The Smells of Christmas Traditions!

Gary Sandy, as Scrooge

Four days until Christmas and the smells from kitchen continue to conjure memories of Christmas past. 

(Not to be confused with the Ghost of Christmas Past!- I was just in “A Christmas Carol Live Radio Drama” with Gary Sandy, from WKRP in Cincinnati, and he played Scrooge. And I finished my NaNoWriMo novel. So I’ve been busy, even though I haven’t been blogging)

The Christmas season comes but once a year , and in that single month we cram so much: holiday activities; decorating; shopping; singing; wrapping; visiting; partying;  ……you name it, we try to do it. Sometimes in all that hustle and bustle of trying to “find” Christmas, we can actually lose it. 

Scottish Shortbread

Two completely different factors need to be present for me to create the feeling of Christmas in my home....

1) church services through the Advent season. 

2) baking (I know…..very different)! 

In all fairness to me, depending where we lived influenced what type of church service we’d hear or participate with to some extent. 

Gingerbread Houses

And, climates, Christmas activities, and local traditions are very different in the various places I’ve lived-- England, Philippines, Cyprus, Italy, Sardegna, Spain, Hawaii, California, Florida, Maine, etc., etc…..  But one thing that was always constant was our holiday baking traditions-- as a child, an adult, and parent.

The kitchen was always the place to hang out during the holiday season from Thanksgiving through the New Year.  Special Christmas cookies – such as Linzer Tarts; Candy Canes; Peanut Blossoms; Sugar Cut-outs, Lebkuchen; Meringues; Chocolate Kringles; and, many others were baked early and placed in the freezer so that I could give as gifts. 

Gingerbread Houses were made by the dozens, decorated, and then given as gifts to friends. 

Pumpkin Bread is one of my favorites to bake and give away. 

Mini Pumpkin Bread Loaves 

And, of course it wouldn’t the holiday season without Fudge! Long before I ever made it myself, I would help either Mom or Dad as they tested the sugary mixture making sure it reached the perfect temperature on the stove so that it would harden as it cooled.  They must have taught me well, because I’ve never made a batch that wasn’t perfect! (smiles!)

Advent Calendar
filled with bones.

A tradition that my younger daughter started over ten years ago is the baking of doggie bones and giving them to our canine friends of friends!  Made from freshly crushed peanuts, they smell heavenly baking and cause our favorite paw-friend to wait patiently at the entrance to the kitchen for them to cool.

One of the greatest joys that I get during the Christmas week is filling beautiful baskets with baked goods and jams and delivering to friends.  Each year the baskets hold different items, but the intent is always the same—I want to share with them something that brings such joy to me.

                                                                                            Merry Christmas! 

NaNoWriMo - Completed!

The certificate that they give once the book
has a validated word count -- 50,000 words

I have completed the National Novel Writing Month challenge and am feeling good about it.

The month flew by and at times I doubted if I'd finish on time; but, I did. I love all the characters and their interactions with each other.


Since I'm pretty certain that most of my blog readers may never see the book, I thought I'd include a few passages from various places in the book without the worry of giving away the ending.

( Don't worry, there is dialogue in the book.  These excerpts are just descriptions....therefore, they take up less space for this blog!) Now remember, I have not edited yet....I just wrote, and wrote, and WROTE! I never looked back!!

Book Cover Photo

Synopsis: After 20 years of marriage, a middle aged woman suddenly finds
herself divorced and left to raise four children.
She sets out on a quest to discover new land and rediscovers herself in the process.

The Olive Branch

                As I wrapped my hands around the warm mug of herbal tea, I leaned back in my favorite chair on the small covered porch and let out a sigh.  The warm days of summer were beginning to become a faded memory.  I noted the early morning fog was able to linger a little longer because of the cooler temperatures. As I closed my eyes, my sense of sight gave way to the sounds of morning.  Birds fluttering and chirping in the shrubs and trees surrounding the house and porch interrupted my thoughts. The sounds of them busily preparing their winter nests seemed to momentarily chase away some thoughts while others came pouring in.  Winter nests- what a powerful visual. So many word associations come to mind: safety; comfort; food; protection; family.  I once had a nest.  It seems as though I had devoted my life to ensuring that those in my ‘nest’ felt safe and comfortable; that they were fed and nurtured.  After all, they were family.  My protective instincts would have had to have ranked high on a scale had they ever been measured.  So, to think that my ‘nest’ was ripped apart from within, from someone who I had thought was family,  was and is still too much for me to comprehend or accept.  

****************

My tea was cooling down and I needed to begin my morning chores, so I pushed back the chair and headed toward the porch door. As I grasped the knob and pulled, the warmth of the handle and the creak of the hinge brought a smile to my face.  This was my door, my house, my farm, and I had built it all from the bottom up, with the help of my children. As I glanced down at my hand holding the knob, I noted the difference in the appearance of my hands now compared with how they’d looked just a few years before. These were working hands. There were no rings, no nail polish, and no smooth palms. Instead, they were bronzed from the sun, calloused from the tools, and dried from the wind. But, these were good hands- hands that comforted my children; hands that cared for the animals; hands that reached out to help someone whenever they were needed. “I wouldn’t want them any other way!” I thought to myself as I stepped over the threshold alone.

*****************

While I poured each cupful of grain into the individual animal bowls, the noise mixed with the sound of a woodpecker in a tree not far off. I looked up to see if I could find him. The grass on the hills was lighter this time of year. Not the bright, thick green with spring, not the dark, bluegrass color that comes mid-summer. No, this was a soft yellow-green as if to say, “I’m leaving for a while. Try not to miss me. I promise I’ll be back.” As the days grow shorter, the leaves fall from the trees and the sky dims to a misty blue-grey, I find myself fighting to keep the winter-blues away. 

*******************

The wind blew across the fields. The crisp smell of the air brought my thoughts back to the present. The horses nickered for food. “Yes, it’s your turn,” I muttered. I raised the zipper a bit higher on my jacket and was glad that I’d chosen the heavier one this morning. Fall was definitely here and winter not too far away. I glanced across the fields and remembered how differently this looked when I had walked the property lines the very first time.

Long before I actually moved onto the farm, I had walked the land, mapping out where I wanted the house, the paddocks, the orchard, and the garden. As I walked, I fell more and more in love with the land; I thought I had never seen a more beautiful piece of earth.  Every time I looked upon the gently rolling ground, the lush green fields, the spectacular sunsets, and the massive spans of night sky that displayed incredibly brilliant stars, I felt I was blessed to be surrounded by nature in its raw state.

From those very first moments the land beneath my feet had achieved the metaphorical cornerstone that would not let me crumble.  I felt it challenged the fighter that lay broken within me and gave my life direction once again. Those grueling first months on the farm required so much physical work that each day I was pushed to the point of exhaustion. The physical demand required of me connected to the mental one and that’s how the healing began for us all. 

********************

We had opened the barn and had just gotten ourselves comfortable on a soft bale of orchard grass when we saw a light orange glow begin low on the south east horizon. As we sat there side by side and watched the sun slowly creeping higher and higher in the sky, Jeff put his arm around me and pulled me closer.

“There is no place I’d rather be or anyone I’d rather be with than right here, right now, with you,” he said softly.

I leaned against him and it felt as though it had always been like this. I felt his lips brush against my hair. As I turned my face to smile, I felt his lips find mine. It was a gentle kiss, but one that promised many good things to come.

Just twenty four hours ago the day had begun with a memory of the person who had destroyed my life and all that I had believed in. But I knew things would be different now. There was no going back. No returning to that place in my heart that was filled with anger. I had moved on and Jeff had helped me do that. It was as if he’d offered me an olive branch- a symbol of victory for overcoming the pain that I had endured.  I didn’t know what was in store for me or where my life path would take me next, but I did know that life can be good, and that when your heart is ready, it can move on.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

As I mentioned before, I am participating this month with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).

We’ve also been plagued with some Arctic temperatures this week. So, while I try to post something new every few days, November has made that almost impossible.

I thought I’d share a recipe for one of my favorite cookies for any time of year: Peanut Butter Blossoms

Candy Cane Hershey Kisses

When it’s Christmas I change out the Hershey Hugs for Hershey Candy Cane Kisses.

It seems pretty straight forth how it’s done, but for those who may not bake often I will give the recipes and directions what to do.

Unwrap candies while cookies are baking.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup shortening (butter makes them flat, shortening makes them puffier. Puffier is better)

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 egg

1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix sugars, shortening, peanut butter and egg.  Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Shape dough into 3/4 –inch balls.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake until set but not hard, about 10 minutes.

Assorted cookies are fun to make and give as gifts.

While cookies are baking, take all the foil off of the Hershey candies. Line them up so you are ready to grab them and place them on cookie as soon as they come out of oven. Do NOT wait until they are cooled or candies will not melt and stick.

When cookies are done, remove cookie sheet from oven.  While the cookies are COOLING ON the cookie sheet, place a chocolate candy on top of each ball and lightly press down. This will make the chocolate candy begin to melt and attach to the cookie. I like the chocolate “kiss” to still have its original shape, but you may want to push down harder after a minute or two and the “kiss” will form a puddle of chocolate on the top of the cookie.  It’s your choice.  J

NaNoWriMo

photo for book cover

I have been frantically writing my novel for the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge since midnight on November 1.

I have wanted to participate in it for several years now, but always had some excuse why I could not.  This year I decided to make the time and give it a go.

I had wanted to write a story about a woman at a particular time in her life.- Would she be old? Would she be young? Would she have children? If so, how many? Were they young or grown?  

(who will she be?)

I contemplated the setting. Would it be in the USA?  Would she be a traveler? Would she be lost at sea or shipwrecked? Would she be paragliding and gotten off course and had to survive? Would she be a ski instructor in the Alps? 

I contemplated her personality. Would she be kind? Would she be cruel? Would she be funny? Would she be intelligent? Would she be shy?

married/divorced?

I kicked around a few ideas, and finally came up with the plot that you’ll read an excerpt from in just a bit. I chose an idea and fitted the story around it. 

Unfortunately, divorce seems to be a sad but current trend of the times. So, my book is of a woman who is suddenly facing divorce after many, many years of marriage. I won't give you the synopsis, because it still may change before it's over!  

      I chose the title: The Olive Branch

To me an olive branch is symbolic of many things: victory, peace, promise, life

The Biblical dove carried the olive branch as a promise of land, peaceful followings, good times ahead.

Early Grecian war heroes held the olive branch as a symbol of victory.
In ancient times, brides wore it.

Without telling you the outcome of my book (because it's still unknown to me!) you can surmise why I may have chosen  The Olive Branch to be the title!

I had begun it in third person format.  This had allowed me to set the scene and describe the character. But in re-reading it, I thought it might be more dramatic in first person, and would allow the reader to visualize herself as the character.


I’m not sure that I will keep it like this, but the object is to complete the novel of 50,000 words before November 30^th.  I have written over 12,000 words at this point and am happy with the story line thus far.

                                                                   

The Olive Branch
(an excerpt)

                 As I wrapped my hands around the warm mug of herbal tea, I leaned back in my favorite chair on the small covered porch and let out a sigh.  The warm days of summer were beginning to become a faded memory.  I noted the early morning fog was able to linger a little longer because of the cooler temperatures. As I closed my eyes, my sense of sight gave way to the sounds of morning.  Birds fluttering and chirping in the shrubs and trees surrounding the house and porch interrupted my thoughts. The sounds of them busily preparing their winter nests seemed to momentarily chase away some thoughts while others came pouring in.  Winter nests- what a powerful visual. So many word associations come to mind: safety; comfort; food; protection; family.  I once had a nest.  It seems as though I had devoted my life to ensuring that those in my 'nest' felt safe and comfortable; that they were fed and nurtured.  After all, they were family.  My protective instincts would have had to have ranked high on a scale had they ever been measured.  So, to think that my ‘nest’ was ripped apart from within, from someone who I had thought was family,  was and is still too much for me to comprehend or accept. 

                                                                         ******

Life is Sweet!

Fudge ready to be wrapped

I wanted to let you know that November is NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).   From the 1^st November through the 30^th, I will be competing in the challenge to write a 50,000 word novel. The guidelines state you must not begin before the 1^st but it must be completed by the 30^th.  So, at midnight on November 1^st I began writing.  I haven’t done this before so I’m not able to gauge my creative time very well yet.

Also, I am running in a local political campaign. The election is Tuesday.  After that is over, whether I win or lose, my brain will be able to think a little more creatively!

Chose quality ingredients

Through my blog, I always aim to share sustainability tips for your household, comparative methods for animal husbandry, amusing farming anecdotes, and recipes. Because I am pressed for time and creative thinking today, and because the holiday season is fast approaching I’ll share a few tips on fudge making.

Cream and Butter blending together over heat

Fudge isn’t difficult to make if you know how to make it correctly.  The consistency should be SMOOTH- it should NOT be granular. Let’s begin with a few pointers.

Butter, cream, sugar now together!

Choose a good pot. It should be heavy duty with a thick bottom so that it won’t scorch the fudge. Make sure its handles are solidly attached/ screwed in and heat resistant.  I’ve used the same pot for years.  It is a 6 qt heavy duty enamel sauce pan.  However, I do not cook tomato sauce in it. I keep my jelly pot, pasta sauce pot, and candy/fudge pot all separate.

Stir until all sugar is dissolved and blended well

Next, make sure you use quality ingredients. This brings to mind a time a few years ago when I was asked to decorate a friend’s daughter’s birthday castle cake.  She had bought a poor quality expired cake mix.  The decorating was beautiful and everyone was so complementary…..and then we took a bite! UGH! How disappointing. So, be sure to use pure cane sugar, lightly salted or salted butter, and regular evaporated milk…NOT light or fat free!

I always melt the butter in the saucepan first so that I’ve “greased” it, so speak.  

Next I add the evaporated milk and stir that well.

Then comes the sugar and now the fun begins!

A full boil, stirring constantly, will help it achieve the
correct temperature without scorching

 While the stove is on medium heat, continue stirring. You don’t want it to stick and you want it to heat evenly. This can be anywhere from 5-10 minutes.  Now, this is the point that you may judge differently than I do.  I don’t have a candy thermometer and never have. I use the method of “soft ball” or “hard ball” stage for baking fudge or candy.

Chocolate is smooth and silky
Steam has fogged the camera lens

Fudge should be heated on the stove to the “soft ball” consistency stage. This will make it silky smooth! Less than reaching that stage, it may never harden. Continuing to heat it past that stage, it will be terribly hard and crumbling before it’s out of the pot.

Expedite the process from the time it reaches the softball stage to
the point that it is placed in its cooling pan.
Once it has begun cooling, it can't be reshaped.

To determine if it’s reached the “soft ball” stage, periodically while it’s boiling at a full boil dribble some of the liquid into a cool cup of water.  While you continue to stir the pot on the stove, have someone else (or you if you can multi-task) reach into the cup and try to gather all the “dribbles” on the bottom and form a “soft ball” of dough.  If you can’t form a ball and pull it out of the cup and play with it like playdough, it’s not ready. Give it another minute and try again. You may have to try this several times.  Change the water….it should remain cool to get the most accurate results.

Add peanut butter, walnuts, or whatever is your
preference to make each batch unique!

Good luck!!  With helpful hints and practice, your fudge will also be the one everyone reaches for!!