December: A Celebration of Winter
Saint Thomas Gray, Saint Thomas Day! The longest night, the shortest day!
A number of years ago, my husband, Jack and I realized that Christmas at our place had become a madhouse. Our son and daughter were teens at the time and it seemed, especially as a blended family, everyone felt pulled in many directions. Needless to say, there were great expectations on the winter holiday season. As adults, we want things to be perfect for those we love. We want to make magic for the children. We want to create memories. We want to spend time with friends and family. Even as adults; want, want, want.
I read wise words (probably in a magazine) years ago that the key to holiday happiness was to simplify, and while many people enjoy merrymaking that includes bustling activity, I crave calm. So, we adopted a simple winter season celebration that eliminated competition for our children of where to be/who to be with on Christmas Eve and Christmas day and created a new tradition for our family—an at-home observance of togetherness, light, peace and love: Saturnalia or Winter Solstice Celebration. This special celebration works like a charm for our family. However you spend the end of this year and the beginning of the next, I hope that you and yours have a wonderful time in the spirit of togetherness and love.
Details of our celebration and cottage decor for December can be found below.
Wishing you all the best in 2019! —Kari
December 2018 Cottage Decor
The Dining Room Takes Center Stage
For December, the dining room is the center of attention. This year’s theme centered around snowmen. Table linens and other textiles, dishes, glassware, wall decor, the light fixture and knick-knacks all reflect a celebration of the season. To be economical, I tried to use as many items as possible from years past or that are found objects. When necessary, I shopped as much as possible at TJ Maxx. Snowman salt and pepper shakers and glowing snow-family wax (battery) operated candles were purchased at Kohl’s. Rae Dunn “Merry Christmas” red polka-dot banded salad plates were added this year (Some were a bargain from TJ Maxx, and the rest I found on mercari.com). Last year, I splurged on the reindeer base martini glasses, that I have used as fruit salad bowls. The slideshow features pictures from the daily look of the dining room in December, and also photos from our solstice table setting.
A grand (And very tiny) entrance
The entry of the cottage is filled with family mementos gathered through the years and features 2 generations of wintertime artwork that I laminated and framed to enjoy for many years to come. The vintage Santa lights come from my sister and brother-in-law’s antique store, Garner’s Antiques on Main Street in Bountiful, Utah.
In the Living Room
In December, the living room at 3 Squares Cottage features some of my favorite things in the world! I love the vintage photo of children waiting in line to mail letters to Santa, and felt especially lucky to find a matching themed mailbox to hang under it. I love the pencil tree, decorated from year to year with white lights and berries, with added items to match the theme of the year. We’ve had the Department 56 Ice Palace for 20 years, or so, purchased as a prior display piece from the Basket Loft in SLC’s Foothill Village. I even love our dog statue and cottage mascot, Lilly’s doggy hat and scarf. When the living room decoration is complete each year the weekend after Thanksgiving, I cannot help but just sit down to enjoy it, smile and feel my heart’s warmth—even in winter’s chill.
A Kitchen filled with Characters
Stored away for 11 months of the year, there are over 450 items that adorn the cottage this month (Genine, an Airbnb guest, counted them!). Many of the winter characters deck the kitchen counters, shelves and window sills. Some of my favorites include Cheryl and Company cookie jars, given to over the years by my oldest and dearest friend, Clayton Vetter, who lives in LA, but works his schedule to join us for solstice each year. (It is said that you can’t choose your family, but Clayton is proof to me that if you work at it hard and long enough and with enough love, you certainly can.) I also love the many sets of salt and pepper shakers, one added each year in the theme of that particular year. The barrel end wine dispenser moves from the living room to the kitchen for this month. We have enjoyed having Cupcake Red Velvet blend on tap this month.
Beds and Bath
Red, white and green fill the bedrooms—right down to the holiday theme sheets. Wall fixtures are adorned with ribbons and bows. The Santa light switch cover was made in the 1960’s by my grandmother, Lettie Lucille Clark Loder, (1910-1993), whose entire house was one of the original maker-spaces, containing intentional workspaces with every tool, paint, and craft supply one could imagine, She crafted and sewed everything and commissioned my grandfather, Severn, a carpenter by birth and trade, to cut and build anything she couldn’t knit, crochet, sew or otherwise fashion with textiles. Even now, 25 years after her passing, I am still stocked with craft supplies from her closets, sweaters that she knit and blankets/quilts that she crocheted/sewed. Hanging on the wall in the corner by the bedroom door are Severn and Lucille’s hats, which are my favorite things by which to remember them, as they never left home without being dressed “to the nines”, including wearing a hat.
In the bath, 3 Squares Cottage guests could attest to the fact that finest-quality personal care products, in coordination with the color-scheme of the month, are available for guests to enjoy during their stay.
Onto the celebration!
On December 21st each year, we gather early and stay late. Here are the details of our observance:
We usually gather at around 4PM, while it is still light outside. We place candles in jars or bags as luminaries on our porch. We recognize that this time of year marks the end of the harvest season—generations ago, it might have been the last big feast/meal people would have before spring.
We set the most beautiful table possible for our evening meal to create a feeling of celebration and to bask in the candle-lit time together as a family. We set out money on the table for our family to take after the meal, to wish them prosperity in the coming year.
We make breakfast for dinner. Since it’s the shortest day of the year, we joke that as soon as you get up and get dressed it’s dark again and feels like time for bed. Our meal usually includes Monte Christo Sandwiches, Brie and Spicy Sausage Casserole, Funeral Potatoes (It’s a Utah thing!), and Citrus Salad. The simple or make-ahead recipes are below.
·We pop open Old English Crackers, which are paper noisemakers tied at each end, filled with small gifts—from which we pull and wear paper crowns—as kings and queens of the party. According to tradition, in some parts of central Europe ancient customs of "driving demons away are practiced on the December 21st, the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle and during the following nights (Rough Nights), with much noise, cracking of whips, and ringing of hand bells.” (catholicculture.org)
We give one another gifts of light or enlightenment, usually candles and sometimes electronics. (Last year, a friend suggested a practical and fun item—a motion-sensor nightlight that also serves as a flashlight if the power goes out.)
We untie (pre-tied) string that binds the feet of a Woodland Santa that serves as Sol, the Sun God. The legend is that Sol holds the light, and that when his feet are bound, he cannot properly shine. We unleash him to allow the sun to shine a little longer each day until the longest day, June 21, the summer solstice.
We reflect on the year that is about to end, tell about our best (and sometimes worst) moments, read stories for the children, and express our love and appreciation for each other.
Recipe suggestions for Solstice/Christmas Breakfast or Dinner
Brie and Spicy Sausage Casserole
From My Recipes online Catherine Sturges- Southern Living Nov 2000
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) round Brie*
1 pound ground hot pork sausage
6 white sandwich bread slices
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
7 large eggs, divided
3 cups whipping cream, divided
2 cups fat-free milk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Garnishes: chopped green onions, shaved Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Trim rind from Brie, and discard; cut cheese into cubes, and set aside.
Step 2: Cook sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until it crumbles and is no longer pink; drain well.
Step 3: Cut crusts from bread slices, and place crusts evenly in bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Layer evenly with bread slices, sausage, Brie, and Parmesan cheese.
Step 4: Whisk together 5 eggs, 2 cups whipping cream, and next 4 ingredients; pour evenly over cheeses. Cover and chill mixture for 8 hours.
Step 5: Whisk together remaining 2 eggs and remaining 1 cup whipping cream; pour evenly over chilled mixture.
Step 6: Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until casserole is set. Garnish, if desired.
Step 7: 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese may be substituted.
Funeral Potatoes (a Utah Classic!)
Recipe from A Bountiful Kitchen- Si Foster
Ingredients
12 large Russett potatoes boiled, then peeled and grated or
1 large 24-32oz package frozen hash brown potatoes thawed
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups sour cream
2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese divided
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper each
1 cup Panko Crumbs or 2 cups crushed Corn Flakes + 2 tablespoons melted butter optional or 1/2 cup grated cheese
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place rack in middle of oven.
Place butter, chopped onions, salt and pepper in a sauce pan over medium heat. Cook just until onions are softened. Place soup, sour cream, 2 cups of the grated cheese in a large bowl.
Pour the cooked onion/butter mixture over the soup mixture in the bowl. Mix well.
Add grated potatoes. Fold ingredients together.
Pour the mixture into a 9x13 greased pan.
If using topping, spread the Panko or cornflake mixture or additional 1/2 cup of cheese over the top of the casserole and bake uncovered for30-40 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and golden on top.
Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
Monte Christo Sandwiches
From Food Network
Ingredients
3 slices white bread
Mayonnaise, as needed
2 slices Gouda
2 slices turkey
3 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Strawberry slices, for garnish
Orange wedges, for garnish
Serving suggestion: Blackberry jam (We also love Peppercot jam!)
Instructions:
On a work surface, lay out 2 slices of bread and spread with mayonnaise. Top each slice with the 1 slice of Gouda and 1 slice of turkey each. Put the third slice of bread on top of one stack, and flip the remaining stack on top, cheese-side down, to make a triple-decker sandwich.
Using a knife, cut the crusts off the sandwich (this helps to pinch and seal the ends). Wrap the sandwich tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 6 hours. (Wrapping the sandwich in plastic wrap, compacts it, and prevents the egg batter from seeping in.)
Combine the eggs and milk in a bowl. Heat the oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Unwrap the sandwich and dip it in the egg batter, to coat evenly. Gently place it in the skillet, and fry, turning once, until golden brown and hot, about 5 minutes total.
Cut the Monte Cristo in 1/2, transfer it to a place, and garnish with the strawberry and orange. Spoon some jam over each 1/2 and serve immediately.
· Citrus Salad
Recipe from Just a Taste- Kelly Seinei
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon honey
2 medium oranges, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch rounds
3 medium blood oranges, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch rounds
2 medium pink grapefruits, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch rounds
1/2 small red onion, cut into thin rounds
2 cups lightly packed arugula
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
INSTRUCTIONS
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar and honey. Taste and season the dressing with salt and pepper.
On a large platter, layer the sliced oranges, grapefruit, red onions and arugula.
Drizzle the vinaigrette on top then garnish with pomegranate seeds and serve immediately.
Note: We sometimes use Annie’s Lite Raspberry Vinaigrette as the dressing and add jicama cubes.
Also, If you live in the Salt Lake area, Granite Bakery (902 E. 2700 So. SLC) has some of the most beautiful and delicious holiday treats. Some of our favorites are: Cinnamon knots, marzipan cake loaf (small) and Stolen Bread. We usually have them make a cake (white cake, custard filling and vanilla buttercream frosting (ask for double vanilla) in the shape of a wreath, complete with a red bow and edible glitter! The photo below features a cake from Granite Bakery last year from Jack’s and my company, Social Marketing Consultants.
Music for a solstice celebration
A Winter’s Solstice (Album)- Windham Hill Artists
Winter- Vivaldi (4 seasons)
Here Comes the Sun- Beatles
Good Morning Starshine- Oliver (from the musical Hair)
Sunny Skies- James Taylor
Recommended Read-aloud books
Winter’s Tales by Michael Foreman (includes a story titled, Want, Want, Want!) Note: this book is out of print, but you can buy used copies on amazon
The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer
The Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson
Our family favorite: A Coyote Solstice Tale by Thomas King and Gary Clement