It's beginning to look a lot like December

[rj_anderson]

Thanks to the anonymous benefactor who gave me my first virtual snowflake cookie of the day, as well as tartanshell and izhilzha for supplying the others. Very fitting on a day when we're getting our first real snowfall of the season here in southwestern Ontario...

I hear that there are storms a-brewing to the south, but at present the snow is drifting from the sky in a picturesque fashion, and the green is still showing through the powder, and I think I shall put on some seasonal music* and make a cup of tea. I might even do some baking -- Snickerdoodles, perhaps.

What about you? What special treats does your family make at this time of the year, and which one is your favorite and why?


--
* That would be actual Christmas carols with some dignity and meaning to them, not the annoying ditties that pass for inoffensive seasonal content. I really think that if I hear anyone's cover version of "Santa Baby" one more time, I will climb up the wall of my local department store and knock the loudspeakers off the ceiling.

Comments

Christmas Cookies

[etlhoy.livejournal.com]

My family goes totally insane with the Christmas cookies. Last year we made 134 dozen. My mother loathes shopping with a violent passion, you see, so when my brother and I got to an age where she might have to shop for presents from us to other people (I was about 5) she started in on the Christmas cookies instead, and it has grown from there. We make six different types, four of which require you to roll perfect identical balls of dough for each individual cookie. It is the one time of year that my brother is actually helpful. (It is definitely a family project). We ship them all over the country to friends and relatives. This year we're even sending some to Vancouver.

Re: Christmas Cookies

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

134 DOZEN?! Wow. Now that's dedication!

It's a great idea, though -- sounds like a wonderful family tradition.

Re: Christmas Cookies

[etlhoy.livejournal.com]

Any good Christmas carol recommendations? I like Christmas carols I can sing along to, but it's hard to find them without lots of vocal frills.

Re: Christmas Cookies

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I'm very fond of A Tapestry of Carols by Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band -- many of their carols were new to me, but once you know them they're eminently singable. Here's their version of The Holly and The Ivy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcAjCm8L9Ws), for instance.

I also love listening to A Renaissance Christmas (http://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Christmas-Cohen-Boston-Camerata/dp/B000005IXX) by the Boston Camerata... you can listen to some samples on that page if you like. Not sure if they fit your definition of "singable", but I sing along with them anyway. :D