Shiny Objects

I think it’s safe to say we are in high-season of ‘shiny objects’. The sparkly holiday lights brighten early darkness and festoon neighborhoods and businesses with a magical effect. The excess of edible treats is abundant at parties, office gatherings, and annual religious occasions. Merchants bombard us with reminders to choose just the right item for our entire list of gift recipients. If you are like me, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

So what’s the best approach? It’s sometimes easier said than done. Overall, what I try to do is personalize my participation during this season of overload. I’ve found it’s okay to say no to outside pressures bombarding us to create the perfect memory for the holidays. What is best for me may not resonate with your own tolerance and desires. Take note of what you enjoy about the holidays and do that. If there are ‘shiny objects’ you don’t really like, you can eliminate them.

Donations are another way I override the excesses of this season. Gifts to a charity in the name of  a family member or friend accomplishes much more than searching for a present just for the sake of giving someone something to unwrap. These kinds of lasting gifts are meaningful tenfold.

As I finish up a prolific year in the studio, I want to make sure I thank all of you for your encouragement, ideas, orders, and overall support. It has been a great year of creativity for me. I am one lucky clay artist!

Enlightened

After this year’s winter solstice, December 21, the days will begin to get longer. Good! I’m not a fan of early darkness in the late afternoon and I would guess not many people are. It’s no wonder that so many of this season’s holidays celebrate with light. It brightens the darkness of the season. 

Another way to look at this seasonal lack of light perhaps is to recognize its impact on the daily rhythms of our lives. For me, it encourages a kind of cocooning affect where I turn inward, slow down my routine and attend to more projects inside my home than the longer days when light is plentiful and I’m drawn to be outside. 

This year, both Christmas and Hanukkah fall in the same calendar timeframe. Our family has honored both holidays since our children were born. The flames of the menorah candles re-enact the ancient story when a one-day supply of oil lasted eight days and nights. This is the first menorah we bought more than 30 years ago. Click on the photo to hear Adam Sandler's original Hanukkah song!

We bought the chili pepper lights on one of our trips to Santa Fe, New Mexico. They have adorned one of our holiday trees ever since!

Mostly this time of year, I'm looking forward to spending time with my family. Together, we'll share some meals, hang out, watch some movies and solidify some new memories for the holiday season. I hope your holiday celebrations are light-filled, heavy with family, friends and food and most of all memorable!

I use this basic latke recipe each year. I've occasionally embellished it with extra ingredients, like sweet potatoes. They are always served with a side of apple sauce and sour cream. The recipe is from a cookbook I bought at Goucher College bookstore called Simple Jewish Cookery by Edna Beilenson.