Maybe it’s my age, or the fact that I have been so busy uncovering
old memories from former Christmases that has stalled my preparations for this
year. As I write this, and the day draws near, I haven’t finished shopping,
wrapped nothing, sent no cards and baked only a few cookies. It’s like I’m in a
dream state where I can’t wake up and light a fire under myself.
Ordinarily…well, I’m not even going to beat myself up remembering past
organization.
This year I found the old cassette tapes of Christmas music we
played when the kids were little. Fortunately, my radio brother still has
something to play them on. So I am singing along to songs I haven’t heard in 30
years. I found the Christmas piano book my Mom used to play out of when I was a
child and I’ve even plunked out a few tunes myself. I have spent hours poring
over the old the picture book of Christmas stories and poems she read to us throughout
December. I’ve sat paging through colorful children’s books that I used to read
to my little ones. I’ve curled up by the fire with Christmas memories of
various writers. I’ve gazed at the blue stone dime store ring my long deceased
brother, Dan, bought for me one Christmas when we were still in grade school. I’ve
savored the old ornaments dredged from the attic. I’ve enjoyed cup after cup of
Christmas tea. Gazed at twinkling lights on frosty snow. Brilliant sunsets find
me watching the western sky until dusk falls heavy here at Cricket Meadow, when
I light cookie and cinnamon scented candles which still doesn’t propel me into
the kitchen to bake. Mornings I linger over coffee and watch blue jays and
cardinals flit to the birdfeeders filled with suet and sunflower seeds hanging
by the potting shed. Then I head outside to do the chores and totally ignore
the giftwrap beckoning me to fill the empty space beneath the tree. Instead I
smile as I whiff the fresh pine wreath on the back door where I marvel at my
lack of drive for what I’m “supposed to do.”
I am not counting the days anymore; now it’s the hours. I
need to focus. Soon the family will gather and I have to be on my game. I need
to fill the tins with frosted sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies, the holly
rimmed plate with Christmas bread, I need to plan the menus for several people
for several days, paper and ribbon need to cover the gifts which I still need
to buy…
I may be way behind. But I’ve never enjoyed the season more.
I am letting the season happen to me, instead of my usual “making it happen.”
And I love it. This could be a habit. A lifestyle. Merry Christmas to you and
yours!
SNOW COCOA (FOR CI-CI)
2 cups whipping cream
6 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
12 ounce package white chocolate chips
Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on
low for 2 hours. Stir well to combine before serving. Place a dollop of whipped
cream on top of each serving and sprinkle top of each with cocoa and use candy
canes for stir sticks.
RED AND GREEN SALAD
Spring mix and/or spinach
Red leaf lettuce or red cabbage
Red onion thinly sliced
Dried cranberries
Crumbled feta or thinly shaved Pecorino
1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar or balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon gray sea salt
1/4 cup olive oil
Pecan halves
In a large salad bowl, toss greens, cabbage, onion, lightly
toasted cranberries and cheese. In a jar with a tightly closed lid, shake
together dressing ingredients: vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt and olive oil.
Toss into salad and top with pecans.
GINGERBREAD STARS
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup molasses
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
4-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
White chocolate, melted
In a mixing bowl, blend butter and sugar. Stir in molasses
and buttermilk. Beat in eggs. Stir in flour, spices and salt. Refrigerate
overnight. Roll out dough on a lightly floured board. Cut into star shapes.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool. Dip half of each cookie
into melted white chocolate.
