Christmas

December 11, 2012

mornin’ musings

circlin’ ‘round the block with Blue
in the brisk cold of December
the ground looks covered in stardust
just the grass glitterin’ from frost
not dust from the stars twinklin’ above
in a sky of the darkest black
there are extra lights a shinin’
in a myriad of colors and shapes
‘tis the season for Christmas lights
amidst the sparkling earth and heaven bright
in the stillness of early mornin’
tears threaten but do not fall
as I take in all the sights
the only sounds are boot falls on concrete
and the jinglin’ of my dog’s tags
as I circle the block with Blue
in the early morning hours
while the rest of the family is sleeping
on this December morn

December 11, 2012

December 31, 2011

my mom’s spice tea recipe

My mom’s spice tea is one of my favorite tastes of fall and winter. I started my day by making a big pot of it – even though I’m the only one in my house who likes it. It’s Comfort Food for me – in liquid form. My mom made it rarely when I was growing up. I remember spice tea on Christmas morning, snow days and when she’d host her evening card group a few times a year. Sometimes I even got to take the left over to school in my thermos. When you make it, the cinnamon and cloves make the whole house smell good and everything feel all right – inside and out. Happy New Year’s Eve Day, as my father wished me in an early morning e-mail. ~ Janean

Spice Tea

2 cups sugar

2 dozen cloves (or less)

2 cups water

2 or 3 cinnamon sticks

Boil together 15 minutes

Pour 8 cups boiling water over 6 tea bags (or 2 Family Size tea bags), let stand

Add to sugar mixture when brewed

Then add: 4 Tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 can frozen undiluted orange juice. Add 4 cups boiling water. Simmer, do no boil

Extra can be stored in the refrigerator overnight and reheated the next day. You may want to remove the cloves before storing because their flavor gets stronger if left in overnight.

My sister told me once with a wink that this recipe was supposed to be a secret, but I think it’s meant to be shared. 

December 31, 2011

a taste of home

upon waking

I know what I am about to do

the anticipation makes my mouth water

no coffee today

no herbal tea

made one mug at a time

today is a spice tea day

my mom’s recipe

a taste of home

the one I grew up in

the little house

at the end of the dead end street

the one with the kitchen so small

it was like an afterthought

oh, but the meals my mother made there

I smile at the memories

spice tea was special

not for everyday

for company

like when she hosted cards

the only outing with friends she went to each month

sometimes they’d come to our house

the living room would be filled with women

sitting at card tables in folding chairs

talking, laughing, snacking and even smoking

and no one smoked at our house

except my grandfather

the few times a year they visited

usually we went to them

spice tea became a Christmas traditon

mom would make it early

we’d drink it as we opened presents

ladled into Christmas mugs

one after the other

until the giant saucepan was empty

it is made for winter days and snow days

gloomy gray days

for the scent of cinnamon and cloves

makes you smile

even before the sugary citrus flavored tea

passes by your lips

I’ve burned my tongue more than once

rushing to take the first sip

oh, how I love it

today is one of those days

I didn’t make it on Christmas this year 

I usually do

it’s early morning on New Year’s Eve day instead

the spice tea is on the stove

my first mug is at my elbow

almost time for the second

it’s as good as I remember mom making it

my sister too

a taste of home

soul food

comfort in a mug

memories too

© 2011 Turquoise Tangles

December 30, 2011 Image

Once in a blue moon I take my children to the grocery store with me.
So far this week, during Christmas vacation, the three of us have made two trips.
On the second, I ended up with Blue Moon ice cream in the cart.
Tonight we taste tested it.
My youngest son and I.
Afterwards he opted to have chocolate instead.
I went for the new kind.
In a dazzling shade if blue.
The Cat was curious.
As cats often are.
Unless my oldest son love, love, LOVES it, I probably won’t buy it again.
Glad we bought it this one time though.
I admit, I’d been wondering about it for awhile now.
The box advertises vanilla with spices.
It’s…interesting.
And Oh, So Pretty.
Ice cream is ice cream.
Cold, sweet and satisfying.
Mmmmmmmm!

December 21, 2011

December 21, 2011

Today is the last day of school for my children before Christmas Break begins. 

That means there are 6,000 things to think of and try to do before they are home and out of school before Christmas. 

Life has been a whirlwind lately, of this, that, and the other, and how I wish I had one more day before their school break. 

As it is, I am helping set up the food in 6th grade at 11:40.

My oldest son volunteered us to bring fudge, which my husband and I made together last night before bed. 

At 1:00 I am helping in 3rd grade, having prepped an animal snowflake craft for 27 students a few nights ago. 

In between now (8:50 a.m.) and 11:40 when I am due at school I am going to eat breakfast, get cleaned up, go to Target, the bank, the grocery store, make one or two more stops and then come home before leaving for school between 11:00 and 11:15.

I will be so ready to be HOME at 3:00 when the school day is done. 

My oldest son has a shopping date with his grandparents. 

Then church tonight. 

I have no idea what’s for supper. 

I ruined supper last night, literally pouring it down the drain on accident. 

The colander lid wasn’t locked onto the saucepan and all the spaghetti noodles slid from the pan into the sink and down the garbage disposal too fast to grab any back and serve ‘em. 

So, instead of spaghetti for supper, my youngest son had a plate of reheated pancakes, my oldest son had two hot dogs and a slice of garlic bread, my husband had an apple turnover and glass of milk and I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and cheez-its. 

*sigh*

I am thankful for food to eat and Plan B, that saved the day, once again. 

This is why I haven’t been tumblin’ much. 

Life is busy, in a good way, and I haven’t had time to daydream, the source of poetry. 

At least mine. 

I need time to gaze at sunrises and sunsets. 

Time to listen to the clock tick with nothing pressing that needs to be done NOW!

Those quiet moments in the days ahead aren’t likely, but I’ll do the best I can to find them and savor them when they happen. 

There is lots of Energetic Christmas Is Coming Boy Commotion in my future. 

Lookin’ forward to it. 

Merry Christmas to you…just in case I’m not back before December 25, 2011.

Love,

Janean