This Saturday my husband Gerry and I celebrated our first Jack Frost day and it was wonderful! We awoke early and as the sun peeked above the horizon we could see the patches of frost that were decorating our front yard. He announced "Happy Jack Frost Day," and we were off to an excellent start. I had looked for historical reference to the little elf who is the namesake, and the information was scant... an elfin figure who personifies crisp, cold winter weather. It inspired me to write a poem which I shared with my friends on Facebook. We did our usual Saturday errands as we decided on a few rules for the holiday. First, we would make a meal of all white food. Secondly,we would bring back the tradition of decorating a Holiday branch in lieu of a Christmas tree. Thirdly, we would exchange and recite poems about winter... oh and the unsaid was that merry silliness would be the tone of the day. My one purchase was a small white pointsettia that I used as a base for a holiday centerpiece (the white pointy flowers looked like elf ears). I made Paula Deen's coconut cake, which although labor intensive turned out both delicious and stunning to look at. Gerry was quick to go to the back yard and find a branch that was suitable to decorate (he has experience on this front). Before I could look out the window for progress, he was securing it a styrofoam container in which a Holiday package of frozen Omaha goodies arrived. As I started to upload our holiday music into itunes, Gerry strung the branch with lights and decorated with tinsel. It was magnificent, and although I may want to add a few bows and balls later on, it was a perfect symbol of simple elegance. As we listened to the holiday music and enjoyed some holiday libations, we laughed at our bunny Otis's antics. He picked up his food bowel with his teeth and threw it, scattering his kibble across the floor. He'll do the naughtiest things for attention! Then we both went and found our chosen poems for our reading. We had both chosen 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost. Gerry also chose "Dust of Snow" and "A Winter Eden" by Frost. I chose, "To a Locomotive in Winter" by Walt Whitman. We read to each other as the sun set low in the western sky. At dusk Gerry started our white meal: crab stuffed flounder, twice baked potatoes, white asparagus and endive and heart of palm salad. We dined by candlelight enjoying the white light glow of our holiday branch. After dinner and before dessert, a special cocktail was made. We took turns pouring cold water over a slotted spoon with a sugar cube on it, into Absinthe, a green liquor. As the water melted the sugar and it blended with the liquor it magically turned a cloudy, milky white. Thus our Green Fairies were made. It was good that we drank this with the moist and heavy coconut cake, as the alcohol content is 130 proof. Suddenly, we noticed it was snowing outside and our glee soared! The night ended with singing and dancing on the patio... well that was me... my husband video captured it as we both laughed hysterically (this will remain locked in the private collection). Yes, in the cold and dark of winter there is so much fun waiting to be had... you just have to have the imagination to name it, and the joy to experience it.
