What Child is This? Tuesday, Dec 20 2022 

Culture and Everyday Life and Faith and Family and Holiday , , , , Mary K. Doyle 9:50 am

Do you know this baby’s name? Most of you will recognize this ornament as a representation of Jesus, even though it’s unlikely that Jesus looked like this. (Jesus was of Middle Eastern descent and hid with his family in the African country of Egypt. He was probably darker complected with dark hair and had Middle Eastern features.)

Amazingly, we only require a hint to grasp the meaning of an image. And we have many that represent Jesus and Christianity. A star in the sky reminds us of the star of Bethlehem that led shepherds and kings to the newborn Christ child, the anointed one. See a cross and we contemplate the great sacrifice–Jesus’ offering of himself for our eternal salvation. Spot a simple fish symbol on a bumper sticker, and we know that driver is probably a believer in Jesus and professes to walk the talk of Christianity.  

In this season of hope, we have so many generally recognizable symbols in addition to those that are faith based. From evergreen trees, especially those in the spruce family, that trigger our thoughts to Christmas trees to reindeer reminding us of Santa’s sleigh, holiday cheer is everywhere.

May our holidays be rich in meaningful symbols, loving memories of the people who cared and supported us to this point, and enjoyable moments of sharing, giving, and humbly receiving. And may we all know peace in 2023.

***The holidays add extra burdens in managing loved ones with dementia. Reach out to your caregiver friends and relatives with an extra hug, note or text, or a plate of healthy food this season. They need more than you’ll ever realize. For more ways to help, see my books, Inspired Caregiving, Navigating Alzheimer’s, and The Alzheimer’s Spouse.

If you’ve read any of my books, I’d be honored if you wrote a short review on Amazon.

 

Soft Molasses Cookies Friday, Dec 16 2022 

Baking and Everyday Life and Midwest , , Mary K. Doyle 9:34 am

Cookies are my dessert of choice and the one I bake the most. I’m always trying new recipes while also counting on the old family favorites. One of those favorites is Soft Molasses Cookies.

This is an easy cookie recipe because it is a mix, scoop, and drop. So many of the other favorites are cookies that require individual care such as my rich, gooey brownie balls which require multiple steps and take most of a day to make.

Try these easy, rich, tasty molasses cookies for yourself. They’re great with milk, coffee, and tea.

*

Soft Molasses Cookies

Ingredients

¾ cup butter, softened

½ cup white sugar, plus more for topping

½ cup brown sugar

¼ cup dark molasses

1 egg

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¾ teaspoon cardamom

½ teaspoon cloves

½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the molasses and beat until combined. Add the egg and beat well. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

In another bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt together. Add the dry ingredients a little at a time to the creamed mixture.

Form dough into small balls. Roll into sugar. Place balls on ungreased baking sheet about three inches apart.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned and appear set. Let cool for five minutes on baking sheet before transferring.

**Books make great gifts. They have the power to change someone’s life. Could one of my books help you or someone you know? Check out my books on my website or Amazon.

 

SEASON OF HOPE AND PEACE Wednesday, Dec 22 2021 

Bible and Books and Everyday Life and Faith , , , , Mary K. Doyle 9:35 am

It may not be obvious in the midst of this ongoing pandemic, political differences, and environmental turbulence, but the hope of Christmas truly is ours. We can maintain hope for peace and happiness in this world.

The angel declared this message to the shepherds in the field. The angels said, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

That Good News was, and is, Jesus and the gift of salvation. And did you notice that the angels said that gift is given to all people? Every one of us is a beneficiary of God’s goodness, no matter our profession, financial status, age, ethnicity, gender, or social status.

Jesus is always with us, and good things are in our lives, if not today, in the near future. God never turns away from us. The key is for us not to turn away from God.

*Photo: Paintings in the Chapel of the Angels, Israel

*We meditate on the incarnation of Jesus throughout the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. You can contemplate these mysteries and pray the rosary easily with the book, The Rosary Prayer by Prayer.

 

Turning Flaws Into Assets Sunday, Dec 14 2014 

Culture and Everyday Life and History and Holiday , , , , , , , , Mary K. Doyle 11:15 am

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose, and that nose helped make him the reindeer we’ve grown to know and love.

The children’s tale of a reindeer with a glowing, red nose was written by Robert L. May for Montgomery Ward. May’s Rudolph is much like he believed himself to be, an outcast who didn’t fit in with the rest of the crowd. Rudolph’s bright, red nose made him the brunt of bullying and excluded him from reindeer games. But in the end, it is that nose that saved the day when Santa needs him to lead the way.

The famous story was written for commercial purposes in 1939. The long-time department store of Montgomery Ward gave away coloring books every year for Christmas. To save money, May was hired to write a story they could use in one of these books and publish themselves. More than 2.5 million copies were distributed that first year alone.

The story became even more popular when May’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, adapted the story into song. Gene Autry’s recording of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer hit the radios in 1949 and was the second best-selling record of all time until the 1980s.

Montgomery Ward turned over the story’s copyright to May in 1947, ensuring him financial security.

©2014, Mary K. Doyle

 

Christmas Blessing Monday, Dec 23 2013 

Everyday Life and Holiday , , , Mary K. Doyle 10:51 pm

Nativity 1

My friend and mentor, Sister Alexa Suelzer, included a quote by St John Henry Newman in her Christmas card to me. The message is the closing of the saint’s sermon, “The Mystery of Godliness.” It is a perfect wish, a prayer, actually a goal to strive for particularly in this season of hope.

Sister wished that the message be true for me and my loved ones. I am passing it on to you. Whatever faith you practice, may this be your season of peace, hope, and happiness.

***

Excerpt from John Henry Newman’s sermon, “The Mystery of Godliness.”

“May each Christmas, as it comes, find us more and more like Him, who as at this time became a little child for our sake, more simple-minded, more humble, more holy, more affectionate, more resigned, more happy, more full of God.”

©2013, Mary K. Doyle

 

Peace on Earth Goodwill Toward All Sunday, Dec 23 2012 

Everyday Life and Holiday , , , , Mary K. Doyle 11:22 pm

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Christmas is a joyous season for Christians. We believe in the incredible miracle of God incarnated in the human form of Jesus. And with the presence of Christ, the Anointed One, comes a promise of hope, peace, and light.

The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi gives us an outline how this gift of peace may be maintained. It is a selfless list of actions that places the other’s needs before our own. We ask the Lord to make us an instrument of peace, which means that we are accepting the work and responsibility involved.

Peace in our hearts, homes, families, work, and the world at large can only occur if we all do our part to promote it. Whatever your beliefs, I ask my Lord and Savior for your peace as well as my own.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

©Mary K. Doyle

 

Deck the Halls Monday, Nov 26 2012 

Culture and Everyday Life and Holiday , , , , , Mary K. Doyle 1:41 pm

Every year since 1974 I place my oldest and most expensive ornament at the top of the Christmas tree. The ornament has survived dozens of curious children and our cat, Tinkerbell, who thought the tree should be nestled under and climbed. This year I watched the beautiful Hummel slip from my hands and shatter on the floor. I feel badly about the loss but know that for everything there is a season, and I guess that ornament’s season has ended.

As much as I loved the ornament, it certainly was not my most valuable one. Our tree is decorated with the story of our lives. Many ornaments were handmade by my mother, me, and my adult children when they were little. We have ornaments from our travels, special events, and other friends and family as well as my parents’ favorites. We also have objects like baby booties, rattles, and TV Magic Cards from memorable moments in time.

The holidays are most meaningful when marked with tradition. The music or movie played while decorating, the foods enjoyed throughout the season, and the placement of special decorations mark our holidays and the years.

Please tell me what makes your season special. I’d love to hear from you.

©Mary K. Doyle

 

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