I recently got to meet Julia Cameron. I had been reading her books for years. I love the simple magic in her work. It seemed fitting to me to offer her a small token of my gratitude so I gave her a small smooth rock with the word 'magic' engraved at its center. It was a simple gift but it genuinely reflected what I felt her work has offered to me.
Each year, right around this time I find myself wanting to get swept into the magic of Christmas. Having a young child helps-she so readily and whole heartily accepts the idea that Santa not only can fly by the help of his reindeer but also that he manages to get himself in and out of every single house around the world through the chimney no less to bring presents and fill our stockings while we sleep.
I distinctly remember when I realized that the story around Santa was pure fantasy. I was literally heart broken. I was sad to realize the world wasn't as magical as I hoped it was.
When my older kids were in preschool there was a part of me that was genuinely hesitant to promote the Santa story to them because I didn't want them to ultimately be disappointed.
But then I realized it is a gift, a blessing even to have the opportunity (even if for just a short time) to look at the world as a truly magical place. I think it was that same year that I started a tradition with them to sprinkle 'reindeer' food on our front lawn each Christmas Eve.
Recipe for Feeding Reindeer:
1 c oats
1 tsp cinammon
1 tsp sugar
Mix ingredients together. Place in a festive bag and tie with a holiday ribbon. Just before the little ones go to bed on the night of Christmas Eve take them out on the front lawn and sprinkle on the grass (or snow).
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Candy Cane Sugar Cookies & Dancing
As I build my baking empire I try to keep cash flowing with forays into freelance writing. I received a 'call' yesterday-it wasn't an actual call more like an email-does anyone use the telephone anymore? -to write an article about Dance.
When I received that my very first thought was something I did when I was pregnant with my son. When I was a kid my two sisters and I always loved to dance. We never took formal classes but we did hold our mother hostage for many impromptu living room recitals.
One afternoon, while pregnant my younger sister and I were driving and "It's Raining Men" came on the radio. We pulled to the side of the road and blasted the radio. My sister and I jumped out of the car and danced like wild jumping beans right on the side of the road. We laughed a lot. It was a gorgeous day. Cars honked. We didn't care. We were having fun. Since this tale won't find its way into the article I decided to 'share' it here.
As for Candy Cane Sugar Cookies, I am making these for my daughter's christmas party at her preschool. You make a good sugar cookie dough and roll the cookies into long thin shapes. Then you roll the dough in crushed peppermint candies. These are the kind of cookies that make my middle daughter proud to have me as her mom.
When I received that my very first thought was something I did when I was pregnant with my son. When I was a kid my two sisters and I always loved to dance. We never took formal classes but we did hold our mother hostage for many impromptu living room recitals.
One afternoon, while pregnant my younger sister and I were driving and "It's Raining Men" came on the radio. We pulled to the side of the road and blasted the radio. My sister and I jumped out of the car and danced like wild jumping beans right on the side of the road. We laughed a lot. It was a gorgeous day. Cars honked. We didn't care. We were having fun. Since this tale won't find its way into the article I decided to 'share' it here.
As for Candy Cane Sugar Cookies, I am making these for my daughter's christmas party at her preschool. You make a good sugar cookie dough and roll the cookies into long thin shapes. Then you roll the dough in crushed peppermint candies. These are the kind of cookies that make my middle daughter proud to have me as her mom.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Biscotti, Anagrams & Winter
It's almost winter and I am trying to find alternative loves. My first love is long lazy days of summer by the beach when the kids seem happy to play for hours.
I love to make cranberry biscotti. After I learned how to make my own biscotti- I was surprised at how easy it is. I make it with white chocolate chips in the cookie itself and then I drizzle melted white chocolate on top. It's pretty yummy. Biscotti is nothing more than a twice baked cookie.
Earlier today I came across a fun website-www.anagramgenius.com. Anagrams are simply when you take the letters of a word and you mix up the letters to create a different word-different meaning. I typed in The West Falmouth Baking Company and the anagram offered was wealthy humpback of not steaming.
I found that interesting because when I dreamt up my little cape cod baking business I imagined that I would sell whale shaped sugar cookies to just about everyone and anyone who crossed over the bridge to Cape Cod. Who knows, maybe by next summer. Who wouldn't want a whale sugar cookie?
For now, it's back to winter. I caught part of a movie over the weekend on HBO called "Catch and Release"-overall the movie was nothing to write home about but there was this cool character whose job it was to choose and place those little quotes on Celestial Seasonings Tea Boxes. I thought now that would be a cool job. I happen to have a box of tea in front of me. The quote reads, "Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius"~ Pietro Aretino.
I love to make cranberry biscotti. After I learned how to make my own biscotti- I was surprised at how easy it is. I make it with white chocolate chips in the cookie itself and then I drizzle melted white chocolate on top. It's pretty yummy. Biscotti is nothing more than a twice baked cookie.
Earlier today I came across a fun website-www.anagramgenius.com. Anagrams are simply when you take the letters of a word and you mix up the letters to create a different word-different meaning. I typed in The West Falmouth Baking Company and the anagram offered was wealthy humpback of not steaming.
I found that interesting because when I dreamt up my little cape cod baking business I imagined that I would sell whale shaped sugar cookies to just about everyone and anyone who crossed over the bridge to Cape Cod. Who knows, maybe by next summer. Who wouldn't want a whale sugar cookie?
For now, it's back to winter. I caught part of a movie over the weekend on HBO called "Catch and Release"-overall the movie was nothing to write home about but there was this cool character whose job it was to choose and place those little quotes on Celestial Seasonings Tea Boxes. I thought now that would be a cool job. I happen to have a box of tea in front of me. The quote reads, "Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius"~ Pietro Aretino.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Pomegranate Tartlets & Indoor Caves
My living room has been transformed into a large indoor cave-it almost looks like an igloo. Blankets, pillows, chairs, etc have been gathered from places I didn't even know we had and the kids have been making a hideout of their own. It's a private place for their snacks, games and laughter. It's in their nature to just want to have fun. It's been too cold to do much of it outside so I 'surrender' the living room for now to 'higher' causes.
In the meantime, here is a quick recipe for a delicious holiday desert. They look so pretty and they are very easy to make.
Here's what you'll need for the Pomegranate Tartlets:
Three pie crusts, pre-made store bought in refrigerator section are just fine for this recipe
1 whole pomegranate
1 box pudding and pie filling mix (don't use the instant)
1 3/4 c whipping cream
1/2 tsp rum extract
1 tsp powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. With a 2 inch round cutter, cut 36 rounds and press into un-greased mini muffin cups. Bake 7 or so minutes until light golden brown. Remove from tins and place on cooling racks. Cut Pomegranate in half, remove seeds, set aside.
In medium pan stir pudding mix and whipping cream with whisk until blended. Cook over medium heat for five minutes, or until mixture comes to a boil, stir constantly. Remove from heat, add extract. Immediately spoon about 2 tsp. filling into each tartlet shell. Top each with about 1 tsp. of pomegranate seeds. Cover loosely, refrigerate at least one hour before serving. Just before you serve dust lightly with powdered sugar.
Serves well in "Indoor Caves" too.
In the meantime, here is a quick recipe for a delicious holiday desert. They look so pretty and they are very easy to make.
Here's what you'll need for the Pomegranate Tartlets:
Three pie crusts, pre-made store bought in refrigerator section are just fine for this recipe
1 whole pomegranate
1 box pudding and pie filling mix (don't use the instant)
1 3/4 c whipping cream
1/2 tsp rum extract
1 tsp powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. With a 2 inch round cutter, cut 36 rounds and press into un-greased mini muffin cups. Bake 7 or so minutes until light golden brown. Remove from tins and place on cooling racks. Cut Pomegranate in half, remove seeds, set aside.
In medium pan stir pudding mix and whipping cream with whisk until blended. Cook over medium heat for five minutes, or until mixture comes to a boil, stir constantly. Remove from heat, add extract. Immediately spoon about 2 tsp. filling into each tartlet shell. Top each with about 1 tsp. of pomegranate seeds. Cover loosely, refrigerate at least one hour before serving. Just before you serve dust lightly with powdered sugar.
Serves well in "Indoor Caves" too.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Mysteries, Gray Days & Baking
What do I have for sale at the Coonamessett Farm this weekend? It's a mystery! But first, it was Albert Einstein who said, The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
Late yesterday afternoon, just before night crept in I decided to make the super short trip out onto my back porch, down the steps, onto the grass and over to the edge of the yard where my yellow birdhouse rests. I was surprised when I stepped out onto the porch to notice that there were bird tracks in the snow. I wondered when that bird had stopped by simply because I hadn't noticed any birds out and about at all-not a single one.
I hadn't heard them singing or chirping not even a peep. I did have the music on all day and I do live with a very chatty three year old and yet I was still a little surprised to realize I hadn't noticed any birds on my porch. Was there anything else that visited yesterday that I was not aware of? What else might I have missed? Without the snow I wouldn't even have known about the bird.
I am reminded of an essay I read years ago by Alice Walker. She wrote about her journey in writing The Temple of My Familiar and she talked about her wonder at how at the end of a very long day her friends were sitting down in her kitchen to share a meal and a raccoon appeared out the back door to greet them.
When the weather turns gray it's easy to get bored. Maybe looking into the mysterious in something as simple as a birds flight can help. Why didn't I hear any birds? Will that one fly to a warmer climate soon? Why did that raccoon choose to visit them on that night?
Soon the Coonamessett Farm will be closed for the winter. There's no mystery there- the ground is simply beginning to grow dormant. I have a fresh batch of my Supreme Lemon Cake for sale there this weekend. It's a really delicious cake- very moist and of course lemony. Mystery solved.
Late yesterday afternoon, just before night crept in I decided to make the super short trip out onto my back porch, down the steps, onto the grass and over to the edge of the yard where my yellow birdhouse rests. I was surprised when I stepped out onto the porch to notice that there were bird tracks in the snow. I wondered when that bird had stopped by simply because I hadn't noticed any birds out and about at all-not a single one.
I hadn't heard them singing or chirping not even a peep. I did have the music on all day and I do live with a very chatty three year old and yet I was still a little surprised to realize I hadn't noticed any birds on my porch. Was there anything else that visited yesterday that I was not aware of? What else might I have missed? Without the snow I wouldn't even have known about the bird.
I am reminded of an essay I read years ago by Alice Walker. She wrote about her journey in writing The Temple of My Familiar and she talked about her wonder at how at the end of a very long day her friends were sitting down in her kitchen to share a meal and a raccoon appeared out the back door to greet them.
When the weather turns gray it's easy to get bored. Maybe looking into the mysterious in something as simple as a birds flight can help. Why didn't I hear any birds? Will that one fly to a warmer climate soon? Why did that raccoon choose to visit them on that night?
Soon the Coonamessett Farm will be closed for the winter. There's no mystery there- the ground is simply beginning to grow dormant. I have a fresh batch of my Supreme Lemon Cake for sale there this weekend. It's a really delicious cake- very moist and of course lemony. Mystery solved.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Mom's Best Banana Bread & Back Yard Birds
This morning the temperature gauge outside the little window over my kitchen sink reads a meager nineteen degrees. A little snow snuck in over night. The painted yellow handmade cedar birdhouse that hangs from a tree in our back yard appears empty. It's too cold for me to run out there and peek in to see if a birdy has taken up residence right now. Perhaps, there's a 'flighty' family that has moved in. We've had that bird house for a lot of years and I know of at least two birds that have called that little house home.
I sell my banana bread at the farm sometimes, but usually that is something that gets gobbled up by my family before it even hits the shelves. I make the mini loaves and package them individually. If I don't get them tucked into their bags before the kids get home from school I can forget about any potential profit from that labor.
It's a simple recipe but if you like banana bread give it a try.
Mom's Best Banana Bread
3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 c melted butter
1 c sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
pinch salt
1 1/2 C flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease large loaf or an eight count mini loaf pan. Mix butter into mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in sugar, egg and vanilla. Sprinkle in baking soda and salt over the mixture. Add flour last and mix in gently. If you use the large pans bake for approx. 55 minutes. The smaller loaf pans require less time, approximately 35minutes.
Later this afternoon, I might just drop a few banana bread crumbs at the edge of the entrance to the backyard birdhouse to invite a new 'family' in.
I sell my banana bread at the farm sometimes, but usually that is something that gets gobbled up by my family before it even hits the shelves. I make the mini loaves and package them individually. If I don't get them tucked into their bags before the kids get home from school I can forget about any potential profit from that labor.
It's a simple recipe but if you like banana bread give it a try.
Mom's Best Banana Bread
3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 c melted butter
1 c sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
pinch salt
1 1/2 C flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease large loaf or an eight count mini loaf pan. Mix butter into mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in sugar, egg and vanilla. Sprinkle in baking soda and salt over the mixture. Add flour last and mix in gently. If you use the large pans bake for approx. 55 minutes. The smaller loaf pans require less time, approximately 35minutes.
Later this afternoon, I might just drop a few banana bread crumbs at the edge of the entrance to the backyard birdhouse to invite a new 'family' in.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
The Art of Discernment
I am the most aware of the need for discernment in my life around the holidays. There are so many obligations, expecations not to mention business oppportunities. Christmas is supposed to be fun or at least that's the way I thought about it as a kid.
I think the only way that I can have a merry attitude around the holidays is by using discernment. Some years, I will have fun and festive holiday cards dropped in the mail by December 15th. Other years, I won't send any cards at all. Some years, I will drop Christmas Cookies at the doorsteps of my neighbors. Other years, I will only get the baking done that I have already committed to. Some years, I will throw a hip holiday party. Other years, I will only attend parties that I actually feel like going to.
It's all about applying the art of discernment, especially without added guilt. The times I can't meet all of my own or another's expectations I can remember that all I really want when the New Year rolls around is to have a little money left over in my bank account, a little bit of my sanity still in tact and a continued desire to get in my kitchen to bake.
Discernment is not always easy. But I'm learning it's necessary, especially around the holidays.
I think the only way that I can have a merry attitude around the holidays is by using discernment. Some years, I will have fun and festive holiday cards dropped in the mail by December 15th. Other years, I won't send any cards at all. Some years, I will drop Christmas Cookies at the doorsteps of my neighbors. Other years, I will only get the baking done that I have already committed to. Some years, I will throw a hip holiday party. Other years, I will only attend parties that I actually feel like going to.
It's all about applying the art of discernment, especially without added guilt. The times I can't meet all of my own or another's expectations I can remember that all I really want when the New Year rolls around is to have a little money left over in my bank account, a little bit of my sanity still in tact and a continued desire to get in my kitchen to bake.
Discernment is not always easy. But I'm learning it's necessary, especially around the holidays.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Candy Cane Breakfast
My daughter has been part of a fun holiday tradition. This will be it's seventh year. I have continued it with her on Cape Cod because I know she has good memories of those special get togethers.
Girls are invited over on a weekend morning just before Christmas. They wear their pajamas and bring a wrapped Chritsmas ornament of there choice to include in a holiday gift exchange.
The girls usually do a craft-some years it's been decorating a picture frame that will hold a photograph to remind them of that special morning. Last year, I decided to have the girls make Christmas Cards for someone special. This year we've decided to decorate sugar cookies and wrap them in fun holiday packages.
The girls squeeze in next to each other (there were eighteen girls last year) at the kitchen table and have a yummy feast. Last year, I made a delicious sausage egg bake, a cinnamon maple glazed coffee cake, blueberry orange muffins and fruit. One mom arrived with white chocolate dipped strawberries to share. The girls are already looking forward to this year's Candy Cane Breakfast. One of my daughter's friends said, "I hope your Mom makes that sausage egg bake and coffee cake again".
In a world where so much seems just not quite right it's nice to have something that is so simple and innocent but lots of fun. I am glad that we decided to continue this tradition on Cape Cod.
Girls are invited over on a weekend morning just before Christmas. They wear their pajamas and bring a wrapped Chritsmas ornament of there choice to include in a holiday gift exchange.
The girls usually do a craft-some years it's been decorating a picture frame that will hold a photograph to remind them of that special morning. Last year, I decided to have the girls make Christmas Cards for someone special. This year we've decided to decorate sugar cookies and wrap them in fun holiday packages.
The girls squeeze in next to each other (there were eighteen girls last year) at the kitchen table and have a yummy feast. Last year, I made a delicious sausage egg bake, a cinnamon maple glazed coffee cake, blueberry orange muffins and fruit. One mom arrived with white chocolate dipped strawberries to share. The girls are already looking forward to this year's Candy Cane Breakfast. One of my daughter's friends said, "I hope your Mom makes that sausage egg bake and coffee cake again".
In a world where so much seems just not quite right it's nice to have something that is so simple and innocent but lots of fun. I am glad that we decided to continue this tradition on Cape Cod.
Monday, December 3, 2007
First Snowfall of Season
If we're going to have to live with unbelievably cold temperatures it might as well snow. Snow makes the cold more fun and bearable. On the Cape we only had the tiniest greeting of flurries. Nothing on the ground. Not even a sticking to the windshield.
This first flurry reminds me that last year I personally witnessed the freezing over of Old Silver Beach. I had to see it for myself to believe it. Someone said that if it's 19 degrees for three days in a row it'll freeze. He was right. It did!
It's not that I look forward to or even enjoy shoveling the snow. That's hard work. But when it snows we can make snowmen and snow angels. Snow also offers a quick invite to stay home and make hot cocoa, warm bread and a toasty fire.
The whole ground takes on a glistening brightness when it's covered with snow. To me everything seems a little more hopeful when everywhere you look all you see is white.
I'd better make sure we all have a pair of wool socks, warm mittens and thermal underwear handy. I think we're going to need them this season.
This first flurry reminds me that last year I personally witnessed the freezing over of Old Silver Beach. I had to see it for myself to believe it. Someone said that if it's 19 degrees for three days in a row it'll freeze. He was right. It did!
It's not that I look forward to or even enjoy shoveling the snow. That's hard work. But when it snows we can make snowmen and snow angels. Snow also offers a quick invite to stay home and make hot cocoa, warm bread and a toasty fire.
The whole ground takes on a glistening brightness when it's covered with snow. To me everything seems a little more hopeful when everywhere you look all you see is white.
I'd better make sure we all have a pair of wool socks, warm mittens and thermal underwear handy. I think we're going to need them this season.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Collecting Driftwood on Cape Cod
Living on Cape Cod offers lots of opportunities for collecting driftwood. I have a number of incredible pieces of driftwood that I have found washed up at area beaches at different times.
My baker's display at the farm has a piece of driftwood. Above the mantle over my kitchen fireplace there's a piece of driftwood hanging that I have transformed into a sculpture. There is another beautiful piece resting naturally on the mantle ledge.
In some ways driftwood resembles baking. The driftwood took time. The weather, wind, rain and even snow was needed to make these pieces what they are. Baking took time too. Not to mention mixing, molding, heating and then cooling. It's a natural simplicity that they have in common. It's what I like most about each of them.
My baker's display at the farm has a piece of driftwood. Above the mantle over my kitchen fireplace there's a piece of driftwood hanging that I have transformed into a sculpture. There is another beautiful piece resting naturally on the mantle ledge.
In some ways driftwood resembles baking. The driftwood took time. The weather, wind, rain and even snow was needed to make these pieces what they are. Baking took time too. Not to mention mixing, molding, heating and then cooling. It's a natural simplicity that they have in common. It's what I like most about each of them.
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