Looking for a way to beat the winter doldrums? Want to shock Mom and Dad out of their Christmas stockings? Then why not make a “culinary contribution” to your holiday festivities? Many treats are quick and easy to make, but taste better than prepackaged, store-bought food — and they make great gifts for friends and loved ones!
You can get a wide variety of cookbooks through your local CADL branch. Some are geared towards kids or teens, some are devoted to a particular food (like cookies), and many are specialized for the holidays. Want to make your own gingerbread? Go to town! No-bake pies? No problem! We’ve even got videos. Want the host of Good Eats to show you how to make a fruitcake that won’t wind up in the dumpster? Just press “play”!
So whether you’re trying to impress that special someone, learn valuable post-high school survival skills, or just have fun around the house, let the local library be your source for great winter break recipies. (And once you’ve made something, be sure to post here and let us know how it turned out!)
December 19, 2007
Few classic stories are beloved as A Christmas Carol. Everyone knows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future … probably from the countless movies or television specials that have retold the story over the years. Bill Murray and Vanessa Williams, the Muppets and the Flintstones, are only a few of the big names to tackle this most well-known of holiday tales.
But how many of us have actually read the original story by Charles Dickens? Those who haven’t are missing out on a beautifully written tale — short and easy to read, but filled with the wit, humor, charm and humanity that made Dickens a legend in his own time. Your local CADL branch probably has a copy — perhaps even the deluxe annotated edition, with lots of fascinating factoids as you read along.
Why has A Christmas Carol endured for so long? In my opinion, it’s not just Christmas cheer. Dickens has crafted an archetype (or “perfect example”) of what the Greeks call “metanoia”, which roughly translates as “change of heart”. Over the course of the story, Scrooge awakens to his character flaws, repents of the evil he has done, and (with a little help) successfully transforms his life for the better. This is the kind of story that resonates with people universally — no matter their religion, nationality, age or social status.
If you’ve read and enjoyed A Christmas Carol, you may be interested to know that Dickens went on to write four more Christmas books: The Chimes, The Cricket on the Hearth, The Battle of Life and The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain. They may not be as famous as their elder sibling, but they’re definitely worth a look! So Happy Holidays — and good reading to all!
P.S. If you have a favorite movie version of A Christmas Carol, post it below and share the love!
December 10, 2007
