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Thursday, December 16, 2010

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.
at

12 comments:

  1. DebbieDecember 11, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    hahaha - love it, especially the last line.

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    Replies
    1. Michelle PondDecember 11, 2012 at 8:08 AM

      And I did that as often as possible, Debbie! (TALU)

      Delete
  2. UnknownDecember 11, 2012 at 8:40 AM

    I love this, Michelle! Especially the child-like POV. I wish I could take a little off the top of that mountain. :)

    Becca ;) (TALU)

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  3. AnonymousDecember 11, 2012 at 11:45 AM

    Oh 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]

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    Replies
    1. Michelle PondDecember 11, 2012 at 12:02 PM

      Chris, 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)

      Delete
  4. Lara BrittDecember 11, 2012 at 2:45 PM

    Wonderful! 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!

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    Replies
    1. Michelle PondDecember 11, 2012 at 9:34 PM

      What great memories you must have! My mom baked throughout the month, too! (TALU)

      Delete
  5. GerryDecember 11, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    I 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

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    1. Michelle PondDecember 11, 2012 at 9:37 PM

      Oh, my mom had a set with a nutcracker and picks. I can still picture the box! Thanks for bringing that memory back, Gerry. (TALU)

      Delete
  6. Anne BirdsongDecember 12, 2012 at 6:41 AM

    This is so sweet, Michelle (if you'll excuse the pun). Brings back fond memories.

    Thanks for linking this up with the TALU!

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  7. Michelle PondDecember 12, 2012 at 10:28 PM

    Thanks, Anne. Fond memories for me, too. Thanks for stopping by. (TALU)

    ReplyDelete