Harmonic Solstice
To listen to music, is to be conveyed…
back to a distinct instance
every detail seen, every scent, and touch
extant..
in unison and in harmony
precise measures of time
and tempo
inscribed..
I was in my mid-20s… and enjoying a magical respite from teaching during those languorous Christmas holidays. It was snowing powder heavily that day in Canmore… the peaks weighed down with their crusts of snow, craggy peaks softly rounded with drifts. I most likely had gone cross-country skiing around the Ribbon Creek trails with my mom and brothers a few times. Black Rabbit wax smudged on the bottoms of my skis…
On this particular weekend I whiled away the days and nights.. laying completely prostrate, fixed flat on an IKEA pine bed nestled under a downy white quilt. The window would have been open just a “crack” to allow pure, icy mountain air to assail the heated room. My nose… buried deep in the pages of a book I just couldn’t put down until I had reached its’ end… all 1,168 pages of Atlas Shrugged. It was one of those controversial books… you know the ones, you devour and savour and are so glad of its’ size and heft.. because it feels you might never have to reach the end…
The music softly playing in the background that weekend was Windham Hill’s Winter’s Solstice album. The setting, the book and the album just seemed to go hand-in-hand, magical strains resonated with each touch of hand to paper’s turn.
I searched high a low for a cookie that looked “celestial”, an orb.. shaped cookie fitting for a Winter Solstice… and found these…
I’m not sure when I’ll be back “on-line” here, what with Christmas and such… I have sparkles on my face and my fingers are now stuck together with wrapping tape.. so I apologize for being MIA!
♥ I’d like to wish you all a warm and wonderful Christmas surrounded by those you cherish and the memories of those you wish were near… ♥
Then, perhaps make a batch of these, pick up a book.. and begin reading…
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
- 1 tsp clear vanilla extract
- 4 large egg yolks
- Icing Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice
- Sanding sugar (optional)
- Star or snow sprinkles (optional)
- Whisk together flour and salt in a medium-sized bowl.
- Whip butter in an electric mixer on medium speed, gradually add in sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in lemon zest and vanilla. Add egg yolks and just mix until blended.
- Turn mixer to low and gradually blend in flour mixture.
- Divide dough in two halves, roll each into a 10” long log about 1 3/4? in diameter.
- Wrap securely with plastic wrap. Logs can be shaped again once wrapped and starting to chill to ensure they keep their round log shape. Chill until firm, about 1 hour but this can be done up to 2 days in advance, but keep chilled.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat liners. Remove the plastic wrap and, using a sharp knife, slice each log into 1/4” thick rounds. Place on cookie sheets about 1” apart.
- Bake until cookies are firm but only slightly browned on the edges, about 14-16 minutes. Transfer to wire racks after cooling for 1 minute or so. Allow to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough log, using cooled sheets and fresh parchment paper each time.
- Icing Directions
- Whisk together icing sugar and fresh lemon juice until smooth, adding more lemon juice if too thick to drizzle. Drizzle over cookies as desired. Immediately sprinkle decorative sprinkles if using. Allow icing to set for about 10 minutes before storing in airtight container.
- By Epicurious
As always, a perfectly lovely post. I have so enjoyed reading your blog, and look forward to much more in the new year. Merry Christmas! xx
Likewise, Misk, I love your food, your poetry… everything is so beautifully written on your blog! Merry Xmas xoxo
You just gave me the most lovely Christmas present…such a heartfelt photo video. Merry Christmas, Smidge to you and your family.
Merry Christmas to you Karen, I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family… xoxo
This was so beautiful dear Barbara… How nice music and books meet… and how many times hits again and again… in your side and in my side… as if I lived these moments too… And wonderful recipe with beautiful photographs… Thank you dear Barbara, Happy New Year and Merry Christmas, angels be with you always, with my love, nia
I’m sure you’ve lived very similar experiences, Nia, we are quite similar in nature:) Merry Christmas, I hope it is everything you wish it to be (and your cat doesn’t get at your tree:)xo Smidge
Beautiful!
Thank you and a very Merry Christmas xoxo
What a lovely post, Smidge! Here’s wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you, John, I’m sure your family will just love being together and I can only imagine the tables decorated with beautiful plates full of your food!!
They do look celestial! 🙂 Just gorgeous. Merry Christmas Smidge. I hope it’s a wonderful day and a fun filled year.
Sprinkles are always fun:) Merry Christmas to you, wishing you a perfect year of good times and good health!! xo
Yum! I am going to make these today! Thanks for your beautiful post!
You’re so welcome.. Merry Christmas, Susie!
Beautiful words, beautiful music and very pretty cookies. Wishing you a very lovely Christmas.
Have a wonderful Christmas holiday xoxo!!
So beautifully, beautifully written Smidge, your post alone something to savor. And how much more perfect and celestial could a little cookie be?! Again Simply Beautiful! Wishing you a delightful sumptuous Christmas and a bit of time curled beneath a cloud of a quilt with book in hand! xo
I will, indeed, strive to be under the quilt!! As soon as all these gifts get wrapped… I hope you, too, have a wonderful Christmas celebration and holiday with your family:)
Beautiful cookies. I think you succeeded!
Thanks to you both.. and a very Merry Christmas!!
What beautiful looking cookies. I love the little sprinkles. Have a very Merry Christmas.
Yes, they’re kind of like perfume for the little black dress;) They are a very fun finishing touch to add on at the end! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
What a wonderful video! I kind of want to cry – in a good way! The cookies look lovely. I wish you a very enjoyable Christmas with the people you love, and all the very best for the New Year! 🙂
I have been more tearful than usual this year, myself. I think it is the lovely sentiments I’ve been reading on everyone’s blogs this year.. It’s just been such a proliferation of “more” of everything… more celebration, more decoration, and more meaning… I love it all! Merry Christmas to you as well!! xoxo Smidge
Thank you! I used to dislike feeling upset at this time of year, but I’ve come to think that feeling a spectrum of emotions helps us to experience the time more fully, so I’ve come to not fear them so much. 🙂
Perfectly fitting: a quiet remembrance of the soul-filled moments past of another winter solstice; dreaming text, crisp wintry skiing around a lake, welcome immersion in a loved book, and a sweet, sweet bite of lemony shortbread cookies sprinkled with sparkling stars. Thank you, dear Barb, for this lovely interlude, and may you be surrounded by joy and peace at Christmas and throughout the year ahead!
xoxo,
Kathryn
You always write so beautifully (and I know I always say this) but I am always touch and entranced (and honored) when reading what you’ve written. I hope you and your sisters and all of your loved ones have a wonderful Christmas! xoxo Barb
What beautiful and delicate cookies!
Thanks:)
That was a lovely post. Beautifully written. I know exactly what those books that devour and savour means. Merry Christmas to you!
Thanks, which books are you reading these days?
The light on the Winter Solstice cookies is lovely. Wonderful post.
note to follow
I plan to post this but am inviting a few consistent followers first.
Thanks Smidge.
Ruth
I am working on a new 2012 blog project to see where my blog travels. I would love to “travel” to you and visit via the USPS snail mail and have you photograph “me” wherever you want to take me, Like the FLAT STANLEY project.
If you are able to participate email me your snail mail address and then “cardboard me” will be sent to you. Take a photo or two of me wherever you want to take me, then write a couple of sentences about location, you, your blog, how you came to find my blog, anything you wish. You will be a guest blogger when I post your photos.
What do you think?
Email snail address to cardboard.me.travels@gmail.com if you can. Hope you can do it. Thanks
This sounds like fun, count me in!
If you’re offering me some delectable cookies, then I gladly accept because these Winter Solstice Cookies look so darn good lol. I absolutely love a good cookie this time of year. You always have amazing recipes.. so thanks for this one and the lovely video. Wonderful post 🙂
So wish I could! Thanks and have a wonderful Christmas!!
At last Im getting the Christmas bug…
Thank goodness.. it’s not too late:)
Everything about this post is just beautiful, and I particularly like those cookies. 😉 Yum!! That video was so nice. 🙂 🙂
Thanks, Caroline… Merry Christmas to you!
Merry Christmas!!!! By the way, love the snow across your page!!!
So festive!! And you know I love a book lover – though haven’t had the pleasure of reading that one yet. Merry early Christmas, Barbara!
Thanks Courtney… have a wonderful holiday!
What a lovely recording and slide show: a treat to see all the snow for the holiday. Have a beautiful holiday and a happy New Year. — Sharyn
Wishing you the same, Sharyn, may it be everything you hope for and then some:)
Hey, having just been nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award I get to nominate you (I don’t think this is your first time somehow) Here is the link on my blog that nominates you http://theemeraldgarden.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/the-versatile-blogger-award/
You know already that I love reading your posts, so sending some love your way.
Very nice post! Your cookies are just gorgeous!! Merry Christmas to You and yours from Me and mine!! 🙂