Monday, December 27, 2010

Soul Cake

What you see there was some incredibly scrumptious cinnamon rolls I made on Christmas morning. The original recipe called them orange, date and pecan rolls but I had none of that, so I just used what I did have. Mine were lemon, cranberry and walnut rolls. Really good. I'd be happy to publish the recipe if any of you would like it.
Besides the snow, I had a very different Christmas Day, and I tell you, I really enjoyed it. See, I live on a mountain and all my family lives north of here, where the snow was worse. Getting off this mountain with the ice and snow was tricky so my Mom said not to try it, she was staying home too. Like a lot of families, Christmas Eve used to be a big thing with my family but over the past few years it seems to have just fizzled out. Everyone just eats and then sits around staring at the TV. Not exactly an enjoyable evening in my opinion. I don't know if it's that everybody's lives have gone in such different directions or what but it's not a lot of fun. I did take Mama to my brother's house in Huntsville on Christmas Eve and we had a pretty good time though. My sister and her family didn't show. We had a hard time getting in touch with my sis; she won't return any phone calls, but my brother finally talked to her and she said she had hurt her back and didn't feel like getting out. So, I was actually happy that it snowed for several reasons. I enjoyed seeing my brother and his family but we were to go to my sister's on Christmas Day and honestly, I'd rather drink kerosene. I did miss seeing my niece and nephew though. I know lots of people out there don't really enjoy the obligations of holidays anymore and feel guilty because of it. But is it right to continue to do some of these things when it seems obvious nobody is enjoying it? I'm not much of one to keep doing something just because that's what's always been done. However, I don't want my family to think I don't love them. I do of course, but some people are so critical of others, they make it very uncomfortable for everybody.

But I spent a lovely Christmas morning with Jack. It was so peaceful and fun. He then went to visit his son and family, who live south of here, about lunch time, so I had the whole afternoon to relax and do whatever I wanted. I baked, I walked out in the snow and fed the animals. Then Jack came back and we had a nice dinner and enjoyed the rest of the evening together. A great Christmas Day to me.

So, today is St. John's Day and Mother's Night. It is the custom associated with John, to light a lot of candles today and have wine blessed. Now, I don't know where to get any wine blessed but I think just having a little with dinner will be a good substitute. Today is also the day to honor all mothers. If the roads are clear I may try to visit my Mom, as I did not get to on Christmas Day. I can call at the very least anyway.

*Sting

10 comments:

Jenn said...

One of the reasons I hated going to my dad's for holidays was the constant demanding and LOUD presence of the TV.

I kept trying to get him to turn the damn thing off, to no avail. The family he married into has to have an IV of the thing. Gah.

Truly the opiate of the masses.
And how sad is that?

Glad you had a warm and cozy day, instead.

Island Rider said...

No TV at our house when company is over. A long standing rule. I would like that recipe. They look yummy.

MamaHen said...

Hey Jenn! yeah, Gah. I don't see how people stand a blaring TV. But you are right; the opiate of the masses.
Thanks and hope you had a nice day also.

Hey IR! that is a very good rule. One of mine too. On the rare occasion I have company! ;)
I shall put that recipe up very soon!

JoJo said...

Hi Annie,
Wow that little cake sure does look good to me too.
Are the square bowls prices differantly from the soup bowls I really love those and would like to add those to the set I want to order from. The will take the place of soup bowls.
Sounds like you had my kind of Christmas day.

Caddie said...

Having a tv going when company is around is the most rude action. Very insulting - least that is the way I see it.

R.Powers said...

Those Cinnamon rolls look wonderful. Hot coffee and C.rolls is a perfect breakfast in my book.

MamaHen said...

Hey Jojo! yeah, it was a great day! yes, the little square bowls (or round dessert bowls) are 4/$35 or $9 each. They each hold about 1 cup, maybe a fuzz more. The regular soup bowls hold about 2 cups and are $12 each.

Hey Sissy! yeah, I think so too but unfortunately, a lot of people don't think of their family as company. And people just can't seem to function without TV.

Hey FC! thanks! I think that is a great breakfast too!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

I'm with you on why continue doing something when on one is getting any joy out of it. It's said that you can pick your friends, but not your family and that statement is so true - at least for me.

HermitJim said...

Aw man...my mouth is watering just looking at those rolls! Drooling seems to happen a lot when I come to your house!

I can almost smell them, right out of the oven!

Glad you both had a good, peaceful day! You deserve it!

MamaHen said...

Hey Beatrice! A very true statement indeed.

Hey Jim! lol!! thanks man! hope you had a good holiday too.