Happy New Year

I love new beginnings.  I seem to need a lot of them.

I don't particularly like New Year's Eve . . . such conspicuous counting off of fleeting moments.  I always feel a bit frenzied, panicked, reluctant, unprepared, and regretful.

But I love New Year's Day.  A new beginning.  Opportunities to begin again.  To improve.  To enjoy.  I am always covered in new leaves begging to be turned over.

2009 was not such a good year for me or my family, but it did prove a good seed-bed for new blossoms and flourishes for the new year.

I look forward to a beautiful year and wish one for you as well.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas one and all.

Remember to treasure every gift,

large . . .

 

and small . . .

Listen, Bub

I know motherhood brings lots of surprises and challenges . . . I know.

But.

A SNOW DAY TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS TRAVEL IS BEYOND ANYTHING GOOD AND KIND AND, WELL, NORMAL!

I don't find it beautiful,
and I don't find it festive,
and I don't find it funny.

And anyone who does think this is funny can join my daughter on the time-out step!  

Got it?

Good!

(Please excuse my tone . . . I've found that to be the most effective one here today.)

Snowy Sequester

The snow is coming down . . . 10 inches already!  And another 10 hours of snowing to go.  Every vantage point looks like a Christmas card, the prettiest winter scene. 

Inside, we've got cookies baking and carols playing.  It's kind of nice to be sequestered like this, the weekend before Christmas.  No running around for one last thing . . . and then one more.  Just home, inside (between shoveling shifts, that is), cozying in for Christmas.

Nice.

Here's what I'm making . . . a must, every year:

Spicy Ginger Drops

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
½ c. dark brown sugar, packed
½ c. granulated sugar
4 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/3 c. robust (unsulphured) molasses
2 ½ c. all-purpose flour
1/3 c. minced crystallized ginger

Icing:
1 ½ c. confectioner's sugar
½ tsp ground ginger
2 TB milk


1.    Heat oven to 350*.

2.    Beat butter, sugars, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, pepper, and vanilla in a large bowl with mixer on high speed until pale and fluffy.

3.    Add egg; beat until blended.  Beat in molasses.  On low speed, beat in flour and  minced ginger.

4.    Drop heaping teaspoons 1" apart on ungreased baking sheet. 

5.    Bake 8 - 10 minutes until light brown on top.  Cool on sheet 2 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

6.    Icing:  Stir ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.  Drizzle over cookies, sprinkle with nonpareils while icing is still soft.  Allow icing to dry at least 30 minutes. 

Note:  These cookies get better after they've sat a few days.  Yum!

You're welcome!

Concert Update

Well, we went to the Christmas concert at my kids' school last night.  If you missed the prelude to this story, you can find it at An Encounter with a Scrooge.  To say I was lacking the spirit would be an understatement.  Gritted teeth and folded arms . . . I offered those around me $50 if they'd boo the music teacher's bow at the end.  No takers.  Drat!  Catholic school parents can be such goodie-goodies sometimes.

That was a tough night, but we all got through it, and I'm exceedingly proud of my son for still wanting to go.  All I can say is he's a bigger man than me . . . and that's saying something since he's nine and, well, I'm a woman.

HELP: Shop the Shoppe!

Remember a few posts ago, in A Chance to be Profound, I told you about a little Christmas shopkeeper who was so kind to me, at a time when my spirit really, really needed it?  I just got word that the shop is struggling this year.  Really struggling.  As the shopkeeper's sister wrote in a comment to that post just today, Demory's is "going through tough times right now."  (gulp)  We all know what that means in these tough times.

The thought of this particular shop closing makes my heart heavy, not because of anything in particular in their store -- though all their merchandise is lovely and fairly priced -- but because of the kindness and ethic that came along with the merchandise.  That is a rare commodity that we have undervalued for far too long, don't you agree? 

How's your Christmas shopping going?

Are you finished?

If you are, how did it go?  Were you treated kindly?  Did you leave the store feeling better than you did when you came in?  Probably not. 

ughhhhh!

In fact, when was the last time you left a store feeling beholden to the shopkeeper for treating you so well?  I'll bet most of you can't remember.  And if you can, it was a little shop like Demory's. 

If you're not finished, why?

Are you out of ideas?  Any chance they would like something from a little Christmas shop in Maryland?

How is your spirit feeling this season?  Christmas and otherwise.  I know mine waxes and wanes . . . and often this time of year, I keep my eyes open for that last little something to do to make the season brighter for someone else, thereby replenishing my Christmas spirit as well.

Well, I found it.

And I pass it along to you as well:  Shop the shoppe!

If you need a gift for someone yet . . . consider a Christmas item from Demory's.  Big or small, I know they'd love your business. 

 

Demory's Christmas Memories

301-739-9627

If nothing else, at least visit their website, for a unique experience . . . the website reflects the person, not only the merchandise . . . very refreshing.

Feel free to grab the button for your own blog and help me spread the word.  (I feel just like Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail . . . "Can we save the Shop Around the Corner???"  If only I had her cute hair . . . but I digress . . . let's get to work!)  

Let the LORD be magnified, 

which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

From Psalm 35:27