Dear Sunday Letter readers,
Surprise! Last Sunday I wasn’t sure if I would write a Sunday Letter this week. But here I am saying hello again. The truth is I enjoy this “virtual chat” we have each week. It’s fun to read your comments both on the post and to each other. That’s become my favorite part.
So thank you for joining me on Sunday morning or whenever you find time to read.
Sugared Pecans
Last week I made the most delicious sugared pecans.
I followed this recipe from Dining with Debbie. Debbie always has great recipes, so I encourage you to check with her blog before you look elsewhere. I did make a slight modification by substituting the water for extra vanilla extract. And I substituted half the white sugar with brown sugar. I don’t think Debbie (or her Nonnie) would mind.
So addictive! And like Debbie says, this recipe would be great with almonds as well. (I’m gonna try that next.)
Either way, these sugared pecans make for a yummy holiday treat. Arrange them in a festive dish or a bag and you have a great little gift for someone. And no kidding, these taste EXACTLY like those that cost an arm and a leg at the state fair.
Around here we pronounce pecan as puh-cawn. But some people say pee-can.
What do you say?
Self-Care
Alrighty, this topic is a bit non-sequitur. But in the category of taking care of ourselves, I want to remind everyone about the importance of self-care. I had yet another colonoscopy this past week. My 7th, not that I’m keeping score. Since my dad died of colon cancer at the age of 57 (my age now!), I’m considered high risk. And even though I wasn’t yet due for another test, I got one because of a sudden problem and a strange pain.
The test was normal. Whew.
I still have the yet-to-be-identified odd pain (despite x-rays, a CT scan, and now, you know, ugh.)
Anyway, the moral to this randomness is don’t ignore the pain, don’t put off the appointment, don’t disregard your root vegetables in favor of sugared pecans. In other words, be your own advocate.
How perfect is this sign in the waiting room of North Hills Endoscopy Clinic where weak and weary patients wait like dehydrated prunes for their colonoscopy appointments…?
Throwback Christmas
As I’ve already said, this will be a strange Christmas because for the first Christmas Eve ever, I won’t be seeing my kids. Of course I will miss them, but I’m not sad, not really. They are safe and sound and happy and busy. Some parents aren’t so fortunate. You know?
This is a good time to remember that not everyone considers the holidays to be holly and jolly. People are suffering and grieving and grasping for a fresh start in the coming year.
But in the spirit of yuletide nostalgia, I bring you one of my favorite Christmas photos from years ago. This is a picture of my children with my sister’s twins (my niece and nephew). Aren’t cousins the best?
While they won’t all be together this Christmas, holiday memories certainly create a special bond. And they will likely remember it this year like no other.
Plus, isn’t there something dreamy about black and white photos?
Festivus for the Rest of Us!
In the spirit of new traditions, this year we are keeping things light with a Festivus dinner! You know, the zany holiday made famous by Seinfeld in 1997. (Season 9, December 18, 1997 to be specific.)
If you aren’t familiar with the brilliance that is Festivus, I’ll give you a quick rundown. Festivus is the December 23rd holiday thunk-up by George Constanza’s father, Frank. It’s meant to be an inclusive, anti-materialism holiday. Rather than a glitzy tree with all the trimmings (Frank finds tinsel to be distracting), the Festivus symbol is a bare aluminum Festivus pole.
Funny stuff, y’all.
I really think this world would be a better place if Seinfeld came back on air. Not re-runs, but a brand new season.
Oh, and the Airing of Grievances is all part of Festivus. Festivus is the day you gather your family around and explain all the ways everyone has disappointed each other during the year.
What’s not to love about that? Haha.
Things Momma Says:
If you go to Target or Walmart today, I need an electric can opener. I’ve been trying to open a can of peas for two days.
(Sounds like the airing of grievances has already begun…)
???
Happy Festivus and Merry Christmas to my Sunday Letter friends. Santa Claus is coming to town!
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
Talya, just want you to know I used your recipe for the chocolate mousse dessert (last week’s blog) for my annual ladies’ Christmas lunch. I added a dollop of whipped cream and a spoonful of crushed peppermint to each dish. So easy and my friends loved it!
Here in eastern North Carolina, the natives say pee can. Merry Christmas!
I’m glad you and your friends loved the chocolate mousse. I bet crushed peppermint was the perfect topping! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you all. We will be having Christmas with our 3 kids and 2 of my sisters and one of my brothers. Their kids will be elsewhere.
It has been a lovely year and Christmas should be very Merry.
I’m glad your Christmas was so filled with family. Merry, merry!
Pee cans went under Grandma’s bed! Puh-Cawn!
Hahaha!!!
One of Santa’s elves brought me a can opening yesterday. Yippee!! (Early Christmas gift.) Loved this Sunday letter. The picture of the kids is one of my favorites too.
The elves have been busy.
Merry Christmas to the family ?❤️
To you and your family too, Karen!
My dad echoed your sentiment. He was what we Sutheners call a pistol and spoke in the most colorful form of English. When someone displeased him, he would invite them to “observe the mistletoe on his back pocker” Most of the time, he could make a clean get away before they caught on to the fact that they had just been invited to kiss his backside!
Sounds like a colorful character! I bet you have lots of stories.
I always said puh-cawn until I read the book The Pecan Man so now I say pee-can. Nancy said it best! “Grandma’s pee can under the bed” Lol
Pains can be a mystery. You can’t see it, it can be hard to describe, but it’s REAL! Stay on top of it Talya! That ‘no food’ sign should also be at the lab when you’ve been fasting for bloodwork.
That’s a very sweet picture of the cousins, back when!
Your momma and I had a similar grievances. My salmon can opener tab thingy broke off and I had to pry it open with a table knife (well Tom did).
Merry Christmas
I know you had fun with the family! Now on to the New Year!
Love your mother and all of her cute sayings.
She’s a mess.
Pee-con. And I have a couple pounds of unshelled ones placed about the house. A roadside drive by bargain…plus you have to work so hard to get them out, I don’t over indulge. I just read the letter today and Festivus seems to go nicely with a trip to the periodontist today. I think I will find a way to celebrate it!
I hope your periodontist appt wasn’t painful! Especially on Festivus…
Hope they’ve figured out the source of that pain by now. I’ve had lots of colonoscopies, too, because my dad had colon cancer. It’s one of those “Just do it!” things.
Sorry to be so late reading this.