My mother made Christmas cookies before the days of prepackaging. She made the dough from scratch and also did things like shell nuts and even shave some with a potato peeler. She made at least eight different kinds of cookies and each recipe made several dozen.
The Mountains of Christmas
Mountains lined the buffet
and rose from folding tables
setup just for the season.
Brown sugar and nuts
yielded the darkest terrain.
Pinwheels were stacked into
mounds of red and green.
Frosting and sprinkles created
a glittery landscape.
Powdered sugar provided
a snow-like dusting.
Looking up from the
valley of childhood,
I knew I couldn't
scale these peaks,
but I could take
a little off the top.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
I am a poet and photographer who likes sports, jazz and art inspired by other art. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the early 1970's and was assigned to the Computer Sciences School in Quantico, VA. I have published a chapbook of grief poems, I Keep You with Me. My work also has appeared in publications such as Thorny Locust Magazine, core. zine,The Enigmatist, Veterans' Voices and Kansas Time + Place An Anthology of Heartland Poetry. My visual art pieces combine poetry and photographs, and have been most recently displayed at InterUrban ArtHouse, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Buttonwood Art Space, and The Smalter Gallery.
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hahaha - love it, especially the last line.
ReplyDeleteAnd I did that as often as possible, Debbie! (TALU)
DeleteI love this, Michelle! Especially the child-like POV. I wish I could take a little off the top of that mountain. :)
ReplyDeleteBecca ;) (TALU)
They were delicious!
DeleteOh how I remember those days! My mother could put Martha Stewart to shame back in the day. Very well said. You've got me wondering through ... using a peeler on nuts? Hmmmm ... gotta to try that out ... [#TALU]
ReplyDeleteChris, mom used make shavings from Brazil nuts with the peeler. She dipped balls of dough in egg whites, then in the shavings. Of course, there was a piece of cherry on top! (TALU)
DeleteWonderful! My girls and I used to bake our presents for others all through December. When I read about baking traditions it brings up memories of my girls and my grandma and her sisters. Warms you inside out in every way imaginable. TALU-ho!
ReplyDeleteWhat great memories you must have! My mom baked throughout the month, too! (TALU)
DeleteI love this, Michelle! I have such great memories of holiday cooking in my house. We lived in a little town, and it was a great event when the "real" coconuts, candied fruits, and nuts arrived in our local grocery store. I still have my dad's nut cracker and picks! TALU
ReplyDeleteOh, my mom had a set with a nutcracker and picks. I can still picture the box! Thanks for bringing that memory back, Gerry. (TALU)
DeleteThis is so sweet, Michelle (if you'll excuse the pun). Brings back fond memories.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking this up with the TALU!
Thanks, Anne. Fond memories for me, too. Thanks for stopping by. (TALU)
ReplyDelete