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Status quo is just fine with this mom
Published Thursday, December 6, 2007
Debbie Irmen
Many years ago, I forget just how long it’s been, my girl frriend and I had the bright idea to power bake for the holidays.
This marathon session would begin early in the day and continue long into the evening and provide us with all the Christmas goodies we could want for our families and holiday entertaining.
We had lunch one day to decide what to make; and to determine who would bring what: Each of us contributed the basics — sugar and flour and butter — for the anticipated multiple batches of Spritz, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Thumbprint cookies, and other favorites.
The “speciality” ingredients, such as pecans, peanut butter, chocolate chips and pretzels, we divided between us, hoping the list would have each of us contributing about the same amount monetarily.
We planned a lunch and supper because it was a marathon session, and perhaps as important as anything, we wanted to include the kids, who were quite young at the time.
We planned tasks for them that were age-appropriate and all went well that first year. Of course, the kids tired of the project long before the job was done, but they went off to play and we finished up.
The husbands kept themselves busy with I can’t remember what, but they stayed out of our way except for the occasional snitching of a freshly baked cookie. And they joined us for supper.
Our list that first year, and for several years after, was very ambitious. I think we make about eight holiday favorites and tried to plan the baking day in November.
One year, we were both short on time, so the list of favorites was pared back to only three or four favorites.
One year, we asked the moms to join us and found a new family favorite cookie. Hence, a new tradition was born: Each year we try a new cookie. If it passes muster, we make it again. That’s how we started making chocolate mint cookies, which we have modified to fit the baking day “agenda.”
As the kids got older, they went through a period of time when they had better things to do and tried to get out of baking with us. No matter what, my friend and I tried to get them there for a least a part of the day and they usually complied.
Through the years, I think my friend and I have looked forward to the day, which starts out with a lot of enthusiasm and silliness and ends up with two very tired moms just counting the pans of cookies left to bake and praying the time will go fast as we wash the umpteenth sinkful of dishes.
For all that, I wouldn’t change a thing.
This year, with weddings on the horizon and a new house still being settled, I think my friend and I, through unspoken agreement, had decided this year wouldn’t work out to bake.
But I was feeling the loss: Our baking day really sets the tone of the holidays for me and I was going to ask if we could plan an abbreviated day of baking, when my friend called to ask about a day to make our Christmas goodies. Seems one of her daughters, who has set up her own home and will be married in January, wanted to have some holiday treats to share.
While I enjoyed baking when the kids were young, it is so much better when they are adults. This year, we started our baking at 10:30 a.m. or so and were done before 6 p.m., when we sat down for supper.
I only mixed one batch of cookies — we tried Aunt Sally’s this year — and the girls mixed the other batches. They operated the cookie press for the Spritz and helped watch the timer on the oven. Without their competent help, my friend and I would have had a short list of goodies this year.
Someday, I know this generation of moms will pass the torch on to the next generation of moms — our kids to carry on this holiday tradition. But for now, I’m content with the status quo.
Debbie Irmen’s column runs on Thursdays.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on December 6, 2007 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We did the same thing last year, except we call our cookies “paw” print cookies. If we want some that look like a wreath, The missus curls her tail into a circle and the lays it over a cookie then I jump on her. I mean on her tail of course, I mean….you know what I mean.
Posted by eripsni (anonymous) on December 6, 2007 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bonus points to chipmunk for that one
Posted by andtongs (anonymous) on December 6, 2007 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chipmunk, I suppose you think you have composed another clever quip. Very funny. Your mind is in the gutter with your speech which is very near pornography . This is not what we need in this forum from your dirty mind or anyone else. Please clean up your act. You should pray for you soul, so you will be ready when the day of your deliverance comes.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on December 6, 2007 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My Dear Ms. Tongs, I’m sure that you, a fire breathing Christian, agree that we chipmunks enjoy no fellowship nor covenant with god. Should I pray, however, my prayer would be…"God preserve me from Christians. Amen."
Posted by Venti (anonymous) on December 7, 2007 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. Has someone been protesting at funerals again???
Posted by Paul (anonymous) on December 7, 2007 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Venti, I wish I knew what you are talking about most of the time. I think you have something to say but I can not figure it out. I know you use sarcasm but I don’t understand it. Please explain what protesting at funerals means.
Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on December 7, 2007 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I will be a silent protester at my funeral.
Posted by kidvanwechel (anonymous) on December 7, 2007 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG...I'm still laughing at that first comment from Chipmunk. Thank you! We could do without the threats of religious damnation from the uneducated as well...people still believe that stuff?
Posted by Paul (anonymous) on December 7, 2007 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bucksteel, if you know what venti means please tell me.
Posted by tracy (anonymous) on December 7, 2007 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok I give up trying to figure out venti to. I know what chipmunk means he is risky. And make me laff.
Posted by liteshine (anonymous) on December 8, 2007 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This article was great. It's nice to know that there are people out there who still hold onto tradition, especially at Christmas time, which we celebrate because of the most precious gift our Lord gave to us. He gave us his Son, Jesus Christ, who came to bring peace, joy, and most importantly, Salvation..to those who believe in HIM. For those who choose to make a mockery of such things, I feel sorry for you.
Posted by Venti (anonymous) on December 10, 2007 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, clarification...
andtongs sounds like one of those people who go around and protest at soldiers funerals because they are fighting for a country that, in their estimation, "embraces" or "supports" homosexuality. They are from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan. and they usually hold signs that say things like "God hates the USA!" or "Thank God for IEDs!" They are crazy Christian fundamentalists. And pretty scary ones at that.
All chipmunk did was make, what I see to be, a pretty good natured joke about cookies and all of a sudden we have andtongs saying that its "near pornography" and that he should "pray for your soul, so you will be ready when the day of your deliverance comes." Just seems like he/she could maybe use a break from the fire and brimstone for a while and lighten up some.
Hope that helps.
Posted by Paul (anonymous) on December 10, 2007 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Venti, now I understand.
Posted by James (anonymous) on December 10, 2007 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel sorry for people who think columns like this are "great."
Posted by westcoast (anonymous) on December 12, 2007 at 12:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
you've got to be kidding me!!!!!!!Chipmunk - you are not funny at all!
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on December 12, 2007 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Westcoast, I can see it’s no use trying to put one over on you. You are too clever for me. So I will admit it….I was kidding.
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