'Tis the Season

By now I think we all pretty much know that it's a well established fact on this blog that I suck at poetry. 

In case you haven't noticed, I've been working on that. In the past few months I've posted a humorous Halloween Poem and some more thoughtful Haikus. And in the spirit of "practice makes perfect" or at least "if at first you don't succeed . . ." I'm trying, trying again today. I really worked on the specifics of this one; the prose, the imagery, the feeling I was trying to convey and, if I do say so myself, it lacks a certain je ne c'est quoi so evident in my other poems. Actually I do know c'est quoi it's missing, a certain level of suckery. I still have far to go. Although I tried to carry the theme of colors and seasons throughout, it's supposed to be one poem but it really feels more like two. But it's still better than what I've done in the past. So, disjointed though it may be, I actually think this one's not so bad. 

Or I've built up a tolerance to my own poetry. One or the other. You decide.

'Tis the Season

 Cold winter morning

by the kitchen window
 silence.
 

Hazelnut coffee warms my hands, awakens my spirit,

as it's scent silently climbs the stairs,

to tickle the consciousness of those still asleep.

Yellows and oranges of the fire in the hearth 

mesmerizes as it gathers its strength 

breaking the silence with hisses and pops.

And outside my window

White, white snow whispers from above,

performs its balancing act on bare branches,

coats the landscape with anonymity.

The rising sun uncovering glimpses of its sparkle.

Spring buds,
emeralds and greens, 
share the glory of growth.

Summer flowers,
lilacs and roses, 
showcase the bounty of beauty.

Fall leaves, 
scarlets and ambers, 
highlight the challenge of change.

Winter snow,
white and sparkling
If you listen, with your heart, 
tenders the promise

of peace.

Mint Dessert Dip with Chocolate Cookies

Before you go, click on these links to more poetry by some of my friends:

Ode to Christmas Past by Dawn of Spatulas on Parade.
Oh, Christmas Tree by Candice of Measurements of Merriment.

 Celebrating December by Robin of Someone Else's Genius.
Through Foggy Windows by Sarah of Not That Sarah Michelle. 
Tis the Season for Poetry by Jules of The Bergham Chronicles. 

 

Mint Dessert Dip with Chocolate Cookies

                                                                        ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow fluff
5 oz spearmint candies, finely crushed (can substitute peppermint)

2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 2/3 cups flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa

3 oz white candy melts or vanilla bark
red decorating sugar

Directions:
*Mix together the softened cream cheese, fluff and finely crushed candies. Refrigerate.
*Beat butter. Mix in powdered sugar just until incorporated, then the flour and baking cocoa. Roll into a log, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
*Remove cookie dough from fridge and cut into 1/4 inch slices. Place on parchment paper covered cookie sheet and bake for 12 - 14 minutes.
*Allow to sit for one minute before removing from cookie sheet. Cool completely.
*Melt the candy melts or vanilla bark in the microwave at 10 second intervals, mixing well in between, until smooth.
*Dip one end of each cookie into the melted coating, place onto a piece of wax paper or parchment paper, sprinkle with red decorating sugar and allow to set completely.
*HINT: for faster setting, place the wax paper onto a tray, place the dipped cookies onto the wax paper and place the tray in the refrigerator.
*To serve: remove dip from the refrigerator, place in a bowl and bring to room temperature. Surround dip with the cookies.