I hereby declare we deserve a little respite from the real world. And whereas nothing is as conducive to fun as the Christmas season, bring on your favorite holiday memories and memes.
Your favorite story – even if it’s been posted before.
A favorite recipe – even if it’s been posted before.
Upside Down Pear Gingerbread
Topping:
3 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 ripe, firm Bosc pearsCake:
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
1 large egg
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup unsulphured molasses
1/2 cup milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar
4 tablespoons butter, melted
whipped cream for garnishPreheat oven to 350°F. Butter the sides of a 9-inch round cake pan; set aside.
For topping: Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan, add brown sugar and stir together until blended. Scrape into cake pan and spread evenly.
Peel pears and cut each lengthwise into quarters; discard cores. Slice each pear quarter into 3 lengthwise slices. Arrange slices evenly around the cake pan to resemble a whirlygig.
For cake: Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a large bowl; set aside. Beat egg, brown sugar, molasses, sour milk, 4 tablespoons melted butter in a separate bowl. Add to the flour mixture and stir until smooth.
Spoon batter over pears carefully without disturbing the pattern. Bake 30 - 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes; place a large plate over pan and invert onto plate. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream
A favorite song of the season – even if it’s been posted before:
It was originally released in 1971 on the appropriately named album, Blue, and never really intended as a Christmas song. It's become a staple because nearly everyone of a certain age is apt to "feel a little blue around the holidays," as my Mother used to put it in her understated way. Even if you otherwise love Christmas and all its attendant traditions the march of time and circumstance inevitably means beloved friends and family members are missing from our gatherings. I learned from my Mother that it's quite all right to unwrap that sadness, acknowledge its place in your heart, then wrap it back up and set it in among all the gifts you've received along the years.
With that in mind I offer River today. Take a short trip down the frozen river, discharge the negative energy, then turn around and head back up river, towards the light. Sometimes we just can't see it because we have our backs turned.
Now get out there and have some FUN! It’s Christmas, 2020 and you’re only going to get the one this year. Let’s hear about your favorite tradition, place or memory – that one thing that reminds you of what Christmas is really all about. We shall share our memories of Christmases past and enjoy them vicariously this year. And pray that in due time sanity will once again prevail in this, the most blessed country ever created by the fine minds, resolute spirits and strong bodies of our founding fathers who we are justly proud of despite their human foibles.
Now that’s a Christmas message that would benefit our little woke progressive friends.
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