Monday, December 10, 2007

Cherry Cake and Christmas Trees

This weekend was a busy one. The tree is now up in the living room with its lights twinkling. It looks so pretty with popcorn and homemade ornaments, some of which I made when I was about 8 or 9 years old.

This will be the twenty-fifth Christmas that my husband and I have spent together. We weren't married for all of them, but they have all been memorable, this one more than most, but not for a particularly great reason.

This is the first year that we've ever had an artificial tree. Not that I have anything against artificial trees, but I love real ones. We've had big, bushy trees, skinny trees, and even a tiny 3-foot tree. The only reason we have an artificial one this year is that our apartment building is under new management and they have forbidden real trees. Needless to say, I won't be in this apartment next Christmas. But December 1st was too late to even consider a move.

So, we have a borrowed tree and will enjoy it all the same. I am planning on getting a wreath though, because I need that fresh, pine smell in the place, mixing with the aroma of popcorn. Hopefully, I'll be able to pick up a wreath when I'm out shopping later this week.

In the meantime, I've started holiday baking. Where it is hubby and myself most of the time, I tend to make one treat a week for the month of December. Last week was rice krispy treats, this week is cherry cake. I made it yesterday and hope it will last until at least Thursday. LOL It isnt' a huge cake, only a loaf one, but it is very yummy, if I do say so myself.

Next week will be fudge and the week after will be short bread cookies.

What are you baking for the holidays?

7 comments:

charleneteglia said...

Oh, that is sad about your tree. : ( But cherry cake sounds delicious!

Unknown said...

Doh! I had to switch to artificial trees because of my mom's allergies. I prefer a real ones, but have gotten so used to the fake one now it's not a big deal.

I do miss going out with my family to pick out a tree though. That was always fun. :)

N.J.Walters said...

The cherry cake is excellent, Charli...and getting smaller. LOL It is too bad about the tree, but the artificial one is not so bad.

A lot of folks have allergies, Christine, and you can get some lovely artificial trees nowadays.

I think that's part of what we missed this year too. Going out and finding that perfect tree, lugging it up over three flights of stairs and getting it straight in the tree stand. LOL

Unknown said...

I have severe allergies as do many people who live in my state. There is something about New Jersey air that causes people to have them, so real trees have been out for a long time. I moved to NJ when I was 2 and I am about to turn 32. So it has been a long time with artificial trees. But I don't mind. Many of them look really real. And our holiday tradition instead of tree buying is going out to pick out new kitty cat ornaments for the tree. We are very much cat people. We have two of our own and yes I am allergic to them but it's worth it for them. They are family.:-)

As for xmas baking, I just made a chocolate pudding cake. And for the actual xmas dinner I'm making three kinds of pies, cherry, peach and apple.

Shelley Munro said...

Christmas baking like this seems to be an American tradition, and one we don't follow down this end of the world. However, I wouldn't be averse to you sending some in my direction, NJ. I'm a huge shortbread fan and love fudge, too.

We put up an artificial tree this week. I love the scent of real pine but I always feel bad about cutting a tree, which is why I tend to go the artifical way. Either way, I love getting out the decorations because they hold so many memories. Each one is a little time capsule. It sounds like yours are as well.

Happy baking!

N.J.Walters said...

Sorry to hear about your allergies, Kathy. More and more people seem to have allergies these days. It's great that you've created other traditions.

Chocolate pudding cake sounds absolutely decadent!

N.J.Walters said...

LOL If it wouldn't spoil on the way there, I'd send you some, Shelley.

Decorations are filled with memories. Hubby and I were saying just the other day that our tree is a time capsule...a trip down memory lane.