December is a time for Togetherness

Before I sat down to compose the message for today, I was reading the paper.  In today's Strib there is a commentary by the mother of one of the children killed at Annunciation.  I'm including a gift link for anyone who wants to read the entire commentary.  Her words spoke to me this morning when she wrote:

"Every choice matters. How we speak. How we listen. What we normalize. Who we protect.

What kind of world we are building, and who we are becoming in the process.

We can do better.

We must do better.

And we can only do it together." 

[emphasis mine.]

She continues with: "This season, may we remember what winter has always known. We survive by gathering close. By holding each other."

We live in a very challenging world right now, yet the words of a mother who has lost her child and can write a message of hope, were very moving for me.  Everyone is dealing with loss in their lives of one kind or another, but for this mother to sit down and encourage others when she is facing her first Christmas without her child, for me, showed a strength of character that is a beacon of light.  She demonstrates that even in the darkest times, there can be hope.  May those of you reading this post take the time to appreciate the togetherness of those who surround you in love and remember her words: "We survive by gathering close."

 

Traditions in December

Had to spend a bit of time pondering this one for today.  Whenever I see or hear "tradition," I hear the music from "Fiddler on the Roof."  The story focuses on the changes impacting the patriarchal traditions embraced by Tevye and the struggles amidst the tensions that occur because of those changes.  So there is the one aspect of traditions that are undergoing change which may or may not be embraced.  Then there are the memories of possibly happy traditions related to December holidays.   But even then, as families grow and expand and include new family members, family traditions often evolve and change to include new traditions.  Again, tensions may occur as new traditions are born and older traditions cease to be followed.  

There are, of course, a multitude of traditions around meals during the holidays.  For a period of time, when I was young, we often ordered Chinese food for Christmas Eve so that my Mom didn't have to cook as we had a tradition of having a very large family meal with cousins and grandparents on Christmas Day and that involved a lot of cooking.  My Mom and Aunt traded off on who cooked Thanksgiving and who cooked Christmas dinner, but we always shared those two holidays with my cousins who lived in the same town along with my Mom's parents.  So if it was my Mom's turn to cook Christmas dinner, we had Chinese food on Christmas Eve.  That tradition only existed for a short period of time when we shared holiday meals with an extended family, but ended as children grew up and lived elsewhere, we no longer had our grandparents with us, and our parents moved.  But, it is still a fond memory.  And once I moved to Minnesota, different traditions around holiday meals evolved and changed the longer I was here.  Eventually, I was included in Christmas Eve dinner at the home of good friends, and that has become an almost annual tradition.  And I look forward to sharing my Christmas Eve dinner with them again this year.  At the same time, I have another good friend who for the first time ever, is NOT hosting a family holiday meal in December.  Her children are older with their own families and she and her husband will now be guests instead of hosts.  I'm looking forward to hearing how she does in this newfound "freedom" and the possible birth of a new family tradition.

So, just the word "tradition" can stir up happy or not so happy memories and that is why I had to ponder a bit more in preparing something to write.  For those of us getting into more advanced ages, our lives experience all kinds of changes that affect what traditions we carry on during the holidays.  From the loss of people no longer with us, to new family members and new friends, we make adjustments.   I will hope this December if you are undergoing adjustments, that you are enjoying those traditions that make you happy, but also not being subjected to traditions, old or new,  that create stress.   And if your traditions are undergoing change, I hope you embrace the changes and are able to accept them as a positive force in your life.  With the remaining days of December, may you be feeling more joy and engaging in activities that make you happy and finding pleasure in the company of others to share your happiness.

 

Splendor in December

Yesterday I shared a post about sparkle and the outside light displays.  Splendor includes decorations and lights inside.  Tonight is the last night of Hanukkah and the last night for lighting the menorah.  There have been public displays of menorahs this year, including the Sydney Opera House, and several public events in the Twin Cities, all add to the splendor around us. 

This is also the last Sunday of Advent, when we focus on love.  And the indoor splendor of the church after it has been decorated with the greens and the lighting of the last candle is always uplifting and brings joy.

But today is also Winter Solstice.  It is the turning point when the days start to get longer again.  And that is really something to celebrate today!  It starts slowly, but by the end of January, we will have gained almost an hour of daylight.  Celebrate the small wins.

May you find some splendor in your surroundings as well as love and joy during this last day of Hanukkah and the last week of Advent, and the beginning of days when we start to break out of the darkest day.  

December is a time to sparkle

One of the pleasures of the season are the light displays one can find throughout the Twin Cities.  With our winters these lights really do sparkle and provide some much needed cheer.  One of my favorite streets for displays is along Summit Avenue.  And this year, if you want to catch the displays we are supposed to be experiencing a major thaw on Christmas Day. There are also displays in downtown areas, such as the one in Rice Park in Saint Paul that has quite a bit of sparkle.   If you live in the Twin Cities you can find more information about

light displays here.  May you enjoy the season of lights that really do sparkle for us now!

 

December - a time to savor tastes and smells

My fully decorated balsam fir still provides an occasional unexpected whiff of freshness when I sit in the chair located closest to the tree.  I don't have a lot of time to just sit and be still, but my cat will only sit in my lap for an extended period of time when I sit in the one chair that the dog cannot also be on at the same time.  I know the cat needs the comfort of my lap as much as the dog needs the daily walks and play time.  So I savor the time I can sit next to the tree and give her some lap time.  It is also a time to be able to read and so we both benefit from the quiet time.  As we get deeper into winter and with less holiday events, she'll get more lap time and I will get more reading done.

I also savor the foods that appear only at this time of year, such as the latkes I'll be enjoying tomorrow evening at the celebration of Hanukkah with close friends.  I used to make a traditional Buche de Noel years ago when Christmas celebrations involved larger groups of people, but I haven't made one for probably at least two decades.  Probably just as well as I remember the amount of time it took and the occasional cooking failure getting the cake for the log to roll without breaking.  I only made it when Christmas was spent in California because it was one of my Mother's favorites.  I still associate Buche de Noel with memories of her.  This year, I just haven't done a lot of baking.  Primarily because of lack of time, but also due to cancellation of events where I would have shared my cookies.  Alas,  due to the weather an event that would have included pizzelles, another favorite Christmas taste,  was cancelled.  That is one of the challenges of living in Minnesota.  Some years the weather just doesn't cooperate and this December has been one of those years.  Yesterday's slight dusting on top of icy road conditions made it a good day to just stay home.  The good news is that looking ahead to next week, it appears like calm weather for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

As we have plunged back into another cold spell after a few days of thawing, I will hope you have a chance to sit and savor some of the holiday treats that only appear at this time of the year.  There are probably smells and tastes that evoke pleasant memories.  I will hope your festivities allow you to indulge in all those seasonal pleasures that you can savor and enjoy and provide new happy memories.

 

Miracles in December

 

Is there anyone who has NOT seen the 1947 version of the Miracle on 34th Street?  There are many movies about Christmas and everyone has their favorite.  That is one of my all time favorites.  I still draw the line at Die Hard being a Christmas movie, but my lineup usually includes The Bishop's Wife (original version with Cary Grant, David Niven, and Loretta Young), It's a Wonderful Life, Love Actually, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, recent entries - The Christmas Chronicles 1 and 2, and of course, White Christmas with Rosemary Clooney.  Anyway, lots of different miracles in those movies.  But today's card spurred me to buy a Powerball ticket and who knows, maybe it will result in my own miracle!  May you find a favorite movie streaming for free with no ads to enjoy during the remaining two weeks of December.  And may you have all your errands run before the temps plummet today.  We don't need any miracles on the ice today.

Making Merry in December

 

To "make merry" involves enjoying oneself with others.  This is the time of year of festive parties, gatherings with friends as well as family.  If you are employed, it may involve holiday parties with co-workers.  It also probably means avoiding the scale during an intense period of festive treats and beverages.  Then the question becomes do these festive gatherings make you happy?  Everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to holiday gatherings, but I will hope you get to choose which festivities you participate in and that you only choose to participate in those that truly do provide you with an atmosphere of joy and allows you to make merry with others.  If you receive invitations that instead bring feelings of dread, don't go!  It is much easier to decline invitations with a simple statement that you regret that you have a "previous commitment."  You don't have to share that the commitment is to keeping yourself happy.  During this season it is very easy to get stressed over too many invitations, too much food, and just too many people.  On the other hand, for extroverts, this is the season to embrace and gather with as many others as time allows.  Just recognize when you are doing something because you feel you must versus doing something because it will truly make you happy and your presence with make others happy as a result.  To decline an invitation does not make you a Grinch.  It is a recognition that if you aren't going to be happy, your presence will not increase the happiness of others.  You will find your own happiness in making decisions that make you comfortable.  So, please make merry when you truly want to and rest when you don't. 

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."  Mahatma Gandhi 

Finding Peace in December

After the cacophony of yesterday, reflecting on finding peace amongst all the discordant noise means stepping back and sitting in quiet.  Again, this is part of being kind to yourself during times when so much noise is coming from so many directions and it is doing nothing to add to your holiday spirit.  And if we are not feeling the holiday spirit, how can we be presenting our best selves to others?  So for those friends in Minnesota, today is a day to embrace the release from the below zero numbness and step outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer when we have these brief periods of weather rebounds.  I admit, pulling snow off of my roof was not exactly embracing all that nature has to offer, but at the same time it was a lot easier chore to do in above 30 than below zero! (I'll take the small wins anytime I can.) I will hope that anyone reading this post today may be able to carve out a brief period to sit in quiet and reflect on all that is good in your life right now.  And afterwards, may you be able to present your best possible holiday spirit to others.

And should the spirit move you, use the comments feature to share how you are doing now amidst this holiday season with all the contradictions we have in our current lives and the lives of others around us. 

 

For every season, there is a time...

 "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes, or the Byrds "Turn, Turn, Turn" depending on where you want to look.)

This post is late today primarily because I was traveling.  Just a short overnight, but I didn't take my laptop.  Then when I woke to the news for today, I had to really wrap my mind around how I could possibly manage something joyful today.  I know folks are reading these posts, so I know others are looking for places to find joy, but I have to acknowledge the news from Australia on what should have been a happy day of celebration for the 1st day of Hanukkah.  And of course, more shootings on a college campus.  But the main gut punch today for me was Rob Reiner.  So today's post is a tribute to someone who brought so much joy and is gone to more violence, most likely at the hands of someone who knew him.  

Even this photo excudes an image of someone who found joy in life.  

And just two weeks ago I watched (again for the umpteenth time) When Harry Met Sally, but with someone who had never seen it before.  I don't know any woman of any age who doesn't just roll on the floor when Sally does her fake orgasm followed by Rob Reiner's mother's quip, "I'll have what's she's having." 

And of course who hasn't watched multiple times, The Princess Bride.  So many wonderful scenes, so many great actors, and the message about "true love."  And it would be "Inconceivable!" if you haven't used  "have fun storming the castle!" or "as you wish."

And there are more films such as Spinal Tap and films that Rob Reiner was in plus appearances in television shows. 

May he and his wife, Michele, rest in peace and as per The Princess Bride, experience the realty that "death doesn't stop true love."  Thank you Rob Reiner for your legacy that will live on and provide more much needed joy to many future generations.

December is a time for love

I think the sentiments expressed on the card speak for themselves.  Enjoy your day today 

and may you experience love all around you.

 

Practicing Kindness in December, even if for yourself

 

In the world we are in right now, everyone needs more kindness especially with "care and understanding."  And yesterday, I felt no-one needed more kindness than I did when I woke up to a cooler than normal house and it was a repeat of last Friday.  No heat coming from the furnace.  The furnace was running, but no heat was coming through the vents, so the house was a lovely, brisk 55 degrees.  Attie, the cat, was not happy.  I think Ella thought I was doing it on purpose.  And I had a lab test scheduled for 7:30 a.m. and I knew I couldn't place a call until after 7:30 a.m.  So I did my morning walk with Ella, came back, closed off all the rooms, and started the gas fireplace to get a little heat in the living room and den.  To add insult to injury, yesterday the featured word was "joy" and I was definitely NOT feeling joyful.  I think I expressed a few things with a lot of expletives deleted.  I'm pretty sure Ella heard words she had never heard before.  Then I had the drive to the lab test.  First getting stuck behind a school bus (multiple stops on the main street I needed to take) and then the fine mist started and despite my best efforts I could not keep the windshield clear enough for really good visibility in the dark morning.  It was one of those "white knuckle" drives and let's just say I was not feeling in my best holiday spirit.  However, I knew I needed to be nice to the lovely people who start work at 7 so I can get a lab test (fasting blood test) at 7:30.  So, I held it together for check in, but then when the lab technician asked me how my morning was going, I had to laugh.  Laugh at myself and at the circumstances and I shared that it had not been a stellar start to the day.  So blood drawn and home I headed to call in for a repair person and I talked to a very nice young woman who was very sympathetic and kept apologizing since this was a repeat call.  And we laughed together because we both knew it wasn't her fault, but I appreciated her sympathy.  Anyway, despite my difficult morning, I felt it was important to not take it out on others and that by demonstrating kindness toward them, was also a kindness toward myself.  Being kind to myself also  meant that I did not do my usual stop after a fasting blood test for a breakfast loaded with calories that while short term might be a reward of sorts, would just add unnecessary calories that I wouldn't be able to work off with exercise later since I was to spend the day at home waiting for a repair person.   So, I figure I was kind to myself by sticking to my calorie count for the day. (That meant oatmeal, not eggs benedict.)  And I decided that was good enough.  Sometimes we need to be kind to ourselves in order to be kind to others.  As this is the season of generosity and random acts of kindness, I will hope that you are on the receiving end of some act of kindness by someone this month, but most importantly are being especially kind to yourself.

And regarding my furnace, a very nice and knowledgeable technician came and was able to assess the problem was the outside air intake and probably snow buildup on my roof.  Since there is no way I can get up there,  he showed me some quick fixes I can do if it happens again.   And since this was a repeat visit, no charge.  Now that was a real act of kindness!

December is a time for joy

Joy is having Christmas gifts wrapped and shipped.  That and getting together with friends for the annual holiday luncheon at Macalester.  It was good to visit with former colleagues, see familiar faces and meet new members of the library staff.   I will hope you have found some joy this month along with laughter with family and friends.  Wishing all of you more joy in the coming weeks and definitely more laughter which is the best medicine for everyone.

 

December is a time for inspiration

The definition, depending where you look for it, for inspiration is "a person or thing that motivates, uplifts, or gives one the confidence to do something."  (Just Google it and although it takes a bit of digging to find a definition that does not include "inspiring", one can find sources online that give a real definition.) Generally, inspiration involves stirring an emotion to be creative.  When it comes to December, we're often looking for "inspiration" for gifts that are meaningful to the recipient and we often are seeking inspiration. And as we are now two weeks away from Christmas and Hanukkah, I will hope you all have been inspired appropriately.  I took a pledge this year to avoid Amazon and focus on local, small businesses.   The intent is "reclaim this Advent season from consumption to community, hope, and renewal." And with just one person left to find a gift, I think I succeeded by focusing on a local bookstore and for one major gift, preparing a giftbook that is based on providing future experiences together. And, I completely avoided Amazon.

But what about inspiration not related to gifts?  When I worked, I had several places where I posted quotes for inspiration that I could turn to as needed depending on the "issue du jour."  I'm sure you've had times in you life where you looked for inspiration from others to solve a problem, address an issue, or have a creative solution that would make everyone happy.  (Okay, making "everyone happy" never happened, but it doesn't mean we don't try.) I had lots of post-it notes on my desk and I kept several printouts that I now have on my home desk.  So, I'll close with this one that I think ties in with the December holiday spirit:

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

--Harriet Tubman

May you be inspired today to reach for the stars and maybe change one person's life, even if it is your own,  for the better.

source:https://www.rawpixel.com/image/3388273/free-photo-image-galaxy-sky-stars-night-starry

Creative Commons cc01.0

 

Hope - in the month of December

 The first week of Advent is focused on hope.  For faith traditions, Christmas signals the arrival of light to a world of darkness.  We're in the second week of Advent, and the focus is peace.  There is something peaceful when there is a snowfall overnight.  "A new day and a fresh start."  So reads the card.  Looking out after an evening of snowfall, after a week of daily snowfalls, one does not need to hope for a white Christmas as we have a very nice fresh coating of snow almost daily now.  "Every hour shimmers with promise and possibility."  If one lives in Saint Paul, the "possibility" of a snow plow coming to our neighborhood does sometimes seem more promise than possibility.  This week we have had daily 1 inch snowfalls, but the promise of a snow plow is based on a minimum of 3 inches of snowfall, not 3 days of 1 inch snowfalls.  However, hope springs eternal and we know that this too shall pass.  Now that we have had more than 3 inches in a single snowfall, we know our streets will get plowed eventually.  In the meantime, our overnight snow provides an excuse to either stay home and relax, or an opportunity to show your rugged Minnesotan can do attitude and embrace the winter in all its glory.  So whether you are seizing the day or retreating to a warm location in your abode to read or watch a movie, I will hope that you are able to enjoy everything that winter has to offer us today in a way that is most enjoyable for you.  Closing with a poem by Emily Dickinson.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

By Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

Heart - Creative generosity in this season

 

Sunday, I did a session on "Practicing Creative Generosity" at my church. The point was to turn away from the hyper consumerism that often occurs during December and look at other ways to be generous this season.  There have been many calls this year to boycott Amazon, Target, Walmart, to name a few.  Jim Wallis in his Substack post, "No Amazon for Advent" wrote:

“Instead of enriching the world’s wealthiest, we choose to strengthen the places and people that make our communities whole. We choose local businesses struggling to survive, nonprofits caring for the vulnerable, and neighbors in need of compassion. We choose to pass down memories to our new generations through the gifting of heirlooms and other items that hold special importance to us and our families. We practice being intentional by spending less on things and more on purpose.” 

"Let’s make Advent not a time of consumption, but of community, hope, and renewal.Together, we can embody our faith's call to love our neighbor and choose to invest in people,not corporations. Our gifts can build justice, nurture connection, and bring light tothose around us. "

Even the Star Tribune published an article by Harvey McKay in the Business Section on December 1, "For Gifts, Think Outside the Box."  He wrote:

"When it comes to creative gifts that can be given for any occasion, the key is to think outside the box and personalize the gift to make it memorable.

These are some of my favorites.

Personalized puzzle: Create a custom puzzle using a photo that holds significance for the recipient.

Customized cookbook: Compile a collection of recipes that you know the recipient loves or would enjoy trying. Include personal notes or stories related to each recipe.

Experience jar: Fill a jar with notes, each containing a different experience or activity you can do together."

During the 45 minute session, participants had an opportunity to think of different ways to express generosity in their gifts that didn't involve spending a lot of money, but rather spending time.  There was no shortage of ideas offered by those attending, including: offering a gift of companionship for a breakfast, lunch or dinner; preparing a family history and genealogy for younger relatives; recording favorite memories with siblings and the impact they had on your own life and then sharing with same siblings; baking, creating a meal to deliver or to share in the recipient's home; regifting a favorite book with a note on what made this a favorite.  Depending on age of recipient, there were a number of ways to create gifts that involved spending time, not money.  What kinds of creative generosity can you think of that would be well received by your own family, friends, or neighbors?  

And I'll close with a quote from one of my favorite authors, Robin Wall Kimmerer,

"Practicing contentment is a radical act in a

consumption-driven society."

May you find a new practice of creative generosity and contentment this season.

 

Faith in fellow travelers on this planet

 As per the card, the "world holds an abundance of good" and yesterday I was able to witness some of that goodness.  I signed up to participate in a training program for nonviolence because  ICE is in our Twin Cities and I have a house of worship just a block from my house where Somali and other community members from a range of African countries gather to worship.  I know it is just a matter of time before ICE appears in my neighborhood.  So what kind of good did I witness?  More than 250 people showed up for this training session.  The organizers were obviously not prepared for the turnout.  I was surprised as well, expecting the usual 20 or so persons to show up.  So my faith in the goodness all around me, but not always visible, was truly impacted.  Depending on where you live and what kind of activities are taking place nearby,  just knowing that many of our community members are taking action to stand up, be present, and resist peacefully is faith in action.  I also realize not everyone is physically able to partake in these kind of activities, but any support you can provide is welcome.  Seeing the turnout at this event gives me hope and during Advent, hope is one of the things we celebrate as part of our faith.  May this week include some "abundance of good" in your life and something to celebrate this December.

Comfort and Joy in December

 

Well, we definitely know the world is not calm right now, but may you find some comfort in taking today to slow down and just rest and find some personal calm.  The holidays can be hectic and sometimes you need to just take time for yourself.  And for me, personally, comfort right now is having my furnace working again.  There's nothing like the surprise of waking and finding the house is not quite as warm as it usually is.  The cat is no where to be seen as it has gone off somewhere looking for a warm spot.  The furnace is running, but no heat is coming out.  The good news was that a technician could visit within 24 hours.  The other comfort I have is a gas fireplace that when I close off all the rest of the house will heat up the room I am in to a level that is acceptable.  This promises to be a winter that is closer to what we used to regularly have in Minnesota.  So I will hope you can find some comfort in wrapping yourself in a warm blanket or throw and indulging in a cup of something warm to enjoy while reading a good book or watching a favorite holiday movie.  Or, if winter sports are your thing, may you get out and enjoy the snow we have had with the promise of more to come this week.  So whether it is exercise to get the kinks out or a quiet activity, I will hope that you are able to indulge in some time for yourself to recharge your batteries.  May you find something that  provides some comfort for the day and on into the rest of the week.

December is a time to celebrate!

Today is St. Nicholas Day.  December has several days that call for celebration, although I unfortunately missed National Pie Day on December 1.  However, it is not too late to celebrate St. Nicholas Day today.  There are any number of days to celebrate if you want to check out National Day Calendar.  There is even a National Lutefisk Day on December 9th.  Most Minnesotans know that Lutefisk is very much an acquired taste, and one that I can honestly say I never acquired.  But I did learn that Madison, Minnesota is the "lutefisk capital of the world."  In addition to St. Nicholas Day, the same folks that celebrate lutefisk also celebrate Santa Lucia Day, and that is next Saturday, also known as the "festival of lights."  Other noteworthy dates this month in addition to Christmas:   Hanukkah, December 14-22; Winter Solstice, December 21,  Boxing Day, December 26;  Kwanzaa, December 26-January 1.  And for my librarian friends out there, don't forget to mark your calendars for December 10 - Dewey Decimal Day, a celebration of Melvin Dewey's birthday.  And I definitely don't want to leave cat lovers outs, so please check out National Cat Herders Day, December 15.  And feeling a little grinchy this year?  There's a day for you too!  National Humbug Day on December 21.  And I also just discovered a new personal favorite,  National Eggnog Day on December 24.  So you see, there is a lot to celebrate in December!  Find your special day and enjoy!  And if you feel like sharing just what day rang your bell, please share in the comments section. Ho, Ho, Ho!

Or perhaps something to get your toes tapping...a more recent Christmas movie favorite.
 

December is a time to believe

Yesterday I had an opportunity to hear Bishop Mariann Budde at the Westminster Town Forum.  Some readers may be familiar with her sermon requesting mercy during a prayer service in January with newly elected officials and the response that followed.  Her talk yesterday was on how "Courage is Contagious."  It was an uplifting talk to a full-house with an overflow crowd in an adjoining room.  December is a time to believe that as the card says, "So much is possible.  So much goodness is within reach."  And Bishop Budde mentioned it starts with respecting the dignity of every person, but it also involves working for the common good.  It is often hard to believe in the goodness of others, especially right now when there is so much going on that seems to point in the opposite direction. However, if you believe, whether it is spiritual or secular, in the innate goodness of people, there is much of that goodness around us.  No, it doesn't get reported in the news, but I bet you can think of at least one time in the past week when you were on the receiving end of a small act of kindness.  At this time of year, opening our hearts to others and seeing what is possible, is a beginning.  Depending on your news source, whether you see a glass as half empty or half full, or what your worldview is right now, we have the opportunity to turn the tide.  There is no question that many people are seeing the dark side winning, yet December is a month of possibilities and each act of small kindness is a gift to someone and a means of lifting someone else up.  It takes courage, but as Bishop Budde stated, "courage is contagious."  As Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."  Right now, you just have to believe that anything is possible and love will win.  Bishop Budde reminded us that it isn't easy, but being intentional and with practice we can turn the tide.  You can choose to believe and believe in the power of love to win and with that belief, you can help change the course and right the ship.  "So much is possible."  Believe and have courage to act on that belief.

 

December is also a time of beginnings

When I first read this card, I had to ponder a bit.  December is the time of Advent, and so it is a beginning of a four week period of anticipation.  But, I also associate December with the end of the year, with darkness as winter settles in.  But it is also the beginning of winter when we celebrate Winter Solstice on December 21.  And the 21st marks the beginning of longer days.  At the same time, as the card states, "discoveries are just ahead."  Beginnings could mean many different things in December.  Maybe you welcomed a new family member this year, or maybe you started a new job, or you moved, or you got a new pet, or you entered retirement and this is a month of "firsts" for any number of reasons.  Are you looking at December as a period of "beginnings?"  What new discoveries await you this month?

For me, December is also the time to begin baking cookies.  So in the sense of beginnings, yesterday was the beginning of Christmas cookie baking.  Yesterday's batch, a vegan cookie first made two years ago for a special friend. It has become my favorite Christmas cookie to bake because it is moist, chewy, and delicious with a hint of peppermint.  Recipe below the photo.

I hope your December provides some happy "beginnings" for you and you have many happy discoveries ahead.

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

2½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup dutch-process cocoa powder

2 cups sugar

½ cup vegetable oil

¾ cup applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 tablespoon peppermint candies, crushed (optional)

sugar coating

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup powdered sugar

Directions

In a small bowl combine flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

In a medium bowl or stand up mixer stir together cocoa powder, sugar, applesauce, oil, extracts, and peppermint candies (if using) until well blended. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the granulated and powdered sugars in two separate bowls.

Remove chilled dough and roll into balls about one tablespoon each. Toss first in the granulated and then second in the powdered sugar, coating fully.

Bake for 12-13 minutes (cookies should be slightly underbaked). Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before transferring onto a wire rack to cool completely.