Tuesday, November 20, 2007

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Fruitcake

This year, I tried especially hard to get back to my roots for the holidays. I, like Paul, have reservations about what the holidays have become. I abhor chintzy decorations, cheesy versions of holiday songs, and marquise lighting. So, last Sunday, I called me mum and asked for the traditional Fruit Cake recipe. Shunned and welcomed in equal measure in our family, the Fruit Cake has been passed down for more than four generations. The original recipe calls for ingredients that aren't readily available in most grocery stores. Fortunately for me, Crisco makes an adequate substitute for lard.
So, I began preparing said Fruit Cake on Sunday afternoon. This was a long process and involved many kitchen utensils and bowls. Great-great Grandma's kitchen must have been bigger than mine. You must understand, I was very excited about this Fruit Cake. That's why it's capitalized.

What I should mention right about now is that for the last few hours, I had been developing quite a pain in my abdomen--and the same type of pain that I had felt six years ago when I was in the hospital.
As I was nearing the moment when dry ingredients met wet, I doubled over in pain and said to James, "I think I need to go to the hospital." So off we went.

And so I stayed until Tuesday afternoon, after convincing the doctor that I was feeling well enough to go home. First meal after days of jello and beef broth? Grilled cheese and tomato soup. And Ben&Jerry's.












This was after two doses of Demerol, innumerable doses of Dilaudid (and several accompanying stupors, many of which were admittedly welcomed), steroids, four bags of antibiotics, and many many bags of Saline.











And a CT scan. With IV contrast AND watery drink contrast. And many doctors asking me if I'm allergic to any drugs (how many times do they need me to say "morphine"?).


I was dreading the thought of another sick holiday. It seems that every Thanksgiving, Christmas, or both, I'm sick with something.

...so James and I went to the Fred Meyer pharmacy to pick up my four new prescriptions (no avoiding the steroids this time... but at least they're giving me a bottle of Vicodin). As we were waiting, we strolled down to the furniture section to take advantage of a cuddle-friendly loveseat. Unfortunately, it was also located right in front of and facing the holiday decorations. Chintzy decorations, cheesy versions of holiday songs, and marquise lighting greeted us from kitty-corner. A million Santas waved to us. And James and I began wondering when the whole Santa-brings-us-toys-thing began. Early 20th century? I think we both agree that Santa represents commercialism and nothing more, and that we want our kids (wherever they may be at present time) to know traditional holiday stories and avoid the Christmas that we have today. I would love to talk about St. Nicholas. I would love to make traditional tree decorations (round orange slices dried and strung through, beads, cranberries and popcorn strings).

And I would love to make Fruit Cake.

7 comments:

Emily said...

Oh Audrey! I feel horrible that you feel horrible :0
I am creating healthy good energy for you and i hope you get this fixed!

I however adore excesive displays of xmas lights and someday plan on having the most hideously decorated front lawn on the block.

Skye said...

Bummer. I was hoping that fruit cake would be your contribution to the upcoming potluck (j/k)

Since Paul's post I've been meaning to dig up this great article on the origins of Santa and why we should drop him. I've long been anti-Santa. Or anti-lying-to-children-about-his-existence at least.

If I can find it, I'll try and post some stuff from the article.

Miss L said...

it's Wednesday, and I hope you're still on your way up, feeling better and better! I had my first CT scan about a month and a half ago, with IV contrast, and it really did feel like I peed my pants, just like the tech said. craziness.

I'm not doing gifts this year. Accepting or giving. It just doesn't feel right for a host of reasons, firstly because the amazing people I know give me wonderful things throughout the year. I wasn't going to decorate, but Andy has requested. I just put up lights, garland, bows, and candles. I can't believe I just admitted to putting up bows :/

Stargirl said...

Don't worry, Laura, I adore bows. They've been putting up bows for holiday decorations for generations--so, that's my excuse at least. You know, the whole "tradition" thing.

I went to Lowe's the other day and picked out a small tree. I was dismayed that I couldn't find one that wasn't already pre-lit--it seems so cheap and lazy to NOT put the lights on yourself. Eventually I caved and bought it, but only because it was cheap. And I really want a tree this year to put up my home-made decorations. That makes up for the chintziness, I think.

Anonymous said...

Aud--feel better soon! We have been thinking about you and worrying. Sounds like you were on some intense pharmaceuticals.

As for deco, I've always meant to make oranges with cloves stuck in them. I forget the name. But they dry up and become little smell-good things. Maybe this year I'll start that tradition! :)

Jason and Emily said...

It's so crazy that you had all this happen and you just really wanted to tell us about the fruit cake. Oh sorry 'F'ruit cake. (I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you capitalized it.) You're hilarious!

Oh yeah, and I'm pro-Santa. I have no problem with people believing in him, no problem with gaudy decorations, no probelm with people buying stuff for other people. There's so much that people don't choose to believe in that if this works for them, I say it's a score for our team. I believe everyone needs something to believe in, even if it's Wal Mart. The story of Jesus is just as mythical and hard to believe as Santa.

And of course, all things in balance. I would have the same advice for both the Consumer and the Christian: Don't go crazy trying to spend or save thousands.

Tamara said...

So... random answer to your rhetorical question...

Santa bringing us toys was originally rooted in St. Nicholas day (which is coming in just a few days!!!! woo hoo!!!!)

It's a fun Eastern European "holiday" (which deserves a shout-out to my duricka peeps)... the kids put their shoes outside the door and then at night, St. Nicholas fills them with goodies -- like CANDY!!!! :) I love it.

Hmmm...
this is the second post that I've made regarding the history of holidays... one on here and one on paul's blog about Pagans and Christmas/Easter, etc.
apparently this is a topic i really like.
thanks for keeping me aware of my own interests. :)