DECEMBER 2025 50 W ith times what they are, it has become difficult to separate the holidays and adequately savor each of them on their own merit. Gone are the days when it felt like an expanse of time separated each month. As July rolled around, fall decorations appeared on store shelves, followed by Halloween, Thanksgiving and then Christmas. It became natural to unconsciously exclaim to total strangers how emotions as well as recipes and decorations had drifted in a myriad of different directions and had only now solidified into focusing on one holiday: Christmas. Christmas is so much more than a word or day or date. It’s a season, a feeling, a spirit that’s as infectious as laughter. As poinsettias begin to appear in place of pumpkins on the front porch, and oranges and pomegranates replace bowls of fruit on the kitchen counter, the scent of evergreen and simmering cider quickly fills the air. There are so many strands of our lives coming together to unlock the storehouse of memories. The Christmas tree represents the power of nature to regenerate, flourish and encourage us to embrace the same spirit of renewal and growth in our own lives. Each branch links family, friends, and loved ones together. Whether fresh cut or artificial, choosing the perfect tree uplifts your spirits. When you see it, you’ll know “this is it!” Decorating a tree that has no theme offers a canvas for creativity. Classic elegance or whimsical and quirky, each style infuses the tree with character and charm. The tree doesn’t need to be color- coordinated. No matter its shape or size, it’s still beautiful with its cherished mismatched ornaments that showcase heartfelt moments of our lives, traditions and story. The allure of heirloom ornaments lies in their ability to transform a simple tree into a tapestry of personal history. They bridge cherished times, reminding us of people who are no longer present, and often take us back to the wonder of our childhood. The age-old psychological phenomenon of nostalgia awakens that sensory cue that triggers a strong, emotional memory. The beauty of hanging each ornament is transient and timeless, in essence, turning the Christmas tree into a visual scrapbook. When the magic is felt, the tree becomes a festive centerpiece. Sensory overload is inescapable at this time of the year. There is nothing grander than a tree that lights up a home and engages the senses. As with my desire to gaze into a roaring fireplace to witness ‘fireflies’ rise from the flames, the tradition of sitting next to a Christmas tree watching the lights dance on the walls, reflect on the tile floors, and bathe the room in happiness comforts me. The tree provides moments to pause and celebrate life’s blessings. Our homes magically transform into wonderlands and ornaments act as storytellers whispering tales of hope and joy. Emotions become untethered when Christmas ornaments are received. They’re like a little memory in a box and for that reason I rejoice in giving them. They’re more than mere trinkets, they become powerful “memory makers.” Holding an ornament causes me to pause, reflect, and instantly engrave an emotion to a specific moment in time. As a child, I was entrusted to unwrap my grandmother’s antique ornaments. The anticipation had built up and it felt like I was unwrapping my Christmas presents. Prayer, intention, and mindfulness transformed this act into something profound. I held each ornament up to the light to admire its shine and intricacy, and then carefully selected the perfect place on the tree to hang it. Each ornament found a way of taking me on a magic carpet ride. I was fascinated by the grandeur of our Christmas tree. I gazed in awe at this ‘towering’ evergreen that stood proudly in front of the picture window. Large multi-colored lights, glistening ornaments, silver tinsel, and soft red velvet bows were a symbol of love, unity, and celebration. Removing belongings from my childhood home where so many memories resided was heartbreaking. Every corner was filled with the lives of the two women I thought the world of. Their books, ribbon-tied air-mail letters written during wars long ago, porcelain knick-knacks, stationery and fountain pens, cookware – everything had its place. I could visualize mom hiding Easter eggs in the bushes, could taste root beer floats being enjoyed on the glider in the backyard, heard soft voices and smelled the aroma of chop suey being prepared in the kitchen, and saw myself sitting at the dining room table. Yes, even the Christmas tree came into view. My reality saw belongings tucked away in clearly marked boxes. Trash! Sell! Goodwill! Keep! Somehow my grandmother’s antique tree ornaments made their way onto the Goodwill pile and got whisked away. It was only through the grace of God days later that I questioned where the box labeled “1540 antique Christmas ornaments” had been placed. Panic stole the breath from my lungs as every movement got retraced. Goodwill was called, and an individual listened to my tale of despair. Time and effort were needed to search the building and within hours I received a call saying that the disintegrating, tattered and taped box had been located. Blinding tears escaped my eyes when the words on the box were read out loud. Fortunately, no speeding tickets were incurred driving to Goodwill’s front door. Since that day I have come to believe that Christmas ornaments do “speak” to you. Have you ever paused to listen to the stories they carry? Being young, questions never got asked, yet to this day, I hear their voices and recognize that these ornaments held a cherished place in my family’s holiday décor. This box wasn’t filled with mere decorations; they were personal artifacts reflecting the soul of prior generations, shared family prayers, moments of gratitude, and the good intentions held in the hearts of others. Spheres representing perfection and eternity, or apples, reminding us of the original sin, and bells which symbolize the call to bring lost sheep back into the fold. Other symbols like doves, acorns, candy canes, holly, mistletoe, the humble pinecone, wreaths, fruit, evergreens, Christmas carols, Santa Clause, stockings, gifts, and candles remind us that we are to be a light to others. Sweet Christmas cookies, breads, pastries and mouth-watering meals contribute to the enchantment of the season. Writing this article transported me back to visions of my grandmother making her classic version of stuffing for Christmas. Her recipe comes to mind after having watched the process year after year. A roasting pan heaped with varieties of hearty torn apart bread always found its way into the laundry room where it was covered with a linen cloth and allowed to dry naturally. Delectable herbs were added, followed by sautéed onions and celery. Years ago, I discovered the savory taste of chestnuts, which have been popular around Christmas for a long time but before that, were consumed for their nutritional value in places along the Mediterranean Sea where grains would not grow. Before they became a Christmas staple in the States, they were commonly consumed in Portugal and Modena, Italy. They were one of the most popular ingredients in American dishes throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, and for good reason: the eastern seaboard was covered in chestnut trees. This was ‘ the’ tree of early America and there is tremendous nostalgia around them. Chestnuts are the edible fruit of the tree and in parts of the country where they grow, they’re ripe for harvesting in late autumn through November. Curing the nuts after harvest converts their starches into sugars, which intensifies their natural sweetness. Dried, canned, jarred, chestnuts work just as well in most recipes. The flavor is not overly sugary, making them versatile for both sweet and savory dishes. When cooked, chestnuts release a pleasantly aromatic, earthy, and nutty flavor. Their high starch content gives them a satisfying, dense chewiness that’s slightly meaty with a texture that’s closer to a sweet potato – luxuriously soft, buttery, and creamy. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants making them super healthy. Chestnut stuffing was the first recipe published in the United States in 1772 and has now become the flavorful next generation in my grandmother’s recipe. Enjoy! Thyme in My Kitchen BY SHERRY KLUSMAN thyme.in.my.kitchen INGREDIENTS • 1 16 oz. combination Italian and French bread, crust removed, diced into 1-inch cubes • 3 tbsp. unsalted butter (plus 5 tbsp. melted) • 1 cup celery, small dice • 1 cup sweet onion, small dice • 1 tsp. salt • ¼ tsp. black pepper • 2 tbsp. parsley, finely chopped • 1 tbsp. snipped chives • 1 tbsp. sage, finely chopped • 1 tbsp. thyme, finely chopped • 1 tbsp. marjoram, finely chopped • ½ tsp. rosemary, finely chopped • ½ tsp. tarragon, finely chopped • ½ tsp. basil, finely chopped • ½ tsp. nutmeg • 1 small Fuji apple, grated (reserve liquid) • 2 cups homemade chicken broth • 2 eggs (lightly beaten) • 4 oz. heavy cream • ¼ cup dried cranberries, plumped • ¼ cup dry sherry (do not use cooking sherry) • ½ pound chestnuts, medium dice • Minced garlic (measure with your heart) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven 350 degrees. 2. Butter 9x13” casserole dish. 3. In a small bowl, soak cranberries in sherry. 4. In a five-quart saucepan, melt three tbsp. butter on medium heat. Add onions, celery, and garlic. Sauté with salt and pepper until translucent. Remove from heat. 5. In a large bowl add diced bread. Add herbs and blend. Add grated apple followed by chicken broth, beaten eggs, heavy cream, cranberries, sherry, chestnuts, remaining melted butter. Mix thoroughly. Bake covered for 40-45 minutes until golden-brown. Remove foil last 10 minutes for crisper top. Chestnut herb stuffing The wonder of Christmas: Do you hear what I hear? DECEMBER RECOMMENDATIONS COOKBOOK: “CHRISTMAS COTTAGE COOKBOOK” BY COTTAGE MAGAZINE NOVEL: “NIGHT RIDE HOME” BY BARBARA ESSTMAN

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