- Joined
- May 12, 2010
- Location
- Now Florida but always a Kentuckian
"Simple Pleasures" for the Holidays by Susannah Seton is a treasury of stories and suggestions for creating meaningful celebrations. The book is divided into several chapters on many holidays and celebrated days including Halloween, Mexican Day of the Dead, Guy Fawkes Day, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas Eve, Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Chinese New Year, "Id al-Fitr, and Kids' and Adults' Birthdays.
The book is filled with ideas and help to make these celebrations more meaningful. There are home made candles, ornaments, decorations, and many recipes. There is some history and information about these simple rituals from around the world that will enrich your own traditions..
An example from the book is Old-Fashioned Gingerbread which dates back to Colonial New England and is ideal to make for Christmas.
Gingerbread (recreated)
5 cups flour
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 tablespoons ground ginger
1 pound butter, softened
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, and ginger. Gradually combine with butter (mixture will feel coarse and crumbly). In a separate bowl, combine the eggs and milk, then add to the flour mixture, stirring until well blended. With a floured rolling pin, roll the dough out thinly onto a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until brown.
The book is filled with ideas and help to make these celebrations more meaningful. There are home made candles, ornaments, decorations, and many recipes. There is some history and information about these simple rituals from around the world that will enrich your own traditions..
An example from the book is Old-Fashioned Gingerbread which dates back to Colonial New England and is ideal to make for Christmas.
Gingerbread (recreated)
5 cups flour
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 tablespoons ground ginger
1 pound butter, softened
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, and ginger. Gradually combine with butter (mixture will feel coarse and crumbly). In a separate bowl, combine the eggs and milk, then add to the flour mixture, stirring until well blended. With a floured rolling pin, roll the dough out thinly onto a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until brown.