On Friday I made panforte, one large one rather than several small ones. Cut into wedges, wrapped with brown paper, tied up with ribbon, tagged with pretty card. There’s a wedge left for us, wrapped and stored in a tin. Already a seasonal staple in 14th century Siena, this particular Christmas treat is one of my favourites, a liking that has spanned two centuries. (I first had it in Siena in 1976.) Honey, nuts, figs, orange and lemon peel I candied earlier in the week, almond flour (so those who are gluten intolerant can enjoy it too), a little cocoa, spices that filled our kitchen with their scent: cloves, cinnamon, white pepper, coriander…
Yesterday the power was out for 12 hours after a wild coastal storm. We burned the Advent candle, kept the oil lamps low, brought in firewood. When we tried to drive out for a craft fair down the Coast, we discovered the highway was closed because a tree had fallen on the wires and cars were lined up all down Misery Mile. We turned around and came home.
The Anna’s hummingbirds are mating and nesting. What bird chooses to lay her eggs in the dark of winter? And why? The females are constant visitors to the feeder and I hear them in the yellow mahonia blossoms too. When I brought in their feeder yesterday morning to add more sugar water, one of the females kept darting at my hands.
In one corner of my study, bags of small gifts. Maybe this will be the week I can finally wrap them and mail them to distant families. Maybe this will be the week I feel the spirit of the season enter my heart, asking in a quiet voice for the old carols, the poems and books I always loved at this time of year. e.e. cumming’s Little Tree, Burgess Meredith reciting Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil with the sweet accompaniment of the Chieftains.
I sing of that night in Bethlehem
A night as bright as dawn
I sing of that night in Bethlehem
The night the Word was born
...Theresa Kishkan 