, and every time I find something new. What will you find?

1- Snowman with Red Scarf Riding on a Sled
2- Mrs. Claus wearing an apron that says “Mrs. Claus Kitchen”
3- Letters to Santa Mailbox
4- Red and Green Peppermint Candies hanging from a Tree
5-Two Identical Twin Snowmen holding presents inside Circles
6-Santa’s Hiney on Fire (Andrea’s favorite!!!)
7-Buddy the Elf “SANTA! I KNOW HIM!”
8-Santa waving out a Window
9- Grinch Stealing Presents in a Sleigh (Obsessed with this one too!)
10-Two Weiner Dogs; One Holding an Ornament and the Other Wearing Antlers
11- Welcome Jesus Sign (Amen!)
12- Family of Ice Skaters (Loved this since I was knee high!)
13- Snowman Wearing South Jersey
14- A Snowman Family with an Adoptive Cute Penguin
15- Looney Tunes in a Sleigh
16- Baby Jesus Lying in the Hay
17-Snowman Wearing Camo and Holding a Rifle
18- Big Brown Bear Wearing a Santa Hat
19- Soldier Holding an American Flag
20- Three Carolers Singing “Noel”
BONUS: A Red Bicycle Decorated for Christmas

Thank you to those on Candy Cane Lane who bring this street to life during the holiday season. Everything looks so beautiful! Your hard work does not go unnoticed. I count down the days until it’s lit every year. Can I just make one little request for next year? There is a perfect tree in between two of the new houses towards the top of the Summer Street on the left going up. A little patch of dark woods where this pine tree sits, just waiting to become a beautifully lit Christmas tree. I would love to donate the lights and extension cords for it next year! (Shoot, I’d even do it now and decorate it!) Please, feel free to get in contact with me through the Webb! I thank you all for making this such a happy place, and your dedication to it each and every year. You give so many people joy each Christmas. Thank you all so very much.

Christmas Light Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
• 2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup margarine
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 6 cup flour

Directions:

Mix it up and roll out onto floured countertop. Cut out with Christmas cookie cutters. Bake at 350’ for 8 minutes. Decorate with your favorite icing, and mini M&M’s!

*Now, not going to lie. I made these particular cookies in the picture with believe it or not, BETTY CROCKER bagged Sugar Cookie Mix and Betty Crocker canned icing. My first time ever trying it, but they were awesome and a total time saver for those of you on a time crunch! I then used Icing Writer Decorating Tube by Wilton for the black cord. You can find these with the sprinkles!

If you have more time, my Nanny’s homemade Sugar Cookie recipe is amazing.