December 03, 2006

Haiku Close Up


Not just almonds and
cocoa and egg and flour:
this is alchemy.

For years my Oma spent these early days of December up to her elbows in flour, making almond cookies and her famous German Stollen for everyone in our extended family.

Which was great. Except I never really liked Stollen.

When I started to feel bad about all the time and energy Oma was putting into my annual holiday care package, I floated the idea of telling her. My immediate family members' reactions ran the gamut from aghast to horrified. "You can't TELL her!" my sister yelped.

But I did. As nicely as I possibly could.

There was a brief pause.

And then my Oma kindly said, "Ja? Vell zen, vat shouldt I make for you?"

So, as the next generation holiday baker in our family, I make something I DO enjoy (aided by an annual visit from D's Aunt Chelle, who comes and scoops him up and takes him on all kinds of adventures so that I can stay in the kitchen for hours on end). Biscotti.

And my only request to my family members is that they TELL me if they'd prefer something else.

Which they do.

(Thanks to the women of One Deep Breath
for their continuing inspiration.)

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yay!

Shelley said...

And a hat tip to YOU, Auntie 'Nish, for bringing biscotti over into the realm of the possible in my mind.

jzr said...

What a fun haiku and story!

Anonymous said...

:) What a great satisfying story and treat She sounds like a smart woman.

Roswila said...

You've cooked up a lovely post. Writing is alchemy, too... Thanks!

Crafty Green Poet said...

I like both stollen and biscotti! Like your haiku very much too - it really is alchemy!

SarahJane said...

i know no one who likes stollen, although i live in Germany.
biscotti is WAY better.

paris parfait said...

She sounds lovely. As for the biscotti, it looks delicious!

Mimey said...

This really speaks to me of the magic I love about baking and eating. Fantastic haiku.

susanlavonne said...

wonderful haiku! but, darn! my very German aunt used to make Stollen and i LOVE it...i can send your Oma MY address if you think it might cheer her up ;-)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful Christmas story to pass down! Very nice haiku. I enjoyed the spirit of your post.

JP (mom) said...

Wonderful post!! Love the idea of baking alchemy ... so reminded me of my Swedish grandma. Much peace, JP

Anonymous said...

A great story, and haiku. I love the idea of baking as alchemy :)

Well done!

Anonymous said...

Ummm, it reminds me time to make biscotti. Love the blend of haiku and prose.

angie said...

That's wonderful. My grandma used to make something called Divinity, which she finally admitted was awful, but kept making for everyone as a joke. Happy Holidays!

Tammy Brierly said...

Yummy haiku! Go Biscotti!

Unknown said...

Great haiku. I love the image of cooking alchemy.

Anonymous said...

Mad props for using the word alchemy in this haiku. It was the perfect word to confess the message of the 'ku.

Shelley said...

Dear Friends, thank you so much for your kind comments about my work. I'm home with a cold today, and this is certainly the cyber-equivalent of chicken soup!

Andromeda Jazmon said...

Wonderful story and lovely photo & haiku. I love this time of year!