Breakfast with Santa always heralds in the Christmas season. Imagine the community Center decked out in Christmas ficery and filled with families of all ages and sizes. The Lions Club members, some wearing Santa hats, are cheerily mixing up pancakes, including a Mickey Mouse or two and snowmen for the kids, and serving with sausages. The Girl Scouts, decked out in reindeer hats, are not only cute as can be, but helping serve beverages, and doing a very good job of it. Tables with crafts for the children to make are placed on tables here and there. A gift shop is set up for children to shop for parents.
Santa, in the place of honor, is jolly and gentle, while listening to hopes and dreams, all the while juggling children on his lap and posing for pictures.
Gilbert good-humoredly poses with Lu and I and our three grandchildren, though the bits of pancake and sausage a little earlier may have helped his mood.
The night before, Gilbert walked with Lu to another Lion Club member’s house and played with his three grandsons, on an extended visit from Australia. Gilbert was at his most charming, performing bows and spins for Haidyn, Lachlan and Brentan, and dropping down on his side when the youngest lad said “bang.” Then he recovered to play a merry game of catch.
Last Tuesday night there was a “Sing-along and Beer” at Estelle’s in Harmony. A group from Good Earth Village brought the music and instruments and it was a rousing good time, especially after a brew or two. The food was delicious, as always, as the owner, Matt, is an inspired chef.
The ads are running constantly, trying to entice people to spend more than they can afford. However, I am having great fun “shopping small,” checking out the various shops in our town, as well as nearby ones. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the wonderful variety of items in the small towns in Fillmore County. Shopping locally keeps our small towns alive and the business community thriving. You’d be surprised at the variety of useful, one-of-a-kind and homemade gifts available locally. Gift certificates to local restaurants, flower shops, hardware stores and our own little JEM, the only theater in Fillmore County, are always a good idea as well. Essence, Harmony’s “Reuse, Renew, Restore,” store, offers a good selection, and the communities benefit. All the proceeds go back to the people, in the form of a senior activities grant, Fillmore County Special Olympics, and the Fillmore County Food Shelf, among other endeavors.
Remember to give an act of kindness as a gift. Visit a shut-in and bring cookies to share. Their stories may warm your heart. Give someone who cares for another a break. Visit those at the care center. And give a smile to the children and people you see in this hectic season. It costs nothing and warms everyone.
The best gift of all is a memory. Take the time to do something special with those near and dear to you. Gifts are fleeting and often forgotten, but memories live on, to make us smile time and again over the years.
Switchel
The newest thing in our house is this intriguing drink. Switchel has restorative properties. It is a drink farmers used to consume during harvest time to replenish electrolytes and boost the immune system. Ingredients are ginger, a potent antioxidant, organic apple cider vinegar, known to lower cholesterol and aid in digestion, and honey, an all-natural sweetener, containing antioxidants helping to reduce minor colds and throat irritation. Cultured apple cider vinegar, such as Braggs, also known as Mother Vinegar, not distilled, should be used in this recipe. Local honey adds the most flavor and antioxidant power.
Heat 1 quart water to boiling. Add about 1/4 cup of thinly sliced ginger and boil 3 to 4 min. Turn off the heat and let steep for one half hour. Remove the ginger. In a 2 quart pitcher, add 1 quart apple cider, 3 to 4 tablespoons honey and 1/3 cup Braggs apple cider vinegar, along with the ginger water. Switchel can be served warm, cold, or in this Christmas season, with a little vodka, gin, or Jamison’s, to add good cheer.