I'm just not feeling it this year. What with the end-of-term madness and a lingering illness* and several freelance projects** and the kids and the expectations and the ... well. You get it.*** Just. Not. Feeling. It.
Working at my local bookstore helps, actually, because most of the shoppers seem pretty happy to be shopping. They have the cheer that I do not. I'm hoping for a contact merry.
Also helping are these.
Torrone is an Italian nougat candy (in three flavors) that was always out at my Grandparent's house at this time of year. And if they didn't have it out, whichever Aunt hosting the big Christmas Eve seven fishes would. Given that I don't really like seafood, I made many a meal of these.
You can learn your monuments.
And your famous Italians.****
But last year, due to a variety of circumstances, no Torrone. This year, however, I saw a box of the right brand in a shop in Seattle in August. Since the principle component of torrone is sugar and each piece is hermetically sealed in a wee foil pouch, the expiration date was in 2014.*****
I broke into the box a couple of nights ago.****** While they are helping, I guess, I'm still far from ho-ho-hoing. I don't blame the candy, mind.
So, readers, help me out. Those of you who do the Christmas jive, how do you find the spirit when it seems to be missing?
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* short version: a snot/sore throat/exhaustion virus that refuses to go away.
** which I am happy to have, mind, but that still need to be written.
*** Or I assume you do, if you are reading this.
**** I have a vague memory of boxes that had saints on them. This may or may not be a real thing.
***** They weren't individually wrapped when I was a kid and the naked candy would be in the cardboard box. Every now and again you'd get one from the previous Christmas that was a challenge to chew.
****** I'm glad I only bought one box. Otherwise, this would be known as the Christmas where Mom and Dad failed to fit in their winter coats.