In Search of Signs of the Season

Like so many folks that I have heard from this year, I’m having a bit of trouble getting my holiday grove on. Something feels very off this year and I can’t put my finger on it. I’m blaming the unusual alignment of the planets this year. People look at me funny when I tell them that’s why nothing is getting done but they don’t question it. You can come up with your own reasons.

Since I’m not out shopping to get in the mood, music on my laptop has to get me cheery. I’ve watched as many holiday movies as the Hallmark channel will provide. Those kept me company while I wrote out Christmas cards but the baking required the music. There has been a lot of baking but not as much as usual.

M&M’s don’t last long when my son arrives

My daughter and I bake to make gifts for friends and neighbors. I give a loaf of banana or pumpkin bread to each delivery person that graces my door. The mailman gets one too. The recipes are family secrets. My first mother-in-law shared the banana bread recipe with me along with her lessons on how to love a child. I bake it in her honor. The M&M™ cookies are from the original recipe I found in a magazine in 1963. I’ve made them almost every year since except for 1968 when we lived in Taiwan with no stove or oven. I also make my Rice Krispie™ treats from their original recipe that called for more marshmallows and less krispies. I cut the butter in half and it works just fine. The coconut macaroons are from my mothers German recipe book that we converted the measurements though I still have German measuring cups.

There is more in the freezer and the fridge. OMG! Come help us eat this.

I’ll take cookies and bread to the complex office since they have been so kind and helpful. We will take some down to my niece and her girls. She doesn’t have a lot of time to bake. There will be some left for us to enjoy. My son is the official cookie tester. Everyone has to have a job no matter how difficult.

I spent a lot of time looking down at the ground to find this stuff.

My wreath is on the door even though it’s looking a bit weary after 2 years in storage. I’ve made several of them as gifts from stuff off the ground. I’ll repair it before putting it back. A portion of my decorations are still in storage though I sold or donated quite a bit two years ago when they were last out.

My daughter is the official wrapper for our family. We even make her finish her own wrapping after we put her gift in the box. She embellishes everything. She even started making her own bows and sewed a Christmas button on that I had in my stash. We always hate to open the packages. I think next year I’ll let her wrap empty boxes to keep under the tree. That’s what they had her doing at work this week.

To pretty ot open

Button and handmade bow

I’m as ready as I’m going to get this year. The signs of the season are all in place. At least I think they are. What is the sign that signals the holiday has arrived for you?

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~ Charles Dickens

From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself