Friday, December 13, 2019

The Spirit Lives On: Use Your Words

Today’s post is a monthly writing challenge. If you’re new here, this is how it works: participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once. All of the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That’s the challenge, here’s a fun twist; no one who’s participating knows who got their words and in what direction the recipient will take them. Until now.


Use Your Words, a multiblogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


At the end of this post you’ll find links to the other blogs featuring this challenge. Check them all out, see what words they got and how they used them.
I'm using: spirit ~ hope ~ lottery ~ dog ~ music ~ think
They were submitted by Minette of Southern Belle Charm.

I think, in the spirit of the holiday season, it's appropriate to express my hopes for you: that you feel like you've won the lottery when you take the time to find joy in simple acts like petting a dog or dancing to your favorite music.

OK, I can probably write a longer post than that, but I definitely stand by that statement.

Because it's talked about so frequently this time of year, I want to address the of the spirit holiday season. I've told you what I think about the whole saying "Happy Holidays" as opposed to "Merry Christmas" in stores and my stance of inclusion vs exclusion hasn't changed so I won't rehash that one. But I'm here to say that I truly believe that the spirit of the holiday season is alive and well.

The reason the spirit of the holidays has been discussed at length is because there are many purists who believe that the whole frantic gift shopping, rampant over spending, cooking, baking, endless parties and general stress of the holidays have taken focus away from the meaning of the holidays themselves, the soul of the season. I do understand their position, in many ways agree. I don't think there are many people who could successfully argue that we haven't commercialized this season. And we continue to move towards further placing the focus on what we purchase as I see Christmas being set up in stores before Halloween now, hear Christmas music before it's even cold out, and witnessed first big commercial sales pushes weeks before Thanksgiving. 

But the gifts and the parties and the preparations are not a corruption of the meaning of the holiday, they are all an expression of love. The fact that we don't forget to buy and even wrap those gifts for dog the pretty much says it all. Frantic, commercialized, but still shop, prepare, decorate and plan the parties out of a love for others. There's a lot about the spirit of the holidays that is manifested in all that we do for others. A lot of our joy comes from seeing our loved ones looking like they won the lottery when they open our gift.

And many of us include charity in our giving this time of year as well. My husband's group puts on a huge holiday giveaway of food and clothing and even gifts for the members of our community in need. He and I would always sign up to take responsibility for purchasing gifts (from "Santa") for a child in an orphanage. This keeps us grounded.

And I want to mention that we do take time, certainly not nearly as much time as we commit to the preparations, but the majority of us do take time to celebrate the true meaning of the holidays. There are Christmas eve and Christmas day church services that are well attended. And those services, a beautiful expression of hope and faith, take a lot of preparation and participation. As for Chanukah, the boys and I light the candles and say the prayer every night. We have a dinner that is a tradition for us, Crusted Prime Rib, roasted asparagus, of course Latkes and always a delicious desert.

Almond White Chocolate Cranberry Pie. Warm seasonal flavors marry in this beautiful dessert, perfect for Thanksgiving or for Christmas. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert

Almond White Chocolate Cranberry Pie
Almond White Chocolate Cranberry Pie. Warm seasonal flavors marry in this beautiful dessert, perfect for Thanksgiving or for Christmas. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert



We know the story of Chanukah and why it's so meaningful. The preparation for this dinner, the purchase of the candles, the telling of the story, even the playing of dreidel and giving gifts, it's all about the spirit of the holiday to me. 

I hope, no matter what you do before that actual holiday arrives, that when it does come and you all, friends and family and whoever you celebrate with, sit around a table together you shut your eyes for just a minute, smile, and feel that holiday spirit fill your heart. Because, if you take time to see it, to acknowledge it, to feel it, you'll find that the spirit of the holiday is all around you.


Here are links to all the other Use Your Words posts:





Almond White Chocolate Cranberry Pie
                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Ingredients:
1 pie crust
1 TBSP flour
1/2 cup cranraisins
3 TBSP cup amaretto
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
2 TBSP heavy cream
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

OPT: whipped cream for serving

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out the pie crust, spread with the flour, flip upside down and fit into a 9 inch pie dish.
*Mix together the cranraisins and the amaretto. Set aside.
*Melt 1/2 cup of the white chocolate chips with the heavy cream in a microwave for 20 seconds, then stir well. Continue to melt at 10 second intervals until it's completely smooth.
*Whisk together melted white chocolate chips, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Once incorporated, whisk in the eggs.
*Mix in the slivered almonds, remaining 1/2 cup white chocolate chips and the cranraisins with liqueur. Pour the mixture into the pie shell.
*Bake for 45 minutes, tent with tin foil and bake another about 15 minutes or until the center is just set. Allow to cool.
*Serve with whipped cream. Store leftovers in the fridge.

24 comments:

  1. Thank you for the lovely reminder of taking in and truly apprecitaing the season. It is for me always a happy "Hectic". Always a bit crazy during the preparations, but extremely solemn and precious to me when I see my family wrapped around my table. Enjoy your holiday and traditions with your sweet family. <3

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  2. Love what you did with the words! And so very true

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    1. So glad you like what I did with your words.

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    2. I have struggled with the holidays for the past few years and this season (after a happy start) has gone downhill. This was beautiful post, though, and one I will remember. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    3. I'm so sorry it's gone downhill. I knew that it was going better for you this year and was hoping that would continue.

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  3. Your post hit home. I just had sort of a meltdown because of a memory of my Grandma taking me to the mall's winter wonderland when I was little.
    I tried to find some purpose in my crying, and I figured, in order to keep her love alive I need to spread magic and joy as well. What other time than Christmas - which she, the Jewish lady - celebrated for our sake.

    Feel better soon, Karen!

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    Replies
    1. Memories can be bittersweet, but it is a tribute to those we've lost that we remember them, even if it does cause a meltdown.

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  4. Most of us, if we did not enjoy it at some level, would rebel and stop. So i agree, we bring meaning to it by what we choose to do.

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  5. Oh I wish I could have this pie. So yummy

    We have our traditions, candle light service, caroling, baking, reading Luke and buying gifts for those in need.

    Great article And reminder

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  6. Thank you for the reminder to appreciate the season. I think you used these words perfectly!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sarah, wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season.

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  7. I doo not know why but this post made think of my Nan, who loved this time of year

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    1. This tine of year often brings up memories of those who aren't here with us any longer. I hope it brought up happy memories.

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  8. Last year was such a horrible year for us as a family so I'm trying to make sure this one is extra special. It's commercialized but you're right it's all about showing our love. (Rena)

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    Replies
    1. I hope 2020 has all good things in store for you, Rena.

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  9. I love that Chanukah and Christmas are so close this year. Such a wonderful spirit of peace and service and goodwill in both celebrations. And wonderful food! So, commercialism aside, I hope you have the best celebration ever!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Diane. Merry Christmas to you and your family too.

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  10. I'm a member of TST and even our "church" celebrates Sol Invictus around Christmas with feasting and gift exchanges. The focus on others and showing love through food and gifts really don't mess up the reason for the season for any of us.

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    Replies
    1. I agree, showing love is a huge part of holiday celebrations no matter what your religion and that's where the focus can be if we choose to put it there.

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