Yuletide Yarns {Candy Cane Lane}

We interrupt this week's outfit posts to share some fun holiday memories and traditions provided by my friends and family.  My friend Kelly is back with another great memory of a family outing to see the holiday lights.  Believe me, Clark Griswold ain't got nothing on these houses!

One of my favorite holiday traditions is driving or walking (depending on Wisconsin’s unpredictable weather) through Candy Cane Lane.  For those unfamiliar with the Milwaukee area, Candy Cane Lane is comprised of several city blocks located in the city of West Allis.  For those of you unfamiliar with West Allis, well that’s just an adventure in itself….

Candy Cane Lane includes 92^nd-96^th Streets just north of Oklahoma Avenue and south of Manitoba.

This neighborhood is filled with small, modest homes but when it comes to holiday lights, they do it BIG!!!  There is no admission fee.  However, if you wish to make a donation, all proceeds benefit the MACC Fund, an organization dedicated to childhood cancer.  Well-identified volunteers are on most corners with a bucket for your bills.  Be generous.  It’s for the kids. 

As a kid, my parents would load all five of us into the burgundy Ford Taurus station wagon and head over.  It was amazing!!!  The twinkling lights were beautiful and seemed to stretch for miles.  The dedicated residents of Candy Cane Lane are a creative bunch.   Each year, there is something more amazing than the year before.

Now, my husband and I take our son each year.  He “ooohs” and “ahhhs” at the wonderful, brilliant spectacle that Candy Cane Lane has become.

In my heart, I am so grateful that my son is healthy knowing the money collected in those buckets is intended for other children who are not.   

I am also grateful knowing that in this ipod touch, XBOX 360 world my son is still amazed by something as simple as electricity.    

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