Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!
Hamilton Wright Mabie
Six years ago today I started this blog. I forget the exact reason, but much has changed. It is the second Christmas since I have lost my Mom. It is the first living with breast cancer. But one thing hasn't changed, possibility. Whatever your belief, the age old story of a child born to bring the possibility of love, peace and hope into the world is one that all can identify with.
In this early morning chill and quiet, may all the world engage in a conspiracy of love and:
May all beings be well. May all beings be happy and content. May all beings be free from danger and suffering. May all beings be filled with loving-kindness.
To all blessed be, namaste and happy holidays.
The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
George Carlin
It's been a busy couple of days. Holiday parties and cooking for friends. Friends who convinced me it's time to let go of the the love I had (tried once more over the last weeks and it failed) and get back out into the playing field. They're right. I know what I'm asking Santa for in the coming year.
In the meantime, I made an Eggnog French Toast Brunch. Here's the main feature:
EGGNOG FRENCH TOAST
1 1/2 cups eggnog
4 eggs
1 teaspoon fresh nutmeg Loaf of challah bread sliced into 1 inches slices Maple syrup
In medium bowl, combine eggnog, egg and nutmeg whisking just until blended .Dip sliced bread into egg mixture. Turn over and allow to sit in egg mixture 2-3 minutes per side.
In skillet, melt 2 T butter and saute each slice over medium heat 2 1/2 min or until golden brown.
Turn over and cook an additional 1 1/2 minutes.
Serve with warm maple syrup.
We had french apple chicken sausage made by a local butcher and fresh squeezed orange juice. The Pyrex percolator made an appearance also.
Today I'm grateful for friends and their love/support in this holiday time.
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
Anne Bradstreet
I have been so busy that I haven't had much time to write. This year I wanted to give special gifts to those who stood by my side during the last months. I finished my last piece of embroidery tonight. I've also been baking and photographing. Add work, playing harp, plus decorating and that gives the bird's eye view of what I've been up to.
Tonight I took my annual holiday light walk. Usually I take a friend along, but given all the busyness of late, I felt a need to just walk under the stars and reflect. Several ideas for poems danced through my head, but tonight I will let a gifted poet share what is in my heart and mind...
Lute Music
Kenneth Rexroth
The Earth will be going on a long time Before it finally freezes; Men will be on it; they will take names, Give their deeds reasons. We will be here only As chemical constituents— A small franchise indeed. Right now we have lives, Corpuscles, Ambitions, Caresses, Like everybody had once—
Here at the year's end, at the feast Of birth, let us bring to each other The gifts brought once west through deserts— The precious metal of our mingled hair, The frankincense of enraptured arms and legs, The myrrh of desperate, invincible kisses— Let us celebrate the daily Recurrent nativity of love, The endless epiphany of our fluent selves, While the earth rolls away under us Into unknown snows and summers, Into untraveled spaces of the stars.
On this the eve of the longest night of the year, I am grateful for and celebrate that the darkness of the last months has tutored me in it's necessity so that the beauty of life may shine even brighter.
A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked.
Anais Nin
It's been a busy couple of weeks. This year I'm taking great joy in the holidays. I'm celebrating my wonder at life and clearing my six month breast cancer oncology visit with flying colors. I've been embroidering gifts, decorating and entertaining. Not to mention getting ready for a couple of harp gigs. A friend came up and we went to our favorite local antique store (there are several dealers there and prices are great). I found a mid-century Pyrex percolator and a Mirro cookie press. Tried out the percolator, worked incredible, my friend enjoyed the results before she went home.
The cookie press will be handled next weekend. I'm going to do two types, regular and adapted for how I'm now eating. I'll toss in one of the recipes I found that a friend requested:
Sour Cream Cookies
Time 10-12 min.
Temp: 400 F
1 cup of shortening
1 cup of sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup thick sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon sale
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon soda
1. Cream the shortening, add sugar and mix well
2. Add beaten egg yolks and sour cream and vanilla extract
3. Sift dry ingredients and gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well after each addition.
4. Fill a MIRRO cookie press
5. Form desired shapes on an ungreased cookie sheet.
My mom used a Mirro cookie press at Christmas when I was a small child and this is one way of celebrating her memory, so I was thrilled to find this.
I'll let you know how it comes out. Having been learning Carol of the Bells as a friend's request, but will never do it as well as the:
