Caramel fudge |
As I toiled over stove and freezer, I had a couple observations brought to me only by the labor and goodness of pecan divinity, buckeyes, dark chocolate caramel nut fudge, and rumballs (well, Crown Royal whiskey balls - I had no rum).
THING the FIRST
Divinity |
How this realization occurred: the B requested the buckeyes. Well, we don't make those in my family during Christmas. We make fudge and rumballs and divinity (a very Southern confection made of egg whites, Karo brand corn syrup (two syllables, KAY-Row) and pecans (two syllables, PEE-cans - not to be confused with pe-CAHNS)).
We don't make buckeyes.
Buckeyes |
Since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by the richness and mystery of traditions. Raised Protestant, I was intrigued by Catholicism and its lovely, enigmatic rituals. As a young adult, I would ask my mom to make the same favorites, or ask for the same Christmas eve routine, or even suggest we start new traditions, to carry on year after year.
Rum (whiskey)balls |
THING the SECOND
"Relaxing" and resting mean something different to everyone. To me, a relaxing day could be filled with running errands, folding laundry, or reading research or a magazine I hadn't had the chance to read. It doesn't have to, and honestly could never be, just sitting around doing nothing or reading all day. To me, "relaxing" is any free time spent doing whatever I want to do without having to be on anyone else's schedule (or even my own). Sometimes, to me, relaxing is putting all my laundry away. Nothing is more peaceful and tranquil to me than an organized house.
My buddy Nate often tells me that I'm not relaxing if I'm still doing something. To me relaxing doesn't mean the absence of activity; rather, it is the presence of activity I enjoy for that activity's sake - not for a paycheck, or a deadline, or a task, or a chore.
So, considering I will have a stable schedule and relaxing fortnight ahead, I give you the lyrics that convey the ambiance of the week ending 12/18/11:
Relax, don't do it
When you wanna go to it
-Frankie Goes to Hollywod, Relax
Laid back . . .
With my mind on my money and my money on my mind
Snoop Doggy Dogg, Gin and Juice
1 tidbits of wizdom:
We are a divinity, chocolate ball (sort of like buckeyes but not...), snowball family :) I get teh "relaxing" thing. You don't necessarily need to be parked on the sofa. To me, nothing more relaxing than baking!
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