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.

12 comments:

  1. hahaha - love it, especially the last line.

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

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  2. 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. 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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    1. 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)

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

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  5. 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. 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)

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

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