I don’t normally do a lot of holiday baking like some folks. Not because I don’t enjoy it, but it hardly seems worth the effort since I have no one to share the goodies with. Well, that’s not true. I have my husband, who loves sweets and baking for him is totally worth it, but you know what I mean. He’s actually really happy with plain ole peanut butter cookies most of the time anyway. I don’t have to go to the trouble of chilling and rolling out dough and letting yeast rise and chopping fruits and nuts and all that other fancy stuff. He’s not into the ornately decorated sugar cookies or gingerbread men that are so popular this time of year. So, it feels like a wasted effort to spend the entire day baking fancy holiday goodies.
But, for some reason this year I’ve had an urge to bake. Sweet breads, coffee cakes, muffins, cookies and breads. I don’t usually eat any of it because I’m not a huge fan of sweets, but I’ve been baking nonetheless. I’ve gifted some of my goodies and put some in the freezer to enjoy later. Again, I think I’ve been watching too many Hallmark movies.
I’m convinced that every script for a Hallmark Christmas movie must contain a scene where someone bakes cookies; a tree is chopped down or purchased and decorated even if 17 other trees already occupy space in the building; an ice skating scene, a snowman or snow angel making scene, which ALWAYS ends up in a snowball fight; and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the town square. Oh, and hot cocoa must be consumed at some point in the movie. It’s like there’s this giant check list that the producers look for in a script before filming.
But, I digress. No, not really. What I’ve noticed in these Hallmark movies (which I LOVE by the way, don’t get me wrong) is that every small town in America has lots of tourists and travelers who stay at the inns and eat at the restaurants and shop in the stores. I don’t know about where you live, but that NEVER happens here. You can fire off a cannon in my hallway and not disrupt a single soul. I book maybe 6 rooms the entire month of December (and January is even worse!). What gives? I guess it’s because we don’t have any snow. I mean you can’t build a snowman or angel or have a snowball fight or go ice skating when it’s 70 degrees outside. Is that it? People don’t head south for Christmas?
Or . . . is it that this little town I live in doesn’t encourage traveling in the winter? I’m pretty sure that’s it. Most of the shop owners and many small mom-and-pop restaurants simply close their doors for a few weeks in the winter. I keep telling people that nobody is going to come here if there is nothing for them to do. It’s a catch-22. The shops won’t open because there’s no people and people don’t come because there’s nothing to do. So much for our little small town America Hallmark Christmas here in Vicksburg. It’ll never happen.
So, why am I baking and trying to entice folks to my inn with homemade goodness? Who knows. Maybe I’m just bored. Maybe I’m hoping that if I bake it they will come. Maybe I secretly wish I was living in my own little Hallmark movie. Whatever the reason, it sure smells good in my house most days. And my husband has sweets to last for quite a while now.
Here’s how I imagine I look when I’m baking – you know when I’m in my own Hallmark movie:
And here’s how I undoubtedly really look in my real empty B & B:
How about you guys: do you do extra baking around the holidays? Do you share your bounty? Does your town have special festivities for Christmas? Do you live in a Hallmark setting?
Word of the Day: Planchette
Fun fact about me: My breadmaker stopped working so I’ve been making bread the old-fashioned way.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, December 2020. Images by Google and Pexels, and giphy.com.
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jansenschmidt 
Love it, Patricia! With the lack of parties, no social engagements, and doing all of my shopping online, I have so much time on my hands. I have two batches already done and plan to make three more.
This is a tough year for traveling, but maybe you can rally your town into staying open next year!
Merry Christmas!
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I think it helps take my mind off our bleak situation. Like I can bake for all the pretend guests I see in my mind. There’s an old country song called “If We Make It Through December,” which is my catch-phrase right now except I have to change it to January. Hopefully my fingernails are strong enough to hold on until then.
I’m sure you lovely home is full of delicious holiday smells right now as well. Baking sure has a way of at least making the house smell good, even if it is an empty house.
Have a lovely week. I look forward to seeing your many adventures.
Patricia
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It’s been so unsettling. My son is in the mountains quarantining with his girlfriend and my mom is staying home. I’m trying to stay safe and healthy.
My latest adventure? My family Christmas card! I’m still taking guesses…
Have a great week too, Patricia!
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At least it’ll be a holiday to remember, be it good or bad. Certainly different.
I’m guessing the card will have something to do with fire, masks or something else.
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I enjoy reading your blogs, but your website frustrates me. I log in and am recognized, and it accepts my “like,” but after I spend several minutes writing a comment I get a message that my comment can’t be posted. I have no idea why. 😠
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I don’t know what to tell you David, except thanks for your continued efforts. I wish I knew more about computers and cold fix the problem, but alas, I do not. I take great comfort in knowing that at least you’ve tried to drop in on me every Monday.
Have a great rest of the week.
Patricia
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Sometimes I make fudge around Christmas, but this year… eh, it’s too much for just me and my husband. And I’m too lazy to bake.
Last week, my husband was watching a Christmas movie set in a small town not far from here so I guess that means Knoxville is indeed a Hallmark setting LOL. Though it only snows maybe twice a year here. And the usual holiday festivities are all canceled, though the city still did a bang-up job decorating Market Square. Guess we’ll have to take a walk though it.
Here’s to making it through January! I supposed a planchette could be useful if we want to know in advance. 😀
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Oh man, I’m too afraid to use the planchette. I think I’ll just close my eyes and hope for the best!
You should get out and see all the pretty lights and decorations. I know that makes me feel good. My hubby did get the outside lights up and every night I admire the front porch for a few minutes. It makes me smile.
Thanks for taking the time to visit. Perhaps you’ll find some fudge on your outing to see the lights.
Patricia
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I avoid holiday baking because I have a serious sweet tooth and no desire to put on extra holiday poundage! But it never fails that someone drops off cookies and candy, which I can never resist. I bet Baer House is an amazing place to be for the holidays! And now since you know all the necessary ingredients for a Hallmark movie…write that script, girl! 🙂
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My husband suggested the very same thing. We always talk about the characterization, plots and plot holes while we’re watching and we always make predictions about what’s going to happen. I’ve said several times, “I could have written that.” To which is responds, “why don’t you.” (sigh)
Maybe that’s a good goal for next year hmmm?
Thanks for stopping by. May all your holiday treats be calorie-free!
Patricia
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Again I must give you kudos for staying as positive as possible during this virus mess. I think you are doing the right thing by keeping yourself busy with the baking. I kind of envy the hubby for having all those goodies to himself!! I also love the PB cookies.
I don’t bake much myself. I do make a mean beer bread and a to-die-for rum cream pie (not much baking there, just chilling.) Do you think it’s because to the booze?? Hmmm…
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Nothing wrong with booze cooking. I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food. (Ha ha)
Staying busy helps pass the time. Sitting around (especially on social media) makes me so depressed. I’ll keep baking until I run out of flour. Then, who knows.
Thanks for stopping by and cheering me up. So nice to see you. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Patricia
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