BUTTERSCOTCH CHRISTMAS

"Run lad, run, down the middle of Christmas at the centre of life.." - Ray Bradbury

The first time I ever saw Butterscotch Squares was at a wedding reception. I had been asked to sub for a friend. My stand partner was an elderly man.  I was told he was 85 . Hard of hearing.  He taped a list of  the songs we had to play on the back of his violin. He lost it somewhere between the fourth and fifth carol.

Afterwards, there was a spread in the main hall. Christmas goodies galore. And the Butterscotch Squares were flying off the plate. 

Tables were laden with  tarts, pies, candies, more candy, squares, fruit, and the Butterscotch Confetti. Ooey gooey , pretty to look at and left lots of sticky fingers in its wake.

The wedding itself was fraught with mishaps. My elderly violin partner, Mr. Higgins, fell asleep during the preachers's monologue. It had that Mr. Bean vibe . I think the rest of the band nodded of for a while as well. I had to tap his violin to wake him up. 

The ring bearer , all of 8 years of age, ran screaming down the aisle and threw the pillow into  the pulpit lined with fake daisies.  He then threw himself onto the floor in the middle of the aisle and wouldn't move.

Mr. Higgins had us play Gesu Bambino four times till someone dragged the  boy into another aisle.  He never moved after that.The groom walked down the aisle, barefoot, cause someone took his shoes as a joke.

Mr. Higgins frequently combed his long grey hair with his fingers. More out of nerves.The bride was late. And when she DID arrive and start down the aisle, her veil kept falling off.

The bride's  mother swooned in the packed church.The preacher perspired profusely, and Mr. Higgins tugged at his frilled shirt of his pale blue tuxedo. People sitting in rocking chairs at back of church could be heard rocking away. Squeak Squeak Squeak. Out of time. A lady with violent red Christmas bauble earrings sat right in the front row. They blinked off and on. Mr. Higgins waved his violin bow at her. She paid no mind and giggled.

 And  over it all we had to play the wedding march "Chariot's of Fire". Ad infinitum. The wedding party was huge. 

When the singer was primed to sing her solo " At Last" she kept moving her hands in a circular motion. Mr. Higgins, positively fit to be tied, poked her with his bow. She gave him a dirty look and warbled her way to the end of the song. Then grabbed her purse and huffed off the stage during the signing of the register. Her long skirt caught on the stairs and ripped. Mr. Higgins tapped his bow on his music stand. The sign that string players gave when applauding.

Mr, Higgins started playing a random fiddle tune. His bow whishing along the strings,  as if it could fly. "Join in" he shouted at the band. We did . But his fingers flew across the strings.Faster and faster. His microphone picked up his whistling and humming as he whizzed through his fiddle rendition . He may have been a million years old, but he could play us under the table.

"That's how it's done, girlie" he yelled. He stomped his way to the end of the fling. Everyone roared with applause.  Mr. Higgins  shrugged and dabbed his sweaty brow. It was party time.

At the reception, everyone hungrily chomped down on the treats. The butterscotch confetti was the highlight.  The Christmas lights sparkled and danced.And Mr. Higgins  played carols for ages. He was unstoppable.  And it was magic.Pure magic.

RECIPE: ( I double this) 1 bag butterscotch chips, 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter, 1/4 cup marg, or butter, 1 bag mini coloured marshmallows ( much more interesting than plain white ones)

Heat first 3 ingredients, till melted, stir till smooth. Cool down a bit. Dump in the marshmallows. Pile into wax  paper lined pan 13x13 and chillin fridge till set. YUMMMMMM

"Miracles happen on Christmas. Everyone knows that. " -Matthew Quick

Photographs 2020

 

100 YEARS of CHRISTMAS

"It surely is Christmas. Good will pervades my soul. For Christ was born in Bethlehem,to ransom all; My joy is full...." -Richelle E. Goodrich

Christmas from 1920-2020 

                                                 Cutter. Bethune, Saskatchewan. circa 1920

     In the snow at Christmas. Bethune. Stuart and Isobel. (My mother's brother and sister.)

                                                     Xmas walk. 1927

1937. My dad on the farm. they went at Christmas to  have a break from the city.  Were going to stay a week, but remained three weeks.

"May no one be forgotten this season..." -Tori Sorenson               
                       Xmas Hunting on the farm. 1941

1941. Xmas day. Isobel ( mum's sister), Grandmother Shiels and Mum, with Jessie.

1952. New House in Fairfield. Victoria. B.C.

1955. Parteeeeee time. Christmas day.  Grandparents, Mum Dad, Cousin Sheila, Etc.

1962. Guess who.

1963. Bear Bear. Christmas again. He still is part of Christmas every year.

"The true Christmas spirit is putting others' happiness before your own, and finding you've never known such happiness." - Tori Sorenson

1967. Christmas .............

1968. Snowstorm in Victoria. Unheard of. Even the buses stopped running.

1976. Christmas Carols. 

1979 Dec 16th. Christmas play.  With a cast of everyone.....

1979 Manger scene. Dec 16th play.

1988. Petawawa, Ontario. Xmas day. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

"The spirit of Christmas is a sweet, internal peace that testifies to the power of kindness and charity.." -R. E. Goodrich

1998 Dec 27. Christmas with wonderful friends.

                        2020  STILL Christmas.100 years later.

"Christmas isn't a parade or concert but a piece of your home you keep in your heart wherever you go.." -Donna VanLiere

Photographs 2020

Spencer on the gate

 

CHRISTMAS BIRTHDAY

"Christmas is the keeping place for memories of our innocence..." -Joan Mills

I'd never had a Christmas birthday party. The day dawned crisp and bright. I had high hopes. Five friends were coming. My mother was baking  and cooking away by dawn's early light. 

Christmas was a magical time. Plays, carolling, gatherings, music, more carolling. It all rolled into one big celebration.  And my birthday. Hidden there somewhere. But finally, I could have a party. With friends. On the 18th. The actual day. 

My mother decorated the dining room with  what she could afford. She stayed up late the night before polishing silver and cleaning plates. We did not have a lot, but she managed to count out the dollars to get party food.  My present this year would be the party only, she said. I agreed. 

"Heaven is where Christmas came from..."

                                          - C.D. Lounsborough

For dinner my mother planned shrimp cocktail, on sale  that week. They reminded me of pink worms as they sat in fancy shrimp glasses she had only used twice. She was going to fry 6 veal steaks, boiled veggies, potatoes, buns, and an apple pie. 

Just one pie was all she had time to make. 

But she did not  count on any of it for herself. She decided to have toast and eggs in the kitchen before . She was used to making sure everyone else was looked after.

She went without. Often. 

The evening came. The friends came. Shrimp cocktail was served.  We thought it was grand.My mother had only bought so many shrimp. I had less in my goblet. Spread across its crystal circumference.

Then my mother called me into the kitchen. There was a problem. The cat had gotten into the open packet of veal chops and eaten half of one. She had chewed it all the way across the counter.

The cat looked very pleased with herself. My mother said I would have to go without. So the guests got the veal chops. I got an extra serving of carrots. Oh yay me.

Dinner progressed. The stereo played. We talked. It was time for dessert.I was called back into the kitchen.This time it was to see the cat had licked the butter in its bowl.  My mother fretted about that butter. She had me toss it out and find the margarine. 

Then again, after all that, the cat had been walking on the counter. Stuck both paws into the apple pie.Sure enough, there were two round paw prints all the way through the pie. And some fur. Stuck to the one edge.

My mother informed me, no pie for me. She cut around the paw prints for my friends. I had to go without. I think she gave me the edge of the crust.  So not a lot of shrimp, no chops, extra carrots, and no pie for me. And then I had to wash the dishes and clean up. My mother sat in my dad's chair by the fire and  just sat there for a while.

Afterwards, when everyone had left, my  mother told me to rake the fire. The embers were low and she did not feel like doing much more.

The candles. The real candles......burnt low. The cat mewed . Probably for more butter. I washed pots and pans.Then washed the floor. My  mother stayed by the low burning fire.

Years later, I totally got it. Took me a while. I didn't see it at the time. She didn't eat when we ate. She made sure others got the best. Were cared for. She stayed in the background and cooked on a hot plate on the porch in the wind.  She managed to pull off the perfect dinner. She went without, so others could have. She made sure I would remember......

"Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflecting.." -Winston Churchill

Photographs 2020