Christmas Nights, Christmas Lights

Since we spend Christmas Eve and Day at my parent's house in and then this year are heading immediately to England (!), A and I always celebrate our own Christmas one weekend before December 25th. This year we headed to brunch at one of my favorite places in Boston: Kitchen.

Kitchen brings to life dishes and recipes from throughout time - all the meals have dates of origin next to them on the menu, dating all the way back to a 17th century 'sallet' (salad). I love the historical aspect, the old cookbooks and records that make up the decor of the small South End locale, but I most of all love the doughnuts:

But really

I don't even really like doughnuts as rule (cider doughnuts be an exception) but these little pillows of cinnamon-y sugar goodness are heavenly. They are both a brunch starter and a dessert; they actually appear on the brunch menu twice. They are perfection in a little warm cakey bite, completed by the berry jam and vanilla sauce. 

LOOK at that

During brunch hours, complimentary homemade warm from the oven muffins are also served. 

A broken muffin still remembers it's true strength

The evening carb offering is homemade pretzel rolls. They may sound simple, but they are worth the trip. Really, if one went to Kitchen and had nothing by a cocktail and the doughnuts or pretzel rolls, one could be sated...until the call of the carbohydrate rises again...

After I stopped crying my tears of joy over the doughnuts, April had some beautiful oysters on a half shell that I did not partake in and thus forgot to photograph, but then the (other) piece d'resistance: lobster grits.

Bubblin'

Lobster grits may sound simple, but that is the magic of Kitchen: they take beautiful, high quality ingredients and make them live up to their tastiest level. 

Extreme lobster close up

Lobster grits half-consumed and the rest happily packed up, we wandered in the bitter cold through the downtown lights until it was time for the annual Trinity Church Candlelight Carols. Trinity is a beautiful Romanesque church that sits in the center of Boston's Copley Square. Every December, Trinity hosts a carol service for the community. 

View from the balcony

As twilight drains out of the church, the candles are lit and the light spreads throughout every nave and row of the church. The carols represent countries and cultures from around the world, including medieval folk songs and African spirituals. The spectacular surroundings combined with the soaring music of a choir could put anyone in the holiday spirit. 

After the music ended, we re-entered the city to find a pristine dusting of snow.

Our perfect day was complete. Until the next Christmas event...

Holiday Spirit is all Around

We have lived in our own little piece of Boston for almost four years and while it is tiny, it suits us entirely.

However, I have reached an impasse in one case. It seems I have accumulated too many Christmas / winter holiday decorations to fit them all into 560 square feet. It is a delicious problem.

Construction crafts are in

Christmas tree, 'yule log' stockings, snowflakes, oh my

There's too many ornaments on the tree already...

Sparkles...and my lens

Mini dishwasher deco!

Very old family advent calendar. Mouse!

Baron Kingsley the 1st of Berkshire, our resident elf

I only bought one new thing this year (giant sparkly pinecones) but I really can't buy anything else until we upgrade. Unless of course I get rid of some of my clothes...

Ugly Sweater Party

In honor of the festive season, I like to institute craft and baking nights in the lead up to Christmas. Tonight's activity combines both into one handy project.

Sparkly camera filter?

My mom bought us this 'Ugly Sweater Cookie' kit during the marathon eight hour black Friday trip we spent chasing after my aunt and cousin. Who doesn't love decorating cookies?! If only to eat them...

Tools

Naked sweaters

We ran out of powdered sugar (and brown sugar and most sugars) the first evening so we had to go back the next night to decorate but this meant our palettes were nice and cool.

Mmm, blood frosting

A worthy palette 

Art in motion

Most proud of my Christmas tree pattern

Bloody hell

Chevron

I'd say these are spectacular examples of ugly sweaters in edible form, which has to be the best form. We got the kit at Sears, but I definitely saw it at a few other places. 

Ta-da!

Cover it in Chocolate

Everyone likes gifts that can eat. Tasty, festive, affordable, and easy to travel and store, I'd much rather get something to eat than some 'stuff' I need to find a place for. Completely simple, delicious  and definite crowd pleasers, chocolate-covered pretty much anything makes a gift that is sure to be used and loved. They are also great for any holiday / event - just decorate them accordingly.

Chocolate-Covered Pretzels / Oreos / Dried Fruit / Anything that Strikes your Fancy

6 ounces semi-sweet, milk, and/or white chocolate chips
Cookies, pretzel rods, dried fruit or anything else you like
Toppings; sprinkles, chopped nuts, eatable glitter

1) Melt chocolate in microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until it is completely smooth. N.B. make sure whatever container you melt the chocolate in will be big enough to dip things in.

2) Dip pretzel rods (at least half way up) or dried fruit pieces in chocolate and allow excess chocolate to drip off. Twirl slightly to get even coverage.

3) If desired, apply sprinkles, nuts, or other toppings before placing chocolate dipped treat on wire rack. I went with all white sprinkles to make them 

4) Transfer racks to fridge for 20 minutes and then places pretzels / cookies in zip-lock bags or in wax paper-lined containers. Store in refrigerator for up to two weeks.

5) Wrap chocolate-covered gifts in festive cellophane bags and distribute to grateful friends / family / workmates.

I dipped large pretzel rods, dried apricots, and double stuff oreos. The oreos required a little more attention to detail for full coverage; I ended up throwing them in the chocolate and fishing them back out with a fork. 

Pearly, glittery apricots

Chopped almonds and milk chocolate

Ta-da!

3 Things

The end of the Christmas cookies...

My favorite pup in his holiday blanket

A gift to get me ready for this Sunday! 

Happy New Year. May it be all that your heart desires.

Christmas Time is Here...

1. What is your favorite thing about Christmas ?

The music! I love the constant festive soundtrack that reminds me of so many nice memories. I also really like cookies.

2. What is your favorite make up look for festive the season?

For special occasions, I tend to just apply more and more eye make up. Black-brown eyeliner and lots of mascara typically does the trick. Or just some berry lip color and throw on something sparkly and call it festive!

3. Real tree or fake tree?

Real tree at my parent's house always, but a mini fake one in the condo. There is only so much space, so a fake tree is better than no tree!

4. Giving presents or receiving presents?

I love to give presents. I pride myself on being very good at it too, so I can hardly wait to have people open their presents. I end up giving the wife hers in installments, so I can spread out the fun.

5. Do you open presents Christmas morning or eve / evening?

We've always done family-wide Secret Santa on Christmas eve and family presents Christmas morning. On Christmas morning, music has to be playing and everyone have their tea at hand before presents start.

6. Handmade Christmas cards or bought?

I am terrible at sending Christmas cards regularly but I have both bought and made them. I love making things, but I'm not always happy with my own results, so I err on the side of the professionals.

7. What is your favorite Christmas film?

Home Alone II: Lost in New York and A Muppets Christmas Carol. I watch them at least once every year.

8. What's your favorite Christmas food?

Cookies, cakes, sweets, etc. It's like I want to have diabetes.

9. What's your favorite Christmas song?

I don't  think I could ever pick really, but "Carol of the Bells" always embodies feelings of wonder and joy.

10. What's your favorite Christmas memory?

I'm not sure I could pick one -  I had a very idyllic childhood! One year, I did teach our Italian greyhound Mario to open presents and he would only really do it with me. I would tear a strip of paper open and offer it to him, and he would grab it in his mouth and pull it off until the gift was opened. It was incredibly adorable and funny. Mario is blind now, so no more gift opening, but he will surely still get some gifts!

Tag borrowed from Milkbubbletea

1st Line Submission

I have been trying to get back into the habit of writing regularly (thus this blog) so I've started seeking out literary journals like The First Line . As the name suggests, the premise is that TFL publishes opening lines each season and invites entries that start with it. I submitted an entry for the winter 2012 issue and while my piece was not chosen, I am still pleased to have actually finished and submitted something! So here it is.

Next week: Part II of 2012: A Year in Review and then on to homemade Christmas presents (hopefully!)

Sometimes, when it's quiet, I can remember what my life was like before moving to Cedar Springs.  I find that it is often quiet here, neither to the improvement or detriment of daily life.  Cedar Springs is good at maintaining the careful balance between extremes; no day is too hot or too cold, no celebration too ostentatious or too petty, nothing too big or too small.  Life is as it should be in Cedar Springs.

Everything is pleasant without being over-stimulating; disappointments are gentle letdowns to be expected in modern life.

This has been my home for several weeks, months, years… I no longer keep careful measure.  I have found it peaceful for the most part and that is what they said I needed.

“Peace and quiet and time to rest” was the recommendation.  Cedar Springs was the ideal place.  In the quietest moments, I remember my life before; my ‘last life’.  All there is now is the undulating present of days like the ones that went before and tireless nights following after.

I am lucky.  Every day, I hear this.  Most times some person tells me; sometimes I swear the swaying tree branches or the glass-like river whispers it.  I am lucky, I know that.  I would know that without any reminder, but I have grown not to mind.  Cedar Springs is a place where people are always grateful in a dignified manner and expect others to behave in the same reserved way.  It is different than my last life, but I do not mind.

In the time I’ve been in Cedar Springs, I have walked every street in town.  I have been in all the shops and eaten in all the establishments, fine and otherwise.  I have read every book about Cedar Springs, set in Cedar Springs, written by Cedar Springs.  

Perhaps I will write a book I said suddenly one day, looking up.  “Yes of course you should” the faces around the room said.  ‘That would be nice.’ ‘That would be a great undertaking.’  ‘It could really take you places’ the last voice in the circle said.  I have already come here, I thought.  Where else was there to go?

The loudest voice in the room pierces my thoughts:
“Would your book be about before Cedar Springs or before?”

I looked at him, the first person I met in this town, the man I saw everyday.

“I can’t say until I start writing.”

The next day he handed me a blank notebook.
“I think we’ve gotten enough done today. Take the rest of the day off and go write. I’m excited to read your book.” he said, smiling.

I plunged through the double doors into the cold outside.  I could walk home from here, to the grocery store, the pharmacy; everything was close in Cedar Springs.  I had known it’s every avenue, street, and park within a few hours of moving here.  I think I know these streets better than I know myself.

I walked the long way home, stopping from time to time to jot down observations, poetic descriptions, dainty enough strings of words.  I wandered down streets I had seen a hundred times before and tried to look at them anew.  The sky stretched for miles overhead and the ground below yielded to its reach.  The sky in Cedar Springs was the same sky I had looked up to every other day of my life.  It was all the same.

Snow began to fall as if it had been planned.   The day had drawn to an end and the wind had grown colder, and so the snow fell.  I thought of the last time I walked in the drifting snow, before Cedar Springs and I could barely recall what had come before.