Where is spirit of Christmas? Have you seen it?

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | DEC. 24 2006 | Carlo3b, Dad, Chef, Author

[carlo3b]

    Where is spirit of Christmas? Have you seen it?

    I am really getting worried that it's lost and we won't be able to find it in time.

I am just heartbroken, somewhere over the last few years we seem to have misplaced the heart and soul of Christmas. The season appears to be right, the weather has a nip to it, and the decorations have been up for a very long time, and I am constantly being reminded that it's just around the corner, but somehow I have this terribly feeling that something is wrong.

It is more than just one thing that isn't quite right, there isn't any laughter. I can't recall what it was that used to make me smile and sing at this time of the year, but it for sure isn't there anymore. Can you help me find the warmth, and love that Christmas has always brought into our lives, have you seen any joy in peoples eyes?  Maybe it's just me, oh my, is it just me?

I seem to recall that this season was a time that brought everyone together, families and friends, and even strangers. Wait, I don't remember thinking at this time of the year that there were any strangers, only wonderful people that we hadn't had the opportunity to meet yet. People smiled at each other, held the door, men and boys offered every woman their seat, and everyone said GOD BLESS YOU, when you sneezed.

Heirloom decorations were unpacked, families went out together to choose a tree, and that inexhaustible calliope of mystical music filled the air. The smell of fresh pine was abundant in each and every house, and colored lights blinked as kids giggled and whispering and scribbled notes to Santa.

Old folks and children where the center of attention, and picking just the right gift was a very special achievement, well thought out and mulled over for days. Some presents took all year to make, and some took all year to save for. Only a very few were expensive, but all had a special meaning. Gift wrapping was an art, and unwrapping was deliberate and magical.

The center of the community was your neighborhood church, and talk of God, and baby Jesus was the main topic of Grace before dinner, and bedtime stories. Mangers, Santa's, holiday decorations, and lights were everywhere. Snow was a conversation piece, and when and if, was debated and recalled.

Food, ah yes, holiday food was researched, planned, plotted and prepared for days leading up to the big event. Everyone was involved, and everyone had a job. The location of the Christmas Eve party was usually determined by the age of the grandparents, and where they lived in proximity to the bulk of the family. However that was no sure thing.

Each family was represented in the choice of menu items. Every wonderful cook in each branch of the family offered to prepare their own special version of the chosen food. This made for a memorable feast indeed. The competition was playful and fun, but most importantly, filled with love... lots and lots of love and lovers.

This is the time of the year that we built mountains of warm love, enough to store up for cold dark days ahead. If we lose Christmas, who will tell the children about the baby Jesus, who will love you and remind you how lucky you are to have freedom, and  family, and bring memories to the old folks, and memories that you can recall when you are old. Don't let it happen.

Won't you help me find Christmas, I know it's somewhere.. Do you know where it can be, perhaps it's just hiding deep in the warmth of your heart.. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your love. Thank you for being you..

THANK GOD FOR AMERICA.. God Bless you all... MERRY CHRISTMAS..

[KoRn]

/bookmarked for recipes

Merry Christmas!

Please add me to your ping list. I love all things cooking!

[TASMANIANRED]

Merry Christmas carlo.

[mware]

Oh yes I have seen Christmas. In the face of Billy Tyler celebrating his first Christmas.

[Lady Jag]

Dear Santa ~

 

I have a list of people I know,
All written in a book.
And every year at Christmastime,
I go and take a look.
 
And that is when I realize,
That those names are a part,
Not of the book they're written in,
But of my very heart.
 
For each name stands for someone,
Who has crossed my path some time.
And in that meeting they've become,
A treasured friend of mine.
 
And once you've met some people,
The years can not erase,
The memory of a pleasant word,
Or a friendly face.
 
So when I send a Christmas card,
That is addressed to you,
It's because you're on that list,
Of folk I'm indebted to.
 
And you are one of many folk who,
In times past I've met,
And happen to be one of those,
I don't want to forget.
 
And whether I have known you for,
Many years or few,
In some way you have a part in,
Shaping things I do.
 
This, the spirit of Christmas,
that Forever and ever endures.
May it leave it richest blessing,
In the hearts of you and yours.

 

[TASMANIANRED]

I'm the maker of the German Anise Cookies...Springerle
for my family.

I inherited my grandmothers Springerle boards.

4 large eggs
1 lb of powdered sugar
4 cups of flour
1 tsp of baking powder.
1/2- 1 tsp of anise oil.

Beat the eggs well until light lemon color. Add the anise oil.

Beat in the powdered sugar for about 3-4 minutes.

Sift the flour and the powdered sugar together.
Add 1 cup at a time to the eggs and sugar.

Will become too stiff for a mixer, start incorporating the flour with a spoon.

Reserve about 1/2 cup of flour.

Knead the dough on floured sugar. When smooth and fairly dry


With a rolling pin roll to about 1/2 inch thick.

Very lightly dust the top with flour..
Press down springerle board straight down till the top is imprinted.

Cut the cookies apart and let air dry for 4 hrs or overnight.

Bake 350 for 7-9 minutes. Don't let them brown.

Let cool briefly and then give a twist to pop them off the cookie sheet.

Use parchment paper or Teflon cookie sheets.

No shortening.

Cookies are soft with first baking but they age to rocks and are wonderful dunked in your bevg of choice. I made about 200 dozen of them this year.

[truthkeeper]

It's funny that I came on the forum feeling rather melancholy about the Christmas spirit thing, and lo and behold, here's your post. I feel a little better now.

Merry Christmas, sweetheart.

[stanz]

This is really beautiful.
Wishing you peace, joy and all things bright and beautiful.
MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Stanz & Noelle

[stanz]

Taking 5 in between gift-wrapping to think of all of you and to wish you a Merry Christmas.
Peace and love on this night.

[KDD]

Merry Christmas!

[Humidston]

Every year each grandchild receives an ornament from us, signed and dated. We choose ornaments apropos to their interests and talents. When they marry, they have their collection of ornaments to place on their own trees!

BTW, I grew up in the Chicago area - about the same time you did - and have many of the same memories! In fact, when I close my eyes I can still recall the sweet smell of my grandmother's kitchen on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas, dear FRiend!

[christie]

Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

[mylife]

Add me to the pinglist please.

Merry Christmas Carlo!

[Lord_Baltar]

I got a wonderful dose of Christmas spirit this year.

I took my kids to see the yearly presentation of "A Christmas Carol" at the Glendale Center Theater, in Glendale CA.

It was a blast, and a much needed recharge to my Christmas spirit, which I hate to say, was in need of a serious jump start.

The acting the singing and the dancing were all excellent, all in all, it really put me in the right frame of mind to deal with Christmas this year.

If you're in so cal, you really should check out this theater. All the shows they do are "family friendly", and the whole theater in the round thing is a real treat.

My kids have already started talking about going again next year.