Broken Alabaster Boxes

Last year I mourned Christmas passing me cheerfully by in Minnesota. I missed the snow and cold. I missed caroling where you weren't wearing flip flops. I missed the Christmas parade and our community Christmas supper. Christmas cookies, special time with family, the festive feeling in the cold air. Instead I had palm trees, a hot sun, and something that felt far from Christmas.  This year I do not mourn my absence from Minnesota Christmas. Rather I mourn the absence of that Christmas, the long-held traditions that made it Christmas for me. It's bitter sweet. While it tugs to know that others are celebrating without me, the thought that those traditions aren't even taking place leaves me feeling empty. Thinking of lock downs and Covid leaves me feeling strangely stark and bare. Almost as if Christmas has been stripped away.  We say we are celebrating the real meaning of Christmas, but are we as much as we think we are? When our cozy little safe places are stripped away, do ...

We have this discussion in our house, whether cooking is difficult because we are singles with a busy schedule, or if it's because we happen to live in a place where groceries are more expensive and less dependable. Either way, ideas can be scarce and I work hard not to succumb to granola bars and crackers for my school lunch.  Maybe you're a single living alone. Maybe you live in a foreign country. Maybe you're a busy mom. Or maybe you've  got it all figured out. But here's a few ideas I have used that I've enjoyed. Maybe they can give you inspiration.  I don't know if you eat breakfast. For me it's a must, but it can't be anything to time consuming. This year my staple has been baked oatmeal. I bake a pan ahead of time so it's ready to go in the mornings. If you have a microwave, reheating it is a great option. If you don't, like me, eating it cold can be just as tasty. I've tried to keep my recipes varied, from pumpkin, coconut, or cof...