New Year's Eve and Kwanzaa, Day Six

For many people, New Year's Eve is a big night. W and I are at loose ends; we have no parties to go to or family to celebrate with- and are happy, really, to be alone together tonight. That said, we do want to show in the New Year with some fun and fanfare. We thought we might drive to the coast, but decided that was too much effort. 

Now our plan is to visit the hot tub, cook a simple dinner together, watch a movie on TV, and toast the New Year with champagne at midnight.

The sixth day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah), creativity. I can use my creative energies to build a beautiful and vibrant home and community.

Agenda Today:
1. Journal:
What creative ideas do I have to improve my house, my relationships, the school I work at, my faith community, and my neighborhood?

Look at my intentions for the New Year from the perspective of an artist (that is, upside down). What does my crazy wisdom tell me?

2. Ceremony:
I light the first candles, plus the last red candle, and say this affirmation-

I will use my creative talents and energies to improve young minds and hearts, and make my home and community more beautiful and vibrant.

3. Choose my New Year's Resolutions:

I've been thinking about this all week, and this is what I've decided-

In the New Year, I resolve to:

1. Get preventative health care- take advantage of my new Obama-insurance while I can.
2. Finish some house projects- complete one small painting or repair task each week.

3. Improve my thinking skills- in order to communicate better and feel more self-confident. 

4. Creativity project:
This year I decided to make a visual reminder of my New Year’s resolutions, an eye-catching magnet to put on the refrigerator. I chose appropriate adinkra symbols from Ghana, West Africa, to illustrate each one. Here's what you will need to make one for yourself-

Supplies:

• nice paper
• pencil and pen
• adinkra symbols (You can find drawings of the symbols here.)
• glue
• recycled flat magnets from advertisements

1. Choose symbols that illustrate each of your resolutions. Draw the symbols, and type or write out the resolutions.
My symbols:

• HWE MU DUA "the measuring stick" - symbol of examination and quality control.

• MFRAMADAN "the wind-resistant house" - symbol of fortitude and readiness.

• MATE MASIE "What I hear, I keep" - symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

2. Glue flat magnets onto the back.

5. Make wassail:

The wassail bowl is an old Gaelic tradition still observed in Scotland and Great Britain. The word wassail comes from the Old English wes hál, meaning to be whole, and it was a toast made at medieval feasts to welcome the guests. People would carry a bowl of hot cider or ale outdoors on New Year’s Eve to share with neighbors, and groups of wassailers would go door-to-door singing to get their bowls filled. Tons of different recipes abound, but I like this simple one:

Ingredients:

• 1 quart of hard apple cider (or use non-alcoholic cider)
• 1/4 c. brown sugar (I used less)
• 2 sticks of cinnamon
• 8 cloves
• 8 allspice berries
• apple slices

Yield: 4 servings-

1- Peel and slice the apples, and cut in thirds. Heat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds on high, to soften.

2- Combine all ingredients in a pot. Smash the apples to a pulp. Heat just to warm.

3- Strain directly into cups and serve warm. Save the last bit to pour onto an apple tree to ensure next year's crop.

6. Wassail my apple tree:

I really love my apple tree, and so sometime on New Year's eve I will probably slip out to  toast it's health, pour some cider on it’s roots, and give it a "Hurra".

"Here’s to thee, old apple-tree,
Whence thou mayst bud, and whence thou mayst blow,
And whence thou mayst bear apples enow!
Hats-full! Caps-full!
Bushel, bushel sacks-full!
And my pockets full, too! Hurra!”

7. Make noise: 

Noise-making is considered an effective way to drive off the spirits of the old year and awaken the sleeping new year. We will gather horns, bells, pots, pans, and whistles, throw open the door at midnight, count down the final seconds of the old year, then let loose with whoops and cheers, bangs and toots, to welcome in the New Year.

Last Days of Kwanzaa and the Count Down to a New Year

Two days left of 2014; it's time to see it out, and welcome in the New Year! This is an introspective time- standing at the door of the year, looking backward and forward. It's my habit to reflect on the past and also to ponder the year ahead- consider my true purpose, envision hopes for myself, and resolve to improve my way of life.

Then I'm ready to have some fun!

Agenda:

1. Finish old business and prepare for the New Year:

This is the traditional time to complete and tie the old year closed in order to allow the New Year to start fresh: Finish old projects and old business, pay debts, make apologies, call neglected friends, and return borrowed items.

My list:

1. Get some recommended blood tests.
2. Take a load of stuff to Goodwill.
3. Paint the last little unpainted section of the kitchen wall.
4. Return the wallpaper steamer I borrowed 2 years ago.
5. Finish the "We are Equal" banner.

Kwanzaa Day Five:

The fifth day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of nia (NEE-ah), purpose. Purpose allows me to dream of the best future, to look within and set personal goals that are beneficial to me, my family, and my community.

1. Journal:

Write a summery of the past year- the general tone, highlights, good memories and bad memories, friendships, challenges, successes, and adventures.

Write about my purpose, my life mission, and my intentions for the year ahead-

What are my hopes for the future? 

What might give my life more wholeness? 

What are my next steps in life?

Imagine accomplishing my goals; how do they benefit my family and community?

2. Make New Year's resolutions:

Make important New Year’s resolutions that speak to my purpose. Tips: 

• Start early: If I wait until the last minute, my resolutions will be based only on my mind-set that particular day. 
• Be realistic. Set small, clearly defined goals that will be possible to accomplish. Also, limit the number to two or three at the most.
• Make a plan: Consider how I will stick to it. Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of my personality.
• Talk about it: Don't keep my resolutions a secret. Tell at least a couple people what I am planning, and ask if they will check up on my progress.
• Write about my motivations: A few weeks in to the New Year it will be very helpful to read and remember why I thought these resolutions were such a good idea. 

3. Kwanzaa ceremony:

Today I light the black candle and the purple, 2 inside red candles, and 2 inside green candles. Then I recite this affirmation-

I have great hope, and a reason for everything I do. I will set goals that add to the good and beauty of the world.

4. Purpose project: 

I will spend today seeking a token or image for each of my New Year's resolutions, to put on my altar.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a seven-day African-American cultural holiday- an American holiday inspired by African traditions. The word kwanza is Swahili for “first”, as in "first fruits", because in some parts of Africa this is the season for first fruits harvest festivals. Kwanzaa is a time of thanksgiving for the earth, but also a time to honor ancestors, and a time for African-Americans to celebrate their heritage and learn about African traditions and values.

In fact, values are the main theme of Kwanzaa; Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture, called the Nguzo Saba, which in Swahili means the Seven Principles. All of us can benefit and grow by celebrating these principles.

All of the Kwanzaa principles focus on community because in African philosophy a true human is always a person-in-community; this is reflected in the African saying, "I am because we are" (a good counter balance for the Me First thinking of our culture). 

When my children were younger, we celebrated Kwanzaa as a family, but now I celebrate mostly alone, and find creative ways to connect the activities to the various parts of my community.

Agenda this week:
Kwanzaa Day One:
The first day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of umoja (oo-MOH-jah), which is unity- the unity of working and playing together with my family and my community, in harmony.

1. Journal:
What does unity mean to me? With whom do I need better unity? How can I help us find unity?

List some inspiring ways to find better unity with my family, Quaker Meeting, school, neighborhood, and city community this year.

2. Altar:
Spread a straw mat- the mkeka (em-kay-kah)- to symbolize the foundation of tradition and history upon which all rests. Place an ear of dried corn on the mkeka for each child in the family, and also some fruits, vegetables, and nuts for the earth’s abundance. 

Set up the kinara (key-nar-rah) with seven candles- three red, three green, and one black in the center.

3. Kwanzaa ceremony:
Today I light the black candle in the center of the kinara, in unity with all people of African ancestry. 

Since I am not African-American myself, I also light a purple candle, in unity with all people of the world. Then I recite this affirmation-

I will work in unity with those within and without my circle.

4. Unity project:
This is a day to be together. My family is here, and we will hang out and eat, and do a jigsaw puzzle.

Day Two:
The second day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah), which is self-determination: Thinking for myself, and deciding what I will say and what I will do with my life. In other words, I won’t let the dominant culture decide how I live!

Self-determination requires me to understand who I am- personally, historically, and culturally. I need to know the history of my people, where I come from, so that I can live grounded in my past. My English, Welsh, German, Swiss, French, and Dutch ancestors have much wisdom and insight to offer me.

I also need to know what my personal Truth is- I need to think for myself and make my own choices for the future. I need to honor my testimonies, speak truth to power, and live in a way that supports all humans.

1. Journal:
Who am I and how do I define myself- personally, historically, and culturally? 
How do I express my individuality?

Begin to consider what my New Year’s resolutions might be... 
What dreams do I have for the New Year? 
What might I do in the New Year to better define myself?

2. Kwanzaa ceremony:
I light the black candle and the purple again, for the people, and the inside red candle for the fire in my heart that keeps me working hard for the things I believe in. Then I recite this affirmation-

I will define myself, create for myself, and speak for myself. I will accomplish my dreams for the future.

3. Self-determination project:
Today I will start to make a collage poster showing my intentions for the New Year.

Day Three:
The third day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of ujima (oo-JEE-mah), which means collective work and responsibility. Ujima is teamwork, working together for others and helping my neighbors. Collective work and responsibility reminds me of my obligation to my community, society, and world, and to the past, present and future. Imagine if all my actions flowed from the actions of those who came before me, and were considerate of all those who will come after me! That would be a life of great integrity and compassion!

Ujima creates synergy- creative cooperation, open-minded teamwork, and the adventure of finding new solutions to old problems. We each bring all their personal experience and expertise to the table, and join together to produce far better results than we could as individuals.

1. Journal:
What are my responsibilities for my world? 
What things can I do in the New Year to actively help my family, my community, and my society to solve our problems?
How might I create situations for synergy and creative teamwork?

2. Kwanzaa ceremony:
I light the black candle and the purple again, the inside red candle, and the inside green candle- for the earth, the young people, and the new ideas they bring. Then I recite this affirmation-

I will help my family and community solve problems by working cooperatively.

3. Synergy project:
I invited my friend Georgia over today and we finally finished this banner my Sunday School class worked so hard on. It's the perfect example of synergy!

Day Four:
The fourth day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of ujamaa (oo-JAH-maah), cooperative economics- the idea that when we all work together, we all profit. Cooperative economics encourages us to meet our common needs by chipping in together. Imagine a world where everyone shares their wealth (even our government) and uses our economic strengths to make the world a better place!

On this day of Kwanzaa, I pledge to support community businesses, neighborhood stores, and local artists, and to boycott businesses that take from my community and give nothing back. Also, I remember that I need to share my wealth within my family and community, and respect the work done by others by compensating them fairly.

Ujamaa is about generousity and integrity, sharing what I have- money or food or time, and weighing carefully the pros and cons for the community before buying things.

1. Journal:
How can I put my money and energy to the best possible use in the service of the community?
What resources do I have that I could share? 
What changes could I make in my buying habits? 

2. Kwanzaa ceremony:
I light the black candle and the purple, the inside red candle, and the inside green candle, plus another red candle. Then I recite this affirmation-

I will be generous with my resources, and have integrity with my buying habits.

3. Cooperative economics project:
Make a donation of time or money to a local charity.

Christmas Day

Today is only the first day of Christmas- the start of the twelve-day festal tide adopted by the Christian Church; in 567 C.E. church leaders proclaimed the days from December 25 to Epiphany as a sacred, festive season.

Now the preparations are finished, and I can relax with my family, do a puzzle, eat, drink, and generally wallow in joyful abandon. In some old traditions, this season was seen as a sort of Sabbath: Prepare ahead of time and then spend the Twelve Days doing as little work as possible. It's a good time to rest, reflect, and find peace within.

Agenda today:
1. Give gifts:
Celebrate the birth of Jesus by giving gifts to those I love.

2. Danish Prune Bread:
This is a day of unrestricted feasting. The table is filled with goodies- breads, cheese, apples, tangerines, nuts, chocolates, and cookies. We will snack all day long.

Christmas sweet bread is a tradition in most every country. Since I grew up in a Scandinavian town, I’m partial to this bread from Denmark. You can easily make the dough and filling in advance and shape it to bake fresh on Christmas morning.

Ingredients

• 3-1/2 - 4 c. flour
• 1 ½ c. chilled unsalted butter
• 2 tsp. active dry yeast
• 1/2 c. warm water (105-115ºF)
• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 c. pitted prunes, packed
• 1 c. sugar
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1/2-tsp. vanilla
• 1/2-tsp. cinnamon

Yield: 2 loaves-

1- Cut cold butter into chunks; combine with flour, and cut with a pastry blender until the butter is the size of kidney beans.

2- In another large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in the cream, cardamom, salt, eggs, and 1/4 c. sugar. Mix very lightly with a fork.

3- Turn flour and butter mixture into the yeast mixture and mix lightly with a fork or spatula just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or up to 4 days.

4- Filling: Put prunes, water and 1 c. sugar into a saucepan. Heat and simmer until prunes are soft, plumped and have absorbed most of the liquid. Puree in a blender, transfer to a bowl and stir in lemon juice, vanilla and cinnamon. Cool.

5- Prepare a baking sheet with lightly buttered and floured parchment paper. Take dough out of the refrigerator, divide in 2 parts, and put half back. On a floured surface, roll dough into a 12 x 6-inch rectangle. Place on the baking sheet.

6- Spread half the prune filling down the length of the center of the dough. Cut strips along both sides with kitchen scissors. Fold strips over the filling in a crisscross manner.

7- Let rise 1 hour or more, just until the pastry appears puffy (it will not double.)

8- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Bake about 20 to 25 minutes, until golden.

3. Pudding:
Tonight we will reheat the Christmas pudding I made a month ago by steaming it again for about an hour, and slide it out of the pudding basin onto a plate.

Then we will put some brandy into a metal ladle (about 1/4-cup), heat it over a candle flame until it steams a bit, set it on fire with a match, and pour the flaming brandy over the warm pudding. This is really worth the effort! We turn the lights out and the blue flame dances all over the pudding for a minute or more. (I was too fascinated to take pictures.)

Christmas Eve

My family is arriving today, and I’m excited! I have everything ready (not really), and now I just get to do some more waiting.

Agenda tonight:
1. Decorate the tree:
The Christmas tree is a mythic symbol of life, hope, and knowledge. Our tree is in the living room now, with lights but no ornaments. I am waiting for help from my family. We will put Christmas music on the stereo and decorate with chaos and happy arguing (that’s just our style). 

We decorate our tree with symbols of a perfect world, to encourage that which we hope for in the coming year-

• lights for the Light of God
• animals for unity with nature
• a dove for peace
• fruits that nourish us
• gold and silver for prosperity
• candy for a sweet life
• mothers and babies for re-birth
• a sun on top and a serpent hidden below

2. Put Baby Jesus in the manger:
Of course, Baby Jesus must arrive in His crib tonight! 

I believe that we all have that of God within, and I generally picture it as Light, but the Christ Child is another wonderful image. At Advent, I am a baby again, waiting for birth into wisdom and grace.


3. Light the Christ candle:
Just before serving our Christmas Eve Supper, we will light the advent wreath, and also a large white candle, commonly called the Christ Candle. It is re-lit each night until the Epiphany to represent Christ's Light and in order to help guide the Magi to the manger.

4. Eat crab salad:
In Italian, Christmas Eve is "La Vigilia," the eve, but Italians also call it The Eve of the Seven Fishes, because traditionally the dinner is meatless and fish dishes dominate, with 7 or more fish courses served. We are having crab and salad.

5. Hang your stockings with care.

Final Days of Advent

The theme of the Advent season is joyous preparation, waiting and watching for the signs of grace, preparing for the birth of the Christ Child, and for the re-birth of the sun. This is a time of light born out of the darkness, but only the very beginning, not anything complete. The solstice was the turning point- each day will get a little longer now until spring, and I can feel my own inner growing- a flicker of compassion, a butterfly of creativity, a tiny sprout of wisdom.

When I observe advent well, I find that I am mostly prepared for this final week- my house is fairly clean, shopping is almost finished, and the cupboards are filled with delectable food. I need to complete only a few finishing touches.

I need also to keep my focus on the Spirit of Love that guides me.

Agenda This Week:
1. Finish making and buying gifts:
Just a few more gifts to find, and just a couple projects to finish...

2. Make fabric bags:

Each year I make a few more reusable bags out of fabric. I found some Christmas fabric at our local recycled art supplies store, but any pretty cloth will do. I think everyone appreciates my wish to conserve paper, and they can save the bags to wrap their own gifts next year.

Materials:

• colorful 1/2” ribbon
• pretty fabric scraps

1. Fold a piece of fabric in half, and cut it so that it‘s the size you want, plus 1-inch on all sides for the hem. (For example, for a 12” x 12” bag, cut fabric to 14”x 26”.)

2. Hem the top and bottom edge of the bag, either by hand or with a sewing machine.


3. Fold the good side of the fabric to the inside, and pin the edges. Stitch the two side seams and turn right-side out.

4. Cut a ribbon at least 12" long. Stitch the middle of the ribbon to the bag at the seam, about four or five inches from the bag opening.

3. Bake gingersnaps:

My favorite spicy gingersnap recipe, adapted from Frannie Farmer.

Ingredients:

• 1/2-c. butter
• 2 c. sugar (plus extra to roll balls in)
• 2 egg
• 4 c. flour
• 4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2-tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. ground ginger
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2-c. molasses

Yield: 70 cookies-

1- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and prepare cookie pans by covering with parchment.

2- Beat together the butter and sugar for about 5 minutes in a mixer, until very light and fluffy. Add the eggs and continue beating until smooth. 

3- Combine the dry ingredients in another bowl. Turn the mixer to low speed and beat in half the dry ingredients, then the molasses, then the remaining dry ingredients. 



4- Scoop out 1-inch pieces of dough. Roll into balls between the palms of your hands, then roll in sugar. Place the balls on the prepared pans, leaving about 2-inches around each, to allow for spreading.



5- Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes, until they have spread and the tops are crackled, and they are firm to the touch. Slide the papers from the pans to racks to cool.



4. Final house cleaning:
I've been keeping the house clean this month, and doing some re-organizing to clear clutter. Now I want to do a little extra deep cleaning to prepare for my family, who are arriving on Christmas Eve day. My plan:

• Monday: Put away supplies from art classes, and clear extra coats off the coatrack.
• Tuesday: Clean the bathroom thoroughly.
• Wednesday morning: Vacuum the living room. Mop the kitchen floor.

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Winter Solstice, and White New Moon

The fourth and final week of advent begins today. This is the day to take a deep breath and go back to the beginning, back to the Spirit that brings me to this place of light and grace; back to living in the Spirit, being Spirit. This simple fact of being  defines my essential self. 

I am often distracted by my experiences, relationships, and thinking, and I forget to enjoy the being of now! When I relax and allow myself to rest in the Now, I am re-awakened to an amazing quality of aliveness. I remember then that happiness comes in calm simplicity. I experience Spirit through each breath, sight, sound, smell, and taste.

And winter solstice occurs today at 3:03 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This is the moment of new beginnings- the darkest time, with the brightest hope. Ancient farmers lit fires on the night of the solstice to celebrate the birthday of the sun; solstice fire traditions continue all over the world. This a good occasion to honor the sun, and remember that in spite of our technology, we are still dependent on the sun for life. Our world does revolve around the sun!

Tonight is the new moon as well; the Chinese call the eleventh new moon the White Moon, perhaps because it brings the snow. The new moon is my monthly time for “seeding” intentions. I write down what I hope to focus on in the next 30 days or so, and then give my ideas a period of gestation, like seeds in the soil, before I take action. Having this regular time each month to focus my goals has helped to give me clarity of purpose.

This is the last new moon before the new year, so I have a lot to consider.

Agenda:
1. New moon meditation and prayer:

Light a small white candle. Center, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life.

Continue to sit this morning, and feel the presence of Spirit within me and without me. Just notice my feelings and sensations, and listen for guidance.

2. Journal:

What is my inner Guide leading me towards?

What might give my life more wholeness?

What are my next steps in life?

List my intentions for the next month in these areas-

Self, Friends and Family, Teaching, Artwork, Writing, Home and Garden, Work/Business, and Volunteer work.

3. Advent wreath ceremony:
Tonight (and every night this week through Christmas day) we will light four advent candles, and recite four prayers:

"We light the first candle for the earth, which sustains us. May we cherish and care for it."

"We light the second candle for all the people of the world. May we find unity and peace."

"We light the third candle for our family and the joy and love we bring each other."

"We light the fourth candle for the Spirit of God in each of us, which is our guiding light."

4. Plan activities:
This week my focus is the Spirit of God, my guide and my light.  I try to live all of my life with attention on God but the busy-ness of my days often distracts me and gets in the way. I want to have a more effectual connection to Spirit, and so this week I will practice and improve my prayer habits. Prayer can be simple and spontaneous, and I can pray anywhere, at any time. I will strive to create a relationship rather than practice an empty ritual.

Things to do this week to give attention to the Spirit of God:

• Each morning as I wake, pause to take a slow breath, and center on Spirit. Stay in this gentle meditation as I get dressed, walk Sadie, and move through my morning.
• Sit every day for a few minutes of silence. Simply practice feeling a presence.
• Remember to give thanks.
• Send prayers to others. Pray that God’s love and protection will reach out and surround my loved ones, and all the people of the world.
• Listen for guidance.
• Pray all day: Pray as I walk, as I go about the work of the day, before I eat- just concentrate on the Spirit’s presence and say a simple phrase to keep us in communication.

5. Have a fire:

Tonight, the darkest night, I honor the sun as demonstration of the Divine Power. If it wasn't pouring rain we would have a fire in our fire pit outside, but as it is (having no fireplace inside), we will light candles instead. We will light the advent wreath, the Hanukkah candles, the angel chimes, and some of the the new candles I made last week.