When a dog bites, when a bee stings...

Music

The ocean at sunset

and Poinciana flowers 

 Four weddings and a funeral

 

and warm pecan pie

pictured from: Simply Recipes

Well lit up Christmas trees and 

blue skies in spring

these are a few of my favorite things!

The promise of Christmas

And so it begins...

Yesterday was the first day of the official shopping season for Christmas: Black Friday for those of you who aren't versed in American lingo. We avoid the sale shopping frenetics and spend the day perusing ornaments. Over hill and dale, we shop for the perfect bobble, until we are blurred from from fatigue, we return home with trinkets for our tree. 

 The Grinch would grimace at all of the sparkles and glitter there is to behold (as would Conchscooter), 

but the initiation of Christmas cheer and good will is one we never pass up.  

It is tempting to view the season as a glutton of solipsism or one that threatens to put us in a financial crunch because our obligation to give is focused on the shiniest, newest as opposed to meaningful. But if that's all it has become, then it is one that should be cast off immediately.   

 Gift giving should be the search to find the best gift for the person to whom one is giving and one that will make their heart light -not the gift that will impress them the most. And no mistake it is no small task to give a gift that is meaningful without bankrupting oneself. 

Yet the toil is light when viewed from one's memory and one recalls the eyes lit up, the lips in a broad smile as the gift is lifted from the box and into the arms of the one it was purchased it for.  

Truly, the right spirit of Christmas, as the Grinch came to learn, is about giving and sharing and thought for all we come into contact with. 

So each year, we celebrate the first day by finding the perfect ornament to commemorate the day. The one that will remind us of the good will we experience during the season and the one which we hope will continue on throughout the New Year. 

What traditions do you have that keep the true spirit of Christmas? 

Book nerds at Christmas

The Christmas Story Blogfest has not faired well as far as participants (I know it's a busy time!) but I plan on posting a story by Christmas Eve (hopefully) as it was my Blogfest. So, for those of you who thought I had forgotten, fear not! I have not! (anyone still interested is still welcome to post a story but you'd better get busy writing!)  

Twice a year, at a local bookstore, we receive an invitation for an open house. One in the springtime and one at Christmas time. The Christmas invitation is as much a part of the ritual and tradition of Christmas as purchasing our ornaments. Books are always purchased for Christmas and the Christmas open house (with accompanying discount!) is the perfect opportunity to browse for Christmas gifts. So off we head to the wilds of Cherry Creek to Rob's bookstore on 4th and Fillmore:

The lights are warm and welcoming as we descend the stairs and already we hear laughter and pleasant tete-a-tete betwixt the mulling crowds that stand not too far from the open door.  

A new face greets us at the cash register although it turns out not to be new at all- a former coworker from my Barnes and Noble days has landed this pleasant job here at the Hermitage. Allan is doing is best to keep up at the Cash register after just having started the week before. And I have the pleasure of congratulating him albeit envying his bookish work. Off to the right of the work is the pleasure--  

Catered foods of all sorts were brought in for the occasion and I cannot imagine that anyone went home hungry. The bean dip was terrific as well as the Sesame Seasoned chicken. There were several wines to choose from and desserts to die for. Needless to say, I had not fasted in vain.

In the Nooks and crannies of the shop, the customers were scouring the shelves with gusto...

some were more concerned with First Editions and older gems while others were searching for hidden treasures for their children that might not be found on the shelves of the BnN or Borders anymore...  

Rob (the gent in the Bookishly decorative shirt on the left by the counter), the Proprietor of said establishment stands quietly by hosting and overseeing and finding books when they are in need of finding. And no doubt on an evening like this, with his shop full of folk buying books and perhaps becoming customers who will come back to buy MORE books...    

 is probably quite happy with a life that is built around books that are so much more than the recent bestsellers... books that have stood up against the test of time- books of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Lawrence Durrell, Jeannette Winterson, Paul West, David Foster Wallace, Gustave Flaubert --  

The writers that wrote and who are still worth reading. 

The kind of writers we should all aspire to be!

if we're going to call ourselves writers, that is...  

(Disclaimer: blogging is not my best writing) 

In the St. Nick of Time!!!

The Be Jolly By Golly Blogfest  (thanks Jen and Melissa!!!) presents me with the perfect opportunity to post the purchases from our Christmas extravaganza from the previous three posts (if you missed, you'll want to catch up!) 

Freshly brought in from the cold, is our tree as aromatic as a mountain cut pine (although a tree cut in the mountains would never look this full!) Here we have not yet begun putting on our decorations. 

But first to go on...

Having an eye for the nostalgic this year, and having a love for horses, I chose this lovely little rocking horse.

Last year's catch was this glass dolphin

Failing to find another petite aquatic ornament that hooked my fancy, I found one that reminded me of the place that I wish I were when the cold winds are ablowin here in Colorado...(the lighthouse would be what I am referring to, not the penguin! 10 points to the commenter who figures out what place I am referring to!)

A dino tree was spotted this year and as dinosaurs carry a lot of weight in our house, there are several new ones on the tree...

 Giraffes are another favorite of a newer member of the family... 

A favorite ornament from our tradition, years past, is this one...

With all the favorites of each family member specially chosen over the years donning the tree, the final results are quietly pleasant...

 and under??? Could those be package for pretty little girls?*

And a favorite drink? Well, around here, drink of choice, in Key West or by the Christmas tree,  is always...

Champagne

And finally, the recipe...

When I was a very little girl, my grandmother (mentioned previously on this blog in a fiction piece) was a marvelous cook. Each year she made mountains of a particular cookie, a German cookie called a Pfeffernuesse or Peppernut. They are generally made with anise although my grandfather hated Anise so she never added it. I prefer it with Anise myself so I will include it in the recipe...

Evelyn's Peppernut Recipe 

3/4 c Oleo (I don't think they make Oleo anymore... Butter or "I can't believe it's not butter" or something like that. Butter is the best!)

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. dark brown sugar

(mix well)

2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp crushed anise

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cream of tartar 

1/2 tsp. salt

 1/2 c. chopped nuts (pecans generally)

Mix dough. Chill several hours or overnight. Roll dough into thin ropes (finger widths thick). Freeze them. 

 When you are ready to bake them, (heat oven to 350 degrees) take out four at a time and cut them approximately 1/2 inch wide. Place flat side on cookie sheet and bake them 10 minutes or until brown.  

Last tradition:

A piece of chocolate each day to count down to Christmas. Some years the house contained a clue to tell you where the chocolate was hidden. This year, we simply get the chocolate out of the door that coincides with the day of the month counting down to Christmas day!!!

*Lucy from Charlie Brown's Christmas

Sleighbells ring!

What say the writer of our quest? 

Tally-ho!

A little pedestrian seeming, KMart usually has a gem or two for our treasure seeking eyes, so across the street we head. This might seem a likely place to fight off the Black Friday hordes but apparently the bargains were early or nonexistent so we are safe from deal ravagement. 

Nostalgia is a particular fancy as you might note-- the tender look on St. Nick's face caught my eye. There are pluses and minuses to this ornamental trimming. Perhaps a bit too homemadeish??? hmm....

Christmas Tradition

Each year on the day after Thanksgiving our family sets out on a treasure hunt that has been anticipated for some weeks. Our route has been scouted and plotted and planned...    

 

But! before we set off, it will require some sustenance, on this hunt for the rarest of finds. So before we head off, we set off for breakfast at our annual feast at The Inn of the Village (otherwise known by the Hip and Happening Set VI and to those of us who've know it for a while, Village Inn.)  

We fill ourselves with our favs knowing that they day will be long and there won't be food between then and the time we complete our mission. 
And what is our mission you ask????

Dancing with a snow man

The snow swirls around us

dancing, careening, cavorting

tickling our noses 

and teasing our toeses 

We join in the whirling dirvishes 

 swirling whirls

whorling swirls

  whirs twirling

slowly turning 

to find 

a giant of snow 

Standing before us 

a grin of toothiness 

spread over his features 

We spread out our arms 

to ask for waltzes 

and the jolly coal eyes 

sparkled down at the lark

and then as we stand in the silence of the dark

a call comes from the lighted warmth

we hug him tightly

and whisper lightly  

"Goodnight"

and slip off

to leave him in the 

swirling 

whirling

twirling

whorling night

Inspiration

If you read the entry for today the moment it posted, you might have seen a picture of KMart, saw a quick post on Black Friday and a bit about what I am planning on buying my son. But then I visited 'Coffee Rings Everywhere' and read Rayna's post "You are what you decide to be" and got a bit of inspiration and thought I might put my response to her story here.

Some years ago I was at an author reading with a friend and we were standing around waiting for the event to begin when some of her friends from work walked up. I was taking a few classes and taking care of kids at home but I had begun writing and had begun to "find my voice." When she introduced me, her friends said, "What do you do?" (an uncommon incident among women) I didn't even breathe before I opened my mouth and said with confidence I didn't know I had, "I'm a writer." Did you just say that?  My internal voice went into full blown diatribe. I did.  You haven't even gotten a check yet! I have for nonfiction. You haven't even finished what you're writing. I write everyday....

And on it went for some moments until I calmed the little nagging voice that wanted me to doubt that I could write and that there was some line you had to cross in order to call yourself a writer... I was a writer and whatever I had to do in order to be a good writer, well it would be done.

So thanks once again, Rayna!

Christmas story blogfest!

Sign up begins today! Sign up in the comments and let me know when you will post your Christmas short story (and help yourself to the badge also!). I'll link to your blog in my blog roll and feature it on the particular day you've chosen and then everyone who participates will vote for the winner by voting 1-5 here on the day you were featured (this is on the honor system I guess- ). Your story can be as short or as long as you desire... 

And the prize will be!! a set of a television show called Key West. If your wondering why you would be interested in winning a set- it's a show about a guy who aspires to be a writer, a young Hemingway and moves to Key West to get go where the writers go and get the energy they had. There's more info about it on my other blog http://keywesttv.tumblr.com/

I believe in Father Christmas

My daily blog will be posted elsewhere today. You can see it on my Christmas blog http://yuletides.blogspot.com/. I will be updating this site periodically this month and posting will increase (I hope) with the yuletide season. If you want to add your own family traditions, put them in the comments. If you submit a recipe or craft suggestion, I will be happy to add it to the main page where all who view the blog can read it!

Gifted AND talented!

Your reality should not be defined by anyone other than yourself. My reality should not be defined by my family, my friends, my political leaders, etc.. We all need the opportunity to be the best we can be. And hopefully we've been given the skills to do that- hopefully we're not too warped by unhealthy situations and relationships to have a good life. We'll see...


Check out the group blog at http://yuletides.blogspot.com/. You can post there too simply get the logon and password and blog like it were your own! Caution: religious posts may be countered with anti-religious posts. (The logon and password are in the comment to this post.)

family and christmas?

Some folks may tolerate their families for Christmas, succumbing to the guilt that everyone needs to be with family on the holiday (never mind that they are not the people you really want to be with). Some may have to put up with their mother's insulting comments about their cooking or their untidy house, their father's pushiness about their work or income, etc. Not fun. My family are all religious freaks- so religious that they think they have the right, even at my age, to disapprove of my life. They expect me, for some odd reason, to submit to their guilt trips and (terrible) advice for my life. They expect- no, demand that I be nicer more loving than they are willing to be. Well at my age, I'm done with that and there will be no forced family niceties where I am concerned. I don't think I owe them anything to them all things considered (see the memoirs below if you're curious).

More Christmas

Christmas has been taken over and subverted by Christianity. It's origins begin long before Judaism or Christianity existed, as early as 4000 B.C.E. when the Mesopotamians celebrated a twelve day festival known as Zagmuth. This holiday was held in honor of MArduk, the god of chaos, who they believed battled the monsters of chaos at the beginning of winter.

Later, the Romans held a celebration called Saturnalia which began in early December and lasted until the first of January. The Romans decorated their homes with garlands and put candles on trees in honor of the celebration. During this period, the Romans would visit each other and have grand feats and exchange gifts to foster good luck for the coming year.

The Roman celebration was probably the inspiration for the latter Christian celebration (as were many other Roman beliefs about god). Constantine, the first "christian" emperor incorporated the pagan holiday into Christianity with the hopes that Christians and pagans would celebrate the feast together.

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say "HAPPY SATURNALIA"!!!

source: http://www.historyofchristmas.net/

I believe in Father Christmas

I believe in Father Christmas

They said there'll be snow at christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
But instead it just kept on raining
A veil of tears for the virgin's birth
I remember one Christmas morning
A winters light and a distant choir
And the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree smell
And their eyes full of tinsel and fire

They sold me a dream of Christmas
They sold me a silent night
And they told me a fairy story
till I believed in the Israelite
And I believed in Father Christmas
And I looked at the sky with excited eyes
till I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn
And I saw him and through his disguise

I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
Hallelujah! Noel! be it heaven or hell
The Christmas you get you deserve

Hallelujah! Noel! be it heaven or hell
The Christmas you get you deserve
~ Pete Sinfield and Greg Lake

The Christmas tree

"The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshipped evergreens. When the winter solstice arrive, they brought green date palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death.

The Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a fest called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. They gave coins for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life.

Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and place evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.

Late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. Our modern Christmas tree evolved from these early traditions." quoted from http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html

Tradition

Americans are not long on legacy. We do not value the time honored traditions and icons of our past. We are in love with NEW things and YOUTH is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. As a result we are missing out on a great deal that is beautiful about life.

Recently, a tradition was torn down not too far from where I live. A drive-in that had been in existence since drive-ins were the "latest" was torn down and an apartment building is now being erected there. Scrapping for space, the buildings stand back to back with a pleasant view of well-trafficked thoroughfares. On one side of the property, clinging to life, the marquis of the now dead and buried car theater lingers, a waning shadow of days gone by. It's graffitied front is a reminder of couples grappling in the backseats of '54 chevies, of families piled in station wagons, teenagers clambering into the bed of the pickup so they can lie on a mattress watching the large screen with the tinny dialogue of actors blaring from metal speakers that dangle on the car window. My son, an eleven year-old who has not yet been sold on the Need for New, the love of change or "progress", on our morning drive past the burial ground of family fun, nearly always looks at the new construction with disgust and comments, "Wasting perfectly good space". Undoubtedly the placard will eventually be utilized for advertising the new apartment's appeal to passers-by and a sad final nail will be put in the coffin of the drive-in theater's marker.

As an icon of American values it is more than symbolic that the Cinderella drive-in can be torn down without so much as a sigh from the populace. And it speaks to us poignantly, I suppose, that those things that are, in fact, uniquely American are held in no more reverence than the past from which many escaped to come to this country. For peoples who left their homeland in often difficult circumstances to start anew and who cling only to language and diet for their sense of culture it should not be surprising that American icons hold little or no significance. Perhaps the truth about American tradition is that tradition is despised, ignored and subservient to constant deconstruction and that our true tradition is leaving anything that ties us to the past behind and going after what pads the pocket book. All is subject to the tradition of greed in this country.

But this is a loss for us all. These cultural symbols, these unique institutions that do still linger in our midst, are more than archaic reminders of our youth. They are what give us a past, that connect us to our yesterdays and to each other. It is no coincidence that when the US invaded Iraq and began remaking that country that they allowed the dismantling of the museums and historic sites. It was their very intention to rob the people of that which lies at the center of their identity like a redwood's most interior growth ring, binding them to each other and a venerable narrative of civilization, beauty and grandeur. Without these ties, it is supposed, the people can be broken and remolded into a more complacent and compliant glob, loosely bound together by religious ties which ultimately keep them at odds and distracted. Now concerned, like their conquerors, only with their personal needs ("needs" being defined generously by the marketplace) they are capable of joining the ranks of humanity that are mere consumers. Americans.

Christmas is a specter of our past- a memento of a lost Atlantis that is quickly being extinguished by greed and marketing. Lame protestations about the commercialization of Christmas is simply not enough. It is up to us to fight, to protest, to do something different in order to keep the truth of Christmas-- to be like the Grinch, or Charlie Brown, or Scrooge and find the substance behind the facade, to grip the reality that there is more to life than getting more, buying more, having more, more, more, more. . .

Life really is finding meaning in the little things we do, holding onto memories of our childhood, clinging to tradition and ritual.

All I want for Christmas

Christmas is all about giving--
It is that time of year when we spend time focusing on the people in our lives, finding something they will enjoy and cherish. We do this, not out of obligation or in order to get something (hopefully), but as a reminder to them that you're grateful for them, you love them, and, in fact, you love them enough to spend time purchasing presents that were chosen especially for them.


It's not about buying the best or the fanciest-- an addition to a collection or a book on a topic of special interest are examples of ways to find that "perfect" gift. Time spent considering our loved ones wants, desires, and dreams is never time wasted and adds beauty and love to all our lives. I wish for you a Merry Christmas full of happiness and love this holiday.