Tidings of comfort and joy
If you celebrate Christmas, there is always a moment when the season grabs your heart, when you float without resistance into the glow of goodwill and festivity.
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| One day, we might have a grandchild! |
For me, the moment came when I saw a little wooden tree made entirely of two-inch drawers, each drawer numbered, in a shop window. This was a perpetual advent calendar. You slip a chocolate or candy into each drawer, and a child learns how to count down to The Day.
The item reminded me of the many glittery advent calendars I bought for my sons, and how excited they'd be (little eager fingers!) when the windows grew larger as Christmas Eve approached.
The item reminded me of the many glittery advent calendars I bought for my sons, and how excited they'd be (little eager fingers!) when the windows grew larger as Christmas Eve approached.
I wanted that wooden calendar, even though my sons are too old, and I have no grandchildren.
My friend Susan came for a three-day visit and said that for her, the moment came when she heard "Baby, It's Cold Outside" for the first time in December. (She likes the Dianne Reeves/Lou Rawls version.)
Other harbingers include lots stacked with trees; their fresh-cut piney smell is Eau de Holiday.
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| Torchlight parade on Mt.-Royal |
And pannetone (ours studded with marron glacé); the donations my friends and I make in lieu of gifts, each choosing her cause; the arrival of the first (but dwindling) card in the post.
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| Bûche |
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| Let it snow! |
This is the first year that the family will be separated on Christmas. Jules, who is managing his heart condition ably, has a new job and a new future, at a recently-opened butcher shop whose mission is the promotion of local food. He's learning the trade and enjoying both the work and the staff's camaraderie. We'll see him in January, after the rush is over.
Because of his absence, I'd thought I might just slip past the holiday cheer, but no: I'm into it.
Comments
Thank you.
Darla
Now the friends expect a paella - I love that but it is time-intensive and does involve buying seafood. Still, it is appreciated.
That wooden Advent calendar is very pretty. If only everything this time of year were in such good taste! Chic, that would certainly include the King's Colleg Cambridge. Although I'm not remotely religious, I enjoy the religious hymns in such settings - I have a strong aversion to the holly, jolly stuff.
I dislike winter and snow, but if I lived elsewhere there would be drawbacks there too. Fortunately, living a short walk from more than one métro stop, the worst rigours of winter are easily avoided.
Today it is very mild but raining hard; at least there is no need to shovel rain!
I prefer to think of New Year's - until recently by far the more important holiday in Québec - will make a tourtière, or if I'm lazy pick up a game meat tourtière at the Jean-Talon market. And chat with long-distance sweetie.
Love Actually is a yearly feature too.
I'm happy Jules has found a new profession and wish him bonne chance with it!
Are you wearing Neige d'Antan? I love that design and hope to own one some day. Beautiful picture of you. Montreal has been good for you, I think.
Bourbon: Have had years like that!
Darla: This is the first year I've sent a Christmas package- to the son who is not here. He let it slip that he'd opened it... but not all the gifts.
Chicatanyage: Choral music always moves me, too!
Pseu: Despite my comment above I also love jazz Xmas standards- really most music except cheesy novelities.
Pam: Good for you b/c it's not about the money. And I do hope 2012 brings some good news.
Gretchen, frugalscholar, hostess, SewingLibrarian: Thanks, this is Neige d'Antan, at least a dozen years old; now is time to wear it.
Sewing, Marshall Field's Frango Mints are an indelible memory; they were a Christmas treat growing up. (My parents and their families were from Chicago.)
materfamilias: When a tree pops up in front of you, that's a sign. So great to have that hand. Jules' store is not *the place* where M. had her encounter. Last night when I called J. he was still @ work, and boss got on the phone to say he could not have gotten along without him, how fast he was learning etc. A precious gift for us!
HB: I feel the same way too, the boulevards lit by fairy lights are enchanting to me, even if the neighbourhood is humble, there's a lively, festive air.
Carol: Spirit ebbs and flows, and why force it if you don't feel it? Remodeling pushes everything else aside, in my experience. Good luck with the project and maybe you will get into St. Patrick's Day.
(My word verification is tante. Appropriate for a message going to Montreal, non?)
This week, I also read that we are also at the tail of online shopping (the survey matched educational and income levels). The survey company doesn't think it is a matter of most of the online shopping companies being in the US and not having catalogues in French - and actually LLBean, in nearby Maine, offers live and online help in French - but shopping patterns, including English speakers - and especially in clothing and travel. It is true that relatively few of my friends shop online (with the exception of some computer and electronic goods), and most have a bachelor's degree at least. I'm surprised they are so typical that way and that this applies also to more "suburban" and "regional centre" shoppers here.
You could do worse than wandering around Jean-Talon Market these days - not just panettoni and bûches but also a lot of deals on seafood and of course all manner of tourtières.
Duchesse, I guess I should find a tourtière recipe or two!
From game meats through a combination of pork/beef/veal, through lamb (also for non-pork eaters such as Jews and Muslims who get into the spirit of the season - Montréal has very significant Jewish and Arab communities) - to some surprisingly good vegetarian tourtières. A great idea if you are vegetarian or hosting vegetarian guests.
Sometimes Christmas is very difficult for many people. I always think of that. We've had our share of true adversity this year, and the end of the year has a tendency to bring that into focus. I'm looking ahead to 2012! Bring on the New Year!
Happy news about your son. I know you will miss him this Christmas.
But a person can wrap vegetables in pastry till the carrots come home. This will *not* be tourtière, any more than you can smoke a potato, and call it bar-be-que. (Our family that includes Texans and Quebeckers, what can I say?)
Susan: Children returning to the nest, how could that not lift the heart? We are happy that our 'missing' son will be with close family friends in Toronto.
I've never had Texas or Southeastern US bbq. Here bbq means grilling, but their version seems almost closer to a braise. Argentines also grill, and eat about as much beef as Texans.
Southern US BBQ is pit-smoked meat, more southeastern than southwestern though BBQ has been sadly misrepresented in many regions. (If you do not see and smell a smoker, run.) Pork is more widely used than beef in my artery-clogging experience and some folks will accept chicken, but the real thing is pork or beef. Pretty much my favourite carnivore experience.
Cheers,
Eleanorjane
eleanorjane: I bug a difficult man to give me hints- for himself or a charity that he supports. Some persons would like that far better, which is fine with me!
I'm so glad to hear your son has a new direction, he sounds like a real stand up guy.
Merry Christmas Duchesse!
Susan Tiner: Congregations seem to put something extra into singing for Christmas, it always sounds strong and joyful. Jules' Christmas gifts to his friends and brother: special salamis, boar roast, double-smoked bacon.
But other than that, I'm not really feeling it. And I've decided that it's OK to not really feel it, since I find Christmas overwhelming in many ways. It's a little odd, but not bad.