Holidays

Light in the Dark

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“Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”  ~Chinese Proverb

BodaCrystalSnowballs2There is something about candlelight … it soothes the soul and gentles the world. Many years ago I was given a pair of Boda crystal ice balls as a gift. To this day, they are one of my favorite ways to enjoy candlelight. They sit on an oak washstand, not far from where I work, and the other afternoon, I turned and noticed the late day sun angling in the open door, lighting them brilliantly. I thought to photograph them in this daytime crystalline sparkle. But then, of course, I had to photograph one later with a lit tealight glowing from within the “ice.”

BodaSnowball-Lit2It’s amazing at times how something so utterly simple – yet beautiful – can catch not just the eye, but something of the spirit. The Boda people really had quite the idea when they designed and created these. They are captivating, truly looking like balls of melting ice.

“There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”  ~Edith Wharton

And then there’s the soft glow of a pillar. Most mornings, early,  I do my best to journal and/or read something of an inspirational nature before “starting” the day. It doesn’t always work out that way, but I give it my best shot. It’s still dark at that hour, and lately, I’ve taken to lighting a pillar candle on the coffee table/toy chest. It glows softly from within and is ever so calming.

“Keep your flame lit, and you will never feel darkness.”  ~J. Parker

GlowingCandle2As Christmas approaches and as Hannukah, the Festival of Lights, comes to a close … as the Solstice draws near … it is all about light … the light from without and the light within. All celebrate the miracle and wonder of light, in all cultures and religions, throughout time.

“Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby.” ~Ruth E. Renkel

Enjoy the light, wheresoever you may find it. And be sure to glow your most wonderful, glorious self.

“We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light.”  ~Evelyn Dunbar

French Bulldog Holiday Cards

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JBalsam-strangersnowAdorable French Bulldogs are waiting to pick up some envelopes and rush out to your house, just in time to send to family and friends.

These little cuties are on my web site … take a look at the French Bulldog Christmas cards you want to send!

You may also want to consider unique blank notecards featuring French Bulldogs as fabulous gifts for your Frenchie loving friends and family, (or actually just anyone who loves sending an adorable card!)

Note: All illustrations, drawings and photographs are © Jeanne Balsam and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission. Thank you!

It Starts with A Mug and A Plate

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ChristmasMugAndPlate2Or, in reality, 4 mugs and 4 plates. Christmas creeps into my home, ever so slowly, drawing from this cabinet, that closet, this box, that drawer. But it always seems to start with my dollar store Christmas plates and German made Christmas mugs. I feel like a child who has glimpsed a stack of unfamiliar boxes tucked way on top of mommy and daddy’s closet. Something exciting is coming.

These simple items that I’ve had for quite a few years put a smile on my face, and though I see beautiful Christmas dishes everywhere that I’d love to have, I pretty much know I’ll also be happy with these for years to come. They’re enough. And oftentimes, enough is good.

As I watched the TV commercials for Black Friday insanity, my newspapers packed with shiny paper catalogs filled with sales, I wondered how we got to this place of endless need for so much “stuff.” It’s not that I don’t treasure a new addition to my kitchen, book shelf, or whatever … I really do, but there’s also an enjoyment of things that have been around a while, and which have meaning. Especially at this time of year.

So the plates and mugs have now been joined by some festive place mats, candles and accessories. Slowly, the house will really start to feel like Christmas, warm and glow-y … well, like Home.

Mmmmmmmmmm … Pie

/ still a dreamer / 2 Comments

Thanksgiving is a time that honors tradition … Grandma’s stuffing, Mom’s sweet potatoes, Aunt Betty’s pumpkin pie. But then there’s this, a frequent thought of mine …  so many recipes, so little time. So I tried another new dessert for Thanksgiving. In fact, I had spotted this recipe months ago, and knew I would make it.

The pie just out of the oven!

Happily, my host is of the same ilk, and four of the dishes served for our main meal were also first-timers, (but definitely not the stuffing – one of his  family recipes.)

So what could make pumpkin pie even yummier? How about a layer of cheesecake underneath? This recipe appeared in a terrific but now defunct magazine, General Store, the issue over 10 years old. It is not clear exactly where the recipe came from except it was recommended by a couple from central Jersey with a passion for early American living.

A portion of the pie cut for taking home.

Well, the pie turned out quite well, the pumpkin nicely spiced and the cream cheese layer appropriately creamy. As I have no place to link to, I thought to share this with you pumpkin pie lovers.

Paradise Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:
1- 9 inch unbaked pastry crust
1-8 oz. pkg Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
1/4 sugar
1/2 tsp.vanilla
1 egg

1-1/4 cups canned pumpkin
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs beaten
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Dash of salt
Maple syrup
Pecan halves

Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla, mixing at medium speed until well blended. Blend in egg. Spread onto bottom of pastry shell.

Combine remaining ingredients except maple syrup and pecans. Mix well. Pour carefully over cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350˚ for 1 hour and 5 minutes. Cool. Brush with maple syrup and decorate with pecans, if desired.

Enjoy!

Shop Small on Small Business Saturday

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It’s that time – to support and celebrate the many small businesses that make our country great.  Yup – this Saturday, November 24, is Small Business Saturday and you may still have time to sign up!

American Express founded this day to promote small businesses, and if you have an AmEx card, and spend $25 on your card at a participating small business – and believe me, this is growing! – they will credit the card you use with $25.00! Can’t beat that, can you? Check it out here and don’t wait – there are a limited number of registrations, and they just opened on the 18th. Want to go straight to the enrollment page?  Here it is.

Small Business Saturday is the sane person’s alternative to Black Friday with its crushing crowds and bargain driven mentality. The big box stores are now opening on Thanksgiving – yes, on Thanksgiving!! – to get your business. Really? UGH! Getting your Christmas and holiday shopping started is a great idea, but it shouldn’t have to be a fight to the finish and/or on a treasured holiday that celebrates family and friends.

So check out online which shops in your area will be participating, help them thrive in this economy, and earn $25.00 back from American Express. Everybody wins. Extra bonuses – you get to reconnect with your neighbors, enjoy human scale shopping, peruse goods and services that are often tailored to your own area’s preferences, and find cool stuff that isn’t repeated a thousand times over in big box stores all over the country.

Happy Small Shopping!