Land of Sweets

I remember. I was all a tither, dressed up in a fancy blue dress. My parents and I were sitting in the audience waiting for the ballet performance to begin. It was The Nutcracker. From the moment the curtain went up that night, I was enthralled.

The Nutcracker ballet is about a young girl’s Christmas Eve and her awakening to love in her dreams. She sees her prince overcome the Mouse King in a battle and then he takes her on a magical journey to a wonderland of snow and the Land of Sweets.

The ballet is enchanting and endearing. Tchaikovsky’s music is a master of expression. It is no wonder that The Nutcracker is one of the most popular ballets in the world. It is also an important part of the Christmas season in the U.S. and Canada.

I love Christmas. I love the decorations, and I love singing Christmas carols. I love it when we turn on the lights on the tree. I love baking gingerbread men and buttery thumbprint cookies. (I like eating them too!)

Christmas is a season that reminds us what’s important in life. It’s not just a marketing festival.  It’s about magic and fairy tales. It’s about the people we surround ourselves with.  It’s about a rebirth in all of us and a gift of love that binds us together.

***

Charli Mills’ November 18, 2015 Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction challenge was about writing dance into our story – in 99 words (no more, no less).  So keeping with the spirit of the season, here’s my contribution.

Tammi twirled around the room.

“Watch me Mommy.  Watch me,” she said and took off again. 

Mommy glanced from behind her computer and quickly suppressed a chuckle.  There was her daughter wearing a pink crinoline dress she had outgrown and a princess crown on her head.    She was spinning around with her arms extended overhead, holding a candy cane in each hand.  

Tammi bowed to her mother and then proclaimed loudly.     

“I am the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Queen of Sweets. My castle is filled with lots of candy that I is allowed to eat. Any. Time. I. Want!”

***

Happy Holidays everyone!

(P.S.  I’m taking a short writing break to eat, dance, sing and laugh through the Season of Joy.)

18 thoughts on “Land of Sweets”

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  1. What an enjoyable post. I agree with your reasons for celebrating Christmas – a timely reminder of the importance of love, family and friends. Without it who knows how long we could go without keeping in touch? I love the description of the Sugar Plum Fairy in your flash – so gorgeous. Have a wonderful Christmas season. May you and your family be surrounded with peace and love, and as much candy for the Sugar Plum Fairy to have whenever she wants! Oh for the simplicity and innocent joy of childhood!

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  2. Fun post, Kate! We just performed the Sleeping Beauty Ballet (another Tchaikovsky great) in November. It was so fun to see all the little girls arriving to the performance all dressed up in their dresses with ribbons and bows in their hair. They were so excited. It renews my love of playing every time. Neat to hear that you were one of them. :O)

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    1. I can imagine the work involved in practicing and then performance nights of a ballet – but then I so get it. Ballerina’s just have a way of making us smile. 🙂

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