A Twist on the War on Christmas

When I went to pick up the girls from school yesterday, one of the first grader's teachers came up to me and whispered that the 7yo had explained that she doesn't believe in Santa Claus. The teacher continued to whisper how the 7yo, who was standing right there with us, had articulated her beliefs quite clearly.

Of course, I had several simultaneous reactions to this conversation. The most important reaction was how proud I am that my daughter can speak for herself. I could tell, though, from the whispering, that my child's beliefs made this teacher uncomfortable. The teacher persisted, suggesting that we read The Polar Express. I told her that we had read it.

Then it was my turn to explain. As a single parent with no other rallying grown-up with whom to wink-wink nudge-nudge our way through fairy tales, building up the concept of Santa didn't really seem worth the effort. Instead, I presented to the children my understanding of the concept of Santa saying, "Some people believe..." and asked them, "What do you believe?" I go along with whatever beliefs they express. It changes from year to year, sometimes week to week, or even hour to hour.

I was uncomfortable whispering because I'm sure the 7yo was picking up parts of the conversation, and the whispering might be sending her the message that her beliefs are not okay. So gently, I brought her into the conversation with us.

We do celebrate Christmas in our family, but neither Jesus nor Santa plays a starring role. We celebrate the spirit of giving, of gathering family and friends, and connectedness. We also bring light into the darkness of winter with twinkly lights, candles, cookies, and song. And yes, we decorate a tree. Of course the children have long lists of toys and gifts they want, but they have those lists all year round. The most miraculous gifts come, not from Santa, but from Grandpa and Grandma, aunts and uncles, and from friends near and far.

The teacher was unconvinced.

She told me that the 7yo's beliefs might scare the other children!






Peace.




Santa picture found here.

Home

Home

"Amid pleasures and palaces, wherever we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home..."

Of all the pleasures that life holds for you now, none is more healing and rewarding than being at home. Home is not just your physical surroundings, but also those people who are dearest to you, who make a home of the heart in which you happily dwell. Spend time now appreciating all these blessings.

Tarot card and description gratefully found here. Thank you Lunaea Weatherstone.





Peace.

Winter Is Rolling In

Though only a little snow fell here this weekend, it finally feels like Winter is rolling in.

The cold air felt good on my face this morning as I scraped the ice off the windshield.

Windshield art was born, like many of the things I invented, to console a baby. It probably started back when I needed to keep the baby in view. I would buckle her in her car seat first, then go scrape off the snow and ice. To keep her entertained, I drew pictures in the ice with the scraper.

Now, my 9yo and 7yo, who could play in the yard or wait in the warm house, instead get in the car and watch eagerly for the pictures to emerge as I scrape each window. We are often in a hurry in the morning, and I sometimes think it is silly for me to be drawing, even though it doesn't really take much longer than regular scraping. Then I assure myself that when the girls are grown, they are much more likely to remember that their mother drew pictures in snow and ice than that they were a minute or two late to school from time to time.

What art will you make today? What memory?

Peace.

Scenes from This Week in Early December

Thank you to all my online friends who came looking for me this week.

I am grateful.

I am also glad to be back!

Peace.

Wine and Whine, 2

Times are tough. Please send wine.

Peace.

Good News and Bad News

Last night, just as I settled in to chat with some of my favorite virtual friends at the Big Blue Tavern,* I discovered I was banned. I'm sure it is a technical glitch, even though I was just about to post a comment teasing our host for putting up Erin McKeown and Common Rotation with Amy Ray on consecutive nights. But I didn't post it! I mean, heck, I hardly ever even swear. I've never been banned before, have you? This is what it looks like:

Banned by webmaster. Your comments will not be added

After announcing the news to my facebook friends and killing a few brain cells over at TextsFromLastNight [full disclosure: I don't even have a cell phone!], I went to bed and listened to the rain.

It rained hard all night. In the morning, it was blustery and tropical.

I discovered I am still banned.


Today is supposed to be a record warm sunny day.

Peace.


*tavern name stolen from Libby.

Pie and Cake

Thanksgiving Pie

Pear.
A little apple.
Maybe a cup of blueberries.
Maybe a half cup cranberries.
Juice of a meyer lemon, plus zest.
Fresh grated ginger. A little honey. Some cinnamon.
And a splash of some weird maple whiskey and some fancy pear brandy.

Butter/flour/water crust with a bit of bacon grease, too.

Most of the fruit went into the pie

And there was enough leftover for cake today

I made it very similarly to this cake, except instead of cornmeal and pecans, I used the fruit. Instead of flour, almond meal, and oats, I used one cup corn flour and one cup coconut flour. I used a yogurt, apple cider, milk blend for the liquid (and it needed much more than one cup). I did not put any spices in the batter this time, because there was a lot of spice in the fruit.

I also made pumpkin bread with chopped dark chocolate bars today

angel love baker

Enjoy.