An old post revised and revisited. Christmas. It's not always for everyone. And it's okay.

I have, in the past, blogged about people who say they hate Christmas. 

I have shared my own feelings about Christmas, and about how I think people who hate it might want to consider walking away from some of the things they hate. 

This morning I received a note from an old friend who remembered a particular post and wanted to read it again, but couldn't find it.  

She remembered that it included a recipe.

Digging in the Meanderings and Muses archives I wasn't able to find it either.

No wonder!  It was one I had written some time back for Jungle Red!

Finally able to find it, I dusted it off, revised it and sent it to her.  (You're welcome, Karen!)

And then decided to share it here.

Because Christmas can be hard.

Here's my unsolicited advice.  Knowing how I feel about unsolicited advice, I completely understand if you close this window right now . . . 



If, however, you're still here . . . 



I've suggested that those who dislike Christmas consider starting their own traditions that don't include those things that they find upsetting.  

Things like the rank commercialization and the whole "too much" thing.  

When did Christmas become so much about all the "stuff?!"  

And why do children need to have 46 beezillion gifts under the tree?! 


There are years I have had to walk away from some of it.  

Some years there just hasn't been much money.  

Some years I was on my own and frankly, didn't feel there was much to celebrate.  

And sometimes, it's just too much.


Is it any wonder this time of the year is so hard for so many?  

And believe me - I do know that for many it's not simply a case of disliking Christmas and some of the commercialism.  

I know full well about Christmas depression and the seriousness of it.  

It's debilitating and scary.  

It affects many.  

And my weak little take on how to get through the holidays with a speck of sanity left is in no way meant to sound dismissive towards those who suffer what is clearly more than "Holiday Frustration."



First of all, I'm certainly not proposing anyone walk away from "all" holiday traditions.  But if there are things happening that overwhelm you or bring up bad memories, why shouldn't you toss those aside? 


Take the holiday season to teach children "your" values - not what society pushes us into.  

The season is about enjoying life and the blessings we have - don't be manipulated into doing things you don't want to do just because someone else says it's the way it should be done.  

Not all of us want a cooking/crafting bonanza kind of holiday and prefer to keep it simple.

I think many of our time honored Christmas traditions are grand.  The old fashioned ones that I grew up with.  I love 'em and they're dear to my heart.

But some years, even those are too much. 

Like decorating our home for the holidays.  I love decorating of any kind, so holidays are the perfect excuse for me to just go kinda nuts.

I'm a lousy gardener, which makes me kinda sad, so I leave the little bit of landscaping we do to Donald.

  But I can do fun "Tablescapes!" 

And Christmas Tablescapes are THE most fun!

IF I'm in the mood.


Some years, the Santas just stay in their box under the bed.

And it's okay.

Some years, Christmas makes an early arrival at our house.  I start sneaking the Santas and a few other decorations in around Thanksgiving.  

A lot of the things I use to decorate with have been with us for a very long time - and many show their age, which makes me love them all the more.  

They're ragtag and dusty, which is sorta how I feel a lot of times, so I feel a special fondness for them.

Which is also why I understand completely that there are some years they don't really want to come out and play.  

So they don't.


And it's okay. 



I love watching the lights on a Christmas tree.  Sometimes if I can't sleep, I'll just wander into the sunroom and sit in the dark watching the lights twinkle.

I enjoy our old Christmas ornaments - the ones we brought into our marriage with us, along with the ones we've picked up together on trips.  

I also like finding ridiculously silly things to hang on the tree.

But some years, if the mood isn't there for a tree - we just don't put one up.  If things are too busy and either of us is feeling a bit stressed, the last thing we want to do is add to the stress by doing something that is supposed to be fun.  

And you know, it's okay.



Another Christmas tradition I love is baking.

And I love love love baking with my mini-bundt pans.  The first round of baking has begun.

Using one of my favorite cookbooks, Bibb Jordan's "The Pound Cake Cookbook."

It's a teeny little cookbook full of the best pound cake recipes you'll find.  Fruit pound cakes, chocolate pound cakes, old-fashioned pound cakes, outrageously inspired pound cakes, a cheese savory pound cake and special miniature pound cakes.  yum.


I made several "Bittersweet & Orange Bundt-lette Pound Cakes"

And the baking was fun.  

But, same as the tree.  

There have been years when I just did not want to bake.  

It just wan't fitting in with all those other things.  

So I didn't.  

And it was okay.

My wish for each of you is for a Happy Holiday Season - whatever it is you celebrate, I hope you celebrate it in a joyous, joyful manner.  In a way that makes you and yours happy and leaves you with a feeling of grace.  May it be a holiday filled with traditions, old and new, of your choosing, and one of peace.

My wish also includes this - if you or someone you love starts feeling the pressures that many feel this time of year - the feelings of loneliness, sadness, or hopelessness - reach out.  There's no shame in asking for help. 

My gift to each of you is Bibb Jordan's scrumptious recipe for these  little mini bundts.  If my name were Santa, I would deliver some to you, but, well - it's not.  So I share this recipe along with a "Ho, Ho, Ho!"

Bittersweet & Orange Bundt-lette Pound Cakes

Makes 14 - 16 mini pound cakes

Ingredients:

Pam or Baker's Joy

1 1/2 sticks of butter (room temperature)

1/2 cup Crisco

3 cups of sugar

5 large eggs (room temperature)

3 cups of flour

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

1 cup of milk (room temperature)

6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate (nuggets or chopped  -  your choice)

1 Tablespoon  of finely grated orange zest

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon of orange extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Spray Bundt-lette pans with Pam or Baker's Joy. (this non-stick cooking spray is needed.  The traditional method of buttering and flouring the individual molds does not work well).

Cream together the butter and Crisco on high speed until lightened in color, about 3 minutes.  Gradually add the sugar and tehn continue beating for 5 minutes.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.  Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the batter, blend well, then add 1/2 cup of the milk, blending well again.  Repeat with the remaining flour and milk.

Fold in the chocolate, zest, and extracts.

Fill the Bundt-lette molds with the batter, coming to within 1/2-inch from the top.  If they're over-filled they will over-flow.

Bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes,or until tested done.

Note:  The Bundt-lettes may not brown on the top, but when turned out of the pan, they will be a golden color and look like miniature pound cakes.

Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool completely.

Enjoy!!!!

First Sunday of the Month

Today, I'm at Jungle Red - http://www.jungleredwriters.com/

Photo by Geneviève, Paris

Reposted from Jungle Red

SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017

"Oh, Kaye!" chats about politics and puppies

This past month has been a busy one.

Being mom to a new puppy (sometimes referred to as Princess Piranha) has kept me on my toes.

Anyone reading my Meanderings and Muses knows what I mean.  Puppy and Politics, that's what it's all about for me these days.  Who would have guessed?

Getting more and more involved in local political activities is keeping me busy - remember, "It's a marathon, not a sprint!"  There is much to do.  

One of the local events was a visit to Rep. Virginia Foxx's office.  She was not there, but her staff was expecting us and they were kind and courteous to all 180+ of us who presented individual letters addressed to Rep. Foxx.   

The other was a tea and cookies event held on Saturday.  She declined this invitation also, even though she was just down the street a couple blocks at a speaking engagement right before the event started

The tea went on as planned and was a huge success.  Rep. Foxx was represented by a photo and an empty chair.  Too bad she chose not to attend, there were excellent points made by attendees and questions that deserved answers.


I have strong feelings about all this.  I happen to think elected officials have an obligation to listen to their constituents.  To answer questions.

Silly me.



So.


Moving along to puppies . . . 



Puppy Kindergarten started this week.

Oh, laws . . .

Let me tell you about Puppy Kindergarten.

It's basically a dog obedience class except it's for puppies only.  Puppies who have about an inch long attention span and very sharp little teeth.

The woman who owns Woof Pack Pet Services is an amazing woman who teaches a variety of classes, has a puppy day care facility, a boarding facility for dogs, and another for cats.


So.  Thursday night was our first class.

Here's our pack -

An adorable mix of pups - all sweet as pie.

The class is based on "Positive Reinforcement."

I love that.


We have been to various classes for dog training in the past - and left - because we did not care for their training philosophy.

This one just seems, to us, to be just right.


So there we were with out itty bitty little fluff ball and all these bigger, but oh so sweet, dogs.  And because they're all puppies, they all have the same issues.  Short attention spans and sharp little teeth.  

Some, however, are already better trained than others.  I'd have to say Annabelle was not as well trained as some, but perhaps a little better trained than others.


But, once she got tired, she was done with learning.


She didn't care if she was being offered a T-bone steak for "down," she was not interested.


Donald is acting as "handler" since he possesses all the patience in the family.


My role is cheerleader and photographer.


That suits me just fine 'cause I get to watch all the other puppies while Don does all the work.


And I smiled and I laughed and I had the best time.


And you know, it's nice to put the rest of the world aside for an evening to watch the simple joy of puppies.

"Oh, Kaye!" day at Jungle Red

Today is the first Sunday of the month.

My day to play at Jungle Red where I'll be chatting a bit about politics and puppies.

I hope you'll drop by and say "Hey!"

"oh, Kaye!" chats about New Orleans

First Sunday of the month.

You know what that means.

I'm at Jungle Red.

And today I'm chatting about New Orleans and this year's Bouchercon, so come say "Hey!"

http://www.jungleredwriters.com/

"Oh, Kaye!" Day

First Sunday of the month - Yay!

And I get to play at Jungle Red wearing my "Oh, Kaye!" hat 

Today I'm talking about football, the Super Bowl, the Carolina Panthers.

and other stuff.

I hope you'll drop by - 

http://www.jungleredwriters.com/

Today I'm Playing at Jungle Red

First Sunday of the month - Yay!  

My day to play as "Oh, Kaye!"

I hope you'll drop by Jungle Red for a visit.

I'm chatting about women.  The lovely and the horrid.

And I'd like to hear what you think.

http://www.jungleredwriters.com/

"Oh, Kaye!" chats about Christmas traditions

It's that time again!

I'm at Jungle Red, and I'm talking about Christmas traditions.

I hope you'll drop by!

http://www.jungleredwriters.com/

Today I'm at Jungle Red

First Sunday of the month and I'm doing my "Oh, Kaye!" gig at Jungle Red.

This month I am not talking about the weather, politics, Harley or my new hat.

I am talking about music and food (again).

I hope you'll drop by!

http://www.jungleredwriters.com/