I was starting to feel the rush of the holiday season last Friday. I had been gone a couple of days for work, came back and was trying to catch up in the office as well as get things done at home. I could feel the stress starting to creep into my psyche and I didn’t like it.
So … I took off early on Friday from work and it was the best thing I could’ve done for my mental health. That extra hour or so wasn’t really all that much, but it allowed me to run my errands, pick up Joe from school, and get us home in plenty of time to get a few things done before Teacher Man arrived. This meant we could just relax a little Friday night and I needed that.
Today (Sunday), we went to Joe’s last Christmas program at church as a Sunday School student. The church was decked out with lights, the sanctuary was full of people, the kids did an awesome job telling the Christmas story, and the short sermon seemed to be aimed right at me (and I’m sure a lot of other folks this time of year): find joy in the season.
Yes, it’s a busy time. And yes, it can feel like I’m in constant errand mode. But there is joy, real joy all around us. I took some time to work out this afternoon and while I was on the elliptical machine (which I readily admit doesn’t bring me much joy, generally-speaking), I thought about some of the little things this weekend that brought me joy. And there were many!
Hearing (and singing) Christmas carols at church. And having my parents join us for Joe’s final Christmas program as a Sunday School student. Sigh. Time does indeed fly.
Saturday night dinner at home with my boys, trying a couple of Hanukkah specialties – beef brisket and golden potato latkes (recipe here).
Spending Saturday with my niece, Morgan. Polka dots. And walks in 45 degree weather (in December!) with Morgan and my boys. (Teacher Man was with us too – you just can’t see him most of him in the photo below.)
Surprise box of Christmas cookies from my neighbors down the street.
Making my mom’s “Best Caramels” recipe. (Cooling in the fridge now and soon ready to be cut into squares and given out as gifts.)
Blogging. No picture here – just a simple truth. I love to write and it brings me joy.
What brings you joy? Whatever it is, I hope you find plenty of it this holiday season.
My Mom’s Best Caramels
My mom has made these caramels for years and years – and for very good reason. Delicious. Joyously delicious. (Hint: you will need a candy thermometer to make this recipe.)
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups white corn syrup
- Pinch of salt
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Chopped nuts (optional)
Bring the sugar, white corn syrup and salt to a boil in a heavy saucepan, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved. When syrup is very thick (and reaches 245 degrees on a candy thermometer), add the butter gradually. (The mixture won’t stop boiling.)
Next and also gradually, so the mixture doesn’t stop boiling, add the evaporated milk, stirring constantly. Cook rapidly to 242 degrees. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. (Optional: add chopped pecans, about 1/2 cup.)
Pour into a 9-inch square pan lined with non-stick aluminum foil that has also been greased with butter.
When cool*, cut into squares and wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap.
* Let the pan warm up slightly at room temperature so the caramel is easier to cut into squares. However, if the caramel gets too soft, it becomes sticky and more difficult to cut and wrap.