December Sorrow

    My last post was about how December is a month for and about children. It was titled 'December Joy' and  I  recalled my own childhood as I pulled Christmas out of the attic, relived our children's Christmases  and planned  for more  magic  for our beautiful four-year old grandson.

    I was writing and posting my photos and recollections, forming some haiku as I went along last Friday morning.  No TV, no radio just me and my poetry.  So it was an enormous shock to discover what had transpired while I was writing about the joy and innocence of Christmas.  It was an enormous shock no matter how or when one heard the news.

   I am heart-broken......devastated.......  bereft of words.......filled with sadness like everyone else.

  At the heart of Christmas, of course, is the Holy One who came as a vulnerable child to teach the world about love. The One who always let the children come to Him.  I have no doubt He weeps with us today.

  All I can do is pray....... for the children, their parents, grandparents and siblings, friends and neighbors. All the ones for whom Christmas will never again be wrapped in joyful memories.   May they be consoled.


Shared with Recuerda Mi Corazon

December Joys

***

december weekend
unpacking decorations
wrapped in memories

christmas 

enters her heart and soul

through many doors

fragrant pine

scented with childhood
excitement

candles and toys

decorate an evergreen

with joy

giving gifts

the magic of santa

lovely secret

warm kitchen

nana's linzer torts baking

hugs from heaven

carols sung

 with neighbors and friends

o holy night

Jesus

born in a stable

humble love

a prayer

for the bells of peace to ring

on earth

***

Sharing with Recuerda Mi Corazon Haiku My Heart

Christmas Bread

   OK, I admit it, I was never the cookie mom when my kids were small.  They knew better than to ask me to bake for the class.  It just wasn't my thing. 

 But I could bake a mean loaf of bread and this particular recipe became a family favorite.  I've been making this bread at Christmastime for as long as any of us can remember.

 Where the original came from is lost to history. I have this written on an index card with enough wear and tear on it to have come from the Civil War, except for the fact that it is written in ball-point pen!

Bread making is a somewhat lengthy process and requires some skill in working with the amazing qualities of the living organism known as yeast.  I admit to having made several brick-like loaves before  I got the hang of it.  This is one of the easiest, most fool-proof recipes I've used and it is delicious!

  There are two parts to the recipe, the basic ingredients and the special add-ons which flavor the bread in various ways.  

   Here's how I do it:

 *** Gather the ingredients and start the bread early in the day.

 ***Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and add it to 1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats in a large bowl.  Add 2 TBS of butter, 2 & 1/2  tsp of salt and 1/2 cup of honey or molasses.  Let this sit for 1/2 hour.

 *** Add 2 packages of yeast to 1/3 cup of lukewarm water. let this sit for 5-10 minutes.

 ***Add the yeast to the oat mixture and stir.

 ***Add the special ingredients if using.
Choose one:
   * 1 cup of raisins and 1-2 tsp of cinnamon
   * 2 tsp rubbed sage,2 tsp caraway seeds, 1 tsp marjoram
   * 1/4 tsp thyme, 2 tsp summer savory,  1/2 tsp dried parsley, 1 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp anise seed
   * 3/4 cup of citron
   *or use 1/2 cup of orange marmalade and only 1/4 cup of molasses.

 Now you are ready to add the flour.  You need about 6 cups of flour give or take a 1/2 cup.  I use  half whole wheat and half white flour.  Stir in the first four cups of flour, mixing with a spoon. Add the last 2 cups of flour a little at a time and begin mixing with your hands once you can't stir anymore.  Keep adding the flour and kneading as you go.  As soon as the dough becomes sticky, add more flour.

Keep kneading.

Eventually(after about 10 to 15 minutes of kneading) the dough will take up all the flour and begin to have a slight sheen to it.   Kind of velvety.  That's when you've kneaded enough and you are ready to let the dough rise. Cover with a clean towel and place in a warm spot . In 1& 1/2 to 2 hours the dough will go from this:

 To this:

Now punch it down, divide in half and form 2 loaves.  Cover again and let rise for about 1 hour.

 When the loaves are peeking over the side of the pan they are ready to be baked at 325 about 4 inches from the bottom of the oven for about 40 to 50 minutes.

When they come out of the oven take the loaves out of the pans and place on a cooling rack.  Paint the top of the hot bread with butter to make the crust shiny and resist the temptation to devour the entire loaf before it cools a bit!

This recipe, depending on which 'special ingredients you choose, can be perfect with a cup of afternoon tea or as an accompaniment to a turkey dinner, or  for making a sandwich of leftover turkey.   I try to always have the cinnamon raisin loaf for our breakfast on Christmas morning. Toasted heaven!

Some hints for successful bread-making:
           ** Check the date on the yeast package to make sure it is fresh.
          ** Yeast needs lukewarm water to begin to work its magic.  Not too hot please!
          ** Yeast rises best in a warm kitchen free of drafts.  I usually put my dough into a (cold) oven with a pan of hot water under it.  This seems to be a perfect environment for the dough to rise.  Replenish the hot water as it cools.
           ** Don't be afraid to knead, knead, knead.  The flour has to break down for the bread to rise properly and the kneading promotes that.
   
Thought for today :  There are few aromas more wonderful than baking bread.  It seems to fill the house with love!
         
         

The Madonnas of Italy

   Today is Mary's feast day.  Catholics believe that Mary is the only person (other than her Son) to be  born without 'original sin' and the feast of the Immaculate Conception honors that.

 During a trip to Italy  years ago I took many  photos of  the beautiful Madonnas that adorn churches everywhere.  Mary is a favorite and revered subject for art work in many countries, Italy is no exception, of course.      

  Mary is everywhere in Italy and artists over the centuries have depicted her in all media.  Here are some of my favorite Madonnas.

        I have been enjoying a lovely blog called Recuerda Mi Corazon where artists and poets are sharing their Virgins during the first 12 days of December (until the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

   I am sharing my photo collection of Italian Madonnas with Rebecca today.

Waiting

  we wait

with silent winter stars

come, Lord

December is, above all, a time of waiting.
We wait for Christmas to arrive,  for the silent darkness of the solstice, for the  sun to begin it's slow return, for our hearts to change.
Too often,  December becomes a frantic time of stress with too much to do and not enough time to do it.  There is little time for reflection and self-care.  We can arrive at December 25 exhausted and vaguely unhappy.
Taking time to ponder,  to enjoy the wait, to step back from the frenzy of consumerism can be nourishing.
Although I am not a fan of what plays on most radio stations during the month of December,  called 'holiday music,' I do look forward to hearing certain pieces of music which seem to replenish the spirit and add quiet joy to the season.
Here is a bit of Advent music guaranteed to calm and bring a sense of that peacefulness,  which seems, so often, just out of our reach. Click through to You-tube, close your eyes and enjoy.





Shared with Recuerda Mi Corazon Haiku My Heart