A Simpler Holiday Season

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Christmas, holiday, holiday season, seasonal, simple, Thanksgiving, traditional

In the past, I have been a self-described Grinch when it comes to Christmas. In fact, the Grinch in me says “No posts about Christmas before Thanksgiving, dummy! Celebrate one holiday at a time!” But there are only four weeks before the big day and I am trying my best to get in the spirit.

Christmas seems so overly commercialized these days.  Nothing like the Christmases of my memory. And all the hype on TV just seems so much like a Pottery Barn catalog that there is no way my somewhat dysfunctional family could ever live up to its cheerful, glittery perfection. Though we sit around a food covered table every Christmas, it is not beautifully appointed with amaryllis blossoms, seasonal evergreen boughs, and brightly burning candles. Nor are we as gorgeous as the people featured in those advertisements.

Instead, we eat off dishes my grandmother uses every day (as has for the last 30+ years). None of the food is transferred from their cook pots to serving bowls or platters. We do not own a gravy boat or placemats. Or silver. Or crystal. And, you know what, there is nothing wrong with that!

It took me a few years but I have figured out how I can have a happy Christmas, knowing that it will never be “perfect.” It starts by going back to the basics. What does Christmas mean to YOU?

Christmas means…

Fun– Decorating sugar cookies and gingerbread houses. Playing in the snow. Making paper snowflakes. Decorating the tree and the house. Going see a live nativity scene. Walking around the neighborhood to check out the neighborhood lights, taking a hike, playing pool or ping pong. Cut your own tree. Make a new wreath for your front door.

Food– Homemade candies and cookies. Comfort food like your grandmother’s mashed potatoes, your aunt’s cranberry sauce, your favorite ham recipe, the macaroni and cheese that your family has always made. Perhaps a seasonal cocktail.

Family– Get together. Play games. Talk (maybe not about politics or religion, though). Take pictures of each other and the fun.  Honor the memories of those who have already passed away. Embrace your faith’s Christmas traditions like the advent wreath or Midnight Mass.

Regardless of how you celebrate, if you concentrate on the simple things in life, you will have a happy holiday season. Now start making your list of things to do this season that will celebrate what Christmas means to you!

Photos credits: Here, here, here, here, and here

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Dark Chocolate Buttercrunch

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buttercrunch, candy, chocolate, holiday, holiday season, pecans, toffee

This recipe is perfect because it combines three amazing things-toffee, dark chocolate, and pecans. What could be better? This is my first attempt at making candy. I think it went pretty well considering I didn’t have a candy thermometer or experience. It holds together and doesn’t melt in room temperature. Plus it tastes pretty dang good.

Dark Chocolate Buttercrunch

1 cup (2 sticks) butter (if unsalted, add 1/2 tsp of salt)
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tbsp water
1 tbsp light corn syrup
1 cup pecans pieces or slivered almonds, toasted
1 1/2 cups semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

In a saucepan, melt the butter, In a large, deep saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the sugar, water and corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil. Boil gently, over medium heat, until the mixture reaches hard-crack stage (300°F on an instant-read or candy thermometer). The syrup will boil for about 12 minutes until the color change (it darkens slightly). At that point, drop a bit of the syrup into the ice water and test to see if it hardens to the point it snaps into without bending.

While the syrup is cooking, toast the nuts. On another baking sheet, spread the chocolate chips and the toasted nuts. Pour the syrup over the nuts and chocolate. Allow to cool until it can be gently removed from the sheet. Break into pieces and enjoy!

A Visual Thanksgiving

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celebration, Dinner, event, holiday, holiday season, hosting, Supper, Thanksgiving, turkey

This was my first year to host Thanksgiving dinner. My husband’s three grandparents, my grandmother, an aunt, and my in-laws were our esteemed guests. There were nine of us total. Even though I was super nervous, there were no major hitches. No food poisoning. No burned side dishes. Only two minor hitches- 1) I didn’t have enough potatoes for mashed potatoes and 2) I accidentally used white instead of red sweet potatoes (they still tasted good). I will post the recipes I used later in the week.

The turkey, ham, cranberry dressing, and rolls….

Green beans, gravy, sweet potatoes from Mamaw Rose, and dressing…

Crunchy pea salad, deviled eggs, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and turkey breast….

The Finale- the dessert table featuring pumpkin praline cheesecake, pumpkin pie, butterscotch pie, jam cake and pecan pie…

Crustless Cranberry Pie

Tags

cranberry, dessert, fall, holiday season, pecans, Thanksgiving, walnuts

My aunt introduced me to this fantastic recipe, originally from allrecipes.com. AllRecipes is a website I regularly use. This recipe is by far one of the best from that site. My whole family makes this recipe. I have taken it several places and it always received rave reviews. I am so obsessed with this recipe. Proof: At the end of every holiday season, I buy 5 or so bag of fresh cranberries and freeze them. When I want to make it out of season, I just defrost and drain them. Cranberry delight throughout the year is indeed possible! It is best warm, straight from the pan. Enjoy!

Crustless Cranberry Pie

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups fresh cranberries (one bag)
• 1 cup and 2 tablespoons chopped pecans of walnuts
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 eggs
• 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9 inch pie pan or an 8×8 square pan. Combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Stir in the cranberries and the walnuts, and toss to coat. Stir in the butter, beaten eggs, and almond extract. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean.