by Roseanna White | Dec 15, 2011 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
I’ll just come out and admit it–I like getting presents. I do. That surprise of ripping open the paper and finding something underneath that you didn’t choose for yourself. That feeling of appreciation that comes from knowing someone took the time to select something for you. And, well, just getting new things. 😉
I like giving presents. I like putting thought and care into what each person in my life wants and needs. I love finding those gems–like the year we gave my mother-in-law the leg lamp from her all-time favorite move, A Christmas Story. (Or as she calls it, Shoot Your Eye Out, LOL.) I love picking things that I know will make my kids squeal with delight.
But this year . . . I don’t know. We’re trying to clear some accumulated junk from our house, so I’m rather loath to bring in new junk. You know? In years past when buying for my kids, I would often just grab things to fill out the allotted funds from, say, my grandmother. To fill up the stocking.
After throwing out all the cheap toys that had broken and giving away many of the ones they just don’t play with, I’m not doing that this year. This year, my thought is, “I’m not spending the money unless I know they’ll love it.”
I think it’s a good philosophy–accept that it means I’m still not done shopping, and there are only ten days until Christmas. Aaaaggghhhh!
For someone who grew up in a family that celebrated Christmas with
Joy and generosity (even those lean years, my Mom managed to stretch each dollar so the under-the-tree looked bursting!), I feel downright guilty sometimes for choosing an approach that doesn’t result in such bulk. I’m afraid my kids will be disappointed–though we’ve never bought them a whole lot for Christmas, given how much they get everywhere else.
They never are–my kids don’t expect a gazillion gifts from us, and we try really hard to keep their focus on the giving, the giving in honor of Christ.
Still, this year . . . my daughter’s dresser is literally bursting with clothes. Literally. I cleaned out probably half their toys, and there are still so many . . . And the rest of my family?? What do they really want, really need?
Well, we solved the dilemma for the kids with these little bundles of
Joy. The two grays will be ours. =)
I was still stressing about some of the other members of our family, but last night my hubby and I went out on our annual Christmas Shopping Date, and we came up with good things for all, I think. Things that aren’t just going to clutter, but are rather going to add meaning.
See, shopping with my husband keeps me in that mindset. He’s from a family that gives only what, and when, they think will be special. I don’t always like this approach, but shopping with him keeps me from buying junk. It makes me think about how I’m spending each dollar. I needed that–that shift in focus. Our shopping date is in its third year now, and it’s a tradition I’m going to cling to just to keep myself in line. 😉
What are your shopping traditions for this often-hectic time of year?
by Roseanna White | Dec 14, 2011 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
Christmas is upon
us. And as you can tell by looking around at either my blog or my
house, it’s time to decorate. A Christmas tree, complete with a rainbow
of ornaments, most antique. Garland on my shelves. Everywhere is red,
green, and white (with a few other colors thrown in here and there).
Me
being me, naturally I’ve been wondering about those colors. 😉 Would my
Colonial characters have decorated at all like I do? I know the
Christmas tree tradition hadn’t made it to unerring popularity over here
yet, but the garland? The red accents? Were the Christmas colors the
Christmas colors yet?
It only took a quick search to find my answer–a resounding YES! And since I found it interesting, I’ll share it with you. =)
The
green part of “red and green” I pretty much knew. Since evergreens are
the only thing growing in the Western hemisphere this time of year, it
was chosen as a decoration–one we could find much significance in, as
it’s a symbol of eternal life and/or rebirth. There were, of course,
traditions surrounding this before Christianity took root–traditions
that were easily integrated into the new faith because of how well they
represented our ideals.
But
red–that’s the one I wasn’t sure about. And it’s been around long
enough that historians aren’t entirely sure about it. But this is their
best guess:
Traditionally,
the feast day of Adam and Eve is on Christmas Day. As part of the
celebration in the Middle Ages, they would put on a play to educate the
illiterate masses about Adam and Eve’s story. When they got to the part
about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil their options were
limited–the only tree still green was the pine. And the only fruit they
had stores was the apple. So they’d tie an apple onto a pine bough, and
that would represent their Tree.
Over
the years, the red apple snuck into Christmas traditions too, appearing
on wreaths and garlands. Red and green soon took hold in its own right.
Holly became a popular plant to decorate with solely because it
combines those two colors (and is an evergreen so, you know, around in
December).
And there
we have it! A tradition that has been around for somewhere between 500
and 1000 years, and shows no signs of stopping. =)
As
a reminder, you only have until TOMORROW, 15 December, to enter the
first round of the Great Annapolis Giveaway (though entries from after
that will go into my second round automatically). Check out the tab at
the top to see what all you could win and how to win it!
by Roseanna White | Dec 12, 2011 | Word of the Week
I was browsing through the entries for “get” over at www.etymonline.com, trying to discover when “get-go” came into being. Well, I didn’t find that (maybe it’s been around from the get-go. Ha . . . ha . . . ha . . .), but I did find some interesting info on “get back.”
Get back has been used since the 1600s in the sense of “return”–as in, “let’s get back to town.” That’s no big surprise, right? What surprised me was that the transitive sense of “recover”–as in, “Can you get back the money you lost?”–didn’t come about until 1808. Rather late for something so literal, in my opinion! And the meaning of “retaliate” didn’t enter English until 1888. Very late.
Pretty cool, huh? (Go ahead and say it–I’m a Word Nerd, LOL.)
Oh, and check out my post on RomCon Inc’s historical blog today!
And now, consider yourselves cordially invited to an online Colonial Christmas party! The Quillers over at Colonial Quill will all be there chatting, and I hope you can join us!
by Roseanna White | Dec 8, 2011 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
We have two cars. The one my hubby was given when he was learning to drive–a ’95 Jeep Cherokee–and our Lincoln LS. (These aren’t actual pictures of our cars, just online images of the same models–approximately, LOL.)
Xander, the Lincoln, is ten years old but still blinged out for a car of that age. Heated seats. Rain-sensitive windshield wipers whose speed adjusts automatically depending on the rate of rain. Automatic headlights. Climate control. It’s a sweet car, and it still looks lean and mean driving around with the newer cars. 😉
Last night, in the pouring rain, I ended up driving Bartok the Jeep. (Yes, I name my cars, LOL.) Bartok was getting new tires in case we got the predicted snow last night, and I drove him home.
It was pretty funny. I got in and went, “Oh, the seat’s all wrong.” And I had to move it manually. No pushing of my pre-set button. Then–gasp–the steering wheel was all the way up! I really don’t know that I’ve ever had to move the steering wheel in the Jeep, but miraculously, my hand found that level on its first reach. (Go ahead and laugh at me. I deserve it.)
Positioning correct, I then had a new pause. It was raining, and my wipers weren’t just wiping it away. Oh, right–I have to tell them to do that. I flip them on, then realize that the world around me is dark. Headlights. Check. I pull that knob out and feel relatively set to get going.
The steering is different. The brake pedal is softer. And it takes me a good two minutes to realize I need to flip the heat on myself–which I only realize because the windows are fogging up. I’ve been known to go an entire trip without turning the heat on in the Jeep, LOL.
This always amuses me because, let’s face it, it’s basic stuff. Stuff I shouldn’t have to put so much thought into–but I’ve been spoiled by Xander. Still, we keep Bartok around. Why? Well, because nothing’s like a Jeep. It can go in the snow, it can go in the mud, it can go off road and on road and across road and do it all with cheerful gumption and enough squeaks and jingles and rattles to let you know it’s working hard. 😉
I love Bartok. I love the blingier Xander too, but driving around in the Jeep last night, it really got me thinking.
Is there a better when it comes to this sort of thing?
It all comes down to purpose. Do I drive Bartok every day? No, because it’s a two-door and hard for me to get the kids in and out of. But when the first flakes of snow start coming down, you can bet I give Xander a nice pat and say, “Take a break, buddy. Have a snow day. It’s your brother’s turn.” Same goes if we have to haul anything bigger than a paper box. And need I even say that the kids think riding in it is the most fun in the world, because it doesn’t happen often?
I think sometimes life, and those of us blundering through it, is the same way. Some of us are a little rough around the edges. Some of us hold up well against the blinged-out world, but are, in truth, pretty modest in comparison. And sometimes it’s hard to shift from one path to another, from one calling to another, from one situation to another.
Sometimes we get thrown by having to take care of things we’re not used to taking care of. On the other hand, it can be a real treat to reach for that task and see it’s already taken care of–that those headlights have already flicked on without any input from you.
But just like with my oh-so-different car-family, it’s about the particulars, the circumstances. Sometimes we need to be spoiled.
And sometimes we need to get back to the basics.
In this season of hustle and bustle, of rushing and spending, take some time out for the Bartok situations in your life. Let the bling rest. Let the polish fade. And just enjoy the simple, and all it can do for you that the complex never could.
by Roseanna White | Dec 7, 2011 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
Next week I’ll be having my first real-life (as opposed to online) book event for Annapolis, at my local library. It’s advertised as a Colonial Christmas party, and I’m having fun putting together all the Colonial aspects. I’ll be displaying my Great ANNAPOLIS Giveaway items, I think I’ll be setting up the little plastic Patriot V. Tory soldiers I have in a mock battle, decorating with greenery . . . and of course, planning a colonial menu. =)
I thought today it would be fun to share with you online folks what my in-person folks will be treated to next week, and the fun recipes I’ve found for colonial dishes. =)
Before I dive into the goodies, though, don’t forget to comment on the THREE interviews I have up right now for chances to win copies of
Annapolis AND for entries into the Great ANNAPOLIS Giveaway! They are:
Now for the goodies!
First, my menu will feature two savory items–ham, which was a staple of life and parties back in the day, since it could be so easily preserved by smoking and salting. And also popcorn, which hadn’t yet reached the widespread popularity of the 1800s, but was certainly around.
Now for the sweets!
Gingerbread
Ingredients
-
1/2 cup white sugar
-
1/2 cup butter
-
1 egg
-
1 cup molasses
-
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
-
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-
1 teaspoon ground ginger
-
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1 cup hot water
Directions
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan.
-
In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the egg, and mix in the molasses.
-
In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Blend into the creamed mixture. Stir in the hot water. Pour into the prepared pan.
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Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan before serving.
Pear Muffins
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup ripe pears, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
rind of 1 lemon
Preheat the oven to 375. Grease muffin tins. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk and vanilla, mixing just until blended. Do not overmix. In a bowl combine the pears with the walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon rind. Gently fold into the batter. Spoon into the muffin tins, filling each tin 3/4 full. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until nicely browned. Serve warm with apple butter.
And this one required a bit of introduction–I found repeated mention of “little sugar cakes” as a favorite party food, but had no clue what they were. Petit fours?? Maybe. But as I was searching yesterday, I found this recipe for “Sugar Jumbles / Little Sugar Cakes” which I knew right away were what I was looking for. I’d already discovered that “jumbles” were cookies, and it suddenly clicked about the sugar cakes being the same. So thank you to A Lovely Thought blog
(http://anartsideoflife.blogspot.com/2011/04/sugar-cakes-and-tea.html) for this recipe I found!
Sugar Jumbles
little sugar cakes of old-time goodness
Mix together……… 1/2 cup soft butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla
Sift together and stir in………. 1 1/8 cups flour, 1/4 teaspoon soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Drop rounded teaspoonfuls about 2” apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake until delicately brown… cookies should still be soft.
TEMPERATURE: 375’
TIME: Bake 8 to 10 min.
AMOUNT: About 3 dozen 2” cookies
I like to sprinkle with a powder of sugar on top, and place some pinches of lemon balm from my garden on the serving plate.
Now for the beverages! I’ll have coffee, and . . .
Ingredients:
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 1 large can pineapple juice (unsweetened)
- 3/4 cup tea
Place in a cheesecloth or mesh sack:
- 1 Tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 Tablespoon whole allspice
- 2 sticks cinnamon
Instructions: This is great cooked in a crock pot. Let it simmer very slowly for 4 to 6 hours. You can add water if it evaporates too much. Your home will smell wonderful, and this is a great way to set the tone for a holiday party!
And finally . . .
Martha Washington’s Colonial Chocolate
George Washington’s Favorite Hot Chocolate.
4 Tablespoons Cocoa
Small amount Of Cold Water
2 Cups Water
1/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
2 Cups Milk
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
Small amount Of Cold Milk
1 Egg
1/2 Cup Hot Water
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Mix Cocoa And Cold Water To A Smooth Paste In A Saucepan. Stir In The 2 Cups Water, Sugar And Milk. Bring To A Boil And Blend In Cornstarch Which Has Been Dissolved In The Cold Milk. Boil 3 Minutes Longer.
Remove From Heat And Set In A Warm Place. Beat Egg And Hot Water Until Light And Foamy. Pour Half Of Egg Mixture Into A Pitcher. Blend In Vanilla Extract. Add To Chocolate Slowly. Pour Remaining Egg Mixture Over Top. Serve.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. Having successfully launched two homeschool grads, she now spends her time writing fiction, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years, as well as a fantasy series and contemporary mysteries and romances. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.