Tag: #Christmas

Christmas & Aging

karenringalls14 Comments

Christmas literally means the Mass of Christ. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, emphasizing love, peace, and goodwill towards all.

Now that we are in our 80s, the celebration of Christmas has mellowed and changed. It is less about Santa Claus or Kris Kringle. It is more about sending love and peace to everyone, even to those who are rude and grumpy. We remember the message of the play and story Scrooge.

  • Decorating the house with a tree, fewer lights, candles, and garland. Over the years, the tree has become smaller and artificial.
  • Baking cookies in smaller quantities but keeping the tradition of old favorites.
  • Sending fewer Christmas cards via the postal service. Grateful for email cards and letters.
  • Amazon! No trips to department stores.
  • Quiet celebration at home or with friends instead of large groups, as shown in paintings by Norman Rockwell or Currier & Ives.
  • Magic walnuts are still made, just fewer as the kids and grandchildren have become adults.

Our memories of Christmases past bring us joy. Each year we treasure the gifts of:

  • New engagements
  • Weddings of grandchildren
  • Graduations
  • Retirement for some, plans for early retirement by others
  • Births of great-grandchildren
  • The joy of watching our children be parents and grandparents
  • The gift of having stimulating, informative, and interesting conversations.
  • And, the gift that they are now looking out for us, making sure that we are safe and able to still take care of ourselves.
  • We are very proud and deeply love our 6 adult children, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Who could ask or want any more than them for Christmas?!

To celebrate the Christ-mas is by treating everyone with love every day.

Christmas Cookie Exchange: Gallettes

karenringalls34 Comments

Gallettes are French cookies made with a waffle iron. My mother-in-law would make them for us every Christmas. She passed this recipe down to me for which I am very grateful. I make the Gallettes every Christmas season and I have passed the recipe down to my sons and grandchildren.

The tradition continues!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb. unsalted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 6 large eggs, separated
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

Recipe:

  • Step 1: Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  • Step 2: Separate egg yolks and beat slightly; lightly add vanilla and almond extracts with a fork.
  • Step 3: Gradually add egg yolk mixture to the creamed sugars until incorporated.
  • Step 4: Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  • Step 5: Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into dough
  • Step 6: Beat butter at medium speed until smothered and creamy. Beat in both sugars until well combined, light, and fluffy.
  • Step 7: Drop batter by 1-2 teaspoons onto a preheated waffle griddle and bake until lightly brown. Carefully remove with 2 forks to cool on a rack.
  • Serve and enjoy!
SANTA’S FAVORITE COOKIE

My thanks to Staci Troilo for this year’s cookie exchange.

See every baker’s offerings by checking out the link https://stacitroilo.wordpress.com/2023/12/14/third-virtual-cookie-exchange/) and then clicking on the links shown.

Christmas Gifts

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In ancient Rome, from December 17 to 23, a festival called Saturnalia was celebrated with a sacrifice, banquets, and gift-giving. It was a time of giving thanks to the god of agriculture, Saturn. Extravagant gifts were in contradiction to the spirit of Saturn, so the lowliest, silliest, or mundane gift was considered the best.

In 312 AD, the Roman emperor, Constantine, converted to Christianity. The gift giving as represented by the magi gradually replaced the gifts from plain to the best or richest. Nickolas of Myra was known for his love of giving gifts. After his death, he was named Saint Nicholas, the saint of gift-giving. As Christianity spread across Europe, various traditions and interpretations emerged including the story of Santa Claus.

When one gives gifts from the heart, there is a natural benefit to the giver: the heart is healthier, stress is reduced, and endorphins are released. The giver does not expect anything in return.

Wishing you each a blessed Christmas.